Before Your Visit

By Air

Air travel is at the center of it all for those who are looking to save time with a teeming itinerary. 45 minute domestic flights connect the majority of the country’s main attractions, from temples to resorts. The extensive list of airports includes Cairo International, Abu Simbel, Alexandria, Aswan, El Gouna, Hurghada, Luxor, Marsa Alam, Marsa Matrouh, Port Said, Sharm el Sheikh, and St. Catherine.
There are also plenty of options if you prefer the scenic route, some of which are for the less timid traveler.

Covering a more limited network from Cairo to Alexandria, the Delta and the Canal Zone, along the coast to Marsa Matrouh and up the Nile Valley to Luxor and Aswan, Egypt’s air-conditioned trains are great for the long haul, providing a comfier alternative to travelling by road. Schedules and fares are posted on the Egyptian Railways website (enr.gov.eg), where you can also buy tickets online. The most comfortable option is first class, with waiter service, reclining armchairs and on-board movies. Seats are reserve-able up to seven days in advance, but you should be wary that return tickets can’t necessarily be booked at the point of origin. If you’re looking for absolute luxury, then opt for the more expensive sleeper cars. Passengers get a comfortable two-bed cabin with a sink, plus breakfast and dinner, and access to a dining car and a bar.
By Bus
For those who prefer to traverse via asphalt, Egypt’s three main bus companies, all based in Cairo, provide another alternative. The Upper Egypt Bus Company, which travels to Nile Valley, Fayoum, inner oases and the Red Sea Coast down to El-Quseir, the East Delta Bus Company, which travels to Sinai and the Canal Zone, and the West and Middle Delta Bus Company, which travels to Alexandria, Marsa Matrouh, Siwa and the Nile Delta. Other key routes including Cairo to Alexandria, Sharm el-Sheikh, Hurghada, Dahab and El Gouna are also covered by independent bus companies.

City transport

The less populated locales in Egypt are usually easily covered on foot. In larger cities, however, local transport is useful. Learn to recognize Arabic numerals to take full advantage of the cheap buses, minibuses and trams that cover most of Alexandria and Cairo, which also have river taxis and an excellent metro/subway system.

Egypt’s kingly selection of thrill imbued enterprises has an equally splendid variety of transportation options that cater to each and every traveler. Whether you want see it from above the clouds or from the vantage point of a hitchhiker, there are as many ways to discover Egypt as your creativity will allow.