Getting Around Egypt
Transportation Strategy
Urban Areas: Use Cairo Metro for efficient city travel. Rural: Rent a car for Nile Valley exploration. Desert/Coast: Buses and private tours. For convenience, book airport transfers from Cairo to your destination.
Train Travel
Egyptian National Railways
Reliable network connecting Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, and Alexandria with daily services.
Cost: Cairo to Luxor 200-500 EGP, journeys 9-12 hours; first class recommended.
Tickets: Buy at stations, online via ENR app, or agents; book sleeper trains early.
Peak Times: Avoid Fridays and holidays for better availability and comfort.
Rail Passes & Upgrades
Egypt Rail Pass not standard, but multi-journey tickets save 20%; sleeper trains from €50-100/person.
Best For: Nile trips over several days, air-conditioned first class for 3+ stops.
Where to Buy: Major stations like Ramses in Cairo, or official website with ID required.
Sleeper & Long-Distance
Watania Sleeping Trains connect Cairo to Aswan overnight; new high-speed line Cairo-Alexandria by 2026.
Booking: Reserve 1-2 weeks ahead for sleeper berths, discounts for groups up to 30%.
Main Stations: Ramses Station in Cairo, Luxor Station for Upper Egypt connections.
Car Rental & Driving
Renting a Car
Ideal for flexible Nile and desert trips. Compare rental prices from 500-1000 EGP/day at Cairo Airport and resorts.
Requirements: International license, passport, credit card, minimum age 21-25.
Insurance: Full coverage essential due to road conditions, verify theft and collision.
Driving Rules
Drive on the right, speed limits: 50 km/h urban, 90 km/h rural, 120 km/h highways.
Tolls: Some highways like Cairo-Alexandria require fees (50-100 EGP/trip).
Priority: Yield to pedestrians and camels in rural areas, chaotic traffic in cities.
Parking: Street parking free but guarded lots 20-50 EGP/day in tourist zones.
Fuel & Navigation
Fuel stations common at 10-15 EGP/liter for petrol, 9-12 EGP for diesel; carry cash.
Apps: Google Maps or Maps.me for offline navigation, essential in remote areas.
Traffic: Heavy congestion in Cairo and Giza, avoid rush hours 7-10 AM and 4-7 PM.
Urban Transport
Cairo Metro
Two main lines covering central Cairo, single ticket 5-15 EGP, day pass 40 EGP, 10-journey 60 EGP.
Validation: Buy and validate magnetic tickets at gates, women-only cars available.
Apps: Cairo Metro app for routes, timings, and avoiding peak crowds.
Bike & Scooter Rentals
Swvl or bike shares in Hurghada and Alexandria, 50-150 EGP/day with apps for docking.
Routes: Flat Nile paths ideal, but limited infrastructure outside resorts.
Tours: Guided bike tours in Luxor temples, combining history with light cycling.
Buses & Microbuses
Go Bus and Super Jet for intercity, microbuses for local; fares 10-50 EGP/ride.
Tickets: Buy onboard or via apps like Go Bus, cash or mobile payment accepted.
Coastal Services: Buses connect Red Sea resorts to Cairo, 200-400 EGP for 6-8 hours.
Accommodation Options
Accommodation Tips
- Location: Stay near metro or Nile in Cairo for easy access, Luxor West Bank for temples.
- Booking Timing: Book 2-3 months ahead for winter (Oct-Apr) and holidays like Ramadan.
- Cancellation: Choose flexible rates when possible, especially for Nile cruise connections.
- Amenities: Check for AC, WiFi, and proximity to transport before booking.
- Reviews: Read recent reviews (last 6 months) for accurate current conditions and service quality.
Communication & Connectivity
Mobile Coverage & eSIM
Strong 4G/5G in cities and tourist areas, 3G in rural Nile Valley and deserts.
eSIM Options: Get instant data with Airalo or Yesim from 100 EGP for 1GB, no physical SIM needed.
Activation: Install before departure, activate upon arrival, works immediately.
Local SIM Cards
Vodafone, Orange, Etisalat, and WE offer prepaid SIMs from 100-300 EGP with nationwide coverage.
Where to Buy: Airports, kiosks, or provider stores with passport for registration.
Data Plans: 5GB for 150 EGP, 10GB for 250 EGP, unlimited for 400 EGP/month typically.
WiFi & Internet
Free WiFi in hotels, cafes, and malls; limited in rural areas but improving.
Public Hotspots: Airports and major sites like pyramids offer free public WiFi.
Speed: Generally 10-50 Mbps in urban areas, suitable for maps and messaging.
Practical Travel Information
- Time Zone: Eastern European Time (EET), UTC+2, no daylight saving observed.
- Airport Transfers: Cairo Airport 20km from city center, metro 50 EGP (30 min), taxi 200-300 EGP, or book private transfer for 500-800 EGP.
- Luggage Storage: Available at airports and train stations (50-100 EGP/day) and hotel services.
- Accessibility: Metro and modern trains wheelchair-friendly, ancient sites like pyramids have ramps but stairs common.
- Pet Travel: Pets allowed on trains with carrier (extra fee 50 EGP), check resort policies for restrictions.
- Bike Transport: Bikes on trains for 100 EGP off-peak, not recommended on buses due to space.
Flight Booking Strategy
Getting to Egypt
Cairo International (CAI) is the main hub. Compare flight prices on Aviasales or Kiwi for the best deals from major cities worldwide.
Main Airports
Cairo International (CAI): Primary gateway, 20km northeast of city with metro and bus links.
Hurghada (HRG): Red Sea resort hub 10km from town, taxi 100 EGP (20 min).
Sharm El Sheikh (SSH): Sinai airport 7km from resort, shuttle 50-100 EGP (15 min).
Booking Tips
Book 2-3 months in advance for winter travel (Oct-Apr) to save 30-50% on average fares.
Flexible Dates: Flying mid-week (Tuesday-Thursday) typically cheaper than weekends.
Alternative Routes: Consider flying into Istanbul or Dubai and connecting to save on direct flights.
Budget Airlines
EgyptAir Express, Air Cairo, and Ryanair serve domestic and regional routes affordably.
Important: Factor in baggage fees and resort transfers when comparing total costs.
Check-in: Online check-in mandatory 24 hours before, airport fees higher.
Transportation Comparison
Money Matters on the Road
- ATMs: Widely available in cities, fees 20-50 EGP, use bank machines to avoid tourist traps.
- Credit Cards: Visa and Mastercard accepted in hotels/resorts, cash preferred in markets.
- Contactless Payment: Growing in urban areas, Apple Pay and Google Pay in major spots.
- Cash: Essential for taxis, tips, and souks, keep 500-1000 EGP in small notes.
- Tipping: Baksheesh culture: 10-20 EGP for small services, 50-100 EGP for guides.
- Currency Exchange: Use Wise for best rates, avoid airport exchanges with high fees.