Meters are theoretical. Apps solve most of it, and where they do not, agree the fare first.
In Cairo and Alexandria, ride-hailing apps work well, show the fare in advance and remove the negotiation entirely. They are the default answer in the big cities and cost a fraction of a hotel car.
In Hurghada coverage is patchier and street taxis dominate. Meters exist and are essentially never used, so agree the fare before you get in, in Egyptian pounds, and have close to the right notes. A short hop within town is inexpensive; anyone quoting in euros has begun by tripling it.
Between cities, the options are a domestic flight (fast, cheap if booked ahead), the sleeper train Cairo–Luxor–Aswan (comfortable and a genuinely good experience), or a private car with a driver. Intercity buses run and are fine, but a long-distance coach in the small hours is not most people's idea of a holiday.
Meters exist and are essentially never used, so agree the fare before you get in, in Egyptian pounds, and have close to the right notes.
For excursions, hotel pickup is included by any operator worth booking with, and it is worth more than the money it saves — it removes the question of how you get back at eleven at night from somewhere you have never been.
