Getting around Egypt: driver, domestic flights, train, restricted zones
In Egypt, you travel by day, with an Arabic-speaking driver for long journeys; driving at night outside towns is to be ruled out. Between Cairo, Luxor and Aswan, flights take one to one and a half hours, the sleeper train around ten hours; trains are advised only on Cairo-Alexandria and Cairo-Luxor-Aswan. The desert requires a recognised guide and, for the western oases, a permit.
Checked on 14 October 2026
The principle: by day, with a driver
Roads are the main risk of a trip to Egypt. Main roads are in reasonable condition, secondary roads poor and badly signposted, and fatal accidents are very frequent; serious bus crashes have killed tourists. Night driving outside towns should be ruled out altogether, by car or by bus; for long daytime journeys, a driver or companion who knows the route and speaks Arabic is recommended. Shared minibuses are strongly advised against.
Sabaro builds its itineraries on these rules: every road transfer takes place by day, with a private driver. When a flight lands late in the day, the road waits until the next morning, and you sleep near the airport.
Between the main stops
Distances are long, and the choice of transport depends on the time you have.
| Route | Flight | Train | Road, with a driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cairo – Luxor | About 1 hr | Sleeper train, about 10 hrs 30 | — |
| Cairo – Aswan | About 1 hr 25 | Sleeper train, about 14 hrs | — |
| Luxor – Aswan | — | Same line as Cairo – Aswan | The Nile cruise covers the route in 3 to 4 nights |
| Aswan – Abu Simbel | About 45 min | — | About 280 km, 3 to 4 hrs |
| Luxor – Red Sea (Soma Bay, Hurghada) | — | — | About 230 km, 3 hrs 30 to Soma Bay |
| Cairo – Alexandria | — | Advised route | About 220 km |
| Cairo – Bahariya | — | — | About 370 km, 4 hrs |
Domestic flights are the simplest way to link Cairo with Upper Egypt. Luxor and Aswan airports are 15 and 25 km from the cruise quays. Sabaro's trip ideas "Cairo and Luxor in 7 days" and "Nile cruise and Red Sea in 10 days" combine a domestic flight with daytime road journeys.
The road also links the Nile to the Red Sea: from Luxor to Soma Bay, allow 232 km and about 3 hrs 30 of driving, which saves a second domestic flight.
The train
The rail network is old, being renovated, and has seen fatal collisions and derailments. It is best avoided, except on two routes: Cairo-Alexandria and Cairo-Luxor-Aswan.
Since 15 December 2022, foreigners have paid a higher fare than Egyptians, and since 1 January 2023 they can pay in euros or dollars. An invoice comes with the ticket: keep it, as it must be shown to the inspector. Fraudsters posing as inspectors demand fake "fines" on board.
The sleeper train between Cairo, Luxor and Aswan has been run since 2023 by Abela. One to three trains leave every evening from Cairo and Giza stations; the daily 7.45 pm departure, local time, reaches Luxor around 6.10 am and Aswan around 9.25 am. Compartments have two berths, in Elite class, refurbished in 2025 and 2026, or Standard. An evening tray meal, breakfast and bedding are included; the club car serves tea, coffee and soft drinks, without alcohol. Allow USD 125 per person in Elite in a shared compartment, USD 170 for sole use, and USD 110 and 150 in Standard, one way; children aged 4 to 9 pay USD 70. Booking opens four to five months ahead.
The sleeper train suits travellers who like the idea of reaching Luxor at dawn without losing a day; flying remains faster for a short trip.
In town
Taxi meters are often broken or switched off: agree the fare before the ride. Ride-hailing apps, widely used in Cairo and the large cities, avoid the haggling. Sit in the back, avoid night journeys and refuse a vehicle without seat belts. Women are advised not to travel alone by taxi.
In Cairo, traffic shapes the day: the west bank, with Giza and its pyramids, and historic Cairo, on the east bank, are best visited on separate days. In Luxor, the public ferry and motorboats link the two banks of the Nile.
Driving yourself
It is possible, but rarely advisable. You need the 1949 international driving permit together with your national licence, valid for stays of up to six months. Seat belts are compulsory in the front, and drink or drug driving is punishable by prison. Third-party insurance is compulsory but insufficient: additional insurance and international assistance are recommended. Petrol stations can be very far apart; drive with a full tank. Off paved roads, you need a qualified guide and a permit from the Ministry of Interior.
By boat
The Nile cruise also links Luxor and Aswan; the guide "Choosing your cruise" compares cruise ships and dahabiyas. Accidents have, however, been caused by overcrowding and poor safety standards, on Nile cruises as on Red Sea ferries: choose a reputable boat. The regional context means sea crossings on the Red Sea are advised against.
Desert, oases and restricted zones
Some poorly marked zones are closed to traffic, especially in the desert, where the risk of landmines off the tracks remains high. Respect the areas your foreign ministry advises against and, when in doubt, ask the Egyptian police.
| Zone | Rule |
|---|---|
| Cairo – Farafra – El Kharga triangle, including the White Desert | Open to tourism, with heightened vigilance; a locally recognised agency or guide strongly recommended; water, food and a means of communication. Travel between oases on the recommended roads |
| Bahariya and Farafra oases, White and Black Deserts | Permit to be requested in advance and official guide compulsory; the excursion provider handles this |
| Bahariya – Siwa road | Closed, with military checkpoints; Siwa is reached via the coast and Marsa Matruh |
| South of Siwa Oasis, between Sihah and Jebel Uweinat | Closed to civilians and vehicles since 2014 |
| Great Sand Sea, from Siwa | 4x4 trips with a permit, obtained by the guide |
| St Catherine's Monastery | Can be visited; no night driving between the monastery and the coast |
| Fayoum | Whale Valley (Wadi el-Hitan) accessible; desert beyond it advised against |
| North Sinai, north of a Suez – Taba line | Strongly advised against; closed to foreigners |
| Sudanese border, including the road south of Abu Simbel | Strongly advised against |
The guide "Safety in Egypt, region by region" gives your country's foreign ministry advice.
Read next
Frequently asked questions
Can I rent a car and drive myself in Egypt?
Yes, with your national licence and an international driving permit. A driver or Arabic-speaking companion is still recommended for long journeys, night driving outside towns is to be ruled out, and fatal accidents are very frequent.
Is it better to fly or take the train between Cairo and Luxor?
The flight takes about an hour, the sleeper train about ten and a half hours. The sleeper lets you reach Luxor at dawn, in a berth; flying suits a short trip better.
Is the train safe?
The network has had fatal accidents, and it is best avoided except on Cairo-Alexandria and Cairo-Luxor-Aswan. On those lines, keep the invoice that comes with the ticket and beware of fake inspectors.
Can I go to the White Desert?
Yes, with a permit requested in advance and an official guide, both provided by the excursion operator. The Cairo-Bahariya road is driven by day, in about 4 hours.
Can I drive from Bahariya to Siwa?
No. The Bahariya-Siwa road is closed, with military checkpoints. Siwa is reached via the Mediterranean coast and Marsa Matruh.
Official sources
- France Diplomatie : Égypte, dernières minutes et alertes (accessed 14 October 2026)
- France Diplomatie : Égypte, sécurité (accessed 14 October 2026)
- France Diplomatie : Égypte, informations utiles (accessed 14 October 2026)
- GOV.UK (FCDO) : Egypt, safety and security (accessed 14 October 2026)
- GOV.UK (FCDO) : Egypt, regional risks (accessed 14 October 2026)
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