Getting Around Egypt: Transport Guide for Travellers

Egypt is a large country, and the distance between Cairo and Aswan is roughly the same as London to Istanbul. The good news is that the transport options between the main tourist destinations are genuinely solid, and the pricing is reasonable by most visitors’ standards.

Domestic Flights

Egypt has several functioning domestic airports: Cairo (CAI), Luxor (LXR), Aswan (ASW), Hurghada (HRG), Sharm el-Sheikh (SSH), Abu Simbel (ABS), Alexandria (HBE), and Marsa Alam (RMF). EgyptAir operates most domestic routes. Budget carriers including Air Arabia Egypt and Nile Air serve some routes with competitive pricing.

Fares vary considerably depending on timing. Booking 2–4 weeks in advance typically returns the best prices. The Cairo–Luxor and Cairo–Aswan routes are the most frequently used by independent travellers, and Abu Simbel flights from Aswan are a practical way to visit the temples without the long road journey.

Overnight Sleeper Trains

The Watania sleeper service between Cairo and Luxor (approximately 10 hours) and Cairo and Aswan (approximately 14 hours) is one of the best-value travel experiences in Egypt. Private two-person cabins include dinner and breakfast. The trains depart in the evening and arrive in the morning, effectively saving a hotel night.

Booking is done at wataniatransport.com or in person at Cairo Railway Station. Advance booking is strongly recommended — popular departures sell out. Prices are approximately $25–50 per person, though verify current rates when booking.

Standard Trains

Air-conditioned first and second class trains run between Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, and Aswan. These are considerably cheaper than the sleeper service. The online booking situation for foreign-purchased tickets has evolved in recent years — check current availability and whether the app or website supports international cards at the time of travel.

Intercity Buses

Go Bus (bookable via app or website) runs modern air-conditioned coaches between major cities. Approximate journey times: Cairo to Alexandria 2.5 hours, Cairo to Hurghada 5–6 hours, Cairo to Sharm el-Sheikh 7–8 hours. Fares are low and the service is reliable. Book ahead for weekend departures and holiday periods.

Nile Cruises

The classic Luxor–Aswan cruise (or Aswan–Luxor in reverse) typically runs 3–4 nights on a dahabeya or traditional cruise ship. The route includes stops at the temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo, which are difficult to visit independently. Cruises are generally all-inclusive and bookable through operators in Egypt or in advance online. Standards range from budget to very comfortable — read current reviews rather than relying on star ratings alone.

Cairo Transport

The Cairo Metro covers three lines and is cheap, clean, and fast relative to road traffic. Fares are EGP 7–15 per journey. Women-only carriages operate on all trains — marked clearly on the platform. The metro is the most reliable way to move across the city during daylight hours.

For journeys the metro does not cover, Uber and Careem both operate in Cairo and are strongly recommended over street taxis. Fares are low, metered, and require no negotiation. This removes the most common frustration for new arrivals: fare disputes with unmetered taxi drivers.

Sinai

The East Delta Bus Company serves the main Sinai routes — Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba, and Taba. Shared service taxis (microbuses) also connect these towns and are cheaper but less comfortable. Options are more limited than on the mainland; allow extra time and check current schedules locally. Note that a full Egyptian e-visa is required to travel between Sinai and the mainland — the Sinai-only stamp does not permit this.