The district of Badrashin on the western side of the Nile is chock full of fabulous places to visit. I’ve written about a few of them here so far – #SahSah Felah, #Al Sorat, #Dahshur, #Visit Badrashin – and I will introduce you to #Saqqara, #Zeinab’s Kitchen, #Ilcampo, and #Go Kayak in the coming months. Like a siren, the lush land west of the Nile calls to me.
We found, however, that getting to Badrashin from our home in Maadi by public transportation is not for sissies. We would head north from Maadi, cut west across the Nile on the Ring Road, and then turn south again along the Saqqara Road. I was proud of our moxy and street smarts but truthfully exhausted by the long hauls on multiple minibuses.
And then the day came that I discovered the Maadi Ferry. Friends, my life changed forever. Long, hot minibus rides crammed with cranky children were replaced by the cool breezes and breathtaking views of the Nile. The ferry is not only more comfortable, it is an adventure! And if you are like me, you will take an extra measure of delight from knowing that not even all locals know about the ferry. You’ll be telling them how to do it! Today I will share with you how you, too, can take the Maadi Ferry like an Egyptian.
Head on down to the dock on the Maadi Corniche. You’ll find that the dock is located right next to #Roma Boats, my preferred company for a #Nile Felucca ride. Immediately down the steep steps or ramp you’ll find the table serving as the ticket booth. The price, at the time of writing, is 2.5 pounds per adult/teenager. Children are free. If you want to avoid questions or additional discussion in Arabic, just slap down a 5-pound note per adult or very large child and accept your slip of a ticket with confidence. Now all there is to do is to wait for the ferry to arrive. Your wait won’t be long; ferries come and go approximately every ten minutes during daytime hours. Just stand there and wait like you know what you are doing. Be prepared for curious looks from fellow passengers, but don’t mind them. You’ve got this!
When the ferry arrives and unloads, you’ll notice there can be a bit of a surge as masses try to board at the same exact time everyone else is trying to disembark. Take care. That said, if you find yourself getting into the spirit of the whole thing, it is completely acceptable to climb over the railing of the ferry rather than wait in the queue.
Insider tip: consider waiting for a ferry with an obviously “open” upper deck (as in, you can see benches and people on the upper deck as the ferry pulls in). You may access the upper level from a little staircase on the main deck. Or, if you are feeling particularly nimble, you can just climb up the outside of the boat to the upper deck. Either way, the upper deck affords the best view.
The crossing takes less than ten minutes. Once you arrive at the dock on the other side of the Nile, you can stay in your seat and return on the same boat. Someone will come to take your ticket fee (5 LE/adult!) at some point on the return trip. If, however, you’d like to put your adventure into overdrive, walk up the ramp from the ferry dock to the main road and catch a tuk-tuk to #Ilcampo or #SahSah Felah or any of a number of fun destinations.
Bonus: If it turns out your life is also changed by the Maadi Ferry, you’ll be relieved to know that there are other ferries criss-crossing the Nile daily. Imagine! I’ll include a few fun ones here to spark your imagination and solidify your desire to become a Nile Ferry Expert.
Bottom line: whether you intend to use the ferry to actually get somewhere or just for bragging rights, don’t miss it! I’ll see you out on the Nile!
