Uber in Cairo: does it work, is it safe and how to use it

Does Uber work in Cairo?

Yes. Uber in Cairo works on any day and at any time. On 2 November 2026, the Uber Cairo city page said this:

• Rides 24/7. You can request a ride now or reserve one in advance.
• Reservations. You can reserve a ride up to 30 days ahead.
• Larger groups. UberXL is for groups of up to 6 people.
• Taxis in the app. You can request a local taxi and pay for it in the Uber app.
• Price estimate. Enter your destination. The app shows a price estimate for each ride option before you request a ride.

Uber says that actual prices can change, for example because of traffic. We give no fares on this page, because we found no official fare list. Use the estimate in the app.

The ride options in the app can change. Check the app on the day of your trip.

Is Uber safe in Cairo?

Government travel advice says that a ride app is possibly safer than a taxi. It also tells you to stay careful.

• Australian advice. Rideshare apps are possibly safer than taxis, because you can track your driver's details and share the trip. The same advice says that taxi and rideshare drivers have assaulted passengers, including foreigners.
• Irish advice for women. It is possibly safer to travel in an Uber, but you must stay careful.
• UK advice for women. Do not travel in a taxi alone. If you must travel alone, share the details of your driver, your trip and your live location with a friend.

The Uber app has an emergency assistance button. Uber says that you can use it to call the authorities.

Checks before and during your ride

1. Request each ride in the app. Do not accept a ride from a person who comes to you and offers one.
2. Check the car and the driver. Australian advice says that unregulated drivers sometimes act as rideshare drivers, especially at airports. Make sure that the car and the driver match the details in the app.
3. Share your trip. Send the driver details, the trip and your live location to a friend.
4. Sit in the back. Irish advice tells women who travel alone with a male driver to sit in the back seat, behind the driver.
5. Know the emergency button. Find it in the app before your first ride.

Can you pay for Uber with cash in Egypt?

Uber announced cash payments for all riders in Egypt in 2016. In that announcement, the rider selects "Cash" in the app. Then the rider pays the driver the amount that the app shows. Uber last changed its Uber Cash terms for Egypt on 17 June 2025. These terms also refer to cash that you select as the payment method when you book.

Before you request a ride, check the payment options in the app. If you pay cash, keep small notes. For tips to drivers and other people, see Tipping in Egypt.

Can you take Uber from Cairo airport?

Yes. You can request an Uber at Cairo International Airport. After you request a ride, the app gives directions to the pickup point. Uber tells riders to request trips only in the app. Do not accept trips from people in the terminal or at the pickup zone.

For the pickup points, the distance to Giza and the other transport options, see Cairo airport to Giza pyramids.

Uber to the pyramids and back

From Tahrir Square, the Giza plateau is 15.8 km (9.8 mi) by road. The drive takes 20 minutes with no traffic. These numbers come from a route calculation with OpenStreetMap data on 29 October 2026. Traffic in Cairo can make the drive much longer.

For the trip to the plateau, request a ride in the app as usual. For the entrance and the other ways to go, see How to get to the pyramids from Cairo.

For the return trip, we found no official source about Uber rides at the plateau gates. Plan your return before you go:

• Note your gate. Remember the gate where you entered. You can then give a clear pickup point in the app.
• Keep your phone ready. Make sure that your phone has battery power and mobile data for the end of the visit.
• Have a second plan. Save the phone number of your hotel. Your hotel can tell you other ways to return.
• Agree a meeting point. If your group separates on the plateau, agree where to meet before you request the ride.

If you do not want to plan the return trip, a tour with transport takes you there and back. See Cairo day tours.

Uber or taxi?

In Cairo, taxis are white. Australian advice says that scams and overcharging occur in taxis, particularly taxis hailed on the street. It says to use only licensed taxis with a meter, or a reputable rideshare app. Canadian advice says that many taxis do not have working meters.

If you use a taxi, make sure that the meter is on before the trip starts. For other tricks and how to stop them, see Common scams at the pyramids.

Tips for Uber in Cairo

• Install the app before you travel. Then you can request a ride when you arrive.
• Check the pin. Make sure that the pickup point on the map is where you are.
• Look at the price estimate. Compare the estimate for each ride option before you request a ride.
• Choose the right car. For a large group, look at UberXL. It is for groups of up to 6 people.
• Reserve for an early start. You can reserve a ride up to 30 days ahead.