Car rental in Egypt

Egypt, with its extensive coastline and scattered ancient monuments, is best explored by car. On a journey from the Red Sea coast to the temples of Upper Egypt, you'll discover places rarely reached by tourist buses.

Renting a car in Egypt allows you to create a unique travel experience, stopping at unnamed coves or authentic roadside cafés. Your own transport is particularly valuable for visiting remote oases in the Western Desert or monasteries on the Sinai Peninsula.

Benefits of Renting Through Localrent

Booking a car online saves time typically spent searching at rental counters. Localrent aggregates offers from verified local companies, and here's why booking with us is more convenient:

1. Choose the right vehicle class. A compact model for resort areas, a spacious sedan for families, or a crossover for desert highway trips.
2. Use detailed filters. Narrow your search by make, year, engine type, or available payment methods.
3. All vehicles in good technical condition. The fleet consists of modern cars, typically no more than 5 years old.
4. Price locked at booking. You immediately see the cost of additional options such as child seats, extended insurance, or additional drivers, with no hidden fees.
5. Rental available without credit card deposit. Some local rental companies offer alternative deposit arrangements, such as cash.

Localrent eliminates surprises during your trip. Your booked car will be waiting at the agreed location at the specified time, and you can immediately set off on your route.

Requirements for Renting a Car in Egypt

To complete the rental process, prepare three documents: a valid driver's license, passport, and booking voucher.

Each vehicle in the catalog has individual rental conditions. Carefully review the restrictions section before choosing—it specifies driving experience requirements, age limits, and mileage caps. For quick searches, use filters based on driver parameters.

Traffic Rules and Driving Characteristics in Egypt

Egyptian drivers rarely maintain proper following distance and frequently use their horn for communication. This noisy chaos has its internal logic—the horn warns of maneuvers, greets acquaintances, or simply urges fellow drivers along. Traffic in Cairo and Alexandria is particularly intense.

Outside resort areas, road surface quality varies. Routes to certain beaches and in rural areas feature sections with potholes, and roads are often covered with sand. At night, carts appear on roads, frequently without reflective elements.

Security checkpoints deserve special attention. These posts appear on city exits and along the coast. Soldiers check documents—driver's license, passport, and rental agreement. The procedure takes 2-3 minutes, followed by wishes for a safe journey. Keep documents readily accessible.

Standard speed limits in Egypt:

• 50 km/h in cities
• 90 km/h on highways
• 100 km/h on motorways

Lane markings are often treated as suggestions—drivers may create additional rows, and right-of-way is frequently determined not by signs but by eye contact and confidence. Be prepared for constant lane changes and dense traffic.

In Egypt, you'll encounter not only cars but also motorcycles weaving between lanes, and in rural areas, animal-drawn carts. Pedestrians may cross roads in unexpected places, even on busy streets.

Parking in Egypt

The parking system in Egypt differs significantly from what European tourists expect, but understanding local customs helps avoid many difficulties. In major cities such as Cairo or Alexandria, finding parking can be challenging. Free parking at restaurants or shops is rare, and in city centers, plan to use paid secured parking lots.

Few formal parking regulations exist. Cars are often parked bumper-to-bumper, and on flat terrain, drivers may not engage the handbrake. This allows others to manually push vehicles slightly to create space for exiting or parking. Observe how locals park. If they've comfortably left their cars along the road, it's acceptable for you as well. Avoid parking near government buildings.

Be prepared for parking attendants at many lots. Their services typically expect tips of 5-10 Egyptian pounds.

Gas Stations in Egypt

At most gas stations, an attendant will serve you. You won't need to operate the pump yourself. After you specify the fuel type and number of liters, the station employee will fill your tank. Payment occurs on-site, usually after the tank is filled. You can pay the attendant directly, though some stations require payment at the cashier.

Attendants provide fueling services and often clean windows. Their work traditionally includes tips—5-10 Egyptian pounds is an appropriate gesture of appreciation. Along major highways and in cities, the gas station network is well-developed. However, when planning trips to remote areas, especially the desert, refuel in advance rather than waiting for the fuel level to reach minimum.

How to Book a Car for Your Egypt Trip

Begin the booking process on the Localrent website by selecting pickup and return cities, plus rental dates. If receiving the car at a specific location is important, specify it in the "Specify location" field—this could be an airport, port, or delivery to a designated point.

Next:

1. Use filters to specify transmission type, vehicle class, engine capacity, and other parameters
2. Review the selected vehicle's card—technical specifications, included mileage, available payment methods
3. Add necessary options—child seat, additional insurance, or additional driver service
4. Enter personal details and contact information
5. Pay a 15-20% advance by bank card

After booking confirmation, you'll receive a voucher via email. Present this document when collecting the vehicle—electronic format is acceptable. During the meeting with the rental company representative, carefully inspect the body and interior together, note all damage in the inspection report, sign the agreement, and pay the remaining amount.

What to See in Egypt by Car

Egypt's extensive roads connect not only cities but eras—from ancient civilizations to modern resorts. By car, you can independently create an itinerary combining the most interesting attractions, whether starting from Cairo, Hurghada, or Sharm el-Sheikh. Here's what's definitely worth seeing:

1. Giza Pyramids and Sphinx. See the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World surviving to our days, plus the pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure, with the Great Sphinx nearby. En route from Cairo, stop at the Step Pyramid of Djoser in Saqqara—the world's oldest pyramid.
2. Karnak Temple Complex in Luxor. The world's largest religious complex, built over 2,000 years. Its crown jewel—the grand Hypostyle Hall of the Temple of Amun-Ra with 134 massive columns.
3. Abu Simbel Temples. The monumental rock temples of Abu Simbel, carved by order of Pharaoh Ramesses II in the 13th century BCE, were relocated to their current site in the 1960s to save them from rising Nile waters.
4. Saint Catherine's Monastery in Sinai. One of the world's oldest continuously operating Christian monasteries. Behind its fortress walls, it preserves a rich collection of ancient icons and manuscripts. The Burning Bush grows near the monastery, and many pilgrims combine their visit with ascending Mount Sinai to greet the sunrise.
5. Library of Alexandria. A modern architectural complex built in memory of the famous ancient Library of Alexandria. Today it's a major cultural center housing not only millions of books but also several museums, galleries, and a planetarium.

If you appreciate nature, head to Ras Mohammed at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, where stunning coral reefs and the national park's underwater world await. Those wanting to immerse themselves deeper in culture should visit Abydos—one of Ancient Egypt's most important archaeological centers with the magnificent Temple of Seti I.

Where to Rent a Car in Egypt

On Localrent, you can rent a car in Egypt's main tourist and business centers, including Cairo, Hurghada, and Sharm el-Sheikh. Each city offers various pickup points: rental company offices, airports, train stations, or delivery to your hotel.

Tips for Renting a Car in Egypt

Here are a few recommendations to help you drive in Egypt.

Be Prepared for Security Checkpoints

Checkpoints frequently appear on city exits and along the coast. Reduce speed when approaching them. Soldiers may request documents—passport, driver's license, and rental agreement. The procedure typically takes a couple of minutes.

Choose Your Vehicle Based on Your Route

For city-only trips or major highways between resorts, a compact economy model works well. However, if planning mountain trips and active country exploration, choose a crossover or mid-size car with an engine of at least 1.4 liters.

Avoid Long-Distance Night Driving

Beyond illuminated cities, roads may feature pedestrians, animal-drawn carts, or other obstacles without reflectors. Some local drivers may travel with headlights off, turning them on only at the last moment. Plan extended trips during daylight hours.

Take a Coastal Drive

Some of the most scenic and comfortable driving roads run along the Red Sea, for example, from Hurghada to Marsa Alam. The journey takes several hours, with opportunities to stop for snorkeling in secluded coves inaccessible to group tours.

FAQ About Car Rental in Egypt