Matrouh bus station

Although many people prefer microbuses because of how speedy and cheap it is compared to busses, I suggest that you book a bus ticket instead. At least, you know when you’re going to depart to your destination instead of relying on microbuses that come at literally random times with no timetable to deal with. I’ve literally sat there for 3 straight hours (from 4 AM to 7 AM) just to find a microbus that was heading to the destination I wanted. In conclusion: this depot deals great with full-on busses. Other than that, it’s a complete waste of time.

After Faraj, CouchSurfing ambassador and WorkAway host, has found me by chance at his Al-Manara hostel of Marsa Matrouh and offered me to be his guest for free at his Al-Manara hostel in Siwa later, I came to this main bus station on Friday early in the morning to catch the first minibus to Siwa.
They previously told me it should depart at 8. It was fully booked already, through a list on a paper filled up by 2 men sitting at the opposite café. So they wrote my name down and I waited for the second minibus till 10. Btw the previous one departed later at 9. Less passengers are travelling on Friday, anyway I recommend you to come here and reserve a seat the evening before, if you intend departing early.

I had breakfast at the left side “foul-falafel” place. He served big portions of foul, falafel and shaschuka, so the high price of 35 egp was worth it. Menu is shown on the wall, your Arabic knowledge will help you pay less. Then I invited a local guy for chei (tea) at the next-door saloon. When I paid 20egp for 2 the owner didn’t give me change then, so I asked “itni chei, ashreen?” and he gave me 5. Also when i took a microbus from the center to here, driver didn’t give me a change of 2egp.
The minibus had 4 women sitting in the front rows and 2 emtpy seats in the rear one, so it’s not supposed to depart once full. It took exactly 3 hours, cost 70.

A reliable bus stop. We were the only tourists there. Just a little explanation of how to get to siwa in a different way. Normally there is the west bus service direct from Cairo and it takes 12h. What we did it’s take a direct bus from Cairo to Marsa Matruh with Special Jet bus company. I think they run 3 buses daily. We took the one at 1.30pm and arrived at 20.30. As soon as we arrive.. we ask around for the mini vans driver at the station and we found one going to siwa.. we paid 75LE each and it will takes you 3h to 3h and a half to arrive in Siwa. You will share the van with some locals and wait until the driver fill the van.