Car Rental in Egypt

Why rent a car in Egypt?

Home of the pyramids, Luxor, and Abu Simbel, Egypt is one of the most fascinating countries in its region. The largest Arab-speaking country in the world, this land between the Sahara, the Mediterranean, and the Red Sea offers everything from quaint coastal resorts to hectic metropolises brimming with life. Throw in the traditional music, the cuisine, and the fabled Egyptian hospitality, and you’re in for a treat.

Top ways to enter Egypt

• Cairo Airport: Serving the capital and the largest city, Cairo Airport is also the busiest in the country. The airport is the main hub for the national carrier EgyptAir and is served by around 50 other airlines providing direct connections with the rest of the Middle East, Europe, Africa, the Far East, and the Americas. Cairo Airport is located about 20km (12 miles) northeast of the city center and can usually be reached in 30 to 40 minutes. However, Cairo is notorious for its bad traffic, and it can sometimes take between one and two hours to reach the city center. 
• Hurghada Airport: Serving the Red Sea resort city of the same name, Hurghada Aiport is especially popular with charter airlines that connect the city with plenty of destinations in both Eastern and Western Europe. Situated about 12km (7.5 miles) south of the city proper, the airport can be reached in 20 minutes.
• Sharm El Sheikh Airport: Serving another coastal hub on the Red Sea, Sharm El Sheikh Airport has flights by more than 40 different airlines. Similar to Hurghada Airport, many routes are only scheduled during the tourist high season. The airport is only 5km (3.1 miles) north of Sharm El Sheikh and can be reached in less than ten minutes. It also serves as the main airport for Dahab, which is about an hour away.
• Alexandria Borg El Arab Airport: Located on the Mediterranean coast, Borg El Arab Airport serves Egypt’s second largest city. The airport has flights by around 15 different airlines, including the low-cost company Wizz Air which connects it with Milan in Italy. The airport is about 48 km (30 miles) southwest of Alexandria, a trip that takes close to one hour.
• Aswan Airport: Serving the large city in the Upper Egypt region in the south of the country, Aswan Airport only provides domestic connections, but is easy enough to get to for foreigners as there are plenty of connecting flights with an overlay in Cairo.

Top cities and places to visit

• Pyramids. The number one reason why people visit Egypt, the Pyramids are located in the city of Giza, just west of Cairo. The colossal complex is a monument of Ancient Egypt, one of the most fascinating civilizations in the history of the planet. Due to its impressiveness and fame, the place is probably as busy as it was during the civilization’s heyday — you can expect crowds, touts, and general hecticness. All the same, it’s an experience of a lifetime to see the last remaining wonder of the ancient word.
• Cairo. Sprawling, busy, and overpoplulated, Cairo is to many foreign visitors an entry point to the country and the gateway to the pyramids. But if you know where to look, you can also find a fascinating city with a rich history and plenty of character. Attractions include the Egyptian Museum which is dedicated to the ancient inhabitants of the area, and also the sites of the Coptic Christians and ornate mosques from different eras. And that’s not to mention some of the best street food on the planet
• Luxor. Another ancient jewel, modern-day Luxor is the location of the Ancient Egyptian city of Thebes and many of its impressive sites. The easiest way to get in is flying to Luxor Airport that provides both domestic and international connections. Much like the Pyramids, Luxor has become a victim of its own popularity and visiting can be a somewhat frenzied experience due to all the crowds, hasslers, etc. Because of this, some travelers prefer Aswan, another Upper Egypt city that’s even further south and is considerably more relaxed. It’s also the gateway to Abu Simbel, one of the most impressive temples in Egypt. Nonetheless, it needs to be said that the historic sites of Luxor are absolutely majestic.
• Siwa Oasis. A remote oasis in the Western Desert on the border with Libya, Siwa is one of the most unique places to visit in Egypt. There is no airport, so the only way to get there is by bus or car. It’s known for its turquoise salt flats, large sand dunes, ancient ruins, and traditional way of life.
• Port Said. The third-largest city of Egypt (and the second-largest harbour), Port Said doesn’t get nearly the same amount of tourists as the big two, but for some visitors, this might be an attraction. More conservative, and also more relaxed, it is best known as the place where the Suez Canal empties into the Mediterranean Sea, and for its historical light house. If you dig deeper into the city’s history, however, you will discover influences of various peoples and cultures that continue to live in its architecture, cuisine, and lifestyle. The city is a three hour drive northeast of Cairo and four hours east of Alexandria.

Most popular rental car

The most popular rental car in Egypt is the Kia Carens, although many travelers also go for the Subaru XV and the Peugeot 508. The most popular rental car types are compact, intermediate, and economy.

Driver's license requirements

• Most foreign drivers in Egypt need an International Driving Permit (IDP). The exception is drivers with a license that is in English. This, however, only applies to drivers who visit Egypt for tourism purposes — if you’re residing in Egypt permanently, you need to acquire a local license or an IDP.
• Drivers with a license from another Arabic-speaking country (e.g. Morocco, Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates) might also be permitted to use their licenses, but the official sources are unclear about this. Even if you are from another Arab country, having an IDP would be safer.
• You must carry your driver’s license, not a copy, with you at all times. 
• You need to have had your driver’s license for at least two years.
• Some rental car suppliers charge a young driver fee for drivers under the age of 22-25 and a senior driver fee for drivers over the age of 65.
• There may be additional requirements depending on the car provider and car category, so make sure to check the terms and conditions before booking.

Crossing borders

Egypt has land borders with Libya, Sudan, Israel, and the self-administered Gaza of Palestine. The border relations differ with each country, but no rental car company permits any bordering crossings with a neighboring country. 

Several border regions of Egypt are considered unsafe, especially for foreign visitors. These include much of the Sinai Peninsula that borders Israel and Gaza and much of the Western Desert that includes borders with Libya and Sudan. The dangers include both the activity of local militants and sporadic military conflicts in Libya and Sudan. Car travel is forbidden in parts of Egypt - ask your rental car provider more about the latest updates. If you plan to travel outside the main tourist areas or near potentially dangerous regions, do consult your Ministry of Foreign Affairs in advance.

Toll roads

There are a number of toll roads in Egypt. The amount you have to pay depends on the road of your choice, the time of the day, and the distance you travel. Cash is usually accepted. 

Top driving routes

• Important! Getting around Egypt in a rental car is not an easy matter, not just because of the infamously hectic driving, but also due to security concerns. As noted in the previous section, many parts of the country are off-limits to foreigners, including most of the Sinai peninsula (especially the northern part of it), the Western Desert, and much of the south of the country. That being said, there are still nice places that you can visit with a rental, especially in and around the main tourist areas. Just make sure to do some research to get the latest security updates regarding the places you want to visit before your trip (consulting your Ministry of Foreign Affairs is always a good idea). If you’re driving through Egypt, expect to find a number of military checkpoints. You do not need to be afraid of these, the police are typically quite friendly with tourists and want to ensure they are safe. Just be sure to always have your passport and vehicle information on hand; otherwise, you won’t be able to pass.
• Aswan. A city on the Nile, Aswan is located in the ancient region of Nubia that spans Southern Egypt and Northern Sudan. Places related to their culture include the Nubian Museum and historic villages, though you might even be lucky enough to meet some Nubians themselves — although, in small numbers — as they continue to live in the area to this day. Other attractions include lush public gardens, diverse religious architecture, and felucca rides on the Nile. If you wish to visit the temples of Abu Simbel with a rental car, you need to join a convoy — this can be booked through some tour companies in the city. The trip between Aswan and Abu Simbel takes about three hours each way.
• Alexandria. Located on the Mediterranean coast, Egypt’s second-largest city has lost much of its historical multicultural character, but remnants of its past glory can still be spotted by those who know where to look. Good places to begin include the city’s museums dedicated to the Ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman cultures that used to rule the area at different times, the Mamluk Citadel of Qaitbay, and the Kom el-Shoqafa Catacombs. A number of day-trips can also be made from the city, not least of which include heading to the ancient monastery complex of Abu Mena which is a World Heritage Site, as well as beaches that surround the city.
• Sharm el-Sheikh. Located on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, Sharm el-Sheikh is one of Egypt’s most popular attractions. Sharm’s Red Sea beaches are world-famous for diving and other water sports while the city itself is home to many interesting historic sites. Attractions near Sharm el-Sheikh include the beach town of Dahab and St. Catherine’s Monastery, but while the southern part of the peninsula is considered safer than the north, you should still do your research and get a security update if you plan to travel outside Sharm el-Sheikh on your own (of course, you can also join a tour - there are many that offer visits to the aforementioned destinations, as well as to the Sinai Desert and canyons).

Car rental prices in Egypt

• Small cars - from $14 per day
• Medium cars - from $15 per day
• Large cars - from $16 per day
• SUVs - from $27 per day
• Premium cars - from $113 per day
• Vans - from $69 per day

Money-saving and other tips

There are several good methods to find a cheaper rental car:

• Compare the rates of different rental car providers
• Book your rental car well in advance
• Plan your route before you go
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit during the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Egypt is the cheapest in October when renting a car is about 49% cheaper than the yearly average and about 64% cheaper than renting a car in December.