City, Egypt
Alexandria
Faded Mediterranean port with seafront cafés, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina and Greco-Roman sites, at a calmer pace and cooler summers than Cairo. Heavy traffic, old buildings and limited tourism infrastructure.
At a glance
- Safety3/5Take real precautionsDetails
- Monthly budget$612–995Comfortable, one person · E£32,000–52,000Details
- Value for money82/100Better value than 81% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goApr–May, Oct–NovWarmest: Aug, 34°CDetails
- Internet99 MbpsFixed broadband, Egypt medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledTap water is chlorinated but visitors should drink bottled or filtered water; avoid ice at street stalls.Details
- LGBTQ+1/5DangerousDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: limitedDetails
- Doctor's visit$8–23Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundUberWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardMostly cashCards in malls, hotels and chains; cash for trams, microbuses, taxis, markets, street food and tips.Details
Where to stay in Alexandria
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Downtown (Mansheya, Ramleh Station) | First-timers: cafés, tram, markets and the Corniche |
| Zizinia–Stanley | Seafront apartments and cafés with sea views |
| Smouha | Modern, quiet and upscale, away from the beach |
| Montaza | Gardens, palace and beaches in the east |
Apps that work in Alexandria
Ride-hailing
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- Go Bus: Intercity and Red Sea bus tickets
- Taxis: App cars avoid meter arguments. Street taxis often skip the meter; agree the price first.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Egypt.
- Mostly cash Cards in malls, hotels and chains; cash for trams, microbuses, taxis, markets, street food and tips.
- Currency: Pound (EGP). US$1 ≈ E£52.28 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Common in cities and resorts; use machines at bank branches. ATMs at the Taba border often run dry.
- Tipping: Baksheesh is part of daily life: about 10% on top of restaurant service charges, small notes for guards, toilet attendants and guides.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay work at contactless terminals; InstaPay needs an Egyptian bank account.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Get an e-visa at visa2egypt.gov.eg at least 7 days ahead, or buy a visa on arrival at airport bank kiosks for US$30 cash.
- Since 1 August 2026 Cairo airport also sells digital visas on arrival by card (US$36) via kiosks or visaonarrival.gov.eg.
- Flying into Sharm el-Sheikh for under 15 days in South Sinai resorts? A free entry stamp replaces the visa.
Emergency numbers
Police 122 · Ambulance 123 · Fire 180 · Tourist police 126
Plugs
Type C, F · 220 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Vodafone, Orange and e& booths in Cairo airport arrivals and shops everywhere; passport required. Data is cheap. Long stays may require registering a foreign phone. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Egypt
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.