Cairo Metro Guide: Lines, Tickets & Tourist Tips

The Cairo Metro is the fastest way to move around Egypt's capital, especially during rush hour when road traffic is at a standstill. It's clean, safe, tourist-friendly and one of the cheapest metros in the world.

The three lines

• Line 1 (Red) — El Marg to Helwan, passing through Sadat (Tahrir Square).
• Line 2 (Yellow) — Shubra to Mounib, crossing to Giza and useful for Cairo University.
• Line 3 (Green) — the newest and longest line, from Adly Mansour (near the airport) through Attaba, Zamalek and toward Giza's pyramids.

Fares & tickets

Fares are distance-based, typically 8–15 EGP per journey. Buy paper tickets at the counter, or use a rechargeable metro card sold at major stations. Keep your ticket until you exit — the turnstile requires it on the way out.

Women-only carriages

The first two carriages on every train are reserved for women. Men may travel there only if accompanied by a female relative. Solo female travelers often find this a comfortable option during rush hour.

Useful tourist stations

• Sadat (Line 1) — Tahrir Square, Egyptian Museum.
• Attaba (Line 1 & 3) — Islamic Cairo and Khan el-Khalili.
• Opera (Line 2) — Cairo Opera House and Zamalek.
• Cairo University (Line 2) — for buses to the Pyramids.

Etiquette

Let passengers exit before boarding. Don't eat inside carriages. Photography is discouraged. Use the eSIM data on your phone to navigate — Google Maps has full Cairo Metro coverage.