Arrival & Transport

Egypt has several international airports, but the three most important for tourists are: Cairo (CAI), Hurghada (HRG), and Sharm el-Sheikh (SSH). Depending on your plans, you will fly into different airports.

Flights from Germany/Austria/Switzerland

The flight time is 4 to 5 hours from the German-speaking region. The main connections:

Visa on Arrival

Germans, Austrians, and Swiss citizens receive a Visa on Arrival at the airport. There are two options:

• Visa on Arrival at the bank counter: 25 USD (also payable in euros, but at a worse rate). Valid for 30 days, single entry. Purchase the visa stamp at the bank counter before passport control, then proceed to passport control.
• E-Visa in advance online: Apply via visa2egypt.gov.eg. 25 USD single entry, 60 USD multiple entry. 7 days processing time. Recommended to avoid the queue at the airport.

Airport Transfer Cairo

The Cairo Airport (CAI) is located 22 km northeast of the center. Transfer options:

• Uber/Careem: The best option! Price to the center (Tahrir, Downtown): 100–200 LE (2–4 €). Air-conditioned, app-based, no haggling. Wait at the exit of Terminal 2 or 3.
• Taxi: Official airport taxi with fixed price: 250–400 LE to the center. Be careful: Many unofficial taxi drivers charge significantly more. Always agree on the price BEFOREHAND!
• Private Transfer: Bookable in advance through hotels or GetYourGuide. From 15–25 € to the hotel.
• Bus: CTA bus #356 and #357 run every 30 minutes to Tahrir Square (10 LE). Slow but cheap.

Domestic Flights

Egypt is large, and domestic flights save a lot of time:

Trains

The Egyptian National Railways (ENR) connects Cairo with Alexandria, Luxor, and Aswan. The trains are slow but atmospheric:

• Cairo → Alexandria: 2.5–3 hours. Air-conditioned 1st class from 50–80 LE (1–1.60 €). Hourly departures. Recommended!
• Cairo → Luxor: 9–10 hours. Night train (Watania Sleeper) with cabin from 80–100 USD/person including dinner and breakfast. Adventurous, but an experience. Alternatively: 1st class seating car from 200 LE.
• Cairo → Aswan: 12–14 hours. Also night train or day connection.
• Luxor → Aswan: 3 hours. Several trains daily, 1st class from 80 LE.

Intercity Buses

The bus companies Go Bus (modern, air-conditioned, bookable online via gobus.com.eg) and Upper Egypt Bus connect all major cities:

• Cairo → Hurghada: 5–6 hours, from 200–350 LE (4–7 €). Several times daily.
• Cairo → Sharm el-Sheikh: 6–7 hours, from 250–400 LE. Through the Ahmed Hamdi Tunnel under the Suez Canal.
• Cairo → Alexandria: 2.5 hours, from 100–200 LE. Frequent departures.
• Cairo → Dahab: 8–9 hours, from 300–450 LE.

Uber & Taxi

Uber is available in Cairo, Alexandria, and Hurghada and is the absolute best option for city traffic. Prices are transparent, you don't have to haggle, and the cars are air-conditioned. In Cairo, 10 km typically cost 60–100 LE (1.20–2 €).

Taxis: In Cairo, use the white taxis (with meter — insist on it!) or the old black taxis (without meter — negotiate the price beforehand). In Luxor and Aswan, there is no Uber — you must use taxis or private drivers here. Always agree on prices BEFOREHAND!

Private Driver with Guide

For day trips (e.g., Luxor West Bank, Giza), a private driver with a licensed guide is often the best option. Bookable through your hotel or GetYourGuide. Prices: 40–80 €/day for driver + guide. Especially worthwhile for groups of 3 or more people.