How to get here
Most visitors will arrive via Cairo International Airport, though you can get to Cairo by bus and train as well.
By plane
For internal flights, EgyptAir and their subsidiary EgyptAir Express has the most regular network and flies daily from Cairo International Airport to Abu Simbel, Aswan, Borg El Arab (Alexandria), Hurghada, Luxor, Marsa Alam, Marsa Matruh and Sharm El Sheikh.
Nile Air is the largest airline after EgyptAir and flies to similar domestic destinations as well as several airports in Saudi Arabia and Iraq, among other places in the Middle East.
FlyEgypt is a low-cost carrier that flies from Cairo to Asyut, Borg El Arab (Alexandria), Hurghada, Luxor, Sharm El Sheikh and Sohag.
By rail
The government-owned Egyptian National Railways serves the Nile Valley to Aswan, the Red Sea cities of Suez and Port Said, and the Delta and North Coast cities of Alexandria and Marsa Mutrah.
Air-conditioned passenger trains usually have 1st and 2nd classes, while non-air-conditioned trains have 2nd and 3rd classes. There are at least six through trains a day, and fares are inexpensive, but unless one is travelling on an organised tour, tickets are purchased at railway stations (in Cairo inside Ramses Station at Midan Ramses); alternatively, you can book 1st and 2nd-class tickets on the website.
The most popular route for tourists is the twice-nightly air-conditioned sleeper train between Cairo and Luxor (journey time 10 hours) and Aswan (15 hours), which is operated by privately run Watania. This service must be paid for in foreign currency (US dollars, euros or pounds sterling) at the separate Watania sleeper office/counter at the stations.
By bus
Air-conditioned buses link most parts of Egypt to Cairo and Alexandria, and beyond the Nile Valley, it’s often the only option. Seats may be reserved up to two days in advance. There is also a fleet of cheaper non-air-conditioned buses, but they can be crowded and stop frequently.
Although bus times change without notice, departures are so frequent that this is rarely a problem. The Cairo Gateway Bus Station (Torgoman) on Shari Al Gisr in Bulaq, close to the Orabi metro station and 1km (0.6 miles) northwest of Midan Ramses and the train station, handles most of the long-distance buses.
There are numerous companies, and tickets can be bought here from different windows depending on the destination; those for airconditioned buses should always be booked in advance. Increasingly, tickets can be booked online.
Find out the best ways to get to Egypt.
How many days do you need in Cairo?
Generally, 3-4 days should be enough to cover the major Cairo attractions and get a good sense of the capital. This is enough time to visit the Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx, explore the Egyptian Museum, take a stroll in Islamic Cairo, visit the Citadel of Salah El Din and the Alabaster Mosque, and explore the Khan El Khalili market.
Additionally, you can take a day trip to Memphis, Saqqara, or the Dahshur pyramids. If you have more time, you can also explore other attractions such as the Coptic Cairo, the Hanging Church, or take a Nile cruise to see the city from a different perspective.
Keep in mind that Cairo is a bustling city with a lot of traffic, so plan your time wisely to make the most of your stay.
Looking for inspiration for your trip? Talk to our Egypt travel experts.