How to Get from Cairo to Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh and Dahab
Transport4 min read
From Cairo you can reach the Red Sea by bus, transfer, shared ride or a domestic flight. Here we compare the options and explain how to agree on a trip.
What are your options
Hurghada is on the western shore of the Red Sea, while Sharm El Sheikh and Dahab are in Sinai, and the road there crosses the Suez Canal. This affects travel time and the number of checks.
- An intercity bus, the cheapest option.
- A private transfer or taxi, convenient for families and groups.
- A shared ride, when someone is driving and looking for company.
- A domestic flight, the fastest way.
Intercity buses
Several large bus companies run from Cairo to Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh and Dahab. A ticket costs much less than a transfer, and luggage travels in a separate hold. Check schedules and prices on the official websites of the companies.
The trip to Hurghada usually takes around 6 or 7 hours, and to Sharm El Sheikh and Dahab noticeably longer, often 8 hours or more, depending on stops and checks. Some services run overnight, and you still need to get to the bus station from Nasr City or Rehab.
Private transfers and taxis
A transfer takes you from your door straight to your hotel or apartment, with no changes or waiting. It suits families with children, people with lots of luggage and groups who share the cost.
The main drawback is price, as it costs one person far more than the bus. City taxis and ride-hailing cars do not always take such long trips, and not every driver will go to Sinai. Choose a driver with reviews and a car in good condition, because the road is long and partly deserted.
Shared rides and domestic flights
A shared ride costs less than a transfer, as the driver simply splits fuel costs. But it relies on trust, so meet in a busy place, find out the name of the driver and the car model in advance and tell someone close who you are travelling with. If you travel alone, choose a driver with reviews or a ride with other passengers.
Flying is fastest. Direct flights from Cairo to Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh take about an hour. Dahab has no airport, so people fly to Sharm El Sheikh and drive about an hour from there.
Checkpoints and safety on the road
Highways have many police checkpoints, especially in Sinai. Documents may be checked for every passenger, so keep your passport with your visa or residence permit on you, not in the luggage hold. A copy or a photo on your phone is not always accepted.
Rules for foreigners on some Sinai roads change from time to time, so check with the carrier before you go and follow official advice from your consulate.
- Bring water and snacks, as there are long stretches without stops.
- Charge your phone and save the contacts of the driver and whoever is meeting you.
How to agree on a transfer
To avoid arguments on the road, agree on these points in advance and keep them in writing.
- Price per car or per person. This decides the total for a group.
- How many suitcases fit, whether a stroller fits and whether you need a child seat.
- The exact pickup point, drop-off address and pickup time.
- How many passengers there will be and whether the driver picks up others on the way.
- When to pay, a deposit or the full amount on arrival.
Finding transfers and travel companions on Tullab
In the transfers and taxis section drivers offer trips from Cairo to the coast and back, and people look for company in a car under travel companions. You can call the author or message them on Telegram right from the listing.
No suitable trip? Post a free ad with your route, date, number of passengers and luggage. On arrival, see listings in Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh and Dahab.
