Transportation in Egypt

✈️ Airport Transfer

The cheapest reliable option from Cairo International Airport (CAI) is Uber or Careem — book from inside the terminal after passport control. Hotels also offer pre-booked transfers (more expensive but stress-free at night). Avoid unmarked "taxi" touts.

🚖 In the City — Ride-Hailing Apps

Uber — works in Cairo, Alexandria, Hurghada, Sharm.
Careem — Middle-East rival to Uber, sometimes cheaper.
inDrive — you propose the price.

Street taxis (white in Cairo, yellow elsewhere) exist but rarely use meters — agree the price first, or just use an app.

🚆 Trains

Egyptian National Railways (ENR) runs the Cairo–Alexandria and Cairo–Luxor–Aswan lines.

Cairo ↔ Alexandria — fast Spanish trains, 2.5 hrs.
Cairo ↔ Luxor/Aswan — daytime first-class trains or Watania sleeper trains overnight (foreigners-only sleeper service). Book ahead via the ENR website/app or at the station.

🛫 Domestic Flights

EgyptAir and Air Cairo connect Cairo with Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Sharm El-Sheikh and Marsa Alam. A 1-hour flight saves a 10-hour drive.

🚌 Buses

GoBus and Blue Bus run modern coaches between Cairo, Alexandria, the Red Sea resorts and Sinai. Book online.

🚐 Private Driver / Car & Driver

Hiring a private driver in Egypt is affordable and the most flexible way to travel — typically $50–$100/day including fuel. Useful for Pyramids, Saqqara/Dahshur, Fayoum, or multi-city Upper Egypt routes. Book through your hotel or a reputable tour operator.

🧭 Tour Guides & Day Trips

Best private tours in Egypt are usually arranged with licensed Egyptologist guides (look for the white badge).
Top day trips: Saqqara & Dahshur, Alexandria, Fayoum, Abu Simbel from Aswan.
Book through GetYourGuide, Viator or local operators like Memphis Tours, Emo Tours.

🚇 Cairo Metro

3 lines, very cheap (a few EGP). Line 1 connects Sadat (Tahrir) to Maadi. Women-only carriages are available — usually the middle two cars.

🛺 Tuk-tuks & Microbuses

Common in smaller towns and outskirts. Cheap but no fixed prices — agree before boarding.

Tip: Don't rent a self-drive car unless you've driven in chaotic traffic before. Hire a driver instead — it costs little more and removes all stress.

🚢 Nile Transport

Feluccas — traditional sailboats in Aswan and Luxor (sunset is best).
Nile cruise boats — multi-day Luxor↔Aswan.
Public river bus in Cairo — cheap commuter service between Maadi and downtown.