Car Hire in Egypt: What to Know Before You Drive

Before you leave the rental car park

Driving conditions in Egypt can vary considerably between Cairo, major intercity roads, resort areas and remote desert routes. Check the vehicle and your planned route before setting off.

• Confirm the fuel type: check whether the vehicle uses petrol, diesel or electricity.
• Find the controls: locate the lights, indicators, wipers, hazard lights, horn, demister and parking brake.
• Check existing damage: make sure visible damage is recorded and consider taking your own photographs.
• Check the spare and equipment: longer journeys can take you far from a rental branch or service centre.
• Plan fuel stops: do not begin a long desert or intercity journey with a low fuel level.
• Set navigation while parked: enter your first destination before joining traffic.
• Save roadside-assistance details: keep the rental provider's assistance number accessible.

Cairo traffic requires patience and concentration

Cairo can be one of the most demanding parts of an Egyptian road trip. Traffic volumes are high and lane positioning can be less predictable than visitors expect.

• Allow substantially more time than the distance alone suggests.
• Choose lanes early when approaching major junctions.
• Expect frequent lane changes from surrounding vehicles.
• Watch for pedestrians crossing busy roads.
• Be prepared for motorcycles, minibuses and taxis moving through small gaps in traffic.
• If you are uncomfortable driving in very dense traffic, consider using the rental car primarily for journeys outside central Cairo.

Avoid long-distance driving after dark where practical

Current UK government travel advice recommends avoiding driving outside Egypt's main cities and resorts at night.

• Road lighting can vary considerably.
• Unlit vehicles, pedestrians or animals can be harder to see.
• Roadworks and changes in the road surface may be less obvious after dark.
• Complete unfamiliar intercity or desert journeys during daylight where practical.
• If a journey is delayed, consider stopping safely rather than continuing through an unfamiliar remote route at night.

Driving between Cairo and Alexandria

Cairo and Alexandria are linked by major intercity roads, making this one of the more straightforward long-distance journeys for visitors who are comfortable driving in Egypt.

• Check the fuel level before departure.
• Follow the posted speed limit for each section.
• Expect heavier traffic near both cities.
• Allow additional time for entry into central Alexandria.
• Avoid beginning the journey so late that much of it must be completed after dark.

Red Sea resort driving

Rental cars can be useful around established Red Sea destinations such as Hurghada and Marsa Alam, particularly when your itinerary extends beyond the immediate hotel area.

• Expect security checkpoints on some routes.
• Keep identification and rental paperwork accessible.
• Plan longer coastal journeys for daylight hours.
• Carry water and maintain a comfortable fuel reserve.
• Check current official travel advice for the particular region you intend to visit.

Check current advice before any Sinai road trip

Travel advice varies significantly between the established resort areas of South Sinai and other parts of the peninsula.

• Check current regional travel advice immediately before setting out.
• Some parts of Sinai are covered by official warnings against travel.
• Security checkpoints may be encountered.
• Do not assume that a rental agreement permits travel throughout the peninsula.
• Excursions outside established resort areas should be arranged carefully and in accordance with current local requirements.

Be prepared for security checkpoints

Police and security checkpoints can be encountered on intercity, desert and tourist routes.

• Slow down and follow officers' instructions.
• Keep your passport, driving documents and rental agreement accessible.
• Allow additional time for checks on longer journeys.
• Avoid photographing police, military or security installations.
• Do not stop in a sensitive location solely to take photographs.

Driving licence requirements for visitors

Requirements vary according to the country that issued your licence, so check both local requirements and the rental provider's conditions.

• UK drivers: current UK government guidance says you need your UK driving licence together with a 1949 International Driving Permit.
• Duration: those documents can be used for up to six months.
• Other licences: check the requirements applying to the issuing country before travelling.
• Carry the originals: keep your licence, IDP where required, passport and rental documents available while driving.
• Rental provider: age and minimum licence-holding requirements can be stricter than the basic legal rules.

Do not drink and drive

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a serious offence in Egypt.

• Penalties can include fines and possible imprisonment.
• Do not try to calculate a safe amount of alcohol before driving.
• The simplest approach with a rental vehicle is not to drink alcohol before driving.
• If you have consumed alcohol, arrange another form of transport.

Fuel planning matters on longer journeys

Fuel is available in major towns and along principal routes, but distances between services can be greater on more remote roads.

• Do not wait until the warning light appears before refuelling on a long desert journey.
• Confirm the correct fuel type when collecting the car.
• Carry an appropriate payment method and some local currency for situations where card payment may not be available.
• Retain your final fuel receipt if the rental agreement requires the vehicle to be returned full.

Do not plan an international border crossing without approval

An Egyptian rental car cannot be assumed to be permitted across an international border.

• Check the rental company's cross-border policy before planning the journey.
• Confirm whether insurance remains valid outside Egypt.
• Check current border-opening and immigration requirements.
• Review current government travel advice for the exact border region.
• Do not assume that permission to drive within Egypt extends to neighbouring countries.

Before returning the hire car

• Confirm the exact return location and opening arrangements.
• Refuel according to the rental agreement.
• Keep the final fuel receipt if required.
• Allow significant extra time for Cairo traffic when returning to an airport or city branch.
• Remove personal belongings and check the glovebox, door pockets and luggage area.
• Consider photographing the vehicle, mileage and fuel level at return.
• Keep the rental paperwork and return confirmation until the security deposit or card pre-authorisation has been released.

About Car Hire Trawler

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Reliable driving and travel information for Egypt

Road conditions, regional restrictions and travel advice can change. The links below were checked when this page was reviewed.

• World Health Organization: road-safety country profiles
• Experience Egypt: official visitor information and useful numbers
• GOV.UK: Egypt road travel and safety
• GOV.UK: Egypt regional travel advice
• GOV.UK: Egypt emergency numbers
• GOV.UK: International Driving Permit information

Last reviewed: 25 September 2026.