Private Car Rental with Driver in Egypt: Everything You Need to Know

Egypt is a country of stunning historic sights, lively coastal cities, and vast desert plains. From the Pyramids of Giza and Luxor’s ancient temples to Hurghada’s beaches and Sharm El Sheikh’s diving spots, exploring Egypt will leave you with unforgettable memories. At the same time, getting around Egypt is a complex task, as the country offers excellent public transport services, including buses, trains, and local taxis. Yet, the most common way of getting around Egypt with a family, business partner, or a small group of friends is to hire a private car with a professional driver. The service provides flexibility in terms of itinerary, unparalleled comfort in air-conditioned cars, and expert-level driving skills on local roads. All the tips below will help you hire a private car with a driver in Egypt.

1. Main Reasons to Hire a Chauffeur-Driven Car in Egypt

Many international visitors to Egypt ask whether it is possible to rent a car and drive a vehicle on their own. Although it is possible to drive around Egypt with a rented car, hiring a local driver is a better option for several reasons. First, local drivers in Egypt have broad experience navigating the busy city traffic in metropolitan areas, such as Cairo and Alexandria, as well as parking a vehicle near popular attractions, such as Khan El Khalili bazaar or local mosques. Second, drivers provide assistance while exploring Egypt beyond the capital, including on serpentine mountain roads in Sinai or desert highways in the south of the country. Third, drivers allow tourists to relax while being transferred from one destination to another. For example, the drive from Hurghada to Luxor takes 3.5 hours, while the drive from Cairo to Alexandria takes 2.5 hours.

2. Main Benefits of Renting a Private Chauffeur-Driven Car in Egypt

Tourists who wish to rent a private car with a driver in Egypt will find that the experience offers numerous benefits compared to using local taxis or other public transportation means. First, hiring a car with a driver provides unmatched flexibility in terms of planning the itinerary. In other words, you set the schedule, and your professional driver will follow all your wishes. For instance, the driver will wait for you to take pictures in front of the Pyramids of Giza or will suggest the best local restaurants for your family to have lunch. Second, air-conditioned cars provide much-needed relief from the summer heat or warm weather in Upper Egypt (Luxor and Aswan). Such comfort allows you to fully enjoy the experience of visiting ancient temples without feeling tired. Third, hiring a car with a driver ensures that your personal belongings are well taken care of in terms of luggage space and safety. Finally, the price for hiring a car with a driver is transparent and fixed in advance. There are no additional costs and surprises concerning the final payment for the service.

3. Fleet of Cars to Rent in Egypt with a Driver

Professional car rental agencies in Egypt offer a wide range of modern vehicles to choose from, including sedans, executive cars, and family minivans. Some agencies also provide smaller cars for families with children, such as microbuses and coasters, or larger vehicles, such as family minivans. The staff of car rental agencies will advise you on which size of the car is the most suitable for your family or your small group of friends. Moreover, agencies provide different levels of comfort, from economy-class cars to luxury sedans for businesspeople. The most popular types of cars to rent with a driver in Egypt are as follows:
• Standard sedans: for 1-3 passengers;
• Executive cars: for 1-3 passengers;
• Family minivans: for 4-7 passengers;
• Microbuses & coasters: for 8-15+ passengers.

4. Best Road Trips to Take in a Chauffeur-Driven Car in Egypt

Hiring a car with a driver makes it possible to take advantage of the most popular day tours in Egypt, including around the capital. For instance, it is possible to visit the best historic sites in Cairo, including the Pyramids of Giza, the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), the Citadel of Saladin, and Coptic Cairo in one day. It is also possible to drive to Alexandria and explore the ancient city on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea the same day. Other popular road trips in Egypt suitable for a private car with a driver include, among others:
• The highway from Luxor to Aswan via the Valley of the Temples: you will admire the ancient Ptolemaic temples while driving on the road along the Nile River;
• The route through the Red Sea along the coast between Hurghada, El Gouna, Makadi Bay, Marsa Alam, and other cities.

5. Practical Checklist and Most Common Tips for Renting a Chauffeur-Driven Car in Egypt

In addition to the benefits mentioned above, there are also some practical tips to consider when renting a car with a driver in Egypt. First, it is necessary to book a car and a driver in advance, especially during the high season (October to April), since the demand for vehicles is high, and there may be limited availability. Second, it is essential to clarify whether the final price indicated by the car rental agency includes additional expenses, such as fuel, tolls, parking, and driver’s allowance. Third, providing the car rental agency with an approximate schedule of planned events helps the staff choose the most suitable vehicle for you. Fourth, it is essential to share phone numbers with your driver or the car rental agency dispatcher via Whats App to exchange real-time information regarding the exact location and pick-up time. Finally, it is worth noting that tipping is part of the Egyptian culture. It is customary to give a tip to a driver for a full day of driving, navigating local traffic jams, and following your itinerary. Tipping around 200-400 EGP is an adequate way to show your satisfaction with the services provided by a car rental agency.