Alexandria Getting There & Away

Getting There & Away

By plane The small Alexandria Airport (ALY) is served by occasional domestic flights, and two times a week from Athens on Olympic Airlines. Lufthansa also operates direct flights from Frankfurt. The airport lies 8km/5 miles to the south east of the city. A taxi will take you 15-20 minutes and should cost no more than 40LE. Drivers always prefer to paid in sterling or in US dollars. The equally small Borg el Arab Airport (HBE) is some 60km/38 miles to the south west of Alexandria taking about 40-45 minutes by taxi, which should cost you no more than 100LE. As always, agree the price before you get in the cab. British Airways fly to Borg el Arab from London Heathrow on Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Thursday, with flights arriving at around 20:20. They do fly on other days via Beirut. Travellers from outside the UK can connect easily in London. Emirates will also fly you in via Dubai. BA prices start around £300 from the UK and Emirates from £330 return. It should be noted that most travellers will come via Cairo, the country's capital. Flights to Cairo are more frequent and much cheaper. The national flag-carrier Egyptair will fly you onwards to Alexandria or Borg el Arab. Many, however, prefer the cheaper and less stressful option of the coach. By train Frequent trains from Cairo's railway station on Midan Ramses are probably the best way to get to Alexandria. Trains run at least once every hour from 6 AM to 10 PM, but try to choose either an express or the pride of Egyptian Railways, the French-built Turbo, which takes only 2 hours 10 minutes for the journey. 1st/2nd class tickets LE 25/20 one-way. Some trains (mostly slow ordinary ones) also continue on to Port Said. Trains to Cairo depart from the aptly named Cairo Station, a 10-minute stroll south of the Corniche along Nabi Daniel St. By car There are two options when travelling by car, either taking the Agriculture road, which has various farms surrounding its sides, or the Desert road, which as the name implies, is through the desert with only some cafeterias and local peasants located on both sides every couple of kilometers. The journey usually takes around 3 hours, depending on speed and surrounding traffic It should be noted, though, that driving in Egypt is not advisable unless absolutely necessary! By bus Taking the bus from Cairo to Alexandria is by far the most cost effective and comfortable way of transfering. Several bus companies offer the service which travels 224km/139 miles. The price, however, is well worth it: about 35LE (compared to a 100LE air fare), which converts to about $5.50. Buses are air conditioned and come complete with a hostess trolley service. Companies include Golden Arrow, West Delta and the larger firm, Pullman. Buses leave Alexandria in the mornings between 7:15am and 8:30am, although Pullman do now offer at 5.00pm service as well.