Renting a car in Egypt is a vital step for any traveller who wants to navigate the land of the Pharaohs with autonomy. While Egypt’s public transport and ride-hailing services are robust in urban centres, the freedom to drive from the Mediterranean coast of Alexandria down to the Red Sea resorts of Hurghada offers an unparalleled experience.
The cost of renting a vehicle here is unique, influenced by local taxes, toll fees, fuel prices, and a distinct insurance landscape. Understanding these financial variables and preparing for them ensures that your Egyptian road trip remains a fun adventure instead of a stressful endeavour.
The car rental cost in Egypt is generally considered affordable by international standards. However, the true value is rarely just the number you see on a booking website. It is a composite of the base daily rate, mandatory government levies, and road expenses. This guide will help you uncover and navigate these expenses to budget for your trip efficiently.
The base rate is the starting point of your car rental cost in Egypt and is primarily determined by your vehicle choice and travel schedule. For a standard economy car, daily rates typically range between $25 and $40. If you want an intermediate sedan or a small SUV for better comfort on long desert hauls, you will pay between $45 and $70 per day.
As stated, timing also plays a significant role in these figures. Egypt’s peak tourist season runs from October to April, when the weather is temperate. During this period, particularly around Christmas and Easter, base rates can climb by 20% due to high demand. Conversely, the summer months of June through August often have the lowest base rates.
Every car rental contract in Egypt is subject to specific government-mandated fees that are non-negotiable. These are set by the state and are often collected by the agency on behalf of the Egyptian Tax Authority.
The most significant of these fees is the Value Added Tax (VAT), which is currently maintained at 14%. This is a standard consumption tax applied to almost all services in the country. While some international booking platforms display "tax-inclusive" pricing, many local providers list the base price first and add the 14% at the checkout page. You should confirm whether the quoted price includes this amount to avoid a sudden increase in your final bill.
There are nominal administrative fees required for processing the rental contract. In Egypt, "Stamp Taxes" are applied to various legal documents, costing roughly 1 EGP per contract page. While negligible in value, they are a mandatory part of the paperwork. You may also see a small Tourism Levy or Environmental Fee in certain regions, such as the Red Sea, though these rarely exceed a few dollars.
Beyond the base rate and taxes, several additional charges can affect your total car rental cost in Egypt. These are often triggered by specific travel logistics, driver-related policies, and optional equipment rentals.
Picking up a vehicle from a busy airport might be convenient, but it incurs a premium price. This location surcharge is often referred to as an Airport Concession Fee and typically ranges from 10% to 15% of the total rental value. These fees help cover the high costs rental agencies pay to operate within airport terminals. If you are looking to save, taking a short taxi ride to a city-centre rental office can often eliminate this surcharge.
The minimum age to rent a car in Egypt is generally 21, though some luxury categories require the driver to be 25. If you are aged between 21 and 24, most agencies will apply a Young Driver Surcharge, which adds approximately $10 USD to $15 USD per day. This fee offsets the higher insurance premiums the agency must pay for younger drivers. Some companies also apply surcharges for drivers over the age of 70.
Generally, only the primary renter is legally authorised to drive the vehicle. If someone else in your group will drive, they should be included in the rental agreement, and you have to pay an Additional Driver Fee, which usually costs around $5 USD per day per person. All drivers must be present at the time of pickup with their documents. Do not attempt to skip this because your insurance can be voided if someone not registered is driving the car.
If you plan a linear journey, for instance, driving from Cairo to Luxor, and do not intend to return the car to your pick-up location, you will face a One-Way Fee. Depending on the distance between the two cities and the availability of the agency's fleet, this can cost anywhere from $50 USD to $150 USD.
There are optional equipment rentals that can add up. The most common extras include child safety seats and GPS units, which typically range from $5 USD to $10 USD per day. You can avoid paying for these by bringing your own child seat and using mobile navigation apps with offline maps.
Insurance is a critical component of the car rental cost in Egypt, specifically because traffic conditions can be unpredictable for those unfamiliar with the local driving etiquette. It can be confusing at first, but learning about the policies available may help you make a choice.
The Third-Party Liability insurance (TPL) is legally mandatory for all vehicles in Egypt and is almost always included in the base rate, covering damages you might cause to other people or their property. You cannot decline this, and it is usually not covered by foreign credit card insurance policies.
Most standard rentals include a basic Collision Damage Waiver (CDW), which covers damage to the rental car. It is important to understand that this is not full insurance, but a waiver that limits your liability. The excess or deductible, which is the amount you must pay out of pocket before the waiver kicks in, typically sits between $500 USD and $1,500 USD for standard vehicles.
To eliminate the deductible and have peace of mind, you can purchase Super Collision Damage Waiver (SCDW) or "Full Protection". This costs an additional $10 USD to $20 USD per day. While it increases your daily car rental cost in Egypt, it is highly recommended if you are driving in Cairo or on desert roads, where minor scratches or windshield chips from loose gravel are common.
Be aware that standard CDW policies often exclude some parts of the vehicle, such as the tyres, mirrors, and undercarriage. Some agencies offer specific Tyre and Glass protection for roughly $3 USD to $5 USD per day, which can be a valuable add-on for long-distance desert drives.
Once you have left the rental desk, your car rental cost in Egypt will be determined by daily operational expenses on the road. Most of these are unavoidable, but they are completely manageable, and you can minimise them with careful planning.
In Egypt, petrol stations provide government-subsidised fuel, although prices have gradually increased over time. Currently, the cost of fuel per litre stands at approximately 17 EGP to 21 EGP. For those looking to refill a typical 40-litre tank with 92-octane, the cost would be roughly 770 EGP, equivalent to about $16 USD, making fuel one of the most affordable aspects of travelling in the country.
It is vital to check the fuel policy in your rental agreement; the most common one is “Full-to-Full”. If you return the car with less than a full tank, the agency will charge you for the missing fuel at a significantly higher rate than the station price, plus a Refuelling Service Fee of roughly $15 USD. To avoid this, you should fill the tank before dropping off the car.
Major highways connecting cities like Cairo, Alexandria, and the Red Sea resorts utilise a "gate" system. The toll fees for passenger cars are relatively inexpensive, typically ranging from 20 EGP to 50 EGP per gate. Most gates now accept electronic payments or cards, though keeping small cash denominations of the local currency is still advisable.
Official parking in malls or hotels can cost between 30 EGP and 100 EGP per stay. However, on public streets, you will encounter the "Sayes" or informal parking attendants. While not a fee in the legal sense, it is standard practice to tip them 10 EGP to 20 EGP for assisting with parking and watching the vehicle. This is an expected part of the daily car rental cost in Egypt.
If you return a car with an excessive amount of sand or mud in the interior, agencies may charge a Deep Cleaning Fee of approximately $15 to $30. To avoid this charge, you can use seat covers or visit a local car wash for a few dollars before returning the vehicle. Having the car cleaned before drop off can actually be cheaper.
To help you understand the car rental cost in Egypt more, here are some answers to frequently asked questions by tourist drivers.
Navigating the car rental cost in Egypt requires a balance of foresight and knowledge. The recent infrastructure improvements have made driving in Egypt more accessible than ever, provided you are prepared for the costs. By accounting for all the mandated charges, extra fees, and road expenses, you can build an accurate budget and avoid any financial surprises.
With this guide in hand, you now have the tools to evaluate quotes and understand exactly what you are paying for at the rental desk. Whether you are chasing the sunset across the Sahara or navigating the bustling streets of the capital, you can now book a car confidently and focus on the incredible sights that await you on your Egyptian journey.
Don’t let the high prices or hidden costs prevent you from experiencing the freedom of the open road. Rent your vehicle from Final Rentals today and prepare to unlock the wonders of Egypt on your own terms. You can easily and safely book via our website or our mobile app, available for download on Google Play and the App Store.
