Best Ways: How to Get from Cairo to Alexandria
Are you looking for the best ways to get from Cairo to Alexandria? Alexandria is a stunning coastal city, and you can easily explore the main attractions in a half day, so don’t miss it on your Egypt Itinerary.
Getting to Alexandria may seem difficult, but depending on your time and budget, there are several ways to get there. You can get to Alexandria by train, bus, taxi, or private transfer.
In this ultimate guide, you will find all the ways to get to Alexandria, such as the cheapest and quickest way to travel, journey times, and how much a taxi or train ticket costs.
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How far is it from Cairo to Alexandria?
The distance between the two cities is about 220 km, which is 2-3 hours, depending on traffic and mode of transport.
Alexandria has its own airport, Borg El Arab International Airport (airport code HBE). Currently, there are no direct flights from Cairo to Alexandria.
Scroll down for more information about which transport is the best for you, how long the journey takes, and how much a taxi or bus ticket will cost.
Book your Alexandria guided tour via Viator or GetYourGuide.
Alexandria by Minivan
The most comfortable way to get to Alexandria is by air-conditioned minivan. Minivans run throughout the day, every hour.
A shuttle minivan to Alexandria (any hotel) starts from 16 USD. The journey time takes 2.5-3 hours, depending on traffic.
Get Minivan Tickets through 12Go or Bookaway.
Cairo to Alexandria Day Trip
Alexandria is the second largest city in Egypt, famous for its historic sights. It was once home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Lighthouse of Alexandria.
Are you spending limited time in Egypt but want to make the most of your visit? You can join a group tour to visit the Citadel of Qaitbay, Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, Montazah Palace Gardens, Pompey’s Pillar, and Sidi Morsi Abu al-Abbas Mosque.
The tour price includes pick-up & drop-off from your accommodation in Cairo or Giza, an Egyptologist guide, lunch, and transportation by air-conditioned car.
Book your day tour through Viator or GetYourGuide.
Alternatively, join this excellent 5-Day Egypt Highlights Private Tour with Flights.
Cairo to Alexandria by Taxi, Private Car, Uber
One of the best ways to get to Alexandria is by private car. The private transfer to Alexandria (any hotel) costs 70 USD for 2 persons and 132 USD for 4 persons. The journey time takes 2.5-3 hours, depending on traffic.
Book your private transfer here.
The most expensive way to get to Alexandria is by taxi. A taxi to Alexandria costs between 80-100 USD, depending on the number of passengers, time of day, etc. If you are not traveling alone, the price is affordable. Uber will cost around 1000-1500 EGP (20-31 USD).
Before you get in the taxi, be sure to agree on a price with the driver. Taxi drivers do not accept card payments, so you should bring local money (EGP) or USD.
Cairo to Alexandria by Train
The fastest and most popular way to get to Alexandria is by train. The journey from Cairo’s main train station (Ramses) takes 2-2.5 hours. It’s good to know that trains are often delayed. We found traveling by train in Egypt comfortable and safe.
From Cairo Airport, take metro Line 3 to Cairo city center. Then, get off at Ataba station, the last stop on Line 3. Then, you can transfer to Line 2 and get to Al-Shohadaa, the nearest metro stop to Ramses Railway Station.
We recommend you arrive at the train station at least 30 minutes before departure. Take care of your valuables, as minor thefts or pickpockets may occur around the railway station.
From the end of 2023, new Talgo (VIP) trains started operating between Cairo and Alexandria. These are the fastest and most modern trains, with comfortable seats and air conditioning. Talgo trains can reach Alexandria in up to 1.5 hours, and you can also get first and second-class tickets.
Cairo to Alexandria Train Schedule & Price
The trains run several times a day from 06:00 to 23:30.
- 06:00-08:00
- 08:00-09:30 *
- 08:10-10:10
- 09:00-11:00
- 10:00-12:00
- 11:15-13:15
- 12:00-14:00
- 14:00-15:30 *
- 14:25-16:25
- 15:00-17:00
- 16:00-18:00
- 19:00-21:00
- 20:15-22:15
- 23:30-01:30
* Talgo Train. Train schedules are subject to change, so always check the up-to-date timetable.
The train tickets cost between 35-64 USD, depending on the type of train. You can buy cheaper train tickets at the railway station, but make sure you buy them at least 1-2 days in advance!
Where is Alexandria train station?
Make sure you know where you will get off the train because there will be several stops. Locals will get off at Sidi Gaber station. But you’re better off getting off at Mahatet Masr (Alexandria railway station) as you can easily explore the sights. You can find the Google location here.
Cairo to Alexandria By Bus
The cheapest way to reach Alexandria is by Go Bus. But many bus companies offer buses to Alexandria. Each company has different departure and arrival stations, so you can choose the one that best suits you.
The travel time is approximately 3 hours, depending on traffic. Buses depart several times a day between 00:00 and 23:15. We recommend you arrive at the bus station at least 30 minutes before departure.
The bus tickets start from 4 USD.
Where to Stay in Alexandria
Most people only take a day trip to Alexandria. But we recommend you spend at least 1-2 full days and enjoy the best things to do in Alexandria. Alternatively, stay in Cairo. These are our recommendations.
Best hotels in Alexandria
- Luxury: Four Seasons Hotel Alexandria
- Mid-Range: Le Metropole Luxury Heritage Hotel or Golden Jewel Hotel
- Budget: Plaza Hotel Alexandria
Best hotels in Cairo
- Luxury: Four Seasons Hotel Cairo
- Mid-Range: Grand Nile Tower or Steigenberger Hotel El Tahrir Cairo
- Budget: Tahrir Plaza Suites
Recommended post → Best Luxury 5-Star Hotels in Cairo
Photo credit: Kempinski Nile Hotel Cairo
More Travel Guides about Egypt
- The Ultimate Egypt Itinerary for 10 Days
- How to Get from Cairo Airport to Giza Pyramids
- 11 Best Hotels with Pyramids View for All Budgets
- 7 Best Things to Do in Cairo
- How to Get from Aswan to Abu Simbel
- 9 Best Things to Do in Luxor
- The 9 Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Hurghada
We hope our post on how to get from Cairo to Alexandria will help you plan your next trip to Egypt. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.
Travel Resources
Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
eSIM – Airalo
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Transfer – Bookaway
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11 Best Luxury 5-Star Hotels in Cairo
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