Getting Around Alexandria: A Practical Transport Guide

Most travel guides for Alexandria focus on what to see and where to eat, but relatively few explain how you're supposed to get between all these places. That's a gap worth filling, because Alexandria's transport system is not like Cairo's. There's no metro, the traffic is dense but slower-paced, and the city is stretched out along the coast in a way that makes some routes straightforward and others surprisingly inconvenient.

This guide covers every realistic transport option for visitors — ride-hailing apps, taxis, microbuses, public buses, the tram-to-light-rail project, walking, and car rental — with honest assessments of what works, what doesn't, and what you should avoid unless you enjoy unnecessary suffering.

Ride-Hailing Apps (Uber and Careem)

If there's one piece of transport advice that matters more than anything else in this guide, it's this: download the Uber and Careem apps before you arrive. They are by far the easiest, most predictable way for a visitor to get around Alexandria, and they eliminate most of the friction that makes Egyptian transport intimidating for first-timers.

Both apps work the same way they do everywhere else. You enter your destination, see the estimated fare upfront, and a driver picks you up. Payment is through the app (card or cash, depending on your preference), and there's no need to negotiate. The estimated arrival time is usually accurate to within a few minutes. In central Alexandria and most tourist-frequented areas, you can generally get a car within five to ten minutes at any time of day.

Uber and Careem operate across the entire city, including to and from the airport, the train stations (Sidi Gaber and Misr), and the major attractions. If you're visiting the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the Qaitbay Citadel, the Corniche, or any of the museums, a ride-hailing car will drop you at or very near the entrance. For short hops across the centre — say, from your hotel near the Corniche to a restaurant in the old city — fares are typically in the range of EGP 30 to 80. Longer cross-city trips (Smouha to Stanley, or Sidi Gaber to Montaza) might run EGP 80 to 200 depending on traffic.

Careem, a Dubai-based ride-hailing company, is particularly strong in Egypt and often has more available drivers in Alexandria than Uber. It also offers a range of service tiers: Economy (cheapest), Business (nicer cars), and Careem Bike (motorcycle taxis, which are faster in heavy traffic and cheaper, though not for the faint-hearted). Both apps also let you schedule rides in advance, which is useful for early-morning departures to the train station.

Tipping: Not included in the fare. A tip of EGP 10 to 30 is appreciated for good service but not expected.

For more on planning your itinerary, see our guide to things to do in Alexandria.

Taxis

Alexandria has two broad categories of taxis, and knowing the difference matters more than you'd think.

White Taxis (Metered)

White taxis are the more regulated option. They're required to use a meter, and most of them actually do — though it's still worth checking that the driver turns it on when you get in. If the meter isn't working or the driver claims it's broken, you can either negotiate a price upfront or find another taxi. There's no shortage of them.

White taxi fares are modest. A short ride in the city centre typically costs EGP 20 to 50. Longer rides across the city might reach EGP 100 to 150. The meter removes the need to negotiate, which is the main advantage over the older black-and-yellow cabs. You can hail white taxis on the street almost anywhere in central Alexandria.

Black-and-Yellow Taxis (Negotiated Fare)

These are the older, iconic Alexandria taxis — black body with a yellow hood. They do not have meters. You negotiate the fare before getting in, and if you don't know roughly what the going rate is, you will almost certainly overpay.

The negotiation process is straightforward in theory: ask "kam da?" (how much?) to the driver, state your destination, and agree on a price before you open the door. In practice, drivers will often start with a figure that's two to three times the actual going rate, especially if they see you're a foreigner. You counter with a lower number, and you meet somewhere in the middle. If the driver won't come down to a reasonable price, walk away — there will be another taxi along in thirty seconds.

Black-and-yellow taxis are cheapest for short hops. A ride that might cost EGP 30 on the meter in a white taxi can often be negotiated for EGP 20 to 25 in a black-and-yellow one. The trade-off is the hassle of negotiating every single time, and the uncertainty about whether you got a fair price. For most visitors, ride-hailing apps are simply easier. But if your phone is dead or you don't have data, a black-and-yellow taxi will get you there.

For tips on getting to the city, see our guide on how to get from Cairo to Alexandria.

Microbuses

Microbuses (microbas in Egyptian Arabic, or mashrou' in formal Arabic) are the backbone of Alexandria's public transport system. They are 14-seater vans that run along fixed routes throughout the city, picking up and dropping off passengers anywhere along the way. There are no formal stops in most cases — you wave one down, get in, and when you want to get out, you say "hena ya ustadh" ("here, driver") or tap the roof.

Fares are extraordinarily cheap, typically EGP 5 to 10 per ride regardless of distance within the city. This makes microbuses by far the most budget-friendly option, roughly ten times cheaper than a taxi or ride-hailing car for the same distance. A study by Alexandria University mapped 126 bus routes in the city operating from 58 stops, covering formal buses, minibuses, and microbuses — giving a sense of how dense the network is.

The challenge for visitors is that routes are not marked in English, the destination signs on the front of the van are in Arabic, and there are no official route maps easily accessible to tourists. Drivers and passengers will help you if you ask, but you'll need to know the Arabic name of your destination and ideally the general area it's in. Regular passengers hanging out the open side door calling out destinations is how most people know which microbus to flag down.

Microbuses are busiest during rush hours (7 to 9 AM and 4 to 7 PM) and can get very crowded. They run from early morning until late evening on most routes. If you're comfortable with a slightly chaotic experience and want to travel the way most Alexandrians do, microbuses are a genuine option. If you want certainty and comfort, stick with ride-hailing.

Public Buses

Alexandria has a formal public bus system operated by the Alexandria Passenger Transport Authority (CTA), as well as privately run larger buses that complement the microbus network. These are larger than microbuses — standard city buses — and they run on fixed routes with designated stops.

Public buses are cheap (fares in the range of EGP 3 to 8) and cover areas of the city that other transport doesn't reach as well. However, for most visitors they present the same challenges as microbuses: route information is in Arabic, stops may not be clearly marked, and the system can be confusing to navigate without local knowledge. Buses can also be very slow in traffic.

One exception worth knowing about: SWVL, an app-based bus service that operates in Alexandria, offers fixed-schedule rides on popular routes. You book through the app, see the pickup point and time, and pay digitally. It's a middle ground between the chaos of microbuses and the cost of ride-hailing — cheaper than Uber but more structured than flagging down a van. SWVL works well for longer cross-city routes if the schedule happens to align with your plans.

The Tram and the Light Rail Project

Alexandria's tram system holds a special place in the city's identity. Opened in 1863 and electrified in 1902, it was the first tram system in Africa and one of the oldest in the world. For generations, the blue-and-yellow tram cars rattling along the Corniche have been as much a symbol of Alexandria as the sea itself.

If you're reading up on Alexandria transport, you'll encounter a lot of references to the tram. Here's the current situation: the old Raml tram line — the main east-west route along the Corniche — is currently undergoing a major modernisation project. The historic tram infrastructure is being replaced with an elevated light rail system, a €592 million investment aimed at doubling speeds and boosting capacity. The old tram cars have been taken out of service on this line.

What this means for visitors right now: the tram is not currently operating as a regular service. The transformation is ongoing, and while the project is expected to significantly improve public transport along the Corniche corridor once complete, there's no firm timeline for when the new system will be fully operational. If you're planning a visit, don't rely on the tram as a transport option. Use ride-hailing, taxis, or buses instead.

That said, the tram remains a beloved part of Alexandria's urban character, and the modernisation project has been the subject of considerable public discussion — many Alexandrians have strong feelings about the old cars being retired. If you're interested in the city's history and urban culture, it's worth understanding the tram's role even if you can't ride it right now. For a sense of the city's cultural atmosphere, see our guide to Alexandria at night.

Walking

Alexandria is one of the more walkable cities in Egypt, at least in certain areas. The Corniche — the waterfront promenade that runs along the eastern harbour — is the city's natural pedestrian spine. From the Qaitbay Citadel in the west to Stanley Bridge in the east, it's roughly 9 kilometres of continuous seaside walkway with cafés, benches, and sea views. If you're staying in the central area between the Citadel and Midan El Raml, many of the main attractions — the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, the Roman Theatre, the old city centre — are within a 15 to 30 minute walk of each other.

Walking in Alexandria has its caveats. Summer temperatures from June through September regularly exceed 30°C with high humidity, making midday walking uncomfortable at best. Sidewalks exist in the centre but are not always well-maintained, and crossing major roads requires attentiveness — Egyptian traffic does not consistently stop for pedestrians. The best times to walk are early morning (before 10 AM) and late afternoon through evening, when the sea breeze makes it pleasant.

If you're planning to explore on foot, wear comfortable shoes, carry water, and don't try to walk everywhere. Combine walking with ride-hailing or taxis for longer distances, especially in summer. For suggestions on where to base yourself, see our guide on where to stay in Alexandria.

Car Rental

For most visitors to Alexandria, renting a car is unnecessary and actively unhelpful. The city's traffic is dense, parking is scarce in the centre, and Egyptian driving norms — which involve a lot of honking, close following, and creative interpretation of lane markings — can be stressful for drivers accustomed to European or North American road culture. If you're coming from Cairo by car, you'll know what to expect. If you're coming from Europe, you probably don't.

Car rental starts at roughly EGP 500 to 800 per day for a small car, and more for anything larger. International driving permits are technically required, though enforcement varies. Fuel is inexpensive by European standards. If you do rent a car, it's most useful for day trips outside the city — to the North Coast beaches, for example, or to Rashid (Rosetta) — rather than for getting around Alexandria itself.

Which Option Should You Use?

Here's a quick framework based on what most visitors actually need:

For comfort and simplicity: Uber or Careem. Download both apps, use whichever is cheaper or faster at the time. This covers 90% of what a visitor needs.

For the cheapest possible travel: Microbuses. EGP 5 to 10 per ride, but you'll need some Arabic and a willingness to figure out routes by asking people.

For short distances when your phone is dead: Hail a white taxi and make sure the meter is on. Or negotiate with a black-and-yellow taxi if you know the rough going rate.

For cross-city travel on a budget: SWVL buses. Book through the app for scheduled, air-conditioned rides at a fraction of ride-hailing prices.

For sightseeing along the Corniche: Walk, especially in the morning or evening. The 9 km Corniche stretch is the city's best pedestrian experience.

For day trips outside Alexandria: Car rental, or a private driver arranged through your hotel or a tour operator.

Practical Tips

• Cash: Carry small-denomination Egyptian pounds. Microbuses and some taxis can't break large notes. EGP 20 and 50 notes are the most useful for transport.
• SIM cards: A local Egyptian SIM with a data plan is extremely useful for ride-hailing apps and Google Maps. You can buy one at the airport or from any mobile shop in the city. Vodafone Egypt and Orange are the most reliable networks.
• Google Maps: Works reasonably well in Alexandria for navigation. It's useful for tracking your ride-hailing car's arrival and for walking directions, though real-time traffic data is less accurate than in European cities.
• Rush hour: Avoid travelling between 7 and 9 AM and 4 and 7 PM if possible. Traffic congestion significantly increases travel times across all modes of transport.
• Friday: Friday is the weekend in Egypt. Many shops close, public transport runs on a reduced schedule, and ride-hailing may have slightly longer wait times. Attractions that are normally quiet on weekday mornings can get crowded on Friday afternoons.
• Airport transfers: Uber and Careem both serve Borg El Arab Airport and the older El Nouzha Airport (if operating). A ride from Borg El Arab to the city centre typically costs EGP 200 to 400. Some hotels offer airport shuttle services.
• Women travelling alone: Ride-hailing apps are the safest option — the trip is tracked, the driver's details are recorded, and you share your location. Microbuses are generally safe but can be extremely crowded. White taxis are fine during the day; use ride-hailing at night.
• Prices: All prices mentioned are approximate and may vary. Transport fares in Egypt are subject to periodic increases.

For planning the rest of your trip, see our guides on things to do in Alexandria, the best time to visit Alexandria, and where to stay in Alexandria. If you're coming from Cairo, check our guide on how to get from Cairo to Alexandria.