Getting to Cairo: Flights, Trains, Buses and Airport Transfers

Cairo is well connected by air from Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, and by train and bus from the rest of Egypt. This page covers the main arrival routes and the practicalities of getting from the airport or station into the city.

By Air: Cairo International Airport

Cairo International Airport (CAI) is one of Africa’s busiest airports and handles the vast majority of international arrivals. There are two main passenger terminals:

• Terminal 2 handles most EgyptAir domestic and regional flights, along with some African carriers.
• Terminal 3 is the newer, more modern building and handles many international flights including Star Alliance member airlines.

Check your booking confirmation for the terminal — they are separate buildings with their own check-in halls, and the connecting shuttle bus adds time. Most European and Gulf carriers operate from Terminal 3.

Cairo Airport to City Centre

There is no metro connection between the airport and central Cairo as of 2026 — plans for an extension exist but are not operational. Your options are:

• Uber or Careem (recommended): Book from the designated app pickup zones inside the terminal. Cost is typically EGP 150–300 to Downtown, Zamalek, or Garden City. Journey time is 45 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on traffic — the airport highway is prone to congestion, particularly in the evening.
• Official airport taxis: Fixed-price booths are available in the arrivals hall. Fares to the city centre are around EGP 200–350. Confirm the price before leaving the counter. Avoid unlicensed drivers who approach outside the terminal.
• RTC Airport Bus: Cheap and slow — approximately 60–90 minutes to central Cairo. Not recommended if you have luggage or are arriving late at night.

For arrivals after dark, Uber or Careem is the safest and most straightforward option. Use the designated pickup zones rather than accepting offers from drivers outside the terminal building.

By Train from Luxor and Aswan

Ramses Station (Mahatta Ramsis) is Cairo’s central railway terminal, located in the heart of the city with direct metro connections. Trains from Upper Egypt are a practical and comfortable way to arrive:

• Luxor to Cairo: 9–10 hours on daytime expresses; overnight sleeper via Watania Sleepers takes 10–12 hours and includes a private cabin and meals. Sleeper tickets are significantly more expensive than standard trains but book out weeks ahead in peak season.
• Aswan to Cairo: 14–16 hours overnight sleeper. The same Watania service continues from Luxor.
• Alexandria to Cairo: 2–2.5 hours on express trains; departures are frequent throughout the day.

Booking train tickets in advance through the Egyptian National Railways website or a local agent is strongly advised for travel between November and March.

By Bus

Go Bus operates modern, air-conditioned coaches with fixed prices and a booking app. Main routes relevant to Cairo arrivals:

• Alexandria: 2.5 hours
• Hurghada: 5–6 hours (Red Sea coast)
• Sharm el-Sheikh: 7–8 hours
• Dahab: 8–9 hours

Go Bus terminals vary by route — check the app for the exact pickup and drop-off points in Cairo. For Sinai routes, East Delta Bus Company is an alternative. Buses are generally reliable but journey times depend on traffic on the approach to Cairo.

By Road

The road from Alexandria (220km) takes roughly 2.5 hours on the desert highway in light traffic. From Hurghada it is approximately 450km and 5 hours. Driving into central Cairo is not recommended for first-time visitors — city traffic is dense and road markings are inconsistently followed. If you are self-driving, consider parking on the outskirts and using Uber for city movements.

For visa requirements before arrival, see our Egypt visa guide.