The Cairo and Giza region is a 22-million-person megacity, and its transport is accordingly — complex, congested but relatively cheap. The logistics of travel must be anticipated so as not to lose hours in traffic jams.
The Cairo metro (3 lines, undergoing expansion to 4-5 lines by 2028) is the fastest way to cross the city at peak times — without air conditioning but clean and safe. Carriage reserved for women at the head and tail of the train. Flat fare: 5 EGP (€0.10) for 1-9 stations, 10 EGP for further. Line 1 (red) crosses the city north to south along the Nile. Very useful to reach Old Cairo (Mar Girgis station for Babylon) or Tahrir Square from the centre.
White taxis are numerous but frequently overcharge tourists — categorically refuse drivers who do not want to turn on the meter. Better: use Uber or Careem (the local competitor bought by Uber), both very efficient in Cairo with total coverage and transparent rates. A centre-Giza ride typically costs 100-200 EGP (€2-4) in Uber, against 300-500 EGP demanded by an opportunistic white taxi.
For excursions outside Cairo (Saqqara, Dahshur, Memphis, Fayoum), the private taxi for the day is the most practical solution — count €50-80 for a private car with English-speaking driver (more for French-speaking). Book via your hotel or via a recognised agency like Memphis Tours or Djed Egypt Travel. Organised tourist buses offer day excursions at €40-60 per person with lunch and English-speaking guide — less flexible but without surprise.
Cairo International Airport (CAI) is located 30 km north-east of the centre. Connection by metro from Adly Mansour station (40 min, 10 EGP) or by private taxi / Uber (45-90 min depending on traffic, 200-400 EGP). High-end hotels offer included transfers for €25-40.
In Giza, the pyramid plateau is 45-60 minutes by taxi from central Cairo (depending on traffic). If you stay at Mena House or Steigenberger Pyramids, you are 10 minutes' walk from the site entrance. One single piece of advice: do not walk along the major avenues — sidewalks are narrow, broken and invaded by traffic. Prefer taxis and metro.
Read also
- Cairo, Mother of the World — Citadel of Saladin, Khan el-Khalili bazaar, Coptic Old Cairo, Ibn Tulun Mosque: the complete capital guide.
- Nile Valley: Luxor and Aswan — Karnak, Valley of the Kings, Nile cruise, Abu Simbel: the logical follow-up to Cairo.
- Egypt — Complete country guide: visa, budget, regions to explore and the best time to visit.
- Red Sea — Hurghada, El Gouna, Marsa Alam: world-class diving and all-inclusive resorts.