Getting around Egypt is the single thing travellers underestimate most — and the thing that most changes the quality of a trip once you get it right. This guide covers every mode of transport we use ourselves: what to book, what to skip, what a fair price looks like in 2026, and why our guests never touch public transport except for the metro in Cairo on a photoshoot day.

Landing at Cairo Airport

Cairo International Airport (CAI) is 45 minutes to an hour from Giza when traffic behaves and up to two hours when it doesn't. Two options:

  • Airport taxi (official): fixed price by zone, cash only, buy the ticket inside the terminal. Insist on the meter-less fixed ticket.
  • Private transfer (what we use): driver meets you inside the arrivals hall with your name, air-conditioned van, luggage handled. Pre-booked, pre-priced, no negotiation. Included on every multi-day tour.

Uber and Careem technically work at CAI but pickup is chaotic — the driver often cannot reach the terminal door. For a first arrival, book a private transfer.

Getting around Cairo and Giza

1. Private car with driver (best for touring)

Our recommendation for anyone on a photography trip. A private air-conditioned car with an English-speaking driver costs $40–70 per day. It includes waiting time, so you get out, take photos, and the car is there when you return. This is standard on all our private Pyramids tours.

2. Uber and Careem (best for short hops in the city)

Both work well in Cairo and Giza and are 30–50 % cheaper than the same trip booked through a hotel. Careem is slightly better for airport routes and for the airport-to-Giza run. Both accept credit cards. In Zamalek, Maadi and New Cairo they arrive in minutes; in the older parts of Islamic Cairo expect 10–15 minutes.

3. The Cairo Metro (best when you want to skip traffic)

Three lines, two women-only carriages on each train (marked with blue signs — a real option for female travellers), clean, and 5 EGP per ride. Line 1 connects central Cairo to Maadi and Helwan. It does not reach Giza Plateau — take the metro to Giza station and a short Uber from there.

4. Taxis (only when nothing else works)

White taxis are everywhere. Agree the price before you get in — or insist on the meter, which drivers sometimes refuse. Expect to negotiate.

Long distance — Cairo to Luxor to Aswan

Domestic flights (recommended)

EgyptAir and Nile Air both fly Cairo to Luxor in about an hour for $70–130 one-way. For Aswan, add 45 minutes. Flights are reliable, cheap compared to Europe, and save you two nights of train travel. Book on the airline's own site — not through a third-party reseller.

The sleeper train (the romantic option)

Wagon-Lits runs an overnight train Cairo–Luxor–Aswan with private cabins. $80–120 per person, one-way, including dinner and breakfast. It is genuinely charming and saves a hotel night. The downside: it is slow (10–12 hours), and the cabins are small.

Day trains (for budget travellers)

Egyptian National Railways runs cheap, clean day trains. First class is $15–25 Cairo to Luxor, air-conditioned, food included. The journey takes 9–10 hours. Fine if you enjoy train travel. Not fine if you're on a 5-day itinerary.

Nile cruises (the best way to see Upper Egypt)

For Luxor to Aswan, the boat is not transport — it is the point. Our Nile cruise tour runs on private dahabiyas (traditional sailboats) with a photographer and Egyptologist on board. Standard 4-night cruises run Luxor to Aswan with stops at Edfu, Kom Ombo and Esna. Modern ships have lifts and accessible cabins — see our family tour.

Safety and scams to know about

  • Prices: taxis, microbuses and camel rides are negotiable — always agree the price before you start.
  • Guides: unlicensed touts at the Pyramids will offer "private tours". Ignore them. All our guides are licensed Egyptologists.
  • Cash: always carry 100–200 EGP in small notes for tips, entry fees, and parking that the driver pays.
  • Roads: Egyptian traffic is aggressive but predictable. Seatbelts in the back are a myth — ask for a car with working rear belts if you have young children.
  • Night driving: avoid long-distance night driving outside the cities. Our drivers finish before 10pm.

What things actually cost

  • Airport transfer (private van, CAI–Giza): $25–35
  • Uber within Cairo: $3–8 per trip
  • Private car with driver (full day): $40–70
  • Domestic flight Cairo–Luxor: $70–130
  • Sleeper train Cairo–Luxor: $80–120 per person
  • Nile cruise Luxor–Aswan (4 nights, standard): $400–800 per person

Why private transport changes the trip

The single biggest upgrade to any Egypt trip is a private car and driver for the whole trip. It eliminates price negotiations, removes the need to think about logistics on 40°C days, and lets you say "stop here" when you see a good photograph. Every tour we sell includes this by default — see our family tours, our 7-day Egypt tour, and for the highest level (helicopter transfers, private dahabiya, five-star dinner transport) our luxury Egypt tours. Browse all Egypt tours to compare.