Alexandria, Egypt Tram Help, Please
 

Hi All,

This October, my Lady Wife and I shall be visiting Alexandria aboard the Prinsendam.

We can make our way on foot from the Passenger Terminal to the Alexandria Library. This looks to be a pleasant and interesting walk.

However, I think that LW would like to ride back.

We can take a cab, but I think that it would be interesting to go tram or metro.

So, how would one go from the Alexandria Library to the El Boseary station and thence to the El Rokab El Bahareya station?

If necessary, we can skip the intermediate stop.

Thanks

((I))

Hi Ira: I will be going there from 9/15-10/15 + or -. I hope to get to the library as well and will post when I get there. Skipping Italy this year in favor of all things Egypt as well as a short job offer that made it all possible. jh

ira - your plan is ambitious. I know you can do it, but if you can find an Egyptian to help you with the tram, it will make it much more effecient.
If not, look at it as an assignment on The Amazing Race and enjoy the adventure. WORST case, you get off the tram and submit to a taxi that will get you where you want to go. If you can get your hands on some EGP at the Port, have that in your pocket, as the tram and taxi will requie EGP - small notes.

FYI the tram tracks are right behind the library. The library is a bit of a walk from the ship port, but it would be doable, especially if you have all day and no other major sites you feel you care to see.
Do arm yourself with something written in Arabic that says something about the Port of Alexandria and the Gate number you need to return to, so you have something to show a taxi driver if you end up needing a taxi. The Arabic word for port is different and certainly not all drivers will speak English, but all will be able to find someone to read Arabic, if they are unable to.

Have fun.

One more thing that I just thought of that might help is that the Alexandria University Faculty of Commerce is RIGHT across the street from the library. This means lots of Univ students will be around. Find those that are dressed the most western style and you will probably find one that speaks English.... as will many people working in the library to give you assistance.

Hi, I apologize about tagging on to this message, but we will also be visiting Alexandria and would like to use public transportation. Do you know where the cruise ships dock? Is there bus or tram service from there? Any other information would be helpful.
thanks

travelbug - I would NOT consider riding a bus. Buses in Egypt are like nothing you have probably experienced anywhere else in the world - people get on and off buses while they are moving here. Not that you would have to, but you might not get on if you don't.

If you find the tram, that is possibly the best option, but it will totally be an adventure as you won't have any idea where it is going or when it will stop. And since there is no tram immediately by the ship port gate, you may have issues finding it - mostly because the minute you leave the port, you will be hounded by carriage drivers and taxi drivers that want your business. They are not likely to give you honest directions to what you want, IF they speak English. Your best bet may be to just use one of them to get to A destination you want to see (like the library) and then use the tram from there.

Good luck.