How to Get from Cairo to Alexandria

Located approximately 220 kilometers (136 miles) northwest of Cairo, Alexandria is a beautiful seaside city that is well-known for its literary connections as well as its historical sights. The city itself was one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the Mediterranean after Napoleon's invasion, and is still one of Egypt's most popular tourist destinations to date.

Upon visiting Alexandria you'll get the chance to see the ruins of the Lighthouse of Alexandria, the reimagined Bibliotheca Alexandrina (because the original was burned down), the Citadel of Qaitbay, Montaza Palace, the Serapeum of Alexandria, and the Museum of Alexandria. In order to visit all the sights Alexandria has to offer, we do recommend staying for a day or two as there is a lot to see in the city.

In order to get to Alexandria, there are a couple of options, depending on whether you would like to opt for speed, ease of the journey, or to try and be as cost effective as possible. We've laid out the three most popular options below to help you plan ahead of your trip.

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Travel from Cairo to Alexandria by Train (recommended: most cost-effective way)

Roman Thermae in Alexandria, Egypt

Cost: 3–9 US dollars

Total journey time: 3½–5 hours

A train is probably the fastest way to get to Alexandria on your own, but also the most cost-effective way as there are a range of different price options, and you can get there for as little as 3 US dollars.

The journey by train takes approximately 2½–3½ hours from Ramses Train Station in Cairo depending on which train line you get on and how many stops the train makes along the way. However, you should add on at least half an hour each in Cairo and Alexandria for getting from/to hotels as well as some time for negotiating the stations.

The trains run between 6.30am and 11pm, so it's easy to get a train that fits within your schedule. We recommend getting a First Class ticket if you can, as the air-conditioning is more likely to work in those cabins and the seats are more comfortable than the Second Class seats. The price difference is minimal, and the increased comfort is worth it.

It's best to get your ticket a day before departing because the lines to the ticketing desk can be long and a little chaotic at the train station in Cairo. You can also get them online from the Egyptian National Railways website, or you can likely ask your hotel to help. We can also book them for you.

The train station in Cairo itself is almost worth the journey too, as it has recently been renovated and has beautiful art decor in the main hall! There are signs pointing out the directions, and once you have your ticket (which is the most complicated part if you are choosing to get them yourself at the station, as choosing the right line can be confusing), everything is easy.

On the train you'll regularly have a trolley of drinks and snacks passing, so you can get supplies on board.

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Travel from Cairo to Alexandria by Private Tour (recommended: most convenient and easy)

Montaza Palace in Alexandria, Egypt

Cost: Varies

Total journey time: about 2 hours 45 minutes

If you are looking for the quickest and most convenient way to visit Alexandria, we recommend a private tour. This way, you can get picked up at your hotel in Cairo, taken to the sights that you want to see in Alexandria, and get taken either back to Cairo if you're aiming for a day trip, or to your hotel in Alexandria to spend the night.

To get a quote on pricing feel free to reach out to us as we are able to help you plan your transfer and tour to Alexandria from Cairo. Pricing will depend on how many people are in your group, and whether you'd like to stay overnight in Alexandria or whether you'd prefer to just go for a day trip.

A private tour is definitely the easiest and most comfortable way to see Alexandria, as you wouldn't have to worry about transfers to and from the bus or train station, and you can start sightseeing as soon as you arrive in Alexandria to make the most of your time there.

Or you can contact us for an itinerary based on your interests, group size, budget, and other needs. All our tours can be adjusted.

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Travel from Cairo to Alexandria by Bus (for early birds)

Mosque of Abu Abbas al Mursi in Alexandria, Egypt

Cost: 4–9 US dollars

Total journey time: 4–4½ hours

Taking the bus from Cairo to Alexandria costs around the same as taking the train, and the duration of the main journey is about as long too, at 3–3½ hours, so it really comes down to what your preferred mode of transport is: the bus or the train. There is the time getting to/from and using the bus stations to add on too, which probably totals around an hour.

The other possible benefit is that the bus to Alexandria starts from Cairo around 5am, so if you wanted to make the most of your day in Alexandria you could get there earlier than if you took the earliest train. The bus station is also very centrally located in Cairo, so if your hotel is close to the bus station it might be worth considering the bus over the train.

Buses depart from Cairo's Gateway Bus Station in the city center, and arrive in Al Moaf Al Gedid Bus Station in Alexandria. The only caveat to bear in mind here is that the bus station in Alexandria is approximately 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) from the city center. We recommend taking a taxi for these last few minutes to your hotel or first attraction.

Bus tickets can be booked online in advance, particularly through Go Bus, one of the main providers on this route, or you can get your tickets at the bus station before your journey. Bear in mind that on holidays and weekends it's better to get your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment as seats are limited on these routes.