Travel to Egypt

Flying to Egypt

Egypt is well served by international airlines that fly direct from around the world, including multiple routes operated by its national carrier, EgyptAir (www.egyptair.com). British Airways (www.ba.com) offers direct flights from the UK. The main international airports are in Cairo, Alexandria, Sharm el Sheikh, Luxor, Marsa Alam and Aswan. Charter flights depart mainly from Europe and the Middle East into the Red Sea coast airports.

The most expensive time to fly is spring and autumn, with the cheapest time of year being during the months of July and August.

Major airports are: Cairo International Airport, Sharm El-Sheik International Airport, Hurghada International Airport.

Notes

 From 22 October 2019, UK airlines can resume flights to Sharm el-Sheikh after lifting the travel ban, which was imposed in four years earlier following security concerns.

Airport Guides

Flight times

To Cairo: from London - 4 hours 40 minutes; New York - 10 hours 30 minutes.

Departure tax

Included in the air fare.

Travelling to Egypt by Rail

There are no international rail links to any of Egypt's northwestern neighbours. The railheads at Aswan and Wadi Halfa, in Sudan, are connected by a ferry across Lake Nasser.

Driving to Egypt

Egypt, which is bordered by Sudan in the south, Libya to the west, Israel and the Gaza strip to the east and the Mediterranean Sea to the north, is not easily accessed by road and bureaucracy at border points can prevent entry by both car drivers and coaches. The border crossing to Israel at Rafah is closed.

Getting to Egypt by boat

There are currently no ferry routes linking Egypt with mainland Europe. Daily ferries ply the route between Nuweiba and Taba on Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula and Aqaba in Jordan. There is an intermittent ferry service along the Nile between Wadi Halfa in Sudan and Egypt’s High Dam, and a car ferry service from Jeddah to Suez via the Suez canal.

Water note

Ferries arrive and depart from the seafront ferry terminal building in Nuweiba and the Taba Heights marina in Taba for the daily trips to Jordan.

Cruise ships

Many cruise ships stop over in Egypt as part of their African itinerary, usually disembarking at Alexandria or Port Said.

Ferry operators

The ferry service operating between Nuweiba and Taba in South Sinai and Aqaba is run by the AB Maritime. Namma Shipping Lines connect Safaga with Jeddah and with Duba in Saudi Arabia.

River Routes

Ferry times can vary according to the time of year and weather.