Major city · Egypt
Alexandriaالإسكندرية
Give Alexandria 1–2 nights: the library, the Qaitbay Citadel and a Corniche seafood dinner. Skip the beaches in July–August unless you want crowds.
Egypt's second city and its Mediterranean port, 2 h 40 min from Cairo by fast train. The sights sit on a 5–6 km strip along the Corniche, so one full day covers the core and a second adds the catacombs, Montazah and a slower meal. It is a working Egyptian city, not a resort: come for the library, the harbour and the seafood.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EGP
- Best months
- Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot, humid and packed with Egyptian summer visitors)
- Airport
- HBE
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 8Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- North Africa ↗Plan links between North African countries by air or by ferry via Europe; the only regularly usable land borders for visitors are Tunisia–Algeria and Morocco–Mauritania via Western Sahara.
- North Africa ↗Book Saharan nights (dunes, desert camps, oasis tours) between October and April; from May to September desert day temperatures regularly exceed 40 °C and many tours stop.
- Egypt ↗Check visa rules for your passport on the official Egypt e-visa portal before flying; visa on arrival availability depends on nationality and can change.
- Egypt ↗Drones need prior permission and are routinely confiscated on arrival; leave them at home.
- Egypt ↗Do not photograph military sites, police, bridges or government buildings; some museums and tombs charge for or ban photography.
- Egypt ↗During Ramadan, avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public in daylight; hotels and tourist restaurants still serve.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Alexandria122 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Alexandria, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Egyptian pound (EGP, also written LE or £E).Egypt-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckVodafone, Orange, Etisalat (e&) and WE sell tourist SIMs at Cairo airport with passport; about EGP 500–1,000 for 20–40 GB — check.Egypt-wide
- Tap waterTap water is chlorinated in cities but most visitors drink bottled; do not drink Nile water.Egypt-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 10% even when service is added (it rarely reaches staff).Egypt-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Egypt-wide
- SafetyAlexandria is generally safe for tourists, including solo women in the central areas, but take normal big-city care: use Uber/Careem at night…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels and restaurants; attendants at sites expect EGP 10–20.Egypt-wide
- Emergency numbers122 police · 123 ambulance · 126 tourist police (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysFriday is the weekend day (with Saturday for offices); sites open daily, some close earlier in Ramadan.Egypt-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckHBE Borg el Arab Airport (About 45 km (28 mi) southwest of downtown; no public transport, taxi 60–90 min (check the fare)).HBE Borg el Arab Airport (About 28 mi (45 km) southwest of downtown; no public transport, taxi 60–90 min (check the fare)).
- Getting aroundTaxis and Uber/Careem cover the Corniche strip; agree the fare before you get in, as meters are rarely used.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or tea in a caféEGP 30–80
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi across the centreAgree first; Uber/Careem often cheaper.EGP 60–150
- Metro or bus rideTram rideEGP 1 (check)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekEGP 400–700
- Museum or sight ticketCitadel of Qaitbay entryEGP 150 foreignersEGP 60 Egyptians (check)
- Budget bedHostel bed, a night, per personEGP 400
- Mid-range bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomEGP 2,500
- High-end bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomEGP 5,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget EGP 900 · Mid EGP 1,800 · High EGP 3,500
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- HBE Borg el Arab Airport (About 45 km (28 mi) southwest of downtown; no public transport, taxi 60–90 min (check the fare))HBE Borg el Arab Airport (About 28 mi (45 km) southwest of downtown; no public transport, taxi 60–90 min (check the fare))
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Feb
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Mar
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Apr
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
May
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jun
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Nov
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Dec
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Best: Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C) low), wettest Jan (11 rain days), driest Jun (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Alexandria: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
11 rd
Feb
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
8 rd
Mar
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5 rd
Apr
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2 rd
May
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
1 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
0 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
0 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
0 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
1 rd
Oct
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
3 rd
Nov
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6 rd
Dec
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Taxis and Uber/Careem cover the Corniche strip; agree the fare before you get in, as meters are rarely used. The tram is the cheapest option — the blue Ramleh lines run east from Raml Station, the yellow city lines run west; flat fare bought on board. Buses and microbuses are cheap but confusing for a short visit.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
El Alamein
goDoor to door: About 2–3 h each way
Train or car west along the coast
War cemeteries and museum; a long half-day, better with a car.
Door to door: About 3 h
Fast train from Misr or Sidi Gaber station, about 2 h 40 min
Easy day trip in one direction, but Cairo deserves its own stay.
Saqqara
skipDoor to door: 4 h+
Train to Cairo, then car or taxi south
Too far for a day from Alexandria; do it from Cairo.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Saad Zaghloul / Raml Station
Central, walkable to the library and the Corniche; the best base for one or two nights.
Anfushi / Ras el-Tin
Near the Citadel and the harbour; quieter, fewer hotels.
San Stefano / Montazah (east)
Beachfront and upmarket; 20–30 min by taxi from the centre.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- EGP 900–1,600 excl. bed
- Mid
- EGP 1,600–3,000 excl. bed
- High
- EGP 3,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range double room1 × 2 nights × EGP 2,500 | EGP 5,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × EGP 1,800 | EGP 7,200 |
| Cairo–Alexandria fast train, one way2 × EGP 1,700 · check | EGP 3,400 |
| Citadel of Qaitbay entry, foreigner2 × EGP 150 · check | EGP 300 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × EGP 500 | EGP 1,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | EGP 1,690 |
| Trip total≈ EGP 4,648 per person per day, bed included | EGP 18,590 |
2026 estimate in Egyptian pounds; long-distance transport excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or tea in a café | EGP 30–80 |
| Seafood meal on the Corniche | EGP 250–600 |
| Taxi across the centreAgree first; Uber/Careem often cheaper. | EGP 60–150 |
| Tram ride | EGP 1 (check) |
| Citadel of Qaitbay entry | EGP 150 foreigners / EGP 60 Egyptians (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | EGP 400–700 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Taxis refuse the meter: agree the price first, or use Uber/Careem.
- Summer (Jul–Aug) is hot, humid and crowded with domestic beach visitors.
- The Corniche has heavy traffic; cross with care and allow extra time at rush hour.
- Baksheesh is expected for small services: keep EGP 20–50 notes ready.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 122
- Ambulance
- 123
- Tourist police
- 126
- Fire
- 180
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Alexandriaالإسكندرية
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
إلى هذا العنوان، لو سمحتTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police122
- Ambulance123
- Tourist police126
- Fire180
Embassy
Most embassies are in Cairo; check your country's mission there before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Cairo → Alexandria, fast train: about 2 h 40 min; AC2 about US$35 (check)
- Borg el Arab Airport → downtown taxi: 60–90 min; at least EGP 400 (check)
- Tram, any line: flat fare, bought on board (check)
Say or show
- أهلاً — Hello (ahlan)
- شكراً — Thank you (shukran)
- بكام؟ — How much is it? (bekam)
- الحساب لو سمحت — The bill, please (el-hesab law samaht)
- فين الحمام؟ — Where is the toilet? (fein el-hammam)
- لا شكراً — No, thank you (la shukran)
Tipping (baksheesh) is expected for small services: EGP 20–50 is normal.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Alexandria. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (hot, humid and packed with Egyptian summer visitors) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares