Transport in Egypt

Egypt, a country with a longer history than China but with an equally bumpy fate, is now also shining brightly. The mythology that Egypt left to the world is quite magical - the "curse of the pharaoh" is something that many people in the world cannot decipher. This issue of "Walking the World" column will take you to this ancient Ming and ancient country in northern Africa. What are the modes of transportation in Egypt? Egypt's transportation is very convenient, and the sea, land and air transportation capacity has grown rapidly. The following is a reference to the mode of transportation for traveling in Egypt.

 

Airplane

Cairo, Alexander, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh and Marsa Alem in Egypt are 7 official international ports of entry to Egypt.

 

Cairo International Airport (CAI)

Address: Oruba Road, Heliopolis, Cairo, Egypt

Tel: (02)2655000

Website: www.cairo-airport.com

Number of Terminals: 3

Location: The airport is located 22 kilometers (13.5 miles) northeast of Cairo

 

  • 1. There are many taxis outside the airport, which are convenient to take. Be careful to take a white taxi and use the meter. The price to go to Tahrir Square in the city center is about 60 Egyptian pounds. Don't talk to the so-called "staff" in the airport lobby, they'll just take you into a "black car" that doesn't charge you with a meter.
  • 2. There are 10 airports in Egypt. There are railways and highways between cities in the country, and navigation between cities along the Nile River. In order to save time or avoid the bumpy journey, some tourists choose to fly directly south to Aswan or Luxor after visiting Cairo or Alexandria, and head east to Sharm El Sheikh on the Sinai Peninsula.
  • 3. The flight time of these two routes is 2-3 hours, although it can save about 12 hours of driving, but the flight price is higher, and ordinary backpackers with insufficient budget are still recommended to choose a bus. If you need to buy a ticket, you can buy it directly from Egypt Air in Tahrir Square.
  • 4. Egypt Air (Egyptair) official website: www.egyptair.com

 

 

Train

1. To travel to Egypt, tourists may need to take a main railway that runs through the north and south. The railway is centered on Cairo. It takes about 3 hours to the north by train to Alexandria, and to the south to Luxor and Aswan. Due to the serious delay of the Egyptian train, it will take 10-15 hours.

 

2. Tickets can be purchased at Ramses Railway Station from 8:00 to 22:00 every day. There is a visitor center on the left as soon as you enter the station, and you can ask them to write down the information you need in Arabic. It should be noted that there are different queues for buying reserved tickets and buying same-day tickets. When there are a lot of people, there will be a ticket window specially opened for female passengers and their companions, and female passengers can go directly to the front of the line to buy tickets without queuing. Students who purchase tickets with an international student card can enjoy a 30% discount.

 

3. For the express train to Aswan, the fare for the first-class carriage is about 105 Angstroms, and the second-class carriage is about 60 Angstroms. There are also sleeper options, but the price is much more expensive, about 313 pounds one way, and there is no discount for students.

 

4. Take Metro Line 1 or Line 2 and get off at Martyrs (formerly Mubarak) station and you will see the train station. Egypt's train tickets do not accept online reservations, tourists can buy at the railway station, or through an intermediary.

 

Intermediary website for buying train tickets:

  • www.osoris.com
  • www.safarigypt.com
  • www.paradisetravelegypt.com

 

Train timetable and fare inquiry:

  • http://www.egyptrail.gov.eg/docs/index.html

 

 

Ship

1. If you are tired of the 8-10 hour long journey by bus between the main attractions and want to change a mode of transportation for a comfortable and comfortable journey, then the editor strongly recommends choosing Luxor to Aspen 5-star cruise between Mongol or Aswan to Luxor.

 

2. Cruise ships usually stop on the banks of the Nile River. The cruise ship starting from Luxor is upstream and the sailing time is about a day and a half. The cruise ship starting from Aswan is downstream and the sailing time is about one day. On the way, the boat will stop when passing by the temples of Kom Ombo and Edfu, and tourists have enough time to disembark to visit these two temples built along the Nile River.

 

3. There are swimming pools, sports rooms, beach loungers, billiard halls, cafeterias, bars and other facilities on the boat. In the off-season, it is 35 US dollars per person per day, including room and buffet fees. The accommodation on board is very comfortable, and the buffet may also be you in Egypt. The best food I ate during the 10 days of travel. All in all, the price is very high, and it is an experience not to be missed.

 

4. Cruising on the Nile is the most romantic and exciting thing about a trip to Egypt. Visitors can travel on a three-masted dinghy or opt for a modern steamboat or yacht tour. Visitors to Sinai can take the speedboat from Hurghada to Shamraikh, which can bypass rugged mountain roads and police checkpoints that can take hours to walk. Safe and affordable, this journey is one of the rare opportunities to travel from Africa to Asia by boat.

 

Bus

1. Intercity bus

There are buses in almost every city, town and village in Egypt, and the fares are comparable to second-class trains. Intercity shuttles, especially short trips and cars to Egypt can be crowded. Car fares for the same route often vary depending on whether there is air conditioning or video, the age of the car, and how long it takes. Relatively luxurious cars travel to and from Cairo, Alexandria, Ismailia, Port Said, Suez, St. Catherine's Monastery, Sharmraikh, Hurghada and Luxor. Fares are slightly more expensive than standard cars. Superjet is the best luxury car company that tourists can choose to travel with. Most cars now have strict no smoking regulations. Tourists can buy tickets at the bus station, usually directly on the bus. When getting off the bus, the inspector will get on the bus to check the ticket, and tourists should also carry their passports with them. The car often stops at military checkpoints to check passengers. It is wise to book tickets in advance on busy routes (like Cairo to Sinai) or on routes with few shuttles (like Cairo to Western Desert). Passengers with an International Student Identity Card (ISIC) can enjoy discounts on some routes.

 

 

2. City buses and minibuses (Minibus)

Only Cairo and Alexandria have their own bus network. Egyptians would drive their cars at will and start selling tickets before they stopped. It is also difficult to squeeze into the bus. Cars rarely stop long enough for passengers to get off. In contrast, taking a minibus is more comfortable. Small public places generally do not allow standing passengers, and leave when they are full.

 

  • 1. There are many long-distance bus companies behind Ramses Railway Station, and it is easy to see large buses parked on the side of the road after arriving at the railway station. If you're a budget-conscious backpacker, this could be your main starting point for all parts of Egypt.
  • 2. North to Alexandria, east to Dahab or Sharm El Sheikh on the Sinai Peninsula, west to Black and White Desert or Siva Oasis near the western border, south to Luxor, Aswan and Hurghada, all The corresponding shifts can be found here. Each bus company has a different route, and you can choose a bus company based on the model and comfort of the bus after reaching the departure point. Except for Alexandria, which is closer, intercity buses generally leave at night and arrive the next morning.
  • 3. From Tahrir Square to Ramses Railway Station, you can take Metro Line 1 or Line 2 to Martyrs Station, and you can see Ramses Railway Station not far from the station. You can also take a taxi from Tahrir Square, usually 5 Egyptian pounds.
  • 4. Usually private cars without license plates shuttle between big cities. They generally have no clear destination. Tourists may occasionally have the opportunity to take a minibus in Cairo to the Pyramids; in Alexandria through Tariq al-Horreyya and the Corniche to Montazah Palace; in Shamra'ikh to and from Old Sham, Na'ama Bay and Shaq Bay. Most small towns have similar minibuses running around.

 

Taxi

1. Almost every used car in Egypt (marked or not) is a taxi and the most convenient way to get around. Tourists only need to stand on the side of the road, beckon, and call out where they want to go. When taking a taxi, it is best for tourists to know how much to pay and when to arrive, otherwise they are likely to be slaughtered. It is best for tourists to negotiate the price before getting on the bus.

 

2. Choosing a shared taxi is the fastest way to travel between cities. Such taxis operating on intercity routes are generally large sign 504 sedans. Taxi drivers would gather near bus and train stations and leave when the cars are full. Fees are generally cheaper than trains and cars, and there is no fixed driving time.

 

 

Truck

Small trucks on the roads to and from small towns are also sometimes used as taxis in towns. This is especially true in some oasis towns, small places on the west bank of Luke and along the Nile. Toyota and Chevrolet pickup trucks run most routes between small towns and villages away from main roads. The typical situation is to seat 12 people in a covered car at the back of the truck, which is often stacked with many different items.

 

 

Private boat

You can also reach the ticket office on the west bank (near the original sightseeing ferry port) by private boats that attract business along the Nile River, but the one-way ticket costs 5 Angstroms. The other party may ask for more than 10 angstroms at the beginning, which is very expensive, and additional money is required to bring a bicycle, so it is not practical.

 

Sightseeing carriage

It takes at least 5 Angstroms to run around the city in a tourist carriage in front of the train station and at tourist spots.

 

Bicycle rental

About 5 angstroms a day, but carefully check tires, saddles, handlebars and chains before renting. Also ask what time it is to count as a day.

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