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Useful apps for travelling in Egypt

Before you fly, install Uber or Careem for rides, Google Maps with Egypt downloaded offline or Maps.me, Google Translate with offline Arabic and WhatsApp, which Egyptians use for almost everything. Airport Wi-Fi is patchy, so set everything up at home.

Install these before you leave. Wi-Fi at the airport is unreliable, and you want your pre-booked driver or Uber sorted the moment you land.

Book the day-one essentials first

Before you start downloading, consider booking what you will need on arrival:

  • Airport transfer: a driver waiting in arrivals with your name on a sign.
  • Car with driver: by the day or the week, in every major city.

Rides and transport

  • Uber: Cairo, Alexandria, Hurghada, Sharm El-Sheikh.
  • Careem: the regional alternative, often a little cheaper.
  • inDrive: you set the fare.
  • Swvl: shared minibuses in Cairo.
  • Egyptian National Railways (ENR): official train tickets.
  • GoBus: intercity coaches.

Maps and navigation

  • Google Maps: works well, but download Egypt for offline use.
  • Maps.me: the best offline map for Egypt, with hiking trails.
  • Organic Maps: an open-source offline alternative.

Currency and money

  • XE Currency or Revolut: a currency converter for EGP ⇄ USD/EUR.
  • pricedollartoday.com: live USD/EGP rates from Egyptian banks and the parallel market.
  • gold21price.com: live gold prices in Egypt (21, 24 and 18 carat), handy when shopping in Khan el-Khalili.
  • Wise: a multi-currency card with good ATM rates.

Translation

  • Google Translate: download Arabic for offline use; the camera mode reads signs and menus.
  • Microsoft Translator: a solid offline Arabic pack.

Tours and guides

  • GetYourGuide and Viator: the leading apps for day tours and skip-the-line tickets.
  • Klook: competitive prices on Nile cruises and Red Sea trips.
  • Airbnb Experiences: small-group activities with local hosts.

Egypt guidebooks and audio guides

  • Lonely Planet: a paid Egypt guide inside the app.
  • Site audio guide apps: search for "Pyramids audio guide" or "Luxor audio guide".
  • VoiceMap: narrated walking tours of Cairo.

Staying in touch

  • WhatsApp: everyone in Egypt uses it, businesses included, for bookings.
  • Facebook Messenger: also very common.
Tip: number looks odd? Paste it into the Egypt phone dialer to clean up and check any Egyptian number, then call it or open it in WhatsApp straight away.

Checking your network and location

  • UtilsOnline: check my IP: shows your city, provider and IP address in one click. Useful to confirm your local SIM is working, that hotel Wi-Fi isn't routing through another country, or that your VPN is really on.

Weather and practical apps

  • Windy and AccuWeather: heat and sandstorm forecasts.
  • Prayer Times: helps make sense of shop and restaurant hours during Ramadan (the Hijri calendar has every Islamic date).
  • Visit Egypt: the official Ministry of Tourism app, with events and site information.
SIM tip: most apps need a local number for one-time codes. Get a tourist SIM at the airport or install an eSIM such as Airalo before you fly. See SIM cards and internet.

Saving with promo codes

Before your first Uber ride, Talabat order or hotel booking, check 99coupon.com: Egypt stores for current promo codes. Most ride-hailing, food delivery and travel booking apps in Egypt run regular offers (a free first ride, percentage discounts, free delivery) that are easy to miss.

Frequently asked questions

Which apps are useful in Egypt?

Uber, Careem or inDrive for rides, Google Maps with an offline map or Maps.me, Google Translate with the Arabic offline pack, a currency converter such as XE Currency or Revolut, and WhatsApp, which Egyptian businesses use for bookings and contact.

Does Uber work in Egypt?

Yes, in Cairo, Alexandria, Hurghada and Sharm El-Sheikh. Careem is an alternative that is often a little cheaper, and inDrive lets you name your fare.

What is the best offline map for Egypt?

Maps.me is the best offline map app for Egypt and includes hiking trails. Google Maps also works well if you download the Egypt map in advance, and Organic Maps is an open-source alternative.

Do I need an Egyptian number for apps in Egypt?

Many apps send a one-time code by SMS to a local number. Buy a tourist SIM at the airport or install an eSIM such as Airalo before you fly.