No other nation in the world says ‘Welcome’ as often as the Egyptians, and every time, they mean it. While the ancient civilization of Egypt continues to amaze, contemporary Egyptians are equally remarkable.
Transportation in Egypt
Getting Around Egypt: Transportation Tips
for Travelers on Any Budget
Egypt is a country made for adventure — and half the adventure is simply getting from place to place! From the bustling streets of Cairo to the quiet temples of Luxor or the sun-soaked shores of the Red Sea, how you travel in Egypt shapes your experience just as much as where you go.
The good news? Egypt offers a wide range of transportation options for every budget, travel style, and comfort level. Whether you’re a backpacker looking to navigate local buses for pennies, a couple seeking the convenience of Uber, or a history-lover planning a scenic train journey along the Nile — Egypt has you covered.
But navigating transport here isn’t always straightforward. The chaotic charm of Cairo’s microbuses, the peaceful glide of a Nile ferry, or the comfort of a domestic flight — each comes with its quirks, costs, and local know-how.
In this guide, I’ll break down all the main ways to get around Egypt — from metro lines and minibuses to taxis, trains, and flights — with practical tips, cost estimates, and insider advice to help you travel smoothly (and affordably).
Ready to travel Egypt like a pro? Let’s hit the road.
Getting Around Egypt: Tourist Transportation Options
Public Transportation
Cairo Metro: Cairo’s metro is the fastest way to traverse the city, bypassing Cairo’s notorious traffic jams. It has three lines covering major districts (e.g. Line 1 from Helwan to El Marg, Line 2 through downtown to Giza, Line 3 east–west). Trains run roughly 5:00am to 1:00am, every 5–10 minutes at peak times. Fares are distance-based and very cheap – around EGP 5 to 10 for most rides (about $0.20–$0.30), even after recent fare hikes (capped at EGP 20 for the longest trips). The metro can be extremely crowded during rush hours, and women travelers can use the women-only cars (two carriages on each train are reserved for women) for comfort and safety. Overall, it’s a reliable and efficient option for getting around greater Cairo on a budget.
City Buses and Minibuses: Public buses in Egypt (operated by Cairo Transport Authority in Cairo, and similar authorities in other cities) are inexpensive but challenging for tourists. They cost only a few pounds per ride – for example, Alexandria’s city buses charge EGP 3 for short trips and up to 10 EGP for longer routes – and generally run from early morning (~5–6am) until around 11pm. Buses are often crowded and not very tourist-friendly: routes are usually labeled in Arabic, schedules can be inconsistent, and stops aren’t always clearly announced. Newer air-conditioned buses exist on some popular routes (marked in yellow/green with higher fares) to provide slightly more comfort. Minibuses (microbuses) are a ubiquitous private option filling gaps in the transit network. They are fast but chaotic – essentially 12–20 seat vans that depart when full and can stop anywhere to pick up or drop off passengers. Microbuses have no fixed timetables (they run on “Cairo time”) but are very frequent on busy corridors. They are also extremely cheap: a short hop may cost around EGP 5, and even a longer cross-city ride rarely exceeds EGP 10–15. However, they can be cramped and unpredictable, so they’re best for the more adventurous traveler or those with local experience. In summary, public buses and minibuses will save you money but require patience and a bit of Arabic to navigate.
Intercity Trains: Egypt’s railway network connects major cities along the Nile Valley and the Nile Delta, allowing travel from Cairo to Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan, Suez, etc. For tourists, trains offer an authentic, scenic journey along the Nile at a low cost, though slower than flying. There are two broad categories of trains: Express trains (including “VIP” or “Spanish” services) have air-conditioned 1st and 2nd class cars, reserved seating, and sometimes a dining car. Ordinary trains are cheaper, unreserved, make more stops, and often lack A/C – these are not recommended for long-distance tourist travel due to comfort and safety.
Taxis: Taxis are plentiful in Egyptian cities and remain a primary mode of transport for tourists and locals alike. In Cairo, there are three types of taxis to be aware of: white, yellow, and black cabs. The white taxis (modern white sedans with a black checker stripe) are the most common and have meters, making them straightforward on pricing. The older black-and-white taxis (in Cairo and some other cities) generally do not use meters, so you must negotiate a fare before starting the ride. These older cabs are gradually being phased out but you may still encounter them; they often lack air-conditioning as well. Yellow taxis in Cairo refer to a fleet of private cab companies that you can call or hail via app – they are also metered and typically newer cars, used often for pre-booked rides or airport transfers. In Alexandria, the common taxis are painted black-and-yellow or black-and-white; many of these are supposed to have meters, but in practice drivers often prefer to set a fixed price. Always confirm that the meter is running (or agree on a price) before you set off to avoid any disputes.
Private Transportation
Taxis: Taxis are plentiful in Egyptian cities and remain a primary mode of transport for tourists and locals alike. In Cairo, there are three types of taxis to be aware of: white, yellow, and black cabs. The white taxis (modern white sedans with a black checker stripe) are the most common and have meters, making them straightforward on pricing. The older black-and-white taxis (in Cairo and some other cities) generally do not use meters, so you must negotiate a fare before starting the ride. These older cabs are gradually being phased out but you may still encounter them; they often lack air-conditioning as well. Yellow taxis in Cairo refer to a fleet of private cab companies that you can call or hail via app – they are also metered and typically newer cars, used often for pre-booked rides or airport transfers. In Alexandria, the common taxis are painted black-and-yellow or black-and-white; many of these are supposed to have meters, but in practice drivers often prefer to set a fixed price. Always confirm that the meter is running (or agree on a price) before you set off to avoid any disputes.
Ride-Hailing Apps (Uber/Careem): Uber and its regional counterpart Careem operate in Egypt and are excellent options for tourists. In Cairo and Alexandria, Uber/Careem are widely available and offer on-demand rides with transparent pricing and GPS navigation. Using the app means you don’t need to haggle over fares or explain your destination in Arabic – just drop a pin and go. Prices on Uber/Careem are very low due to subsidized rates and the low cost of living: even a 20-minute Uber ride in Cairo might cost around EGP 20–30 (well under $2). Many visitors find Uber drivers more professional and less likely to attempt scams than street taxis.
Both apps allow credit card or cash payment and have safety features like ride tracking and driver ratings. It’s worth noting that Uber/Careem are currently available only in larger cities – Cairo and Alexandria for Uber (and to some extent Hurghada/Sharm El Sheikh), while Luxor and Aswan do not have Uber service. (Careem claims to operate in Luxor/Aswan, but in practice rides are very scarce.) So in smaller cities and towns, you’ll likely rely on regular taxis or hotel transfers. Overall, in Cairo/Alex, ride-hailing apps are safe, convenient, and often cheaper than hailing a taxi (e.g. Cairo Uber from downtown to Giza might be ~$8 vs $15+ by taxi). They are highly recommended for newcomers. Just be aware of Cairo’s traffic – sometimes drivers can take a while to reach you or to navigate busy roads.
Car Rentals (Self-Drive): Renting a car in Egypt is possible but usually not the preferred option for most tourists, especially for city driving. Major international agencies like Avis, Budget, Sixt, Europcar and Hertz have desks at Cairo Airport and in cities. A typical economy car may cost around $30–$50 USD per day, and fuel is relatively cheap (Egypt subsidizes gas). However, driving in Egypt (especially in Cairo) is challenging. Traffic in cities is chaotic and rules-of-the-road are often treated as suggestions. Drivers can be aggressive – lane discipline is poor, horns are used liberally, and you’ll share the road with swarms of cars, buses, tuk-tuks, and even donkey carts in some areas. Road signage may be in Arabic, and navigation can be confusing for newcomers. Parking in downtown areas is also a challenge. If you do rent, it’s strongly advised to have an International Driving Permit, ensure the car has insurance, and consider renting a GPS or using offline maps.
Driving between cities can be easier than urban driving – highways through the desert or along the Nile are straightforward, though be cautious of speeding drivers and occasional checkpoints. Many tourists instead opt to hire a private car and driver, which is common in Egypt. For example, you can arrange a car+driver for a day trip (your hotel or a tour agency can set this up) so you get the flexibility of a car without the stress of driving. In summary, renting a car gives freedom to explore on your own schedule, but due to road conditions and driving culture it’s only recommended if you’re a confident driver and familiar with similar driving environments. Otherwise, stick to taxis, trains, and flights for a more relaxing trip.
Domestic Flights
For long distances within Egypt, domestic flights are by far the quickest way to travel. The country’s main domestic airline is Egypt Air, the national flag carrier, which operates frequent flights linking Cairo with major tourist destinations like , Aswan, Sharm El-Sheikh, Hurghada, Abu Simbel, and Alexandria. EgyptAir and its subsidiaries (it owns Air Cairo and formerly EgyptAir Express) handle most internal routes, often with multiple flights per day on popular legs. In addition, private airlines such as Nile Air and FlyEgypt serve some routes (for example, Nile Air offers services from Cairo to Luxor/Aswan and Red Sea resorts, sometimes at competitive prices if you book early). Flying is much faster than land transport – for instance, the 650 km journey from Cairo to Luxor takes only about 1 hour by plane (versus 9–10 hours by train), and Cairo to Aswan (685 km) is ~1.5 hours flight time. Cairo to the beach resorts of Sharm El-Sheikh or Hurghada is around a 1 hour flight, compared to 5–6 hours by bus or car. If your
