Day Trip to Alexandria from Cairo: Complete Guide
Everything you need for a day trip to Alexandria from Cairo: train vs car, what to see (Library, Qaitbay, catacombs), where to eat fresh fish and whether it's worth staying overnight.
Alexandria is the other side of Egypt: Mediterranean, breezy, with white light and a Greco-Roman history that Cairo only hints at. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BCE, it was for centuries the cultural capital of the known world — with its Lighthouse and its legendary Library — and even today it keeps a melancholic air of a great port city past its prime. This guide covers everything you need for a day trip (or better, an overnight) from Cairo.
Quick summary
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Distance | 220 km (Desert Road) or 240 km (Agricultural Road) |
| Driving time | 2h30–3h each way |
| Train time | 2h (Talgo) to 3h (regular) |
| Best option | Talgo train (value) or private driver (flexibility) |
| Driver day cost | 2,500–3,500 EGP for the car (not per person) |
| Recommended days | 1 full day (12–14 h) or 1 overnight |
| Best season | October–May (August is packed with Egyptian holidaymakers) |
Is it worth going?
Yes, with caveats. Alexandria is not a "pretty" tourist city: much of the historic centre is lost under earthquakes and the sea, and the modern city is dense, loud and a bit run-down. But it offers three things Cairo doesn't:
- Sea breeze and cooler weather (5–8 °C lower than Cairo in summer).
- A different layer of history: Greco-Roman, early Coptic, coastal Ottoman.
- Fresh fish and seafood eaten facing the Mediterranean.
If you only have 3 days in Egypt, prioritise the Pyramids, the Grand Egyptian Museum and Islamic Cairo. If you have 4 or more, Alexandria is the best day trip from Cairo.
How to get there
Train (recommended)
Trains leave from Ramses Station (Misr Station, Cairo) several times a day to Alexandria's Misr Station.
- Talgo (Spanish high speed): the best. ~2 h, first class 200–300 EGP, second 100–150 EGP. Departures around 8:00, 9:00 and 14:00 from Cairo.
- Special / VIP train: 2h30, similar price, comfortable seats with A/C.
- Express train: 3 h, cheaper (60–100 EGP), fine for backpackers.
Booking: the official ENR (Egyptian National Railways) website works erratically for foreigners. Easiest is to buy at the counter the day before or ask your hotel concierge. Bring your passport for the ticket.
Tip: travel first class on the Talgo. The price difference is minimal and the ride is noticeably more comfortable.
Private driver
The most convenient option for families or specific stops:
- Cost: 2,500–3,500 EGP for the car round trip with waiting time (12–14 h).
- Advantage: door-to-door at every site, you can chain 4–5 stops.
- How to book: ask at your hotel; most have trusted drivers.
- Leave early (6:30–7:00) to reach Alexandria around 10:00.
Organised tour
Big agencies sell the trip for 60–120 USD per person with car, guide and entries. Comfortable but the day is tightly packed and you go with a group. Worth it only if you want an Egyptologist guide.
Microbus (backpacker)
They leave constantly from Torgoman bus station in Cairo. 60–100 EGP each way, 3 h. Drops you in central Alexandria. Only advisable if you speak Arabic or travel light with time to spare.
Bus (Go Bus, Blue Bus)
Companies like Go Bus offer comfortable A/C coaches from Almaza, Tahrir or the airport. 100–200 EGP each way, 3 h. Book via their app or website.
One-day itinerary (12–14 hours)
6:30 — Leave Cairo (driver) or 8:00 Talgo from Ramses. 10:30 — Arrive in Alexandria. Quick coffee in the centre. 11:00 — Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa. 12:30 — Pompey's Pillar and the Serapeum remains (10 min by car). 13:30 — Fish lunch at Abu Ashraf or Fish Market (sea views). 15:00 — Bibliotheca Alexandrina (the modern library). 16:30 — Walk along the Corniche to Qaitbay Citadel (best photo light). 17:30 — Mosque of Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi (exterior, golden hour). 18:00 — Return. Back in Cairo around 21:00–22:00.
Lower energy? Skip Pompey's Pillar (a modest site) and spend more time at the Library and the Corniche.
What to see
Bibliotheca Alexandrina
The modern library (2002) is the most impressive monument in the city. A giant disc tilted towards the Mediterranean, with the outer wall engraved with characters from every writing system on Earth. Inside: the largest reading room on the planet (11 open tiers). Includes several small museums (antiquities, manuscripts, Sadat).
- Hours: 10:00–19:00 (closed Friday mornings).
- Entry: 70 EGP (includes internal museums).
- Time: 1h30–2h.
Qaitbay Citadel
A 15th-century Ottoman fortress built on the ruins of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria (one of the seven wonders). The building itself is modest but the location is spectacular: crashing waves, salty breeze, panoramic harbour views. A must at sunset.
- Hours: 9:00–17:00.
- Entry: 100 EGP.
- Time: 45 min–1 h.
Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa
The best-preserved Roman catacombs in Egypt (2nd–4th centuries CE), discovered by accident in 1900 when a donkey fell into the access shaft. Three levels carved into the rock, with mixed Egyptian-Greek-Roman iconography. Atmospheric, cool, unique.
- Hours: 9:00–17:00.
- Entry: 150 EGP.
- Time: 45 min.
- Note: photography forbidden inside.
Roman amphitheatre (Kom el-Dikka)
The only Roman amphitheatre in Egypt, with 13 rows of white marble seating. Small but very well preserved. The site also includes a Roman residential quarter with villas and mosaics.
- Hours: 9:00–16:30.
- Entry: 100 EGP.
- Time: 30–45 min.
Pompey's Pillar
A single 27-metre Corinthian column of red granite, all that remains of the Serapeum, the city's great temple. Modest, seen in 20 minutes. Skippable if tight on time.
- Entry: 80 EGP.
Greco-Roman Museum
Reopened in 2023 after a long refurbishment. Excellent collection: Hellenistic statues, Greco-Roman mummies, coins, mosaics. If you're interested in the cultural fusion of ancient Alexandria, don't miss it.
- Hours: 9:00–17:00 (verify).
- Entry: 200 EGP.
Corniche and Abu al-Abbas Mosque
The Corniche is the 15-km seafront promenade that defines Alexandria. Walking it for an hour or two at sunset, with the Mediterranean breeze, is one of the highlights of the trip. At the western end stands the Mosque of Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi (13th century, restored in the 20th), the most beautiful mosque in Alexandria.
Where to eat
The dish of the day is always fish. You pick it fresh from the display, they weigh it, grill or fry it and serve it with baladi salad, bread and rice.
- Abu Ashraf (Bahary): legendary, opposite the fishing harbour. Fish by the kilo, no fuss.
- Fish Market (Bahary): more touristy but with harbour views. Good terrace.
- Kadoura (Bahary): a local favourite, excellent quality and moderate prices.
- Balbaa Village (Corniche): local chain with several locations, good for groups.
Typical price: 300–600 EGP per person with fish, salads and a drink.
For something sweet: Délices (centre, since 1922) for Greek-French pastries, or Brazilian Coffee Stores for Turkish coffee.
Practical tips
- Bring a light jacket or fleece: the sea breeze can be cool even in April/October.
- Comfortable shoes: you'll walk a fair amount along the Corniche and between sites.
- Carry cash: many local restaurants don't accept cards.
- Uber works in Alexandria, so does Careem. Use them between sites (50–100 EGP per ride).
- Best season: October, November, March, April, May. Avoid July and August (full of Egyptian beach tourists).
- In winter (December–February) it can rain and the wind is strong: scenic but less comfortable.
- Language: English is less common than in Cairo. Carry addresses in Arabic or the pin on the map.
Day trip or overnight?
| Day trip | Overnight (1 night) | |
|---|---|---|
| Time in Alexandria | 6–7 useful hours | 24–30 hours |
| Extra cost | 0 | +1 hotel + 1 dinner |
| Fatigue | High (14 h door to door) | Moderate |
| Allows you to see… | The essentials only | Everything + sunset + a relaxed morning |
| Ideal for | Short stays | 5+ day trips |
My recommendation: if you have 5 or more days in Egypt, stay one night. Hotels like the Steigenberger Cecil (historic) or the Hilton Alexandria Corniche are comfortable seafront options.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Trying to do Alexandria in a half-day: it amounts to nothing. Minimum a full day.
- Going in summer without booking a restaurant: August is packed with Egyptian holidaymakers.
- Driving back to Cairo at rush hour (5–8 pm): brutal traffic on the way in. Leave Alexandria by 4 pm or have dinner there and return later.
- Stopping only at the Bibliotheca: it's spectacular but there's much more to see.
- Skipping the fish: it's half the reason for coming.
If you don't yet have a base hotel in Cairo, check our recommended hotels below: those downtown and in Zamalek are well connected to Ramses Station for an early departure to Alexandria.
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth visiting Alexandria as a day trip from Cairo?+
Yes, if you have at least 4 days in Egypt and like Greco-Roman and Mediterranean history. The contrast with Cairo (cooler, breezy, sea air, more relaxed) is striking. The day is long (12–14 hours door-to-door) and the modern city is not as beautiful as you might imagine, but the Library, Qaitbay Fort, the catacombs and lunch by the sea make it memorable.
How long does it take to get from Cairo to Alexandria?+
By car or private driver: 2h30 to 3h on the Desert Road (220 km). By high-speed Spanish train (Talgo): around 2h. By regular train: 2h30 to 3h. By microbus from Torgoman: 3h. Plan for traffic on the way back into Cairo in the late afternoon.
Train or private driver to Alexandria — which is better?+
Train is cheaper (150–300 EGP one way), more comfortable and avoids traffic — book first-class on the Talgo from Ramses station. A private driver (2,500–3,500 EGP round trip) gives you flexibility for several sites in one day and door-to-door comfort, especially good for families or short trips.
What are the must-see sites in Alexandria?+
Bibliotheca Alexandrina (the modern library, stunning architecture), Qaitbay Citadel (on the site of the ancient lighthouse), the Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa, the Roman Amphitheatre at Kom el-Dikka, and the Corniche waterfront walk. The new Greco-Roman Museum is also excellent if it has reopened.
Is it better to do Alexandria as a day trip or stay overnight?+
If you want to see everything without rushing, stay one night. The day trip works for the main highlights (Library, Qaitbay, lunch, one museum) but you'll miss sunset on the Corniche and a calmer second day. With kids or older travellers, an overnight is much more enjoyable.
Is Alexandria safe for tourists?+
Yes. Alexandria is generally relaxed and used to international visitors. Standard precautions apply: keep valuables out of sight, use Uber for transport within the city and dress modestly when entering mosques. Women travellers report fewer hassles than in Cairo.
About the author
Cairo Stay Finder editorial team
An independent, bilingual team that has travelled Cairo many times, speaks Arabic, and visits every place before recommending it. We write each guide ourselves — no machine translation, no AI filler — and update it as the city changes.
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