bento.travelBento
EssentialseSIMBlogAppsSuggestAbout
bento.travel

bento.travel

Know what to download before you land.

Instagram

Pages

AboutEssentialsGuidesCompareeSIMSuggestPrivacyGuac eSIM

Popular Guides

Ride Hailing in ThailandPayments in JapanRide Hailing in VietnamPayments in BrazilRide Hailing in IndiaTransit in South Korea

Regions

Southeast AsiaEast AsiaSouth AsiaMiddle EastEuropeLatin AmericaAfricaCaribbeanCentral AsiaOceaniaNorth America
bento
  1. Home
  2. Africa
  3. Egypt

Egypt

App rides in cities, cash for the gaps, and official tickets for major sites

21 apps7 essentialAfricaLast updated: August 2026

Check visa eligibility and apply only through Egypt's official eVisa portal. 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.

The essentials

  • Uber app iconUberRide Hailing
  • inDrive app iconinDriveRide Hailing
  • talabat app icontalabatFood Delivery
  • WhatsApp app iconWhatsAppMessaging
  • Google Maps app iconGoogle MapsNavigation
  • Google Translate app iconGoogle TranslateLanguage
  • GoBus app iconGoBusIntercity Transport
  • Ride Hailing
  • Food Delivery
  • Payments
  • Messaging
  • Navigation
  • Transit
  • Travel & Booking
  • Language
  • Convenience Stores
  • Finance
  • Intercity Transport

Ride Hailing5 apps · 2 essential

View Ride Hailing guide→
Uber app icon

UberEssential

The easiest first ride-hailing option in Cairo and several other cities, with upfront pricing and familiar safety tools.

Pro tip: Confirm the plate and pickup point before entering. Keep the trip in the app and carry small EGP notes in case card payment or driver acceptance becomes a problem.

App StorePlay StoreWebsite↗
inDrive app icon

inDriveEssential

A fare-offer ride app that covers cities and intercity routes where Uber may be unavailable, including major tourist destinations.

Pro tip: Compare driver rating, completed trips, vehicle and fare before accepting. Never let a driver move the booking off-app, and share the route with someone you trust.

App StorePlay StoreWebsite↗
Careem app icon

Careem

A useful Uber alternative in supported Egyptian cities, with cash or card payment and several vehicle choices.

Pro tip: Use it as a price and wait-time comparison, especially in Cairo. Check the final pickup pin and do not assume coverage at every tourist destination.

App StorePlay StoreWebsite↗
DiDi app icon

DiDi

A broad urban fallback operating in Cairo and multiple coastal and Delta cities, with cash and supported card payments.

Pro tip: Useful when Uber or Careem has poor availability. Confirm that service is active at your exact location because seasonal areas can change.

App StorePlay StoreWebsite↗
Bolt app icon

Bolt

Another app-based ride option in Cairo, best kept as a fallback for comparing availability and price.

Pro tip: Treat Bolt as a Cairo backup rather than nationwide transport. Check the plate and keep all communication and payment inside the app.

App StorePlay StoreWebsite↗

Food Delivery3 apps · 1 essential

View Food Delivery guide→
talabat app icon

talabatEssential

Egypt's broadest practical food-delivery option, with restaurants and some grocery delivery across many cities.

Pro tip: Save the exact hotel entrance and a nearby landmark. Keep your phone reachable, compare the final fees and have cash ready as a fallback.

App StorePlay StoreWebsite↗
elmenus app icon

elmenus

An Egypt-focused restaurant discovery and delivery alternative with English and Arabic menus and cash or card payment.

Pro tip: Use it when Talabat lacks a restaurant or to compare menus and totals. Availability and delivery quality vary by address.

App StorePlay StoreWebsite↗
MRSOOL app icon

MRSOOL

A flexible courier marketplace for restaurant, shop and custom delivery requests when standard apps do not cover the need.

Pro tip: Agree on the request and total clearly in chat. Use it as a backup, since courier quality and customer-support outcomes can be inconsistent.

App StorePlay StoreWebsite↗

Payments0 apps

View Payments guide→

Messaging1 app · 1 essential

View Messaging guide→
WhatsApp app icon

WhatsAppEssential

The primary messaging tool for contacting Egyptian hotels, guides, drivers and tour operators and sharing location pins.

Pro tip: Verify your number before departure. Text and voice notes are useful, but WhatsApp voice and video calls may be blocked or unreliable, so keep a calling fallback.

App StorePlay StoreWebsite↗

Navigation1 app · 1 essential

View Navigation guide→
Google Maps app icon

Google MapsEssential

The best general map for place search, driving, walking, saved pins and downloadable offline areas across Egypt.

Pro tip: Download each destination offline and save exact entrances, not just place names. Recheck live closures and time-critical routes while connected.

App StorePlay StoreWebsite↗

Transit1 app

View Transit guide→
Cairo Metro app icon

Cairo Metro

The official Android metro planner with line maps, trip planning, station details, landmarks and fare information.

Pro tip: Android only. It does not sell tickets, so bring small EGP cash and buy at the station. iPhone users should use the official operator websites.

Play StoreWebsite↗

Travel & Booking1 app

View Travel & Booking guide→
Experience Egypt app icon

Experience Egypt

Egypt's official tourism app for destination information and access to official museum and archaeological-site ticketing.

Pro tip: Verify the site, date and ticket category, then save the QR code and receipt offline. Use the official website if the app or payment flow fails.

App StorePlay StoreWebsite↗

Language1 app · 1 essential

View Language guide→
Google Translate app icon

Google TranslateEssential

Offline Arabic translation, camera reading, typed text and voice tools for signs, menus and simple conversations in Egypt.

Pro tip: Download Arabic before arrival. Use short literal sentences and ask for confirmation when translating an allergy, medical issue, price or pickup detail.

App StorePlay StoreWebsite↗

Convenience Stores4 apps

View Convenience Stores guide→
Breadfast app icon

Breadfast

Groceries, bakery items, household essentials and pharmacy products in Cairo, Giza and Alexandria service areas.

Pro tip: Best for an apartment stay or late-arrival stock-up. Check the delivery pin, substitution choices and full basket total before ordering.

App StorePlay StoreWebsite↗
InstaShop app icon

InstaShop

Delivery from nearby supermarkets, pharmacies and specialty stores, with selection based on the visitor's address.

Pro tip: Choose a known store when possible and add a landmark or lobby instruction. Delivery time and inventory vary by neighborhood.

App StorePlay StoreWebsite↗
Rabbit app icon

Rabbit

Rapid grocery and convenience delivery in supported Egyptian neighborhoods, useful for small essentials and late arrivals.

Pro tip: Treat the advertised speed as an estimate. Verify coverage, delivery fees, product substitutions and the exact entrance before paying.

App StorePlay StoreWebsite↗
Amazon Shopping app icon

Amazon Shopping

The main Amazon app now includes Amazon Now groceries and essentials in selected Egyptian urban and resort areas.

Pro tip: Check whether Amazon Now appears at the exact address. It launched in limited Cairo, Giza, Alexandria and North Coast areas, not nationwide.

App StorePlay StoreWebsite↗

Finance0 apps

View Finance guide→

Intercity Transport4 apps · 1 essential

View Intercity Transport guide→
GoBus app icon

GoBusEssential

The most useful intercity coach app for visitors, linking Cairo with major coastal, Red Sea and Upper Egypt destinations.

Pro tip: Verify the exact terminal and class before paying, then save the ticket offline. If checkout stalls, check for a booking before retrying.

App StorePlay StoreWebsite↗
Blue-Bus app icon

Blue-Bus

An intercity coach alternative worth comparing for schedules, departure points, classes and final fares on supported routes.

Pro tip: Confirm which city office the bus uses and keep the confirmation offline. Use the official booking site if the app is unreliable.

App StorePlay StoreWebsite↗
ABELA app icon

ABELA

The official booking option for Egypt's sleeper train cabins, useful only for travelers choosing that specific overnight service.

Pro tip: Use it only for sleeper trains, not ordinary ENR services. Cross-check the official website and save the ticket because app reliability is mixed.

App StorePlay StoreWebsite↗
ReGo BUS app icon

ReGo BUS

A newer Egyptian marketplace for comparing and booking participating bus operators, routes, departure times and fares.

Pro tip: Use it for comparison, then verify the operator, terminal and ticket status. Its short track record makes saved confirmations and official-operator checks important.

App StorePlay StoreWebsite↗

Internet in Egypt

Mobile internet eSIM Best option when traveling

Guac app icon

Guac

Recommended

Reliable mobile internet at better prices than most travel eSIMs, with polished iOS and Android apps and support for making and receiving phone calls.

App StorePlay StoreSee plans

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

Registration
Bring your passport and expect both the SIM and the phone’s IMEI to be registered.
Tourist plans and prices
Vodafone tourist prepaid includes 30GB for 28 days and costs around 505 EGP (~$10).
Where to buy
Buy at an official carrier counter at the airport or at an official city store, and test the SIM before leaving.
Airport prices
Airport and city prices are generally similar for official carrier offers.

Good to know

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.

Full SIM card and eSIM guide for Egypt→eSIM and SIM cards by country→
Sources and how current this is

Data checked July 2026

Source dates: NTRA official: 20 Jan 2026 | Traveltomtom Cairo airport: 17 Apr 2026 | Traveltomtom Hurghada: 30 Jan 2026 | Cloudwards VoIP list: 13 Nov 2025 (corroborated by BubblyPhone, 25 May 2026)

Sources disagree: Quoted prices or bundle details vary by seller and may change at short notice. Airport availability or pricing is not fully consistent.

Sources

  • tra.gov.eg
  • traveltomtom.net
  • traveltomtom.net
  • cloudwards.net

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 21 apps across 11 categories for traveling in Egypt, including 7 essential apps.

What is the best ride hailing app in Egypt?

Uber is the top-rated ride hailing app in Egypt. The easiest first ride-hailing option in Cairo and several other cities, with upfront pricing and familiar safety tools.

Keep exploring

How to Pay in Egypt

Payment apps and cashless travel tips

Is Uber Available in Egypt?

Ride-hailing options and local alternatives

Traveling to Egypt from abroad?

United States → EgyptUnited Kingdom → EgyptGermany → EgyptAustralia → EgyptCanada → Egypt

Also traveling in Africa?

Ethiopia

Local ride apps, cash fallbacks, and offline planning

15 apps · 6 essential

Ghana

Ride apps in major cities, cash backups, and landmarks for every pickup

20 apps · 5 essential

Kenya

M-PESA for local payments, two ride apps, and verified safari bookings

17 apps · 6 essential

Morocco

Licensed rides where available, offline medina pins, and official train tickets

14 apps · 7 essential

Nigeria

Set up rides and payment fallbacks before landing, then follow live security advice

11 apps · 5 essential

Rwanda

Set up local rides and payment fallbacks, then recheck border and health rules

9 apps · 4 essential

See something wrong? Suggest an edit

These apps need data

Set up a data eSIM before you fly. Land with mobile internet already working.

See plans

On this page

  • Ride Hailing
  • Food Delivery
  • Payments
  • Messaging
  • Navigation
  • Transit
  • Travel & Booking
  • Language
  • Convenience Stores
  • Finance
  • Intercity Transport
  • Internet in Egypt
  • Frequently asked questions