How to get from Cairo to Port Said

Cities & Metropolitan Areas · Egypt · Urban & Cultural · Cairo · Port Said

Cairo to Port Said is an easy Nile Delta hop: the direct intercity bus is the go-to, private cars/transfers are quickest door-to-door, and self-drive is straightforward via the Ismailia Desert Road. DIYers can also combine local buses/minibuses via Ismailia. Choose based on time, budget, and luggage—full steps and map links below.

At A Glance (Cairo to Port Said)

Mode Duration Best For
🚌 Direct Intercity Bus (Cairo → Port Said) ~3.5–4.5h Good value, simple & frequent
🏷️ Cost: ~EGP 180–350 one-way (seat class/operator). Official: » East Delta | Go Bus | Compare curated options on Trip.com activities
🚐 Private Transfer / Taxi (Door-to-Door) ~3–4h (traffic-dependent) Families, lots of luggage, late arrivals
🏷️ Cost: ~EGP 3,500–6,500 per vehicle. Instant quotes on » GetTransfer | Meet-and-greet options on GetYourGuide | Premium pickup in Cairo via Welcome Pickups
🚘 Self-Drive Rental Car ~3–4h (via Ismailia Desert Rd) Flexibility, photo/food stops
🏷️ Cost: ~EGP 1,200–2,500/day + fuel/tolls. Compare on » Booking.com Car Rental | Trip.com Car Hire
🚐🧭 DIY: Cairo → Ismailia → Port Said (Local) ~4.5–6h (connections) Shoestring budgets, adventure
🏷️ Cost: ~EGP 120–220 total (segments, cash only). Ask locally for first departures.

Which Option or Route Should You Choose?

How to Book and Practical Tips

  • Buy ahead for weekends/holidays: Use operators’ official sites (East Delta / Go Bus) or agents; curated picks appear on Trip.com.
  • Ride-hailing in Cairo: Uber & Careem work well for station/airport access; for fixed intercity quotes try GetTransfer or consider Welcome Pickups for meet-and-greet.
  • Luggage storage: If you’re sightseeing before departure, stash bags via Radical Storage Cairo.
  • Cash & tickets: Keep small EGP notes for kiosks/toilets. Printed or mobile e-tickets typically accepted by private operators.
  • Road notes: Highway is good; expect checkpoints and occasional slowdowns near Canal approaches. Avoid night driving if tired.

🚌 Option #1 — Direct Intercity Bus (Most Popular, Good Value)

Low cost Frequent Central drop-off

  • Overview: Air-conditioned coaches run Cairo→Port Said via the Ismailia Desert Road. Typical runtime 3.5–4.5 hours, with a short rest stop.
  • How to book (with price): ~EGP 180–350 one-way depending on seat class/time. Book on operators’ official sites—East Delta, Go Bus—or check curated listings on Trip.com.
  • Pros: Cheap, comfortable, frequent. Cons: Fixed times, popular departures sell out same-day.

Step-by-step: Direct Intercity Bus

  1. Reach Cairo Gateway (Turgoman) Bus Station with Uber/Careem or taxi; arrive 30–45 minutes early.
  2. Buy/collect your ticket (passport/ID handy). Ask staff for the Port Said bay number.
  3. Board your coach; keep a daypack with water/snacks. Large luggage goes in the hold—keep claim tag.
  4. At Port Said Bus Station, continue by taxi to your hotel or Corniche.

Getting to the main embarking points (Cairo Gateway / Port Said Bus Station)

  • Cairo Gateway (Turgoman): Downtown near Orabi metro; easiest by Uber/Careem from central Cairo/Giza.
  • Port Said Bus Station: Taxis and local minibuses connect to city areas and ferry piers.
  • Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

🚐 Option #2 — Private Transfer / Taxi (Fastest Door-to-Door)

No transfers Hotel pickup Higher cost

  • Overview: A driver collects you anywhere in Cairo and drops at your Port Said address. Great with kids or big luggage.
  • How to book (with price): ~EGP 3,500–6,500 per vehicle depending on size/time. Compare quotes on GetTransfer, or book meet-and-greet rides on GetYourGuide. Premium pickup in Cairo is available via Welcome Pickups.
  • Pros: Fast, door-to-door, flexible timing. Cons: Costs more than bus; still subject to traffic.

Step-by-step: Private Transfer / Taxi

  1. Request a quote with pickup/drop addresses and pax/luggage on GetTransfer or schedule a pickup with Welcome Pickups.
  2. Confirm inclusions (tolls, waiting time, child seats). Share your live location on pickup day.
  3. Ride ~3–4 hours via the Ismailia Desert Road; get dropped directly at your Port Said hotel.

Getting to the main embarking points (Door-to-Door)

  • Pickup: Any Cairo/Giza hotel, apartment, or Cairo International Airport (CAI).
  • Drop: Port Said hotels, ferries, or Corniche area.
  • Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

🚘 Option #3 — Self-Drive Rental Car (Most Flexible)

Freedom Scenic Canal stops City driving

  • Overview: Pick up a car in Cairo (airport/downtown) and drive the straightforward route via Ismailia to Port Said. Parking is easier at hotels than on the Corniche.
  • How to book (with price): From ~EGP 1,200–2,500/day + fuel/tolls. Compare suppliers on Booking.com Car Rental or Trip.com Car Hire.
  • Pros: Leave when you want; detour for Canal viewpoints in Ismailia. Cons: Cairo traffic, toll tags, wayfinding if you’re new to Egypt.

Step-by-step: Self-Drive

  1. Collect the car (CAI terminals or downtown). Check insurance, spare, and that you have a working maps app offline.
  2. Set route: Cairo International Airport → Ismailia → Port Said. Carry cash for tolls and rest stops.
  3. Park at your hotel in Port Said; use taxis/walking for local moves along the Corniche.

Getting to the main embarking points (Cairo Car Rentals & Route)

  • Cairo International Airport (CAI): Most major rental desks at T2/T3; downtown offices have shorter hours.
  • Route note: The Ismailia Desert Road is the fastest; the Canal-side segments can be slower but more scenic.
  • Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

🚐🧭 Option #4 — DIY via Ismailia (Local Buses/Minibuses, Cheapest)

Budget Frequent local links Slower

  • Overview: Take a Cairo→Ismailia bus/minibus, then connect Ismailia→Port Said. Cash fares, seats first-come; some services leave when full.
  • How to book (with price): Buy at depots; expect ~EGP 120–220 total across segments. Ask hotel staff for the earliest departures.
  • Pros: Cheapest option and very frequent departures. Cons: More changes, less English signage, variable comfort.

Step-by-step: DIY via Ismailia

  1. Go to a Cairo depot with local links (e.g., Abbasiya or Cairo Gateway) via Uber/Careem.
  2. Buy/board for Ismailia; on arrival, ask for the Port Said stand (minibus/coach area).
  3. Board the next Ismailia → Port Said minibus/coach; pay the conductor in cash.
  4. Arrive at Port Said and take a taxi to your hotel or the Corniche.

Getting to the main embarking points (Cairo local depots / Ismailia hub)

  • Cairo local depots: Check locally which stand runs to Ismailia earliest on your date; services are frequent by morning.
  • Ismailia hub: Drivers/conductors will point you to Port Said vehicles; departures are rolling.
  • Locations/Trip Planner: 🔗 Google Map / 🔗 OpenStreetMap

FAQ (Cairo to Port Said)

Is there a direct train from Cairo to Port Said?
Passenger rail options are limited/irregular; most travelers use bus or car. If you love trains, consider Cairo→Ismailia, then a local bus/minibus to Port Said.

How long does the road take?
About 3–4 hours by car (without heavy traffic) and 3.5–4.5 hours by coach including a short rest stop.

Are the buses comfortable?
Yes—intercity coaches are air-conditioned with assigned seats. Bring a layer for strong A/C and small bills for snacks.

Is Port Said walkable?
The Corniche and central districts are compact; taxis are inexpensive for longer hops.

Where to stay if I arrive late?
Look around the Corniche/center for easy access—compare options on Booking.com (Port Said). For Cairo pre- or post-trip nights, see Cairo stays.

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