الحافلة رقم كم؟

You can use it as a standalone question. Just point at a bus and ask الأتوبيس رقم كام؟. Or, you can add your destination at the end. For example, الأتوبيس رقم كام لوسط البلد؟. This translates to 'Which bus number goes to Downtown?'. It is very flexible and easy to remember. Just keep the word رقم (number) and كام (how many/which) together.

Use it whenever you are standing at a bus stop. It is perfect for asking the person standing next to you. You can also ask the driver as the bus pulls up. Use it when checking directions with a friend over text. It works well in any transit hub like Ramses Station. If you look lost, someone might even ask you this first!

Do not use this for private taxis or Ubers. They do not have route numbers like public buses. Avoid using it in very formal written reports about transport. In those cases, use ما هو رقم الحافلة؟. Also, do not use it for trains or metros. They use different terminology for platforms and lines. If you are in a library, maybe keep it down!

The word أتوبيس comes from the French 'autobus'. This shows the historical European influence on Egyptian infrastructure. In Egypt, buses are often crowded and lively places. People are generally very helpful to foreigners asking for directions. You might end up in a long conversation about your heritage. It is all part of the 'Egyptian hospitality' experience. Don't be surprised if three people try to answer you at once.

You might hear people flip the order. Some say رقم كام الأتوبيس؟ which means the same thing. Others might use the verb 'to ride' and say أركب أتوبيس رقم كام؟. This means 'Which bus number should I ride?'. In some other Arab countries, they say الباص (al-bas) instead. But in Egypt, الأتوبيس is the undisputed king of the road.