Travel Tips

Transportation in Egypt: How to get around in 2025

From domestic flights and trains to river cruises, there are plenty of options for transportation in Egypt, allowing you to move around with ease.

Egypt is one of the world’s major tourist destinations, drawing in millions of tourists every year. Thankfully, there are plenty of local transport options available, making it easy to get around the country or navigate its busy cities.

Let’s take a closer look at the top options for transportation in Egypt, from domestic flights and Nile cruises to metro and car rentals.

In this article

Domestic flights

With airports in Cairo, Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh, and Luxor, it’s easy to move between major cities with domestic flights. It’s also easily the fastest way to travel in Egypt. For example, a flight from Cairo to Luxor only takes about an hour, while the same trip takes about 10 hours by train or 7 hours by private car.

Nile cruises

Since most of Egypt’s major cities are located on the banks of the Nile River, you can hop on a cruise boat and let the river take you where you need to go. While it may not be the fastest way to get from point A to point B, Nile cruises offer spectacular views and are one of the best things to do in Egypt, as long as you have the time.

Trains

Egyptian National Railways connect most major tourist hubs in Egypt, offering an efficient form of public transport for cross-city travel. Most major routes run alongside the Nile valley, providing stunning views while you’re on the way to your next destination.

For longer trips, consider taking an overnight train, so you can rest while you travel and enjoy your holiday as soon as you hop off.

Intercity coaches

Intercity coaches offer convenient transportation through popular local routes in Egypt. Most coaches provide air conditioning, pre-booked seating, and onboard entertainment to make sure your trip is as comfortable as possible.

Car rentals

If you’d rather do the driving yourself, you’ll have no trouble finding car rentals in Egypt. Prices average at around $30/day, though that may depend on the car you’re getting and where you’re renting it from.

Renting a car gives you more freedom than other options, so you can travel to other cities, explore the cities themselves, visit the Red Sea coast, or visit remote sites where public transport won’t take you.

That said, if possible, avoid driving in Egypt. Traffic rules are flexible, signage is inconsistent, and much of the flow is guided by an informal system of horn signals and driver intuition. Horns are used to signal overtaking, presence, warnings, or intent. It’s a local driving language that visitors aren’t fluent in.

Taxis and ride-sharing apps

Taxis are plentiful throughout Egypt. However, communicating with the drivers can be difficult, and you’ll almost certainly be charged a tourist fare for your ride. That’s why it’s a better option to use ride-sharing apps, like Uber or Careem. They show you the full price of your trip upfront and accept credit cards, which most taxis don’t.

Cairo metro

Cairo is the only city in Egypt with an operational metro. However, if you are visiting Egypt’s capital, the Cairo Metro is easily one of the most convenient travel methods. There are three metro lines and 84 stations, so there’s a station within walking distance of most popular tourist attractions.

Cairo’s metro includes designated women-only carriages, usually clearly marked and positioned at the front or middle of the train. Women are free to use any carriage, while men should avoid entering the women-only cars. These carriages are optional and tend to be most popular during rush hours, offering a more comfortable option for women in crowded conditions.

Metro tickets only cost from 6 to 15 EGP (~USD$0.25 to $0.60), which easily makes it one of the cheapest ways to get around Cairo and reduce the costs of traveling in Egypt.

Travel freely with unlimited data eSIMs from Holafly

Whether you’re buying plane or train tickets, using ride-sharing apps, or simply need a translation app to communicate during your trip, having reliable mobile internet in Egypt makes everything easier.

While you could go with a travel SIM card for Egypt, roaming in Egypt, or even pocket WiFi for Egypt, using an eSIM offers an easier, yet affordable way to stay connected. Simply get your Holafly eSIM for Egypt online and enjoy unlimited data, 24/7 customer support, and hotspot sharing within minutes. All you need is an eSIM-compatible phone.

If you need long-term coverage or plan to travel the world for a while, Holafly Plans offers a pay-monthly eSIM subscription with coverage in 160+ destinations worldwide. It allows you to stay connected almost anywhere in the world, for as long as you need. Whether you’re in the Western Desert in Egypt or the lush jungles of Indonesia, Holafly Plans has got you covered.

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Rokas Aniulis

Senior SEO copywriter

A senior SEO writer from Lithuania, combining my passion for writing and travel at Holafly. With years of experience in technical fields, I'm here to answer all of your questions about staying connected. I specialize in turning even the most complicated topics into something everyone can understand.

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