Transportation in Cairo
Your complete guide to getting around Cairo - from airport transfers to local transport
Airport Transfer
How to get from the airport to city center. Compare trains, buses, taxis, and private transfers.
Learn more →Taxis & Rideshare
Using Grab, Uber, and local taxis. Fares, safety tips, and common scams to avoid.
Learn more →Car Rental
Driving guide and car rental tips. International licenses, road rules, and insurance.
Learn more →Getting Around Cairo
Quick Transportation Tips
Grab a Cairo Metro rechargeable card at at any station and you will glide past the ticket queues for the three-line system. One tap. No fuss. The machines are easy to spot. Keep the card topped up. Guards scan at gates.
Install Careem, Uber's regional partner, for reliable ride-hailing across Cairo. Pay cash or card. Drivers arrive fast. Track the route live. Works at 3 AM too.
Board the Cairo Airport Shuttle Bus straight from the terminals to Tahrir Square. Direct ride. Air-conditioned. Luggage racks. Cheaper than taxis. Runs every 30 minutes.
Skip rush hours, 8-9 AM and 5-7 PM, when Metro Line 1 turns into a sardine tin between Sadat and Nasser stations. Stand aside. Let workers increase past. Wait ten minutes. Next train emptier.
Essential Transport Phrases
Frequently Asked Questions
cairo airport
Cairo International Airport (CAI) is located about 15km northeast of downtown Cairo in the Heliopolis district. The airport has three terminals, with Terminal 3 handling most international flights. You can reach the city center by taxi (around 150-250 EGP), Uber, or the newer Airport Express bus service that connects to key areas including Tahrir Square and the Cairo Metro.
cairo metro
Cairo Metro is the fastest way to avoid traffic, with three lines covering major areas of the city. Line 1 (red) runs from Helwan to El Marg, Line 2 (yellow) connects Shubra to Giza, and Line 3 (green) serves the airport and eastern suburbs. Tickets cost 5-7 EGP depending on distance, and trains run from approximately 5:30 AM to midnight, with the first two cars of each train reserved for women only.
flights to cairo
Cairo International Airport is well-connected to most major cities worldwide, with EgyptAir as the national carrier offering the most routes. Direct flights are available from European hubs (London, Paris, Frankfurt), Middle Eastern cities (Dubai, Istanbul, Doha), and some North American cities, though many US flights require a connection. We recommend booking at least 2-3 months in advance for better prices, especially during peak season (October to April).
how to get to egypt
Most visitors arrive in Cairo by air through Cairo International Airport, which has visa-on-arrival services for many nationalities (currently $25 USD). You can also enter Egypt by land from Israel via the Taba border crossing, or arrive by ferry from Jordan (Aqaba to Nuweiba) if you're planning to visit Sinai first. We recommend checking current visa requirements for your nationality before traveling, as they can change.