Getting around Egypt
Egypt is long and narrow, and most of what visitors want to see lies along the Nile and the Red Sea coast. Short domestic flights cover the long distances, trains and overnight sleeper trains run along the Nile, buses reach the coasts and Sinai, and ride-hailing apps make cities easy. This page lists every option, with the official place to book each one.
01
Domestic flights
The fastest way to cover long distances. Cairo to Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh takes about an hour; Aswan to Abu Simbel about 45 minutes.
Cairo to Upper Egypt
Several daily flights from Cairo International (CAI) to Luxor (LXR) and Aswan (ASW), and onward from Aswan to Abu Simbel (ABS). Book early for October to April, the busy season.
Cairo to the coasts
Daily flights to Hurghada (HRG), Sharm El Sheikh (SSH) and Marsa Alam (RMF); summer flights to El Alamein (DBB) for the North Coast.
Booking tips
Book directly with the airline’s website or app. Arrive at least 90 minutes before a domestic flight; security checks at the terminal entrance add time.
02
Egyptian airlines
Five Egyptian airlines fly passengers. EgyptAir and Air Cairo run most domestic routes.
EgyptAir
The national carrier and a Star Alliance member. Hub at Cairo International, with the widest domestic network and flights across Africa, Europe, Asia and the Americas.
Air Cairo
Part of the EgyptAir group. Domestic flights and routes from Cairo, Sphinx, Alexandria and the resort airports to the Gulf, Europe and Africa.
Nile Air
A private airline based in Cairo with flights to the Gulf, Saudi Arabia and some domestic routes.
Nesma Airlines
A private airline flying mostly charter and leisure routes from Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh and Cairo.
Air Arabia Egypt
The low-cost Air Arabia group’s Egyptian airline, flying from Sphinx, Cairo and Alexandria to the Gulf and the region.
03
Airports
Sixteen airports serve visitors. Choose the one closest to where you are staying: Sphinx International is the nearest to the Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum.
| Airport | Code | Serves |
|---|---|---|
| Cairo International Airport | CAI | Cairo, Giza, gateway to all Egypt |
| Sphinx International Airport | SPX | West Cairo, Pyramids, Grand Egyptian Museum |
| Borg El Arab International Airport | HBE | Alexandria |
| El Alamein International Airport | DBB | North Coast, New Alamein |
| Marsa Matrouh International Airport | MUH | Marsa Matrouh, route to Siwa |
| Hurghada International Airport | HRG | Hurghada, El Gouna, Makadi, Soma Bay, Safaga |
| Marsa Alam International Airport | RMF | Marsa Alam, El Quseir |
| Sharm El Sheikh International Airport | SSH | Sharm, Dahab, St Catherine |
| Taba International Airport | TCP | Taba, Nuweiba |
| St Catherine International Airport | SKV | St Catherine |
| El Arish International Airport | AAC | Arish |
| Luxor International Airport | LXR | Luxor, Nile cruise starts |
| Aswan International Airport | ASW | Aswan, Nile cruise ends |
| Abu Simbel Airport | ABS | Abu Simbel temples |
| Asyut Airport | ATZ | Middle Egypt, Holy Family sites |
| Sohag International Airport | HMB | Abydos, Sohag |
See all airport guides · Cairo Airport: cairo-airport.com
04
Trains and sleeper trains
Trains run the length of the Nile Valley and to Alexandria. The overnight sleeper train saves a night’s hotel between Cairo, Luxor and Aswan.
Egyptian National Railways
Air-conditioned trains between Cairo, Alexandria (about 2.5 to 3 hours), Luxor and Aswan (10 to 14 hours). Book online or at station counters, such as Ramses Station in Cairo; carry your passport.
Sleeper train
Overnight cabins with dinner and breakfast between Cairo or Giza, Luxor and Aswan, run by Watania (Ernst Watania). Book ahead online, especially from October to April.
High-speed rail
Egypt’s high-speed network is under construction. The first line will link Ain Sokhna on the Red Sea with Alexandria and Marsa Matrouh. Check its opening status before planning a trip around it.
05
Metro, LRT and trams
The quickest way across Cairo’s traffic.
Cairo Metro
Three lines across Cairo and Giza. Fares depend on the number of stations; buy single tickets at station counters or use a rechargeable card. Each train has carriages reserved for women.
LRT
The light rail line from Salam City in east Cairo to the New Administrative Capital and the 10th of Ramadan.
Monorail
Two monorail lines are being completed: east of the Nile to the New Administrative Capital, and west to 6th of October City. Check which sections are open before you rely on them.
Alexandria tram
Historic blue and yellow trams cross Alexandria from Raml Station. Some lines are being rebuilt, so services can change.
06
Intercity buses
Comfortable air-conditioned coaches link Cairo with the Red Sea, Sinai, Alexandria, Upper Egypt and the oases. Book online or in the operators’ apps; bring your passport for Sinai routes.
Go Bus
Large network from Cairo to Alexandria, Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Luxor and more, with several comfort classes.
Blue Bus
Intercity coaches from Cairo to the Red Sea, Sinai, the North Coast and Upper Egypt.
Super Jet
One of the longest-running coach companies, serving Alexandria, the Red Sea and Sinai.
Upper Egypt and East Delta buses
Public bus companies with cheaper fares to Upper Egypt (Upper Egypt Bus) and to Sinai and the Suez Canal cities (East Delta). Buy tickets at their stations.
07
Ride-hailing apps and taxis
Ride-hailing apps work in Cairo, Alexandria, Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh, Luxor and other large cities. They show the fare before you ride and remove the need to bargain.
Uber
Private cars and cheaper options; pay by card or cash. Widely used in Cairo and Alexandria and at the airports.
inDrive
You suggest a fare and drivers accept or counter-offer. Often cheaper; agree the final price in the app.
Taxis
White taxis in Cairo and city taxis elsewhere. Ask the driver to use the meter or agree the fare before you get in. At airports, use the official taxi desk or a pre-booked transfer.
08
Car rental and driving
Renting a car suits the North Coast, the Red Sea and Sinai. In Cairo’s traffic most visitors prefer a car with a driver, booked through their hotel or a licensed travel agency.
Rental companies
International and local companies have desks at Cairo, Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh and other main airports, including Sixt, Hertz, Europcar, Avis and Budget. Book ahead online for the best rates.
What you need
Your national driving licence with an International Driving Permit, your passport and a credit card for the deposit. Most companies require drivers to be at least 21 to 25.
On the road
Traffic drives on the right. Expect police checkpoints on desert highways and keep your passport and rental papers with you. Avoid driving on desert roads after dark.
09
Nile and Red Sea boats
Nile cruises and dahabiyas
Three to seven nights between Luxor and Aswan, stopping at Edfu and Kom Ombo. Browse Nile cruises.
Feluccas
Traditional sailing boats for an hour or a sunset trip in Aswan and Luxor. Agree the price and duration before you board.
Local ferries
Public ferries cross the Nile in Luxor between the East and West banks in a few minutes; in Cairo a river bus runs along the Nile. Pay on board.
Red Sea ferry
Private operators run ferries between Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh on some days of the week. Check the current schedule with your hotel or a travel agency.
10
FAQs
How do I get from Cairo Airport to the city?
By ride-hailing app (Uber, Careem), the official airport taxi desk, a hotel transfer, or the airport shuttle bus. Downtown Cairo is about 45 to 60 minutes away depending on traffic; Giza and the Pyramids take longer.
What is the best way from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan?
Flying takes about an hour. The overnight sleeper train saves a hotel night and arrives in the morning. Day trains are cheaper but take 10 hours or more.
Can foreign visitors use trains and the metro?
Yes. Carry your passport when you buy train tickets. The Cairo Metro is open to everyone, and tickets are sold at every station.
Do I need cash?
Carry Egyptian pounds for the metro, public buses, ferries, feluccas and tips. Ride-hailing apps, airlines, sleeper trains and most coach companies accept cards online.
Is it safe to take taxis and ride-hailing apps?
Ride-hailing apps are the easiest option: the fare, the driver and the route are recorded. With street taxis, agree the fare or insist on the meter. For help, call the Tourist Police on 126.
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Know before you go
- Carry your passport or a copy: it is needed for trains, some buses and checkpoints.
- Save your hotel’s name and address in Arabic to show drivers.
- Cairo traffic is heaviest from about 8 to 10 in the morning and 3 to 8 in the evening; allow extra time for flights.
- Book flights, sleeper trains and Nile cruises early for the October to April season and public holidays.
- Keep the Tourist Police (126) and the Ministry of Tourism hotline (19654) in your phone. All emergency numbers.
More on getting around Egypt
Tour guides
A good guide makes temples, tombs and museums far easier to understand. In Egypt, tour guiding is a licensed profession: guides are licensed by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and belong to the Egyptian Tour Guides Syndicate. Most hold a degree in tourism guidance or Egyptology.
- Check the licence. Licensed guides carry an official ID card. Since June 2026 the Ministry has been issuing smart licence cards, which also let guides through the electronic gates at museums and sites.
- Book through a trusted source: your hotel, a licensed travel agency or a reputable tour company. Politely decline people who offer to guide you at site entrances.
- Languages: guides work in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Japanese and many other languages. Book early for less common ones.
- Agree the details in advance: hours, sites, whether entry tickets and transport are included, and the price.
You do not need a guide for every visit, but one is worth it at complex sites such as Saqqara, Karnak and the Valley of the Kings. Tipping your guide at the end of a good day is customary.
Sources: english.ahram.org.eg, egymonuments.gov.eg.
Last checked in October 2026. Schedules, fares, packages and rules change often, so confirm with the official source before you travel: Egyptian National Railways, Cairo Airport, Cairo Metro.