Alexandria is Egypt's second-largest city, a Mediterranean port stretching along a broad curving corniche on the country's northern coast. Founded by Alexander the Great in 332 BC, it was once home to the ancient Great Library and the Lighthouse of Pharos, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Today Alexandria mixes Greco-Roman ruins, Ottoman-era forts, Belle Époque architecture, and a lively seafood and fishing culture along a coastline of sandy bays.
- Public
- Alexandria's historic tram network has long been the city's transport backbone, but the central Raml line has been closed since April 2026 for conversion into an elevated light-rail system, with microbuses and city buses covering the gap until the rebuilt line reopens; buses run set routes along the Corniche and main avenues but are slow and often crowded
- Taxi
- Widely available and inexpensive; white taxis rarely use meters so fares should be agreed before departure, while Uber and Careem give fixed, upfront pricing and are the easiest option for visitors
- Rental
- Not recommended for most visitors - traffic is dense and undisciplined, parking is scarce along the Corniche, and taxis or ride-hailing apps are cheap enough to make a rental car unnecessary except for day trips west along the coast
- Walking
- The Corniche and central districts like Manshiya, Raml Station, and the area around the Bibliotheca Alexandrina are walkable, but the city stretches roughly 40 km along the coast, so most cross-town trips require a taxi, microbus, or bus
Transport at a glance
- Public
- 3/5
- Taxi
- 4/5
- Rental
- 2/5
- Walking
- 3/5
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Primary Airport
- Borg El Arab International Airport (HBE)
- Distance
- Approximately 40-50 km southwest of central Alexandria, depending on the destination neighborhood
- Duration
- 40-60 minutes by road, longer in heavy traffic
- Options
- Careem or Uber (Roughly EGP 350-550 (about USD 7-11) to central Alexandria) · White taxi (Roughly EGP 400-700 (about USD 8-13), negotiated before departure) · Hotel or tour transfer (Typically EGP 500-900 (about USD 10-17) for a private car booked in advance)
- Notes
- Borg El Arab has a limited flight network dominated by domestic EgyptAir routes and a handful of seasonal international charters; many international visitors instead fly into Cairo and continue to Alexandria by train or bus, or fly into Cairo and take a connecting domestic flight to Borg El Arab
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Tram
The historic Raml tram, one of the oldest tram systems still operating anywhere when it ran, connected Raml Station in downtown Alexandria eastward to Victoria; it has been suspended since 1 April 2026 while the line is rebuilt as a 13.2 km elevated light-rail system with 24 stations (11 surface, 12 elevated, 1 underground), expected to return to service in 2027
Microbus
Privately run minibuses (locally 'mashrou'a') cover fixed routes along the Corniche and main east-west corridors, charging a flat fare of about EGP 5-10 (USD 0.10-0.20) per ride; routes are announced by the driver or a conductor leaning out the window rather than posted maps
City Bus
Public buses run by the Alexandria Transport Authority cover longer routes across the city, including to Borg El Arab and Agami, for roughly EGP 5-15 (USD 0.10-0.30) depending on distance
Taxi
White taxis are plentiful throughout the city; most lack working meters, so riders should agree a price before the trip - typical short hops within the city run EGP 40-100 (about USD 0.80-1.90)
Walking
Downtown areas around Saad Zaghloul Square, the Corniche, and Manshiya are walkable, but Alexandria's 40 km coastal sprawl means most visitors combine walking within a district with taxis or microbuses between districts
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- White Taxis
- Alexandria's standard taxis are white sedans that operate without functioning meters in nearly all cases; agree the fare with the driver before boarding, and expect to negotiate, especially from tourist areas like the Corniche or Bibliotheca Alexandrina
- Typical Fares
- Short trips within a district run roughly EGP 30-60 (USD 0.60-1.15); longer cross-city trips (for example downtown to Montaza) run roughly EGP 80-150 (USD 1.55-2.90)
- Ride Hailing
- Uber and Careem both operate throughout Alexandria with fixed, upfront fares shown in the app, generally cheaper and more transparent than negotiating with a white taxi; both apps work with international cards or cash
- Tips
- Confirm the destination and fare before the taxi departs, ideally in Arabic numerals written down if there is a language barrier, Ride-hailing apps are the simplest way to avoid overcharging, particularly for airport and late-night trips, Keep small EGP notes on hand, since white-taxi drivers frequently claim not to have change
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Overview
Alexandria connects to Cairo and the Nile Delta primarily by train and coach; the direct highway and rail corridor make Cairo a comfortable day trip or onward connection
To Cairo
- Train
- Egyptian National Railways trains from Alexandria Misr (Mahattat Masr) or Sidi Gaber to Cairo Ramses run roughly every hour; the newer Talgo service takes about 2 hours 30 minutes, with older regional and express trains taking 2.5-3.5 hours. Fares for standard second and first class range from roughly EGP 65-150 (about USD 1.25-2.90) for Egyptian-priced tickets, while premium VIP and Talgo classes cost roughly EGP 200-500 (about USD 4-10); many booking platforms quote tourist fares nearer USD 25-30 for first class
- Bus
- Go Bus, Blue Bus, and SuperJet run frequent coaches between Alexandria (Sidi Gaber, Moharam Bek, or Gomhoreya stations) and Cairo (Turgoman or Almaza/Abbasiya terminals); the journey takes about 2.5-3.5 hours depending on traffic and stops, with fares roughly EGP 100-250 (about USD 2-5) on standard and Elite/VIP services
- Car
- The Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road or the Agricultural (Delta) Road both take about 2.5-3.5 hours by private car or taxi, depending on traffic and route; the Desert Road is faster but has a reputation for high-speed accidents
Other Routes
- Destination
- Marsa Matrouh and the western North Coast
- Transport
- West & Mid Delta bus company coaches and Go Bus services run several times daily along the coastal highway, roughly 3-4 hours to Marsa Matrouh with stops on request at North Coast resorts and El Alamein
- Destination
- Nile Delta towns (Tanta, Damanhour, Kafr El Sheikh)
- Transport
- Regional trains and shared microbuses ('service' taxis) run frequently from Alexandria's Sidi Gaber and Misr stations and from the Moharam Bek transport hub
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Alexandria stretches roughly 40 km along the Mediterranean coast, so getting around means combining a few different modes rather than relying on one system. The historic Raml tram, once the spine of the city, is suspended since April 2026 for conversion into an elevated light-rail line and is expected to reopen in 2027; in the meantime, microbuses and city buses run the same east-west corridors. White taxis and ride-hailing apps (Uber and Careem) are the easiest way to move around for most visitors, since fares are low and routes flexible. The Cairo-Alexandria train, run by Egyptian National Railways, is the most comfortable way to reach the capital, while Go Bus, Blue Bus, and SuperJet coaches offer frequent, cheaper intercity links. Borg El Arab International Airport (HBE) sits about 40-50 km southwest of the city center and is best reached by taxi or ride-hailing app, since public transport options are limited.
Airports
Borg El Arab International Airport
Cairo International Airport
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
The historic Raml tram is suspended since 1 April 2026 for rebuilding as a 13.2 km elevated light-rail line with 24 stations; expect microbuses and buses to substitute until the line reopens, planned for 2027
Agree the fare with a white taxi driver before getting in, or use Careem/Uber for a fixed, metered price shown in the app
Microbuses (mashrou'a) run fixed routes along the Corniche and main streets for a flat fare of about EGP 5-10 (USD 0.10-0.20) regardless of distance within a zone - flag one down and confirm the destination with the driver or conductor
The Cairo-Alexandria train is far more comfortable and reliable than intercity buses for the direct route and avoids Cairo Ring Road traffic
Sidi Gaber station, not the downtown Misr (Mahattat Masr) terminus, is often the more convenient stop for hotels in the eastern Corniche districts (Stanley, Miami, Montaza)
Traffic along the Corniche is heavy at rush hour and on Friday evenings; allow extra time for taxi or bus journeys during these periods
Carry small EGP notes for microbuses and white taxis, since drivers often lack change for large bills