Delays are also caused by riders holding the doors open for friends behind them, sometimes far far behind them. The two metro lines vary slightly. The underground platforms are comfortably warm in the winter and stuffy, humid and hot in the summer when the only breezes come from passing trains. The newer Shoubra-Cairo University line is better. Consider yourself lucky if your daily commute uses this line.
Key metro stops.
Its tunnels double as a pedestrian underpass. This is where the two metro lines meet. This station further south is a useful departure point because it is within walking distance of the ninth century Mosque of Ibn Tulun, one of the oldest Islamic structure preserved in Cairo, and a further walk will take energetic tourists to the Citadel, Al-Refa'i Mosque. El-Maadi Good for visits to this affluent suburb, but most of the district requires a car. However, the fifth century Chruch of the Holy Virgin is only a 15 minute walk from the station.