Cairo to Dahab Night Bus with Baby – Real Travel Across Sinai

Julie

2025-04-30

Our family journey from Cairo to Dahab by night bus with our baby—sugarcane juice runs, long waits, and military checkpoints across Egypt’s Sinai.

Main Journey

Our Family Boards the Night Bus to Jordan (via Dahab)

After wrapping up our pyramid adventures in Cairo, it was time to move again—this time eastward, heading toward Jordan.

To get there, we first needed to reach Dahab, then Nuweiba, and finally catch a ferry across to Aqaba, Jordan.
A long, complex route—but that’s the charm of world travel with a baby. Nothing is ever boring.

We had booked the 11:00 PM night bus to Dahab, which meant we had over 6 hours to kill after finishing our tour in Memphis.
By the time we reached Torgoman Bus Terminal, it was 4:30 PM, and we were already tired.

Killing Time at Cairo’s Torgoman Bus Terminal

The Torgoman terminal is massive on the outside, but eerily empty inside.
There were no restaurants. Only two snack kiosks. No designated lounge. And the place just felt… abandoned.

We searched for a decent waiting area but ended up settling in the underground bus hall. At least it had chairs and a few fans, and there were other people waiting too.

Waiting 6+ hours with a toddler is no joke, especially with two backpacks and an extra carry-on.

A Quick Solo Mission: Find Dinner

We needed food.

But there was no way Julie and Sweetie could carry all the bags and wander around Cairo. So I set out alone to look for dinner, hoping I’d find something nearby.

Just outside the terminal, I got lucky—a solid koshari shop!

The guy behind the counter even showed off a bit—tossing chickpeas into the air and catching them like a magician. I bought two medium-sized takeout bowls and headed back.

As the sun dipped behind Cairo’s buildings, a siren echoed in the distance. For a moment, the city felt less like a place of pharaohs and more like any other real, living city.

“I Want Sugarcane Juice!”

We had just started eating when Sweetie piped up:

“I want sugarcane juice~♥”

Julie smiled. “Honestly… I want one too.”

So I grabbed an empty 1.5L water bottle and stepped outside again, this time on a juice quest.

The Sugarcane Juice Adventure

Finding a sugarcane stand wasn’t as easy as I thought.

I ended up accidentally wandering into a rougher neighborhood—some people dismantling cars, others rummaging through trash. I quickly turned around and retraced my steps toward the Cairo Museum area.

Finally, jackpot: a humble sugarcane shop run by an honest, friendly guy.
He filled my bottle to the brim for just 10 Egyptian pounds (~630 KRW).

Returning to the terminal, Sweetie saw me from across the hall:

“DADDYYY!!! Sugarcane juice!!!”

She jumped up and ran to me like it was Christmas morning.

The Terminal Becomes a Playground

We still had over two hours to wait.

Thankfully, Sweetie entertained herself running across the wide waiting room, and even made friends with a few Egyptian aunties and uncles sitting nearby. It turned into an unexpected little cultural exchange.

Events

Boarding the Dahab Night Bus

Around 10:30 PM, we were finally allowed to check in our bags—5 pounds per bag. The bus wasn’t fancy, but the air-conditioning worked, and that’s really all that mattered in Cairo’s summer heat.

Unfortunately… the seats were incredibly cramped. My knees were pressed right up against the seat in front of me.

By 11 PM, the bus was full. Most of the passengers were young travelers heading to Dahab for diving.

We expected to sleep through the ride.

We were wrong.

First Military Checkpoint: Bag Check

About an hour after leaving, the bus suddenly stopped.
An Arabic announcement played, and people started getting off.

I asked the Egyptian guy next to me what was going on.

“Bag!” he said, pointing outside.

Sure enough, we all had to get off with our backpacks and line up in front of uniformed soldiers.

One by one, bags were opened.

When the soldier got to us—foreigners—he just glanced briefly and waved us back onto the bus.

We thought it was over.

Then came another announcement.

Second Round: ID Checks

A different officer boarded the bus. This time it was ID inspection.

They went seat by seat, checking every Egyptian’s papers. For foreigners, again, just a quick glance—thankfully.

It took nearly an hour in total before the bus moved again.

I remembered the warning text from the Korean Foreign Ministry when we first landed in Egypt.
It said the Sinai Peninsula was under high security due to recent terror threats.

I guess this was what that meant.

Honestly, I didn’t mind the checks. If it keeps us safer—especially with Sweetie in tow—it’s worth it.

Second Checkpoint: Sinai Border

Just as we were dozing off again, another checkpoint came.
Same routine: “Bag!” – we got off, lined up, opened our bags.

Another ID check followed once we were back on.

This time, we were getting used to the routine. Even Sweetie handled it like a champ.

Tips for Traveling with a Baby

Choose a Late Bus, but Don’t Expect Sleep

Keyword: Egypt night bus with baby
Night buses are convenient but come with unpredictable interruptions like checkpoints. Bring snacks, water, and be mentally ready for a long haul.

Waiting at Torgoman Terminal

Keyword: Cairo bus terminal with baby
There’s no baby-friendly lounge, no food, and almost no shops. Use the underground hall. Bring your own meals.

Sugarcane Juice: A Local Treat

Keyword: sugarcane juice Egypt
Sweetie loved it, and so did we. If your baby’s tummy is used to local water, it’s a sweet and hydrating choice.

Local Travel Tips

Cairo to Dahab Bus Costs

Keyword: Cairo Dahab bus travel
Bags cost 5 pounds each. Expect security checks along the route. Always carry your passport and a copy.

Sugarcane Juice is Cheap and Refreshing

Keyword: Egyptian street juice
Look for clean stands and bring your own bottle. It’s safer and more eco-friendly than using local plastic.

Avoid Wandering Far from the Terminal

Keyword: safety near Torgoman terminal
Some nearby alleys aren’t ideal for tourists, especially after dark. Stick to the main roads and lighted areas.