Egypt Transportation Guide: How to Get Around with Ease

Getting around Egypt can feel like a grand adventure, with a variety of options ranging from historic trains to bustling taxis. This Egypt transportation guide is designed to help you navigate the country efficiently and confidently, whether you're exploring Cairo's bustling streets or heading to the tranquil temples of Luxor.

Egypt offers something for every traveler, and its transportation options are just as diverse. From comfortable domestic flights connecting major cities to scenic train rides along the Nile River, each mode of transport adds a unique flavor to your experience.

In this guide, we’ll cover all the essential details you need, including tips for booking tickets, navigating local customs, and staying safe on your travels. With this information at your fingertips, you’ll be ready to explore the wonders of Egypt with ease and confidence.

Egypt Transportation Guide: Is Egypt Easy to Get Around?

When we first were planning a trip to Egypt, we were so nervous. Many travelers filled our heads with misinformation, and we also had ideas that due to the age of the country, that it would be extremely limited when it came to getting around.

Egypt is much bigger than many other popular destinations around the world, and it can be a bit intimidating when distances are so long from one place to another.

Now that we have been though, we are confident to say that there are so many options to get around Egypt, and it truly is not as hard as we imagined! That's exactly why we are writing this Egypt transportation guide - so that you can travel with ease and a peice of mind.

Here's an interactive map so you can see just how big Egypt is!

Egypt Transportation Guide: What Does Egypt Use for Transportation?

Most people assume that the only way to get around Egypt is by going with a private guide, and spending thousands on a massive tour. This is actually far from the truth, and there are a variety of options for all different travel types!

Egypt is a big country, so finding the proper transportation options between each destination (and within the destination) is key.

Here are the different transportation options for getting around the country:

• Take domestic flights
• Go on an organized trip
• Cruise down the Nile
• Rent a car and drive
• Ride the trains
• Use local buses

How Do Most People Travel in Egypt?

The majority of tourists take the "safe" route and go on organized tours. While this can be an amazing option (we're even looking to start group trips in Egypt), it truly depends on what kind of trip you'd like to have, and what your budget looks like.

We were under the massive misconception that Egypt could ONLY be done by tour before we went, and as soon as we got there we were greeted with a variety of options, some of them being extremely budget-friendly!

Group Travel in Egypt

Many people take tours due to concerns about safety in Egypt, but truthfully going around on your own is totally doable in a safe way. 

Group tours are great for those wanting to:

• hit the top destinations in Egypt (not typically the hidden gems)
• avoid planning a ton
• have a certain level of comfort and a known budget

We plan on doing our own specially-curated group tours in the future. But in the meantime, here are some Egypt tour packages that you can look into:

What is the Best Way to Get Around Egypt?

The best way to get around Egypt truly depends on what kind of trip you are looking to have. Some of the factors include:

• the amount of places you plan on exploring
• how much time you have
• how much money you're willing to spend
• the amount of time you have in advance to plan
• how big your group is
• the level of comfort you require

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Egypt Transportation Guide: a Deep Dive Into the Different Options

Now that you know the basic info for how to get around Egypt, the next part of our Egypt transportation guide is going to go a bit more in depth about the options, so you can decide which one is best for you.

Flying in Egypt

If you plan on visiting just a couple of the top destinations in Egypt, and don't have a lot of time, then flying is probably one of the best options for you.

Cairo is connected with every airport in the country, and you can also find direct internal flights between some of the smaller cities in Egypt. Flights are typically under $100, and are ideal if you don't have a ton of luggage with you.

Here are a list of the direct flights you can take internally within Egypt:

Search for flights within Egypt:

How is Public Transport in Egypt?

Egypt has pretty good public transportation, and you can get around the country by either train or bus.

Trains in Egypt

There are several cities that have train lines in Egypt, with Cairo being the main hub. You can also travel by train to Luxor, Aswan, Alexandria, and some destinations in the Suez Canal region.

This is a comfortable, clean, and easy way to travel throughout the country, and you can find traditional trains with Egypt National Railways, or do luxury train rides with other lines like Abela Trains for an elevated experience.

 What is the Cheapest Transportation in Egypt?

The cheapest mode of transportation in Egypt is definitely the public bus system. We paid just $5-10 for our longest journeys, which were from Hurghada to Cairo, and from Cairo to Siwa.

Here are a few popular bus routes that you can book to get around Egypt:

There are also some buses that connect Luxor with Hurghada, Marsa Allam, and Aswan, as well as overnight buses from Cairo to Siwa and back. We couldn't find any of these online, but went to the bus station in person to book a few days prior.

The bus stations have tickets for cash only, and can get sold out in advance, so we'd recommend getting them as early as you can.

 Driving in Egypt

Renting a car is not a particularly popular option since getting around by public transit is pretty budget-friendly and distances are long. However, renting a car in Egypt can be really great if you are looking to explore some hidden gems, and want some flexibility in your schedule.

We wouldn't recommend having a car for Cairo, but more so just for exploring the outskirts and traveling to other destinations.

 Can Tourists Rent a Car in Egypt?

Tourists can absolutely rent a car in Egypt! You'll just need to have a valid driver's license, and we'd highly recommend some good insurance, as people can be a little reckless while driving there. 

 Is it Easy to Drive in Egypt?

We heard so many horror stories about driving in Egypt, but honestly, it wasn't nearly as chaotic as what traveling in India with a car would be like.

Driving in Cairo is the definitely the craziest, and is only recommended for those that are very skilled in maneuvering in crowded cities. Drivers hardly ever follow the rules, so you'll have to be aware at all times.

Driving from one destination to another though really isn't bad as there isn't much traffic. If you're a skilled driver and looking for a bit of adventure, then renting a car in Egypt might be the option for you!

Rent a Car in Egypt:

 Is There Uber in Egypt?

Uber is available in Egypt! Keep in mind though, that you wouldn't really use this to get around the country, but rather inside some destinations like Cairo or Hurghada. 

You can also use Careem, which is another ride sharing app. We honestly think that using the apps is much better than grabbing a taxi, as you skip the haggling process that can get a bit tedious. It also lets you pay with credit card if you use Uber, making it easier to keep track of your finances and save your cash for elsewhere.

If you do want to take a taxi though rather than using the apps, make sure to talk about the price prior to jumping in, and have cash on you. We'd also recommend checking Uber or Careem prices if they are available. This way you have a point of reference before getting overcharged.

Cruising in Egypt

One of the most fun ways to get around Egypt is to take a Nile cruise! You can start or finish in Cairo, Luxor, or Aswan, and it is an excellent way to see some of the top destinations in Egypt.

While this can certainly be one of the pricier ways to explore the country, it is a really comfortable, exciting, and unique option for visiting major highlights. It truly one of Egypt's top bucket list experiences, and one we'd highly recommend looking into.

Here are some fun Nile Cruises to check out:

Egypt Transportation Guide: Getting Around Within Each Destination

Now that you know how to get from one major destination to the next, let's look at how to get around within most of the destinations.

This part of our Egypt transportation guide will cover what it looks like to move around within Cairo, smaller cities, and the incredible natural landscapes of the country.

🚆 How to Get Around Cairo

Cairo is the busiest city in Egypt, and also has the most transportation options out of anywhere! Here are all of the options for getting around in Cairo:

• Ride share apps like Uber or Careem (they're really affordable and hassle-free)
• Local buses (this is the cheapest option for the adventurous ones)
• Cairo's metro system (to get you around the most quickly)
• On foot (Cairo has a ton of pedestrian-friendly areas to enjoy by walking)

How to Get Around Other Cities

When traveling around smaller cities, such as Siwa for example, you won't find metros or sometimes even buses. For these places, there are tuk tuks you can grab, or you can hire guides to take you around.

If you are visiting popular destinations like Hurghada or Sharm el-Sheikh, you'll be able to use ride share apps, taxis, tuk tuks, and buses.

A lot of resort towns also have incredible beaches to visit! Many of these are only accessible by boat, and you can head to the local pier to grab one. Aswan is also a destination that has a lot of islands, and you'll be able to get around by felucca, which is a local traditional boat.

🏜 How to Get Around Cairo's Natural Landscapes

Egypt has some incredible nature with places like the White Desert and the Dakhla Oasis, which are pretty remote and not connected by public transportation.

If you plan on exploring off the beaten path, you'll probably want to either hire a local guide, or rent a car and adventure on your own.

Egypt Transportation Guide: Tips for Smoothe Travels

So are you ready for an awesome trip to Egypt? We hope that our Egypt transportation guide has answered any questions that you may have had, and sets you up for safe and pleasant travels around the country.

Want to learn more about this incredible country? We have several other Egypt travel guides, as well as plenty of others coming up. So make sure to subscribe to our newsletter for all of our latest updates!

Ready to book the perfect Egypt itinerary? We can help! Now Scratch Your Mapa offers travel planning services so you can find the most affordable flights, and stay at the most unique hotels around the country. Not only that, but we're in the works of providing group trips to Egypt soon!

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