This content has been copied from my blog post, London Cab Egypt Makes Cairo Wheelchair Accessible. This is the only wheelchair taxi service operating in Cairo, Egypt.
When I began planning my wheelchair accessible vacation to Cairo, Egypt, my primary concern was transportation. I reached out to several of the local tour providers which advertise wheelchair accessible packages, but none of them responded. Thankfully, I discovered a much better alternative – London Cab Egypt, who operate wheelchair taxis in Cairo, Egypt.
A Wheelchair Accessible Taxi in Cairo, Egypt
London Cab Egypt, a division of the Sixt Rent a Car company, offers a stylish transportation service in Cairo and other Egyptian cities, which contains a fleet of the TX4 black cabs you’d normally find in London, England. What’s unique about TX4 black cabs is that every one is outfitted with a wheelchair access ramp. Yes, you heard that right – every one!
The ramp folds out from the right rear door and can be a bit steep if the cab is not parked alongside a curb. London Cab Egypt outfits their vehicles with a ramp extension, seen in the photo above, to reduce the incline. My power wheelchair never had any issues in going up or down the ramp, but it did take a little finesse. If you’re not super-skilled at controlling your power chair, the driver will be able to push you up the slope and into the taxi.
While the TX4 does have a higher roof than a typical taxi, power wheelchair users will probably need to bend their neck a bit to fit inside. For users of manual wheelchairs, which sit lower to the ground, this will not be a problem.
If you are able to transfer out of your wheelchair and into the back seat of the cab, I recommend you do so. This might be more comfortable than sitting sideways in your wheelchair and you’ll have a much better view of Egypt through the large windows of the taxi. It was for me, at least!
While the TX4 isn’t the perfect design for a wheelchair taxi, it offers a simple solution to the problem of accessible transportation and is capable of opening up cities – from London to Beijing and now Cairo, Egypt!
Reservations, Booking & Cost
London Cab Egypt has a modern website that accepts bookings and enquiries, at www.londoncabegypt.com. There is also a mobile app and a 24/7 call center ready to accept reservations.
With a large fleet and a team of English-speaking drivers, London Cab Egypt requires only one hour’s notice to arrange your ride. While the cost is a bit higher than a typical taxi in Cairo, the higher level of service, vehicle quality and wheelchair accessibility make the fares a bargain.
The cost of my round-trip transfer between Cairo International Airport and the Le Méridien Pyramids Hotel & Spa (about an hour’s drive each way) was 500 EGP, or about $28 USD.
Even greater value existed in the day tours, where you book a ride for 4, 6 or 8 hours. The cost of these tours was 338, 560 and 671 EGP, respectively .hat means you can have a wheelchair accessible taxi and driver all day (8 hours) for only $37 USD. In the United States, $37 won’t even get you 10 miles in a taxi. In Egypt, I criss-crossed Cairo, toured the pyramids, visited museums and ate at local restaurants – all without breaking the bank.
Final Thoughts
If a TX4 London Cab will meet your wheelchair accessibility needs, I encourage you to take control of your vacation and book transportation with London Cab Egypt. My driver, Ahmed, did a FANTASTIC job and shared local insights to make my time in Egypt enjoyable. I can’t recommend London Cab Egypt enough, and I look forward to my next visit to the land of pharaohs and pyramids!
