Egypt (EG)

Egypt is one of the world's oldest civilisations — the land of the Pharaohs, the Great Pyramids of Giza, and the mighty Nile River.

Capital: Cairo

Region: Africa

Language: Arabic

Currency: EGP (£)

Cost of living: Very affordable (index 22)

Emergency: 123

Getting Around

Transport options for living in Egypt.

Public Transport Overview

Cairo has three operational metro lines with a fourth under construction. The metro is the most reliable and fastest way to navigate the city — clean, air-conditioned; fares EGP 10–20 per journey depending on distance (tiered pricing since March 2026). Dedicated women-only carriages on each train. CTA buses and orange minibuses (microbuses) cover the full city but routes are confusing for newcomers and stops are unmarked. The metro operates 5:30am to midnight daily. Alexandria has a separate tram network (old but functional) and bus system.

Main operators:

Cairo Metro (Egyptian National Authority for Urban Harmony) — Lines 1, 2, 3Cairo Transport Authority (CTA) — city buses and minibusesUpper Egypt Bus Company — intercity routesGoBus — private intercity buses (online booking)West Delta Bus — Alexandria and north coast routesEgyptian National Railways (ENR) — national rail networkAir Cairo — budget domestic flightsEgyptAir — national carrier, domestic and international

🎫 Transit Passes

Cairo Metro Single Journey EGP 10 (up to 9 stations) / EGP 12 (up to 16 stations) / EGP 15 (up to 23 stations) / EGP 20 (up to 39 stations) — tiered pricing since March 27, 2026

Any single journey on any Metro line (Lines 1, 2, 3). Distance-based pricing.

💡 Purchase tokens or Meeza card at station kiosks. No advance booking needed. Women-only carriages at each end of the train — very helpful during rush hour.

Cairo Metro Monthly Card EGP 200–350/month

Unlimited rides on all Metro lines for one calendar month.

💡 Available at metro stations. Best value for daily commuters. Requires photo and ID.

Train Ticket: Cairo–Alexandria (Talgo / Turbini) ~EGP 400 one way (first class); ~EGP 275 (second class) — 2026 pricing

Cairo Ramses Station to Alexandria Sidi Gaber or El Misr Station. Journey time approximately 2 hours on express services.

💡 Book online via enr.com.eg or at station ticket counters. First class strongly recommended for expats — cleaner, air-conditioned. Talgo and Turbini are the premium services. Trains run frequently throughout the day.

GoBus Intercity Coach EGP 100–400 depending on route

Cairo to Hurghada, Sharm, Luxor, Aswan, Alexandria, Ain Sokhna, Sinai, Marsa Matruh.

💡 Book via GoBus app or gobus.com.eg. Modern coaches with WiFi and air conditioning. More comfortable than train for some routes. Departs from Abdel Moneim Riyad Square near Tahrir.

Taxi & Rideshare

Street taxis (yellow and black in Cairo) are metered in theory but meters are rarely used. Always agree on the price before getting in — a short city trip costs EGP 15–50. Uber and Careem have largely replaced street taxis for expats due to fixed pricing, no haggling, and safety via in-app tracking. For long distances or late nights, always use ride-hailing apps. Never share a street taxi with strangers.

Rideshare (Long-distance)

Uber and Careem are both widely used in Cairo, Alexandria, and tourist cities. Pricing: EGP 15–120 for short city trips; airport from downtown ~EGP 150–300 (app-based). Both apps support EGP cash or card payment. inDrive (formerly inDriver) allows price negotiation with drivers — popular for longer trips. For safety: always check the licence plate before getting in; share trip details with a contact; sit in the back seat.

Cycling

Not recommended for daily commuting in Cairo due to extreme traffic, aggressive driving culture, lack of cycling infrastructure, heat, and air pollution. Some expats in New Cairo compounds and along the Nile Corniche cycle recreationally in early mornings. Cairo Runners group organises morning runs (not cycling). Sharm el-Sheikh and Dahab have some cycling paths. A few compounds in New Cairo have internal cycling paths. Conditions may improve gradually as the New Administrative Capital develops.

Intercity Trains

Egyptian National Railways (ENR) connects Cairo to Alexandria (2h express), Luxor (10h), Aswan (12h+ overnight), Hurghada (via Qena, connections), Mansoura, and other cities. First and second class carriages available; first class is air-conditioned and significantly more comfortable. Sleeper trains operate on the Cairo–Luxor–Aswan route (recommended: private cabin, bring a pillow, EGP 400–900). Book in advance for sleepers and holidays. ENR: enr.com.eg or via travel agencies.

Driving

Egypt drives on the right side. Cairo traffic is notorious — one of the world's worst. Plan 2–3x longer for rush hour (8–10am, 2–4pm, 5–8pm). Cairo Ring Road (Dora) helps with cross-city trips. Speed limits: urban 60 km/h, rural 90 km/h, highways 100–120 km/h. Electronic speed cameras are increasing (NARS system). Petrol: EGP 24/litre for 95 octane (raised March 2026). Parking is informal — attendants expect EGP 5–10. International Driving Permit valid for 1 year; after that, Egyptian licence required. Third-party insurance is mandatory.

Airports

Cairo International Airport (CAI) is 22km northeast of downtown Cairo. Three terminals: Terminal 1 (most international), Terminal 2 (EgyptAir domestic/regional), Terminal 3 (EgyptAir Star Alliance). Uber/Careem to city centre: EGP 150–300 app-based (30–60 min depending on traffic). Street taxi: EGP 150–250 (negotiate). No direct Metro connection (Line 4 will eventually serve the airport — under construction). Alexandria uses Borg El Arab Airport (HBE), 50km from the city centre. Hurghada (HRG), Sharm (SSH), Luxor (LXR), and Aswan (ASW) have international airports serving charter and EgyptAir/budget flights.