Egypt
App rides in cities, cash for the gaps, and official tickets for major sites
Check visa eligibility and apply only through Egypt's official eVisa portal.
The essentials
What to know before you go to Egypt
A foreign SIM should work without device fees, and a phone using an Egyptian tourist SIM receives a 90-day exemption on each visit. If a returning phone loses Egyptian network service, contact Telephony on 15380 before paying any imported-device charge. Ride apps reduce fare negotiation, but coverage differs sharply between Cairo, the Nile Valley and Red Sea resorts. Keep each ride in the app, match the plate and driver and carry small EGP notes.
Cards and Apple Pay work at many formal venues, while cash remains useful for small purchases. Resident wallets such as Vodafone Cash are not tourist tools because activation requires Egyptian identity credentials. Buy attraction tickets through official portals, check current regional travel advice and use reputable operators for desert, Red Sea and long-distance travel.
Ride Hailing
UberEssential
The easiest first ride-hailing option in Cairo and several other cities, with upfront pricing and familiar safety tools.
inDriveEssential
A fare-offer ride app that covers cities and intercity routes where Uber may be unavailable, including major tourist destinations.
Careem
A useful Uber alternative in supported Egyptian cities, with cash or card payment and several vehicle choices.
DiDi
A broad urban fallback operating in Cairo and multiple coastal and Delta cities, with cash and supported card payments.
Food Delivery
talabatEssential
Egypt's broadest practical food-delivery option, with restaurants and some grocery delivery across many cities.
elmenus
An Egypt-focused restaurant discovery and delivery alternative with English and Arabic menus and cash or card payment.
MRSOOL
A flexible courier marketplace for restaurant, shop and custom delivery requests when standard apps do not cover the need.
Messaging
WhatsAppEssential
The primary messaging tool for contacting Egyptian hotels, guides, drivers and tour operators and sharing location pins.
Navigation
Google MapsEssential
The best general map for place search, driving, walking, saved pins and downloadable offline areas across Egypt.
Transit
Cairo Metro
The official Android metro planner with line maps, trip planning, station details, landmarks and fare information.
Travel & Booking
Experience Egypt
Egypt's official tourism app for destination information and access to official museum and archaeological-site ticketing.
Language
Google TranslateEssential
Offline Arabic translation, camera reading, typed text and voice tools for signs, menus and simple conversations in Egypt.
Convenience Stores
Breadfast
Groceries, bakery items, household essentials and pharmacy products in Cairo, Giza and Alexandria service areas.
InstaShop
Delivery from nearby supermarkets, pharmacies and specialty stores, with selection based on the visitor's address.
Rabbit
Rapid grocery and convenience delivery in supported Egyptian neighborhoods, useful for small essentials and late arrivals.
Amazon Shopping
The main Amazon app now includes Amazon Now groceries and essentials in selected Egyptian urban and resort areas.
Intercity Transport
GoBusEssential
The most useful intercity coach app for visitors, linking Cairo with major coastal, Red Sea and Upper Egypt destinations.
Blue-Bus
An intercity coach alternative worth comparing for schedules, departure points, classes and final fares on supported routes.
ABELA
The official booking option for Egypt's sleeper train cabins, useful only for travelers choosing that specific overnight service.
ReGo BUS
A newer Egyptian marketplace for comparing and booking participating bus operators, routes, departure times and fares.
Also covered
Internet in Egypt
Mobile internet eSIM Best option when traveling
Guac
RecommendedReliable mobile internet at better prices than most travel eSIMs, with polished iOS and Android apps and support for making and receiving phone calls.
Airalo
One of the biggest travel eSIM brands, with a very large destination catalog.
Holafly
Known for unlimited-data plans in many destinations, at a higher price per gigabyte.
Buying a local SIM card ID registration required
- Bring your passport and expect both the SIM and the phone’s IMEI to be registered.
- Vodafone tourist prepaid includes 30GB for 28 days and costs around 505 EGP (~$10).
- Buy at an official carrier counter at the airport or at an official city store, and test the SIM before leaving.
- Airport and city prices are generally similar for official carrier offers.
Voice and video calls in common messaging apps are blocked; text chat still works.
Local carriers
Vodafone
A solid alternative; compare current prepaid offers before buying.
Orange
Strong in major cities, with weaker rural coverage.
e& (Etisalat)
Strong in major cities, with weaker rural coverage.
WE
The weakest network here; choose it only for a clear price advantage.
Frequently asked questions
What are the must-have apps for traveling in Egypt?
The essential apps for Egypt are Uber, inDrive, talabat, WhatsApp, Google Maps.
How many travel apps does Egypt have?
We've curated 20 apps across 10 categories for traveling in Egypt, including 7 essential apps.
What is the best ride hailing app in Egypt?
Uber. The easiest first ride-hailing option in Cairo and several other cities, with upfront pricing and familiar safety tools.
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