Getting Around Cairo: Metro, Uber & Practical Transport
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Cairo’s transport reality: Uber and Careem are the practical solutions for almost all tourist journeys. The city’s famously chaotic traffic and the Metro’s limited coverage mean that tourists need both — Metro for the few routes it covers well, and Uber for everything else.
The good news: Uber is extraordinarily cheap in Cairo by international standards. A 30-minute ride across the city typically costs $2–4 USD. Traffic is the constraint, not the price.
Cairo Metro
Africa’s oldest metro system (opened 1987), with 3 lines covering approximately 100 km of track through the city’s core.
Fares (2026):
| Distance | Fare |
|---|---|
| Up to 9 stops | 8 EGP |
| Up to 16 stops | 10 EGP |
| Up to 23 stops | 15 EGP |
| 23+ stops | 20 EGP |
Purchase: Tokens at station windows; no card payment at most stations. Bring cash.
Women-only cars: The 4th and 5th cars of each train are women-only (marked with pink signage). Women can board any car; men cannot enter the designated cars.
Key lines for tourists:
- Line 1 (Helwan–New El-Marg): Passes through Sadat station (Tahrir Square/Egyptian Museum), Mar Girgis (Coptic Cairo), Ramses Station
- Line 2 (Shubra el-Kheima–El Mounib): Intersects Line 1 at Shohada and Ataba; serves Opera/Garden City
- Line 3 (Adly Mansour–Kit Kat): Connects the Cairo Airport area to the city center at Ataba and Bab El Shaeria stations
The Tahrir Square corridor: Line 1’s Sadat station is directly under Tahrir Square — a 5-minute walk from the Egyptian Museum’s main entrance. The most useful Metro connection for visitors.
The airport connection: Line 3 technically connects to the airport zone, though the final leg to Cairo International Airport (CAI) itself currently requires a bus or Uber from the line’s Adly Mansour terminus. This situation may change; verify current status before traveling.
Uber and Careem
Recommended for all non-Metro journeys.
Both Uber and Careem (Careem is the Dubai-based ride-hail company dominant in the Middle East, now owned by Uber) operate throughout Cairo. Both apps work identically for the visitor.
Price range (all approximate — update frequently):
| Journey | Time | Approx. cost |
|---|---|---|
| Airport (CAI) to Zamalek/Downtown | 40–60 min | 150–250 EGP (~$3–5) |
| Zamalek to Tahrir Square | 10–15 min | 40–70 EGP |
| Downtown to Giza Plateau (Pyramids) | 30–50 min | 80–150 EGP |
| Zamalek to Islamic Cairo | 20–30 min | 60–100 EGP |
| Zamalek to Coptic Cairo | 25–35 min | 70–120 EGP |
| Pyramids to GEM | 5–10 min | 30–50 EGP |
Traffic caveat: Cairo traffic is genuinely among the worst in the world. The times above are optimistic; during peak hours (7–10 AM, 2–5 PM) add 50–100% to travel times. Plan sightseeing to minimize rush-hour movement.
Surge pricing: Rare in Cairo compared to Western cities, but occurs during major events and Friday prayer times (1–3 PM Friday, when roads around mosques are congested).
Traditional Taxis
Cairo’s traditional taxis (white cabs) are still common. They are not recommended for visitors unfamiliar with Cairo:
- No meter use in practice (negotiation required)
- Language barrier common
- Price disputes at destination are frequent
If you must use a taxi: agree on a firm price in EGP before entering the vehicle, including the destination. Downtown to Tahrir should be 50–80 EGP; insist on this range.
Black-and-white taxis (older fleet): same issues. Uber is simpler in every scenario.
Getting to the Pyramids from Central Cairo
By Uber: The most practical option — 30–50 minutes from Downtown/Zamalek, 80–150 EGP. Book in advance if visiting early morning to ensure availability.
By local bus: Bus 997 runs from the terminal near the Egyptian Museum (Tahrir area) toward the Giza Plateau. Cheap (a few EGP) but slow, crowded, and the final stop is not always at the main entrance. Only for visitors who have time and tolerance for the experience.
By tour: Many hotels arrange half-day or full-day tours that include Pyramids + GEM transport. Prices start at ~$20–40 per person including transport but not entry fees.
Cairo Monorail (2026)
A new monorail network opened in January 2026 — one of the world’s longest, at ~100 km total.
East Cairo Line: 54 km connecting the new Administrative Capital (Egypt’s purpose-built new capital city under construction east of Cairo) with East Cairo via 22 stations.
Currently most useful for eastern Cairo connections; less relevant for the main tourist sites. Check current operational status as the network expands.
Practical Tips
- Always have small EGP notes for Metro tokens, street food, and tips (20 and 50 EGP denominations most useful)
- Save your Uber destination in the app’s saved places list on arrival — re-entering hotel addresses in Arabic is time-consuming
- Traffic on Fridays: Friday is the Egyptian day of rest; roads are lighter in the morning but congested around the 1 PM Friday prayer as people disperse from mosques
- Night driving: Cairo’s traffic can be lighter after 10 PM, making late-night Uber trips faster than daytime equivalents
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