I once booked a place in Alexandria because the photos were pretty and the price was low, and it taught me why staying near Raml Station is usually the smarter call. The photos were honest. What they left out was that it sat a long, loud taxi ride from everything I actually wanted to see, which I worked out around 10 pm on night one, standing on a dark corner with a phone at six percent.
Since then I’ve been a little obsessive about one question before I book anywhere in this city: where does it put me? Staying near Raml Station is usually my answer, and I’ll explain why, including the slightly awkward part, which is that the famous tram that gave the station its fame isn’t running right now.
What “Near Raml Station” Actually Means
Raml Station (Mahattet Ramleh, if you’re asking a taxi driver) was the main hub of Alexandria’s tram network, where several routes met. The tramway itself goes back a long way. According to Wikipedia’s history of the Alexandria tram, the first line opened in 1863 and the system was electrified in 1902.
Locals still use the name as a meeting point, long after it stopped being only a transport stop. “Meet me at Raml” works. So when I say near Raml Station, I mean the central, downtown part of the city: the seafront streets, the cafes, the bakeries, the old buildings with balconies that look like they’ve seen things.
About the Tram (Because Everyone Asks)
I’ll be straight with you, since a lot of older travel advice still describes the tram as part of a visit. As far as I can tell from the reporting, the Raml tram stopped operating in early 2026, with the full closure on April 1, while the line is dismantled and rebuilt. Reopening is currently expected around the end of 2027, though timelines for projects like this have a habit of moving.
That doesn’t change the case for staying in the area. It just means you shouldn’t plan your days around a tram ride. Walk, hail a car, or take a taxi, and check the latest news before your trip, because I don’t know what will have changed by the time you read this.
Why Location Matters More Here Than in Most Cities
Alexandria is long and narrow, stretched along the sea. On a map, two places can look like a quick hop apart. In real traffic, that hop can eat forty minutes, which is something nobody tells you until you’re sitting in it.
So your base decides how much of your trip you spend moving. Stay somewhere central and a bad day (heat, a headache, a missed turn) costs you very little. Stay out far and the same day can swallow an afternoon.
It matters for safety too, in a quiet practical way. Walking back to a lit, busy street at 9pm is a different experience from arranging a long ride home to a residential area. I’ve written separately about whether Alexandria is safe for solo travelers, and the short version is that a central base takes a lot of small worries off the table.
What You Can Reach From the Raml Area
Here’s roughly how the geography works from a central base. I’m describing it in feel rather than exact minutes, because traffic here makes every number a guess.
- The sea and the Corniche: the easiest win. You can walk it, usually in a few minutes.
- Cafes and bakeries: right there. Breakfast is a short stroll, and so is a late tea.
- The Bibliotheca Alexandrina: a short ride, and a good one. I put together a full Bibliotheca Alexandrina visitor guide with tickets and what to see.
- Qaitbay Citadel, the Catacombs and the bigger sights: short rides rather than walks. Ride-hailing is the sensible option, and it’s cheap enough that I stopped doing the math.
Nothing here is far. That’s the entire point.
Central Versus Farther Out, Honestly
I’m not going to pretend central is better for everyone. Here’s how I’d compare them.
| Near Raml Station | Farther out | |
|---|---|---|
| Getting home late | Short walk or a quick ride | Longer ride, fewer options late at night |
| Food | Cafes and bakeries within walking distance | Depends heavily on the street |
| Sightseeing | Most places a short ride away | Many days start with a long commute |
| Noise | Busier, with traffic and late cafes | Often much calmer |
| Price | Sometimes higher | Sometimes lower |
Farther out has real advantages. It’s quieter, and you often get more space for the money. If you’re staying a month and working remotely, that trade can make sense. For a first visit of a few days, I’d pay for the central base every time.
The Noise, Which Nobody Mentions
Central Alexandria is loud. Car horns, cafe chatter, a wedding procession on a Thursday night (this happens, and it’s wonderful, and it’s not quiet). I sleep fine now, but only because I travel with earplugs and have stopped fighting the sound.
Ask whether your room faces the street or the back, and read recent reviews for the word “noise” before you book. A balcony is lovely until it’s above the loudest junction in the block.
Where Ithaka Fits In
Ithaka’s Raml Hostel sits in downtown Alexandria, with a terrace, a lounge and a 24-hour front desk, which matters more than it sounds when you arrive at 2am off a late train. Mansheya Hostel is right on the Corniche, with sea views. You can see both on the Ithaka hostels page.
Dorm beds started around 550 EGP a night when I last checked, and prices move with the day of the week, so check before you plan. If you’re weighing a hostel against a hotel for the first time, I walked through that decision in hostel vs hotel. And for the full money picture, there’s a breakdown of what Alexandria costs per day.
Arriving from Cairo? The journey has its own confusing parts, so I explained how to actually get from Cairo to Alexandria. Then, once you’ve dropped your bag, my plan for your first day in Alexandria starts gently, which you’ll appreciate.
FAQ
Is Raml Station a good area to stay in Alexandria?
For a first visit, yes. It’s central, close to the sea, and surrounded by cafes, so you can do plenty on foot and reach the main sights by a short ride. The trade-off is noise. Pick a room away from the main street if you’re a light sleeper.
Is the Raml tram running right now?
Not according to what I’ve read. Service was suspended in early 2026 while the line is rebuilt, with reopening expected around the end of 2027. Check recent local news before you travel, since dates for large projects often shift.
Should I stay near Raml Station or right on the Corniche?
Both put you close to the sea. The Corniche gives you a view and a breeze, and the Raml area gives you more cafes and side streets within walking distance. Honestly, pick based on whether you want scenery or convenience for the first night, and you can move after.
How many nights should I book?
Three is a comfortable first visit. I laid out a 3-day itinerary under $50 that works well from a central base.
One Last Thing
If I could only give you one piece of advice about Alexandria, it wouldn’t be about the sights. It would be to choose where you sleep with the same care you give to what you plan to see, because I’ve made that mistake, and the city is much better when home is close.
And if you’re heading to Alexandria and want a base that gets this right, Ithaka has two hostels, Raml and Mansheya, where the sea, the cafes and a friendly front desk are all close.
So where are you leaning: central and busy, or farther out and quiet? Tell me in the comments and I’ll help you decide.
