Bahariya is 365 km southwest of Cairo on the Cairo-Farafra desert road. Regular buses (several daily) depart from Cairo's Turgoman terminal and take about 4 hours; book in advance through bus company offices or travel agencies in Cairo as services fill up on weekends. Private taxis from Cairo cost significantly more but offer the flexibility to stop at points along the route.
There is no train to Bahariya. For visitors with time to continue south, the desert road continues from Bahariya through the Black Desert and White Desert (stopping at Farafra, 180 km further) and eventually reaches Kharga Oasis, with connections back to the Nile Valley. This is a classic Western Desert itinerary taking 4–5 days with overnight desert camps. Guided tours from Cairo covering Bahariya, the White Desert, and a desert camp are sold by tour operators in Cairo's downtown hotels and are the most practical option for first-time visitors.