Are you traveling to Egypt and wondering if Uber is an option? Why yes, it is! In this post, we’ll go over tips and tricks so you can travel smart and cheaply in an Uber in Egypt.
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It may surprise you to learn that Uber exists in Cairo – the capital city of Egypt. It’s not only a safe and quick way to get around the crazy city, but it’s also much cheaper than a taxi or hotel car.
However, it’s always important to remain vigilant and aware while traveling in any country, especially Egypt. So while it’s safe to use Uber, it’s also essential to know the best practices to keep you safe.
Whether you are traveling solo or with a group of people, here are my tips and tricks for using Uber in Egypt to make sure you stay safe!
My Uber Mistakes in Egypt So You Don’t Make The Same Ones!
I want to start by telling my story and experience while using Uber in Egypt. For the most part, it was super convenient, safe, and way cheaper than other ride options. All except for one experience…
I was getting a ride to a hospital a little outside of Cairo from the city center. My uncle, who I was traveling with, broke his knee and needed surgery – that’s a story for a different time but the point is I was heading to the hospital.
It was rush hour in Cairo so the ride was going to be about 45 minutes. This would be some of the longest 45 minutes of my life! Once my Uber arrived, I made sure it was mine and hopped in the front seat.
I know- huge mistake! I can’t remember if I did it on my own accord or if the driver asked me to sit up there. Regardless, this is uncustomary in Egypt and you should always sit in the back seat for safety!
In broken English, he asked me if I was willing to pay in cash instead of through the app – which I didn’t think much about at the time so I said “Yeah, sure.” Only then did I realize that meant I had to cancel the trip on the app to avoid being charged twice.
This is when panic started to ensue.
I realized and thought “Oh my God, this ride is no longer being tracked. He could take me wherever and there would be no record.” He was a younger guy but barely spoke any English.
I had the route pulled up on Google Maps to make sure he was going the right way but that somehow turned into him using my phone for directions. So at one point, he grabbed my phone from me and that’s when I started to get really scared.
I’ll go ahead and say now that nothing bad happened but I was terrified the entire ride. He at one point asked me to take a picture with him and after he continuously asked I finally said “Okay sure.”
This is when he immediately pulled off in the middle of the highway! I was so sketched out! I kept saying “No, keep going. We can take one once we get there.” Either he didn’t understand or didn’t care. After taking a photo together he asked me for a kiss and that was when I immediately and continuously said “No, we need to keep driving.”
Luckily he listened and continued driving. Eventually, we got to the hospital and besides being completely shaken up, I was safe and back with my family.
It’s so easy to let your guard down while traveling at times, especially while doing things that are so normal to us at home, like using Uber. However, I’m telling this story to warn you about the realities of traveling in a foreign country.
It’s easy to find yourself in an unsafe and scary situation. Luckily, my situation didn’t escalate but it easily could have gone a completely different way. So just be extra cautious and aware, and if you have a bad feeling, listen to it!
Okay! I know that might have been a heavy and scary story but now on to the important stuff. As long as you follow these tips and be mindful, using Uber can be perfectly safe!
Where Uber is Available
Uber is only available in Cairo and Alexandria, as well as some of the surrounding areas. Uber also works as a great option to and from the airport. It works better to the airport than from it but it is still possible.
I’ve read on other blogs that Ubers aren’t allowed at the airport but this wasn’t the case when I visited in early 2022. Things might have changed but regardless, you can still order an Uber at the airport and just meet them outside of the main pick-up area.
Taxi drivers will try to charge you two to three times the amount that an Uber will be just to get into downtown Cairo. So trust me, getting an Uber may be worth the extra effort if you are on a budget!
Ride Share Alternative: Careem
Although Uber isn’t offered in other towns in Egypt such as Luxor or Aswan, there is an alternative.
Careem is another app that is known for working better in other parts of the country. It is owned by Uber and is more like an extension such as Uber Eats. With Careem you can have food and other conveniences delivered to you.
I was not aware of Careem so didn’t use it during my travels in Egypt but it does seem to work just as well as Uber!
Prices/Costs
Egypt is quite notorious for overcharging tourists for literally everything, not to mention always expecting tips. Taxi drivers have been known to quote you one price but then, in the end, demand more money than the agreed price. They can be quite aggressive at times and uncomfortable.
Some hotels will offer to arrange a personal driver for the day which may seem like a fair price compared to prices at home. However, it’s always more expensive than you realize. They charge you extra so the hotel gets their cut as well as the driver.
Besides public transportation, Uber is going to be the cheapest option for getting around in Egypt.
A 40-minute Uber ride in Cairo came out to just $6 USD. Absolutely crazy cheap, right? A personal driver can cost anywhere from $20 to $50 USD for the day. This may be in some people’s travel budget, but I will always rather take the cheaper option anywhere I can.
In comparison, the metro in Cairo was 32 cents a ticket. So this is definitely the cheapest option but the metro doesn’t always run on time, doesn’t go everywhere in Cairo, and can be tricky to read and understand.
Safety of Using An Uber In Egypt
Despite the spooky story of my experience with one bad Uber driver, I do believe Uber to be a safe option. Of course, you always pose a risk of danger while traveling especially if you’re alone but if you’re smart and super aware of your surroundings, it will likely be just fine.
I used Uber in Cairo several times before and after my bad experience and it was just fine. Most of the time, the drivers kept to themselves and didn’t talk much. No one else had asked me to pay in cash so I had no issues with cancelling the trip again.
Because the app is GPS tracking the ride, the drivers won’t drive around in circles and purposely in the wrong direction as some taxi drivers do. This is a popular scam so they can charge you more for the ride.
Overall I would definitely recommend Uber as a safe and cheap method of getting around in Egypt. Just be smart, refuse to pay in cash, and be alert!
Tips & Tricks for Using an Uber
Get a sim card
Getting a SIM card while traveling is something I always advise no matter where you are. The days of being disconnected and only traveling with a map are long gone. Make your life easier and get a SIM card, they’re normally quite inexpensive.
Above is a picture of the price sheet from the Orange kiosk (a telephone provider) in Egypt. It costs about $14 USD for 26 GB. That should be more than enough for the duration of your trip.
I’ve read on other blogs that you need an Egyptian SIM card to use Uber, however, I don’t know if this is true. I suppose it’s better to be safe than sorry. Not to mention that if you use an international data plan with your own US provider, they usually charge you $10 a day.
In order to use an international SIM card, you must have an unlocked phone. You can check with your provider to make sure yours is unlocked. If your phone is brand new, sometimes they have a 90-day lock on it before it can be unlocked. Just a good thing to know!
Licenses Plates Arabic
The license plates in Egypt are going to be in Arabic, like one of the pictures above. I found it useful to screenshot a table of the Arabic alphabet just to reference from time to time. Not just for Ubers but for anything I couldn’t understand.
Uber will work just like at home where it will show you the license plate of your pick-up car. It’s always good to get in the habit of double-checking the license plate to make sure you’re getting into the right car.
Don’t speak English
It’s also best to try and verify your name with the driver before hopping into the car. I found that most Egyptian drivers did not speak very good English. So just be aware of this when trying to communicate with them.
traffic during rush hour
Expect traffic during rush hour! Cairo is an overpopulated city with so many cars at all times but it’s even worse during the hours of 3 – 8 pm. What should have been a 15-minute drive was about a 45-minute one around 5 pm. So plan ahead if you are in a rush or have somewhere important to be at a certain time.
Do Not Agree to Pay in Cash
I have read on other blogs that Uber doesn’t accept payments from non-Egyptian cards. This is simply not true! Unless it may have been at one point (unlikely), I believe it’s a scam. Uber has to accept payments via the app – that’s how they make their money!
I believe this is something drivers tell you just so they can keep the full amount in cash. Plus not to mention that you can find yourself in a similar situation as mine where now your trip is no longer being recorded or GPS tracked by the app.
I would suggest that if the driver is only willing to accept cash then just call a new Uber. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
I believe being transparent and showing the realities of traveling is the best way to share with people! I hope this post not only gave you tips and tricks on how to use Uber in Egypt, but also showed you warning signs to look out for so that you can remain safe!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Uber available in Egypt?
Yes, however, Uber is only available in Cairo and Alexandria as well as surrounding areas. For any other town in Egypt, Careem is the Uber equivalent.
What is the equivalent of Uber in Egypt?
Careem is the Uber equivalent in Egypt and works pretty much everywhere in the country. It is also a food delivery app much like Uber Eats.
Can I take an Uber from Cairo Airport?
Yes, it’s actually the cheapest way! I took an Uber from Cairo airport to the city center in early 2022 for less than $10. There are misconceptions that Ubers aren’t allowed at Cairo airport but this was not my experience! A much cheaper option than getting scammed by a taxi.
For more Egypt information, you may also like:
- 35 Fascinating And Unique Things Egypt is Known For
- Fantastic 17-Day Itinerary For Remarkable Egypt And Jordan Trip
- Main Cities in Egypt Map: 6 Astonishing Places to Visit
