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Metro, taxis, traffic

Cairo Transport Guide

Cairo transport is a mix of open metro lines, ride-hailing, taxis, walking, private drivers, and airport transfer planning. Choose by station proximity, luggage, traffic, time of day, and access needs.

Last checked: 2026-08-12. Fares and hours below are date-stamped and must be rechecked before travel.

Open now

Use open metro lines only; do not count future projects as operational

  • Line 1: Cairo Metro's official operations page describes Helwan to New El Marg with 35 stations and key interchange at Sadat, Al-Shohadaa, and Nasser.
  • Line 2: Cairo Metro's official operations page describes Shubra El-Kheima to El-Mounib with 20 stations and interchanges at Al-Shohadaa, Sadat, and Attaba.
  • Line 3 / Green Line 3: Mobility Cairo operates Green Line 3 and publishes current maps, tickets, service updates, and local station maps. Use its map for the open route rather than old project maps.
  • Not treated as metro-open here: future metro extensions, monorail projects, and under-construction rail projects unless the relevant operator officially lists passenger service and current field checks confirm it.

Tickets and hours

Buy at stations and check the current fare table

  • Mobility Cairo currently lists single-use tickets by station count: 9 stations, 16 stations, 23 stations, and 39 stations, with regular fares shown as 10, 12, 15, and 20 LE on its ticket page checked 2026-08-12.
  • Mobility Cairo says tickets are available at ticket offices, public tickets also at vending machines between Haroun and Adly Mansour, and Green Line 3 wallet cards can be bought or topped up at ticket offices and vending machines.
  • Mobility Cairo FAQ says online ticket purchase is not yet available and ticket or wallet purchases are cash-only.
  • Cairo Metro passenger services list regular metro operation as 5:00 AM to 12:00 midnight, with Ramadan hours separately listed as 5:00 AM to 2:00 AM. Line pages list more detailed last-train times; use the operator page on the travel day.

Tourist stations

Useful stations still need final walking or taxi planning

  • Sadat: useful for Tahrir, downtown, and Egyptian Museum area, but check exits and walking conditions before assuming a comfortable route.
  • Al-Shohadaa: useful for Ramses rail station connections; allow extra time with luggage and crowds.
  • Attaba and Nasser: important interchange points; good for network movement but crowded at peak periods.
  • Opera: useful for Zamalek and Cairo Opera House area if walking or onward taxi fits the route.
  • Cairo University, Kit-Kat, Safaa Hegazy, and other Green Line 3 west-side stations: check Mobility Cairo's local maps for the exact exit and onward path.
  • Airport access: there is no direct Cairo Metro airport station in this guide. Use the Cairo Airport guide, official airport transport, hotel pickup, ride-hailing, or a verified driver.

Street level

Traffic and pickup points often decide the best option

  • Ride-hailing can be practical if you have mobile data, a clear pickup pin, visible car details, and a written destination.
  • Taxis are common; Experience Egypt says taxis are required by law to have a working meter and advises making sure it is turned on.
  • Walking can work for short, known routes, but Cairo pavements, crossings, heat, dust, stairs, and traffic can make even short distances slow.
  • For timed museum, airport, rail, restaurant, or show plans, add a traffic buffer and a cancellation plan. Do not stack Cairo sightseeing as if map minutes are reliable.

Access evidence

Ask for station-specific features, not blanket labels

  • For any station, verify lifts, escalators, stair-only exits, platform gaps, tactile guidance, working ticket gates, toilets, seating, and staff support before relying on the route.
  • Older Lines 1 and 2 include aboveground, tunnel, and elevated stations; specific exits can be very different from the station name on a map.
  • Green Line 3 has newer stations and Mobility Cairo publishes local maps, but this page does not claim every station is step-free or every lift is working.
  • Mobility Cairo ticketing pages include special needs ticket and pass categories; eligibility documents and handling should be checked directly with the operator.
  • Women-only carriage practice is verified on Cairo Metro official line pages for Lines 1 and 2: two middle cars are allocated for women, with one car becoming mixed after 9:00 PM; women may use all cars. Confirm current signs and staff instructions on the platform.

Cairo route help

Need a Cairo transport plan?

Mersavia can help compare metro, ride-hailing, taxi, airport pickup, and private-driver options after the independent guidance above. Official operators control fares, hours, and service disruptions.

Ask for Cairo transport help

Sources

Sources checked for this page