Getting Around Egypt: Transport Guide for Travellers

Getting around Egypt is easiest with a mix of airport transfers, Cairo’s metro, ride-hailing apps, and trains or buses between cities, supported by good mobile data for maps and payments.

Egypt is big, busy, and full of incredible sights, but moving around can feel chaotic if you don’t know the options. In 2023, Egypt welcomed over 14.9 million tourists (per the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism), so the transport network is constantly in use and evolving. For most travellers, the smoothest setup is: pre-booked airport transfer or official taxi on arrival, metro and ride-hailing apps in Cairo and Alexandria, and trains or comfortable coaches for trips between major cities like Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, and Aswan.

A Hello eSIM for Egypt keeps you connected for ride-hailing, navigation, and translations from the moment you land, so you’re not relying on airport Wi‑Fi or haggling for a SIM card after a red-eye flight. Use Hello’s budget tracking to keep an eye on taxi fares, train tickets, and group expenses as you go.

Below, you’ll find a practical Egypt transport guide covering airport transfers, public transport, inter-city travel, ride-hailing, and driving, with real-world prices (2025 estimates in USD and EGP) so you can plan confidently.

Egypt airport transfers are best handled with pre-booked rides, official taxis, or ride-hailing apps, with typical fares from $10–30 depending on the city, traffic, and time of day.

Egypt’s main international gateways are Cairo International (CAI), Hurghada (HRG), Sharm El Sheikh (SSH), and Borg El Arab in Alexandria (HBE). After a long flight, your first hurdle is getting into town without overpaying or getting lost.

Cairo (CAI)

• Official white/yellow taxis: Expect around 250–400 EGP ($8–13 in 2025) to central areas like Downtown or Zamalek. Agree on a price before you get in and confirm whether they’ll use the meter.
• Private airport transfers: Hotels and tour operators typically charge $25–40 per car for a meet-and-greet service, worth it if you arrive late at night or with lots of luggage.
• Ride-hailing (Uber/Careem): If available at your terminal, rides to central Cairo are usually 200–350 EGP ($7–11), but surge pricing can push this higher during peak times.

Red Sea airports (Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh)
Taxi prices vary more in resort areas, but budget 200–300 EGP ($7–10) for short hops to nearby hotels and 400–600 EGP ($13–20) for longer resort transfers.

Having an active Hello eSIM when you land lets you order ride-hailing, check live prices, and message your driver in English, instead of relying on airport touts or offline bargaining after a long flight.

Egypt public transport is cheap and extensive in big cities, with Cairo’s metro and local buses costing as little as $0.20–0.60 per ride, but it can be crowded and confusing without some prep.

Cairo Metro is the backbone of urban transport, especially for avoiding traffic jams. As of 2025, a single ride costs roughly 8–15 EGP ($0.25–0.50) depending on distance and line. You can:

• Buy paper tickets at the window for each journey.
• Use rechargeable smart cards (e.g., Metro Card) that you top up with cash for quicker entry.

Key stops for travellers include Sadat (Tahrir Square), Attaba, Dokki, and Giza (for onward taxis to the pyramids). During rush hour, carriages are very crowded. Some cars are reserved for women only—look for signs on the platform.

Buses and minibuses operate throughout Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, and other cities, but routes are mostly in Arabic and can feel chaotic. Tickets are usually 5–15 EGP ($0.15–0.50) paid onboard in cash. They’re an ultra-budget option if you’re comfortable with local-style travel.

Alexandria has a nostalgic yellow-and-blue tram network along the corniche. Rides are typically 4–6 EGP ($0.15–0.20) and a fun local experience, though not the fastest.

For short hops between nearby towns, ordinary trains and service taxis (microbuses) run frequently, but signage is limited in English. Download offline maps and keep mobile data handy so you can track your stop and avoid overshooting your destination.

Getting around Egypt’s cities is easiest with a mix of metered taxis and ride-hailing apps like Uber and Careem, which are affordable, widely used, and safer than haggling on the street.

In Cairo and Alexandria, Uber and Careem operate extensively and are often cheaper and more predictable than street taxis. A 20–30 minute ride across central Cairo typically costs 60–120 EGP ($2–4 in 2025), depending on traffic and time of day. In Alexandria, expect slightly lower fares for similar distances.

Traditional white taxis in Cairo and black/yellow taxis elsewhere are plentiful. Most now have meters, but some drivers prefer a fixed price. A short 10–15 minute ride usually falls in the 25–60 EGP ($0.80–2) range. Always:

• Confirm the meter is on, or
• Agree a fare beforehand, and keep small bills.

Here’s a quick comparison to help you choose:

Option	Where Available	Typical City Fare (2025)	Pros	Cons
Uber/Careem	Cairo, Alexandria, some resorts	60–120 EGP (20–30 min)	Clear pricing, app in English, safer	Needs mobile data; surge at peak times
Official airport taxi	Major airports	250–400+ EGP to city	Easy at arrivals, fixed price	Higher cost, negotiation sometimes needed
Street taxis	All cities	25–60 EGP (short rides)	Very common, flexible	Haggling, occasional overcharging

Because ride-hailing and navigation depend on constant internet, an eSIM from Hello in your phone means you can request rides, share your live location, and split costs with friends using Hello’s expense splitting without hunting for Wi‑Fi or local SIM shops.

Inter-city travel in Egypt is best done by train along the Nile corridor, by comfortable coaches on major routes, and by domestic flights for long distances like Cairo–Luxor–Aswan or Red Sea resorts.

According to Egypt’s National Railways, tens of millions of passengers ride trains each year between Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, and Aswan. For travellers, the most popular route is along the Nile:

• Cairo–Luxor: Day trains from about 250–450 EGP ($8–15) in second/first class; overnight sleeper trains (on private operators) can be $60–100 per person including dinner and breakfast.
• Cairo–Alexandria: Fast trains take around 2.5–3 hours, with tickets typically 150–300 EGP ($5–10) in 2025.

Long-distance buses/coaches (e.g., Go Bus, Blue Bus, Super Jet) connect Cairo with Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, and Sinai. Expect:

• Cairo–Hurghada: 6–7 hours, 350–600 EGP ($11–20) depending on class.
• Cairo–Sharm El Sheikh: 7–8 hours, similar pricing.

Domestic flights are a big time-saver on longer routes:

• Cairo–Luxor/Aswan: From around $60–120 one-way booked in advance.
• Cairo–Hurghada/Sharm El Sheikh: Often $50–110, depending on season.

On the Nile, cruises and feluccas between Luxor and Aswan are more about the journey than point‑to‑point transport. Multi-day cruises start around $300–600 per person (depending on season and comfort level) and double as moving hotels.

Use Hello’s budget tracking to log big-ticket items like sleeper trains or flights and see how they fit into your overall Egypt transport budget at a glance.

Driving in Egypt is possible for confident drivers, but traffic, variable road quality, and local driving styles mean many visitors prefer drivers or organised tours instead of self-drive.

Cairo’s traffic is famously intense—think horns, fluid lane markings, and mixed vehicle types all sharing the road. Outside major cities and highways, signage can be limited and night driving risky due to poor lighting and unexpected obstacles.

If you still want to rent a car, you’ll find major agencies in Cairo, Alexandria, and resort areas. Typical prices in 2025 are:

• $30–50 per day for a small/compact car.
• $50–80 per day for an SUV, plus optional insurance.

Most companies will accept a valid national driving licence (in Latin script) and your passport; however, many embassies recommend carrying an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside your licence for clarity if you’re stopped. Always check current rules with your rental company before booking.

Key tips if you drive:

• Avoid driving in central Cairo during rush hours—use metro or ride-hailing instead.
• Stick to daytime driving on rural roads and in the desert.
• Watch for speed bumps and informal crossings near villages.
• Keep cash for tolls on main highways.

For many travellers, hiring a private driver for day trips (e.g., Cairo to Saqqara and Dahshur for around 800–1500 EGP / $25–50 per day, excluding fuel) offers the flexibility of self-drive with far less stress.

Most travellers get around Egypt by combining Cairo’s metro, ride-hailing apps, inter-city trains or buses, and occasional domestic flights, adjusting their choices based on budget, time, and comfort.

Is public transport safe in Egypt?
Generally yes, especially on main routes used by commuters and tourists. Cairo Metro and inter-city trains are widely used by locals. As with any busy city, keep valuables close, avoid very late-night solo travel in unfamiliar areas, and use women-only carriages if that makes you more comfortable.

How much should I budget per day for transport?
If you mostly use metro and occasional ride-hailing in Cairo, plus one or two short taxis, plan 150–300 EGP ($5–10 per day in 2025). Factor in more (up to 600–800 EGP / $20–25) on days with long taxi rides, tours, or inter-city trips.

Do I need cash, or do apps and cards work?
Public transport and many taxis are still cash-first, especially outside Cairo and Alexandria. Ride-hailing apps accept cards, but it’s smart to carry small bills for tickets, tips, and short rides.

How important is mobile data for getting around?
Very. You’ll use it for maps, Arabic address translation, and ride-hailing. A Hello eSIM for Egypt lets you arrive connected, and Hello’s AI expense tracking helps you capture receipts (even in Arabic) and split transport costs with friends in multiple currencies.

Can I rely on Google Maps?
For major cities and highways, yes, but always double-check with locals at stations or hotels for the latest info on bus routes and station entrances.