Egypt is consistently among the world’s top vacation destinations. The history, culture and, of course, beaches are some of the country’s top draws. Still, as with any foreign land, Egypt has its share of societal quarks that tourists should prepare for – one of the biggest being the Egyptian transportation system.
Flying to and Around Egypt
Before figuring out what to do on the ground, travelers to Egypt must first sort through their aerial options. There are, on any given day, about a dozen non-direct flights leaving from America to Egypt – usually routed through Germany, Switzerland or England.
Until recently, EgyptAir offered the only direct flights to Cairo International Airport leaving from U.S. shores. Starting in 2009, however, Delta Airlines began a New York to Cairo route. This new alternative not only gives travelers more choice, but the added competition has resulted in better fares all around.
Within Egypt, one's choice of domestic flights is decidedly more limited – EgyptAir essentially has a monopoly on these routes. Overall though, the Egyptian airports outside of Cairo are not as cramped, the planes that fly to and from domestic locations are a bit more comfortable with fares comparable to regional budget airlines in the U.S. So, if one needs to get from Cairo to some resort town along the Red Sea or tourist haven in Upper Egypt, flying is by far the best option.
Rail Transport Within and Between Cairo and Alexandria
Both Cairo and Alexandria offer travelers some useful, if limited, rail options. Cairo has a subway system that’s fairly efficient and very cheap, though it caters mainly to downtown and surrounding areas. Alexandria features a tram system that, in the way locals rely on it, is similar to Cairo’s metro. It’s worth a ride if one knows EXACTLY where they are and EXACTLY where they are going. As with other modes, the Alexandrian tram is also quite cheap.
Despite a couple of high profile accidents over the past few years, inter-city railroads remain a reliable option for those travelling between Cairo and Alexandria. There are a few things to keep in mind though when purchasing a ticket. First, always buy first class – the few extra bucks are well worth it. Second, try to get an express train – the difference can be upwards of two hours from Cairo to Alexandria or vice versa. Last, not all ticket agents speak English – a hotel concierge, if available, can usually arrange a ticket purchase. Also, if travelling from Cairo to Upper Egypt, it is best to take either a plane or a Nile cruise since the long-haul sleeper cars leave much to be desired.
The Elegant Chaos of Egyptian Roadways
As a recent FAILBlog post evidences, driving in Cairo can be more trouble than it is worth. Needless to say, visitors to Egypt should NOT rent a car during their trip. Cabs are ubiquitous, especially at tourist hubs.
The trouble, however, is paying for the taxi trip. The traditional cab cars found in Cairo, Alexandria and a handful of other cities are not equipped with functioning meters. As such, the fare that these cabs charge, while relying somewhat on the typical calculations of distance and travel time, is imprecise and subject to an unofficial “foreigner tax.”
Recently though, the government instituted a program to replace the 80s model black cabs with late-model metered white cabs. The older taxis are still around, but they're rapidly giving way to their newer counterparts.
Yellow cabs run by privately owned companies have also recently sprung up across Cairo. Like the white variant, these taxis offer passengers a much more pleasant ride and transparent pricing. As an added perk, yellow cabs can be called to come pick you up at no extra charge. Overall, the newer taxis are the most convenient and economically reasonable way to get around the hectic streets of Egypt's capital city.
Youssef Chouhoud - I’m a young(ish) Muslim-American from Brooklyn, New York by way of Alexandria, Egypt. Part consultant, part freelance writer, my ...
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