Getting Around Cairo: Transport Guide

Cairo is one of the more logistically complex cities to navigate as a visitor. The city is large, traffic is consistently heavy, and the informal transport options require more local knowledge than most travellers arrive with. The good news: the metro and ride-hailing apps together cover most of what you need.

The Metro

Cairo’s metro has three lines and is the most practical public transport for visitors. Fares are a flat EGP 7–15 depending on zone — cheap by any measure. The trains are air-conditioned and run frequently during the day. Women-only carriages are the first car at the front of the train; women can also use the mixed carriages without issue.

Key stops for tourists: Tahrir Square (Egyptian Museum, Downtown); Sadat (central Downtown); Mar Girgis (Coptic Cairo); Ramses (main train station); Heliopolis (further east). For the Pyramids, the Giza metro station is the closest point, but it still requires a taxi or Uber for the remaining 7–8km to the plateau — the metro gets you partway there at minimal cost.

The metro does not reach Zamalek, Islamic Cairo, or the Khan el-Khalili area directly. For those, you’ll need other options.

Uber and Careem

These two apps are the most practical transport solution for visitors. Both offer metered pricing with no negotiation, the destination is input in advance, and the driver knows where to go. Payment can be cash or card. Prices are low by international standards — a 20-minute ride across central Cairo typically costs EGP 60–120 ($1.20–$2.40 USD at recent rates).

Download both apps before arriving in Cairo. Careem operates more broadly in Egypt and can be more reliable in areas where Uber coverage is thinner. In heavy traffic, both apps show real-time wait times; if one is busy, the other usually has cars available.

Street Taxis

Yellow-and-black or white taxis operate across the city. The standard practice is to negotiate the fare before entering — but Cairo taxi fare negotiation tends to disadvantage visitors who don’t know local rates. Overcharging is common. For most situations, an Uber or Careem is less stressful and not meaningfully more expensive. Street taxis are more useful in areas where apps have limited coverage, or if you need transport immediately at a busy location.

Cairo to the Pyramids

The Pyramids of Giza are technically in Giza Governorate — a separate city that has merged with Cairo’s urban sprawl. From Downtown Cairo, the drive is 30–45 minutes depending on traffic. Uber is the most straightforward option. The metro to Giza station followed by a short taxi or tuk-tuk ride reduces cost but adds complexity. Rush hours (8–10am and 4–7pm) can extend that journey significantly — plan around them.

Cairo Airport Transfers

Cairo International Airport (CAI) is roughly 22km northeast of Downtown. Options:

• Uber/Careem: most practical; the apps work in the arrivals area. Expect EGP 200–350 ($4–7 USD) to Downtown depending on traffic and time of day.
• Airport Taxi: available outside arrivals; agree on the fare before entering. EGP 250–400 is typical to Downtown; higher quotes are the norm for arrivals who look uncertain.
• RTC Airport Bus: cheap and air-conditioned, runs to Tahrir and Heliopolis. Slow during peak hours but functional if you have time and want the cheapest option.

Rush Hours and Traffic

Cairo traffic is consistently heavy and becomes severe during the morning peak (8–10am) and evening peak (4–7pm). On Fridays, Friday prayers (around noon) create a brief pause in traffic, and the city is noticeably quieter in the morning — useful to know for planning pyramid visits. Avoid committing to tight connections during weekday peak hours.