Pyramid Compass › Cairo & Transport
Three lines, 84 stations, 8 EGP a ride — but the metro is more than a fare. This calculator tells you how much your rides will cost, which line serves your destination, when the women-only carriage applies, and when the airport line is actually faster than a taxi at 4 AM.
A 5-day sightseeing pass is cheaper above ~14 rides.
Pick a route and run the calculator.
Other Cairo guides tell you "the metro is 8 EGP" and stop there. The actual questions are:
The calculator returns three numbers: per-ride fare, total cost over the trip (including the card deposit if you chose a rechargeable card), and a line recommendation. The per-ride fare is fixed by tariff zone, not by distance — the metro is flat-rate within Cairo, with a 10 EGP surcharge only on the Airport branch of Line 3 (Adly Mansour and beyond, with an intermediate 8 EGP at intermediate stops). Senior and student fares require the Egyptian-issued national ID or a recognized student card; foreign travelers will pay the standard 8 EGP unless they hold a residence card.
The line guide card lists the closest station to your chosen destination plus one or two practical notes (e.g. "exit at Giza, then a 10 EGP microbus or 60–80 EGP taxi to the plateau entrance"). The metro is fast inside Cairo, but the last-mile from the station to your hotel or to the pyramids is the part most visitors get wrong.
The women-only window note applies if you are traveling during those hours on Line 2 (morning rush, two front cars) or Line 3 (always two front cars designated for women). Men should board from the third car onward.
Yes, generally. Last trains run around 23:30 (a bit later on Fridays). Stations are well-lit and staffed. Avoid riding empty last trains alone if you can — sit in the designated women/family car. Pickpocketing is rare but not zero; keep your phone in a front pocket.
Yes, but you must use the luggage gate at staffed stations. Suitcases over 50 cm are not allowed on escalators. For a 25–30 kg checked bag, the metro from the airport is realistic but tiring — count 10 extra minutes of walking and gate handling.
Yes — the airport branch of Line 3 charges 10 EGP per ride for foreigners (8 EGP for Egyptians with residence). Other Line 3 stations stay at 8 EGP. The Airport metro station is connected to Terminals 1, 2, and 3 via a covered walkway.
Giza Station on Line 2 (the blue line). From Giza Station, the plateau entrance is 3 km away — either a 10–15 EGP microbus ride or a 60–80 EGP taxi. Some travelers walk (40 min), but the road is dusty and not pedestrian-friendly in summer.
Page last updated: October 2026.
What it is. A small JavaScript calculator that prices your Cairo metro usage by purpose, number of rides, and traveler type, then prints the closest station to your destination.
Who it's for. Independent travelers using the metro as their main intra-Cairo transport. Not for tour-package travelers who never leave the bus.
What it isn't. Not a substitute for current on-site signage. Not a substitute for a Cairo Transit Authority app (which does not exist as of 2026).
Limitations. Tariffs and stations change. The calculator is accurate as of October 2026.
What this site collects. Pyramid Compass does not collect, store, or process personal data. There is no login, no account, no email capture, no analytics beyond what Google AdSense requires, and no first-party tracking. You can use this calculator without entering any personal information.
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Last updated: October 2026.
Not professional advice. The information on Pyramid Compass is for general informational purposes only. It is not professional travel, legal, financial, medical, or safety advice.
Accuracy. We do our best to keep prices, ticket tiers, opening hours, EGP rates, and rules current. Conditions in Egypt change quickly — always cross-check with your hotel concierge, your embassy, and the official site.
Personal responsibility. Travel in Egypt carries real risks. You are responsible for your own safety, insurance, visa, and choices.
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No warranty. The tools are provided "as is", without warranty of any kind.
Last updated: October 2026.