Uber, Taxis and Microbuses in Alexandria

The first time I tried getting around Alexandria with a visitor, I told her to just flag down a taxi. She stood on the Corniche for ten minutes with her hand out, watching cars drive past, and I only noticed when she texted me from the exact spot where I’d left her. Nobody warned me that “just flag a taxi” is advice that only works if you already know which cars are taxis.

So this is the guide I should have sent her. It covers Uber, street taxis and microbuses, what each really costs you in patience, and which one I’d pick at 11pm when my phone is at nine percent.

Getting Around Alexandria: The Quick Version

If you read nothing else, read this. Then keep going, because the details are where the money and the stress hide.

Everything below expands on that table, and it all comes back to one idea: getting around Alexandria is easy once you know which option fits which moment.

How Uber Works in Alexandria

Uber does operate in Alexandria. Uber’s own guide to using the app in Egypt lists it among the cities served, and in my experience it’s how most visitors (and plenty of locals) move around.

Setting it up

Download the app before you land, sign up with your name and a phone number, and add a card if you want to. A card is optional. Without one you pay the driver in cash at the end, and you can choose cash inside the app before you book.

The app shows an estimated fare when you enter your destination, which is the whole appeal. No haggling, no guessing, no awkward standoff on the pavement. You also see the driver’s photo, name, car and rating before they arrive, and you can share the trip with a friend so they can follow your route.

When it goes wrong

Mostly it doesn’t. But I’d be lying if I said it never does, and the problems tend to repeat. Some drivers cancel and then ask you to cancel on your side, some say the app price is “too low” and ask for more, and a few try to talk you into hiring them for the day.

My rules are simple. Check that the plate and driver match the app before you open the door. Pay by card if you can, since it removes most of the argument. If someone asks for extra, say the price is whatever the app says and report it afterwards. Is that always comfortable? No. It gets easier after the first time.

I’ve also heard people say Careem is a little cheaper than Uber and that inDrive lets you suggest your own price. I haven’t used either enough to vouch for them, so test one on a short ride before you rely on it.

Street Taxis in Alexandria

Street taxis are everywhere, which is both the good news and the problem. Most drivers will quote a price rather than use a meter, especially if you look like a visitor, and the quote tends to land a bit above what a local would pay.

Here’s how I handle it. Say where you’re going and ask “bikam?” (how much?) before you get in, not after. If the number sounds high, thank them and wait for the next car, because there’s always a next car. Carry small notes too. A classic move is the driver who has “no change” for your big bill, and it’s much harder to pull off when you hand over the exact amount.

For longer or one-off trips I’d still open the app. For the airport in particular, I’ve broken down the options in my guide to getting from Alexandria airport to the city center, since one 2026 taxi guide puts that ride at roughly 100 to 150 EGP and the price you’re quoted at arrivals can be very different.

Microbuses: The Part Everyone Is Nervous About

A microbus is a shared minivan that runs a fixed route. There’s no timetable. It leaves when it’s full. The routes are real, but they’re not marked in any way a visitor can read, which is why people look at me like I’ve suggested skydiving when I mention them.

I’ll be honest: I wouldn’t start here on your first day. But once you’ve found your feet, they’re the cheapest way across the city, and the system is more logical than it looks.

How it works

You wave one down (or wait where they gather), call out your destination to the driver or the person collecting fares, and ask if they’re going your way. You pay in cash, and the money travels hand to hand toward the driver, so don’t be surprised when a stranger passes your note forward. Change comes back the same way.

To get out, call “ala gamb” (to the side) so the driver pulls over. Sit near the front if you don’t know the stops, because it’s easier to follow along and to speak to the driver.

When I’d skip them

English is limited, so know exactly where you’re going and keep an offline map open. I wouldn’t use a microbus for the airport, with luggage, or late at night. A packed one at rush hour is a good moment to choose a different option.

As a woman alone, I usually sit near the front or next to another woman. That’s my habit, not a rule, and it’s worth knowing that Alexandria is generally safe for solo travelers .

What About the Tram?

Older guides still talk about the Alexandria tram as the classic way to travel the city. As far as I can tell from the reports, it stopped running in early 2026 while the line is rebuilt, with reopening expected around the end of 2027. Dates for projects like this slip, so check recent news before you travel. For now, plan your getting around Alexandria around the three options above.

What Getting Around Alexandria Costs

Short trips by app are usually inexpensive, and the fare is shown before you commit, so you can decide whether to accept it. A microbus ride is cheaper still. Street taxis sit somewhere in between, depending on your bargaining mood.

If you’re tracking a full budget, my breakdown of what Alexandria costs per day puts transport in context. And if you’re arriving from Cairo, there’s a separate piece on how to actually get from Cairo to Alexandria.

Which Option Is Best for Getting Around Alexandria?

For your first day, use the app. It removes the biggest unknowns while you’re tired and the city feels loud, and I’ve mapped out a gentler first day in Alexandria that fits around it.

After that, mix them. Walk when it’s close and the weather is kind. Use an app for nights and unfamiliar places. Try a taxi by day, and save microbuses for a route you’ve watched a local take.

FAQ

Does Uber work in Alexandria?

Yes. Uber operates in Alexandria and works much as it does elsewhere: you see the fare upfront, the driver’s details and the car before you get in. You can pay by card or in cash. Download the app and set it up before you arrive.

Are taxis in Alexandria safe for tourists?

For most visitors, yes, with normal care. The usual problems are overpricing and the “no change” trick rather than anything dangerous. Agree the fare before you get in, carry small notes, and use an app after dark if you’d rather skip the negotiation.

How do I use a microbus in Alexandria?

Wave one down, ask the driver if it’s going to your destination, and pay in cash by passing the money forward. Call “ala gamb” to ask for a stop. Know your route beforehand, since there’s no timetable and little English is spoken.

Is getting around Alexandria on foot realistic?

Parts of it, yes. The seafront and central streets are pleasant on foot, but the city is long and narrow, so for longer distances a ride is easier. I wrote a Bibliotheca Alexandrina visitor guide that shows how I’d reach it from our hostel.

One Last Thing

Nobody gets the first ride perfect, and I don’t think they should have to. What I’d like you to take away is that the city is far less hostile than the traffic suggests, and that a bad fare or a missed turn is a story and not a disaster.

And if you’re heading to Alexandria and want a base where the staff will happily tell you which taxi price is fair, Ithaka has two hostels, Raml and Mansheya, with a 24-hour front desk and a concierge who can point you the right way. You can see both on the Ithaka hostels page.

So tell me: which one makes you most nervous, the app, the taxi or the microbus? Say it in the comments and I’ll talk you through it.