Egypt captivates travelers with its ancient pyramids, majestic Nile River, and vibrant culture spanning over 5,000 years. From the iconic Sphinx and Valley of the Kings to bustling Cairo bazaars and Red Sea coral reefs, Egypt offers an unforgettable journey through history and natural beauty.
- Public
- Cairo has a 3-line metro covering major districts cheaply but often crowded; buses are cheap but confusing for visitors
- Taxi
- Uber and Careem are the best transport option for tourists — reliable, metered, and English-friendly with registered drivers
- Rental
- Car rental not recommended in Cairo due to chaotic traffic; useful for day trips to desert sites or driving between Red Sea resorts
- Walking
- Central Cairo and Luxor town centers are walkable; most sites require transport. Alexandria's Corniche is excellent for walking
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- Airport taxi (fixed rate) - $15-20 to downtown
- Shuttle
- Uber/Careem - $8-12 to downtown
- Bus
- Airport bus (Line 111) - $1 to Tahrir Square
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
- Availability
- Available in all major cities but routes confusing for tourists
- Cost
- $0.10-0.30 per journey
- Notes
- Often overcrowded. Cairo has some air-conditioned tourist buses. Not recommended for first-time visitors except airport buses.
Alternatives
metro, taxi, rideshare, microbus, tuk_tuk, felucca
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- White taxis
- Older taxis without meters - negotiate fare before departure (typically $2-5 for short trips)
- Yellow taxis
- Newer metered taxis in Cairo - base fare $0.50 + $0.30/km
- Notes
- Always agree on price before entering non-metered taxis. Drivers rarely speak English.
- Apps
- Uber and Careem widely available in Cairo, Alexandria, Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh
- App Names
- Uber and Careem widely available in Cairo, Alexandria, Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Routes: Extensive network connecting all major cities and tourist destinations
Cost: Cairo-Alexandria $5-8 (3 hours), Cairo-Hurghada $12-15 (6 hours), Cairo-Sharm $18-22 (7-8 hours)
- Operators
- Go Bus (most reliable), Blue Bus, West Delta, Upper Egypt Bus
- Booking
- Go Bus website/app recommended. Book seats in advance for popular routes.
- Notes
- More punctual than trains. AC buses comfortable. Frequent Cairo-Alexandria service.
Flights
Routes: Cairo to Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel, Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh, Alexandria
Cost: $60-150 depending on route and advance booking
- Airlines
- EgyptAir, Air Cairo, Nile Air
- Notes
- Significant time-saver for long distances. Abu Simbel requires flight or 3-hour drive from Aswan.
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Cairo International Airport
From centre: 22 km northeast
Options: Airport taxi (fixed rate) - $15-20 to downtown; Uber/Careem - $8-12 to downtown; Airport bus (Line 111) - $1 to Tahrir Square; Private transfer - $25-30 pre-booked
Hurghada International Airport
From centre: 12 km southwest
Options: Airport taxi - $10-15 to hotels; Hotel shuttle - Often included; Uber - $6-10 to city center; Private transfer - $15-20 pre-booked
Sharm El Sheikh International Airport
From centre: 18 km north
Options: Airport taxi - $12-18 to Naama Bay; Hotel shuttle - Usually included in resort bookings; Shared minibus - $3-5 per person; Private transfer - $20-25 pre-booked
Luxor International Airport
From centre: 6 km east
Options: Airport taxi - $5-8 to city center; Hotel pickup - Often free with booking; Uber - $3-5 to downtown; Private transfer - $10 pre-booked
Aswan International Airport
From centre: 16 km southwest
Options: Airport taxi - $10-12 to city center; Hotel shuttle - Usually arranged; Private transfer - $15 pre-booked
Borg El Arab Airport (Alexandria)
From centre: 49 km southwest
Options: Airport taxi - $20-25 to downtown; Shuttle bus - $3 to city center; Private transfer - $25-30 pre-booked
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Uber Egypt
Most reliable and widespread ride-hailing app. Available in Cairo, Alexandria, Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh. Pay by card or cash.
Careem
Uber's main competitor in Egypt with similar coverage and pricing. Sometimes cheaper than Uber on certain routes.
Go Bus
Egypt's most reliable intercity bus booking app covering routes between Cairo, Alexandria, Hurghada, Sharm, Luxor, and Aswan.
ENR (Egyptian National Railways)
Official app for booking intercity train tickets. Book at least 3 days in advance for sleeper trains between Cairo and Upper Egypt.
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Download Uber and Careem apps before arriving — they're the safest and most transparent transport option throughout Egypt
Cairo metro is excellent value for crossing the city but avoid rush hours (7-9 AM, 4-7 PM) — trains are extremely crowded
For travel between Luxor and Aswan, the overnight train sleeper service is comfortable, scenic, and much cheaper than flying
Never accept rides from touts at tourist sites offering 'free' transport — always agree on price before boarding any vehicle
The EgyptAir app allows domestic flight booking; Go Bus app covers intercity buses — both accept international cards