Destinations
Internet in Egypt: Cairo, the Nile and the Red Sea
Good coverage in the cities and on the coast, and a Nile cruise that stutters. What to expect, what to download and what happens with calls.
Rubén Ortega 6 min Photo by FotoFlo on Unsplash Egypt has a better mobile network than many expect: broad 4G in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and along the whole Red Sea coast, and 5G in parts of the capital. The problem is usually not coverage but what happens between one city and the next.
Where it falters
| Where | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Cairo and Alexandria | Broad 4G, with congested areas at certain hours |
| Luxor and Aswan | Good within the cities |
| Nile cruise | Comes and goes depending on the stretch |
| Desert and oases | Long gaps |
| Red Sea resorts | Good, and with wi-fi at almost all of them |
Calls through apps, which is the quirk
In Egypt there have been restrictions on voice and video calls through messaging apps. Carrying a foreign eSIM does not solve it: the traffic goes out over the local network all the same, so if the restriction is active it affects you just as much.
It is worth knowing before counting on daily video calls home from there, and worth agreeing an alternative just in case.
Local SIM and paperwork
They are sold at the airport and in carrier shops, passport in hand. It is a simple procedure but it comes with a queue, and it means taking your usual card out of the phone for the trip.
How your plan treats Egypt and what to check beforehand is in what your carrier charges outside the EU.
What you are going to use
Between 300 and 600 MB a day. It is a destination of many photos, city maps and messaging with guides and transfers, because that is how nearly everything is arranged there.
Three practical things
- Download the maps of Cairo, Luxor and Aswan before leaving.
- Save your guide's or agency's details in your contacts, because ordinary calls work where data goes weak.
- On the Nile cruise, have whatever you want to read or watch downloaded: the signal on board is patchy and the on-board wi-fi is usually very thin.
Frequently asked questions
Is coverage good in Egypt?
Yes in Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan and along the Red Sea coast, with broad 4G. It falters in the desert, in the oases and on stretches of a Nile cruise.
Do WhatsApp video calls work in Egypt?
There have been restrictions on calls through messaging apps. Carrying a foreign eSIM does not change that, because the traffic goes out over the local network all the same.
Can I buy a local SIM?
Yes, at the airport and in carrier shops on presenting your passport. There is a queue, and it means taking your usual card out of the phone.
Is there wi-fi in hotels and resorts?
Yes at almost all of them, and on the Red Sea it usually works well. On the Nile boats it is patchier.
How much data do I need for a week in Egypt?
Between 2 and 4 GB with normal use, counting maps, messaging and a fair few photos.
