Cairo vs Alexandria: Which Egyptian City Fits Your Trip?

Cairo and Alexandria are 220 km apart but feel like different countries. Cairo is intense, ancient, and overwhelming in the best way. Alexandria is languid, Mediterranean, and carries the ghost of its Hellenistic past. Both are worth visiting — but they serve different travel needs.

Quick Verdict

Category	Cairo	Alexandria
Ancient Egyptian history	★★★★★	★★★
Greco-Roman history	★★★	★★★★★
Seafood & food scene	★★★★	★★★★★
Beaches	★	★★★
Museums	★★★★★	★★★★
Budget (per day)	EGP 1,500–4,000	EGP 1,200–3,500
Ease of navigation	★★	★★★★
Best for	Pharaonic history, city immersion	Mediterranean atmosphere, Greco-Roman sites

Budget Comparison

Cairo daily costs:

• Budget: EGP 800–1,500 (approximately USD 16–30 as of 2026)
• Mid-range: EGP 2,500–5,000
• Luxury: EGP 8,000+

Alexandria daily costs:

• Budget: EGP 700–1,200 (approximately USD 14–24)
• Mid-range: EGP 2,000–4,000
• Luxury: EGP 6,000+

Alexandria runs slightly cheaper than Cairo. The tram (EGP 5 per journey) is one of Egypt’s best-value transport options. Street food along the corniche — koshary, liver sandwiches, fresh fish — is priced for locals rather than tourists.

See our Egypt travel budget guide for full cost breakdowns.

History & Attractions

The two cities have almost no historical overlap. Cairo’s appeal is overwhelmingly Pharaonic (plus Islamic) while Alexandria’s is Greco-Roman and colonial.

Cairo’s unmissable sites:

• Pyramids of Giza — EGP 450, open 8 am–5 pm. 30 minutes from central Cairo.
• Grand Egyptian Museum — EGP 1,000; the world’s largest collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts, including the complete Tutankhamun treasures
• Egyptian Museum (Tahrir) — EGP 450; the original national museum, still worth a half-day
• Citadel of Saladin — EGP 450; Ottoman mosque and medieval fortifications above the city
• Khan el-Khalili — historic bazaar; entry free, expect aggressive touts

Alexandria’s unmissable sites:

• Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa — EGP 360 (as of 2026); three-storey Roman-era burial complex, the most impressive Greco-Roman site in Egypt
• Qaitbay Citadel — EGP 160; 15th-century fortress built on the site of the ancient Pharos lighthouse
• Greco-Roman Museum — entry approximately EGP 360; reopened after extensive renovation; sculptures and mosaics from Alexandria’s Hellenistic era
• Library of Alexandria (Bibliotheca Alexandrina) — EGP 70; modern architectural landmark on the site of the ancient library, with several museums inside
• Pompey’s Pillar — EGP 80; lone red granite column from the Serapeum temple complex
• Stanley Bridge & Corniche — free; the 26 km waterfront is the city’s social heartbeat

Accommodation

Cairo standouts:

• Four Seasons Cairo at First Residence (Giza) — EGP 11,000–16,000 per night; closest 5-star to the Pyramids
• Marriott Mena House — EGP 7,000–12,000; iconic pyramid-view hotel, 130 years of history
• Longchamps Hotel (Zamalek) — EGP 1,200–1,800; quiet island neighbourhood, reliable mid-range
• Cairo Hostel (Downtown) — EGP 250–400 dorm

Alexandria standouts:

• Steigenberger Cecil Hotel — EGP 3,500–6,000 per night; art deco landmark on the corniche, opened 1929; Winston Churchill and Noel Coward slept here
• Four Seasons Alexandria at San Stefano — EGP 9,000–14,000; sea-view rooms, beach access
• Paradise Inn Metropole — EGP 1,200–2,000; historic hotel, Raml Station location, reliable mid-range
• Acropole Hotel — EGP 450–800 budget; long-running backpacker favourite, central location

See our Cairo hotels guide and Alexandria hotels guide.

Food & Eating Out

Alexandria has one of Egypt’s finest seafood scenes. Cairo has greater diversity.

Cairo food highlights:

• Koshary Abou Tarek (Downtown) — the city’s most famous koshary; EGP 35–55 for a large bowl
• Zooba (Zamalek / multiple) — modern Egyptian street food elevated; EGP 45–90 per item
• Sequoia (Zamalek) — Nile terrace, mezze and grills; mains EGP 250–450
• Naguib Mahfouz Café (Khan el-Khalili) — atmosphere and set meals; EGP 200–350

Alexandria food highlights:

• Kadoura Restaurant (corniche) — the definitive Alexandria seafood experience; fresh fish priced by weight, typically EGP 400–700 for two including rice and salads
• Fish Market (corniche) — similar quality, larger space, EGP 350–600 for two
• Taverna (Montazah area) — Greek-inspired menu; mains EGP 180–320
• Cap d’Or (Downtown) — colonial-era bar and café, cold beer and mezze; EGP 80–180 per person
• Mohamed Ahmed Restaurant (Raml area) — legendary ful and ta’ameya breakfast; EGP 20–40

Getting Around

Cairo:

• Metro: EGP 10–15; essential for avoiding gridlock
• Uber/Careem: EGP 80–200 for central trips
• Bus: cheap but confusing; not recommended for first visits

Alexandria:

• Tram: EGP 5; slow but charming; lines cover central Alexandria east–west
• Microbus: EGP 5–10 between districts
• Uber: available, EGP 50–130 for most journeys
• Walking: the corniche and Downtown grid are very walkable

Cairo to Alexandria: Getting There

• High-speed train (Turbini/Spanish) — 2 hours 15 minutes; EGP 200–350 (as of 2026); runs six times daily from Ramses Station. The best option.
• Regular train — 3–4 hours; EGP 60–110; less comfortable but cheap
• Bus (GoBus/SuperJet) — 3–3.5 hours; EGP 150–200; departs from Cairo Gateway station
• Car — approximately 3 hours on the desert highway; EGP 200–300 in fuel one-way

Who Should Choose Cairo?

• Anyone visiting Egypt for the first time — the Pyramids and Grand Egyptian Museum are essential
• Travellers interested in Pharaonic, Islamic, and Coptic history
• Those who want maximum dining and nightlife options
• City lovers who enjoy navigating a massive, layered metropolis

Who Should Choose Alexandria?

• Travellers fascinated by Hellenistic history, Cleopatra, or the ancient world beyond Egypt
• Seafood lovers
• People who want a Mediterranean seaside atmosphere rather than desert heat
• Second-time visitors to Egypt who have already done Cairo

Should You Visit Both?

Yes, if you have five days or more. The train connection makes an Alexandria stopover easy — even one night gives you enough time for the corniche, Qaitbay, and seafood dinner. See our Cairo city guide for how to build your Cairo days before or after. Day tours and excursions in Cairo and tours of Alexandria both offer half-day options that cover the highlights without full-day commitments.