Capital city, Egypt
Getting around Cairo
How to get around Cairo
Use Uber or Careem for most trips and the metro to cross the city fast. Traffic is heavy at all hours, so allow extra time for Giza and the airport.
Ways to get around Cairo
| Option | Fare | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Cairo Metro | About 8–20 EGP by number of stations | Lines 1–3 cover Downtown, Maadi and the airport area; women-only cars |
| Uber / Careem | About 70–150 EGP for 5 km | Fixed prices upfront; avoids meter arguments |
| White taxi | About 60–150 EGP in town | Agree the fare first or insist on the meter |
| Microbus | About 5–15 EGP | Informal shared vans; routes are hard for newcomers |
Ride-hailing apps in Cairo
A 5 km ride costs about E£70–150 ($1.3–2.9).
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Uber | Most drivers; cash or card |
| Careem | Reliable alternative with similar prices |
| inDrive | Offer your own fare; useful when surge pricing hits |
| DiDi | Often cheaper; smaller driver pool |
- App cars avoid haggling and scams. Street taxis often skip the meter; agree the price first.
Arriving in Cairo
Cairo International (CAI)
Uber or Careem to Downtown or Zamalek about 350–600 EGP, 45–90 min depending on traffic; public airport buses are cheaper but slow.
Driving and onward travel
- Driving: on the right. Bring a 1949-Convention IDP with your licence (valid up to 6 months); traffic is chaotic, so most visitors hire drivers.
- Onward travel in Egypt: Trains run Cairo–Alexandria and Cairo–Luxor–Aswan, including overnight sleepers; Go Bus and Blue Bus serve the Red Sea and Sinai, and EgyptAir flies to Luxor, Aswan and resorts.
Quick answers
Is there Uber in Cairo?
Yes. Apps that work here: Uber, Careem, inDrive, DiDi.
What's the best way to get around Cairo?
Use Uber or Careem for most trips and the metro to cross the city fast. Traffic is heavy at all hours, so allow extra time for Giza and the airport.
How do I get from the airport to Cairo?
Uber or Careem to Downtown or Zamalek about 350–600 EGP, 45–90 min depending on traffic; public airport buses are cheaper but slow.
Is Cairo walkable?
Walkable center.
More about Cairo
Going to Cairo solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Cairo meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- Go Bus
- Egypt Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (site tickets)
- Cairo International Airport
- UK FCDO travel advice: Egypt
Fares are typical 2026 prices; check the operator for today's fares. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.