Egypt

Egypt is North Africa's most visited country and a major aviation hub connecting Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. The country's ancient monuments—the Pyramids of Giza, temples of Luxor, and tombs of the Valley of the Kings—draw millions of visitors annually, while Red Sea resorts attract beach and diving tourism year-round.

Cairo International Airport (CAI) is the main gateway and EgyptAir's hub, handling the majority of international traffic. For Red Sea resorts, Hurghada (HRG) and Sharm el-Sheikh (SSH) receive direct charter and scheduled flights from Europe, bypassing Cairo entirely. Luxor (LXR) serves travelers heading directly to Upper Egypt's archaeological sites.

Egypt's strategic location makes it a natural transit point, with Cairo offering connections between Europe, Africa, and the Gulf states. EgyptAir, a Star Alliance member, operates an extensive network from its Cairo hub.

Cairo

Airport	Code	Role	Airlines
Cairo International	CAI	Main hub, EgyptAir base	EgyptAir, most international carriers

Cairo International (CAI) — Egypt's primary gateway and busiest airport. Three terminals:

• Terminal 2: EgyptAir domestic and regional
• Terminal 3: EgyptAir international and Star Alliance partners
• Terminal 1: Other international airlines

Located 22 km northeast of central Cairo. 30-60 minutes to city center depending on traffic. Metro line planned but not yet complete—taxi or rideshare is the main option.

Red Sea Resorts

Airport	Code	Serves	Notes
Hurghada International	HRG	Hurghada, El Gouna	Charter hub, direct Europe flights
Sharm el-Sheikh International	SSH	Sharm el-Sheikh	Sinai resort gateway
Marsa Alam International	RMF	Southern Red Sea	Diving resorts

Hurghada (HRG) — Primary Red Sea resort airport. Heavy charter traffic from Europe (Germany, UK, Russia, Poland). Many package tourists fly direct, never passing through Cairo. International terminal renovated with modern facilities.

Sharm el-Sheikh (SSH) — Gateway to Sinai Peninsula resorts. Popular with European and Russian tourists. Located on the southern tip of Sinai, 10 km from Sharm el-Sheikh town. Direct flights from major European cities.

Upper Egypt

Luxor International (LXR) — Gateway to ancient Thebes, Valley of the Kings, and Karnak Temple. Small but functional airport receiving both domestic flights and some international charters. 6 km from Luxor city center.

Aswan International (ASW) — Serves Egypt's southernmost city and Abu Simbel day trips. Mostly domestic flights from Cairo; some seasonal international.

Flag Carrier

EgyptAir (MS) — Egypt's national carrier and Star Alliance member since 2008. Hub at Cairo Terminal 3. Operates to 80+ destinations across Africa, Middle East, Europe, Asia, and North America. Regional subsidiary EgyptAir Express serves domestic routes.

EgyptAir offers one of the better networks for travel within Africa and to Middle Eastern destinations. Fleet includes Boeing 787 Dreamliners and Airbus A320neo aircraft.

Domestic Airlines

• Nile Air (NP) — Private Egyptian carrier. CAI base. Domestic and regional routes to Gulf, Middle East
• Air Cairo (SM) — EgyptAir subsidiary. Charter and scheduled flights, especially to Red Sea resorts

International Airlines

Major carriers serving Egypt:

• Lufthansa, Air France, British Airways — European gateways
• Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad — Gulf connections
• Turkish Airlines — Istanbul hub connections
• Royal Jordanian, Saudia — Regional Middle East
• Ethiopian Airlines — African connections

Charter airlines (to Red Sea resorts):

• TUI, Condor — Germany
• easyJet, Jet2 — UK
• LOT, Wizz Air — Eastern Europe
• Aeroflot, Rossiya — Russia (when operating)

E-Visa

Egypt offers an e-visa for citizens of 74 countries including USA, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, Japan, and South Korea.

• Apply at: visa2egypt.gov.eg
• Cost: $25 single entry, $60 multiple entry
• Processing: 5-7 business days (apply at least 1 week before travel)
• Validity: 90 days from issue, 30-day stay

Visa on Arrival

Available at Egyptian airports for many nationalities including:

• USA, Canada, UK, EU/Schengen
• Australia, New Zealand
• Japan, South Korea

Cost: $25 USD (cash, exact amount preferred) Stay: 30 days

E-visa recommended to avoid airport queues, but visa on arrival works reliably for eligible nationalities.

Visa Required (Pre-Application)

Some nationalities must apply at an Egyptian embassy before travel. Check requirements for your specific passport.

Passport Requirements

• Valid for at least 6 months from arrival
• At least one blank page

Sinai Only Permit

A free 15-day permit is available for visitors staying only in the Sinai Peninsula (Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab, Taba). Stamped at SSH airport. Does not allow travel to mainland Egypt or Cairo.

Official information: visa2egypt.gov.eg

Domestic Flights

Flying is the fastest option for longer distances:

Route	Flight Time	Frequency
Cairo → Luxor	1 hour	Multiple daily
Cairo → Aswan	1.5 hours	Several daily
Cairo → Hurghada	1 hour	Multiple daily
Cairo → Sharm el-Sheikh	1 hour	Multiple daily

EgyptAir dominates domestic routes. Book through their website or at the airport. Prices reasonable ($50-150 one-way depending on route and timing).

Trains

Egypt's rail network connects Cairo with major cities:

Cairo to Alexandria: 2-2.5 hours, frequent service. First-class trains comfortable and affordable.

Cairo to Luxor/Aswan: Overnight sleeper trains popular with tourists.

• Watania Sleeping Trains: Modern sleepers, dinner/breakfast included
• Departs Cairo evening, arrives Luxor early morning (10 hours)
• Book through travel agent or Watania website

Standard trains also available but less comfortable for longer journeys.

Intercity Buses

GoBus, Blue Bus — Modern, air-conditioned buses between major cities:

• Cairo to Alexandria: 2.5 hours
• Cairo to Hurghada: 5-6 hours
• Cairo to Sharm el-Sheikh: 6-7 hours (includes ferry or Suez crossing)

Book online or at bus stations. Affordable option if not time-constrained.

Car Rental

Available but not generally recommended:

• Traffic in Cairo is chaotic
• Road conditions variable outside cities
• Driving culture very different from Western norms
• Checkpoints common, especially in Sinai

Consider hiring a driver for day trips if needed.

Taxis and Rideshare

• Uber, Careem: Available in Cairo and Alexandria. Recommended over street taxis
• Airport taxis: Use official taxi counters for fixed rates
• Street taxis: Negotiate fare before riding; can be challenging

Nile Cruises

Popular way to travel between Luxor and Aswan:

• 3-4 night cruises typical
• Stop at temples along the way (Edfu, Kom Ombo)
• Book through tour operators

Peak Season (October-April)

Best weather for sightseeing. Warm days (20-28°C), cool evenings. High season for archaeological sites. Book accommodation and tours in advance for Luxor/Aswan.

December-January: Christmas/New Year peak. Highest prices.

Shoulder Season (September, May)

Warming/cooling transitions. Good value, manageable heat. May can reach 35°C in Luxor/Aswan.

Low Season (June-August)

Extreme heat: 40-45°C in Upper Egypt, making outdoor sightseeing difficult. However:

• Red Sea resorts remain popular (coastal breezes, water activities)
• Cairo museums, malls offer air-conditioned relief
• Significant discounts on Nile cruises and hotels

Regional Variations

Region	Best Time	Notes
Cairo	Oct-Apr	Hot summers but manageable
Luxor/Aswan	Nov-Feb	Very hot rest of year
Red Sea	Year-round	Water temp 22-28°C
Sinai	Year-round	Desert climate
Alexandria	May-Sep	Mediterranean summer

Weather Overview

Location	Winter (Dec-Feb)	Summer (Jun-Aug)
Cairo	15-20°C	30-35°C
Luxor	20-25°C	40-45°C
Hurghada	20-25°C	30-35°C
Alexandria	12-18°C	25-30°C

Ancient Sites

Site	Nearest Airport	Notes
Pyramids of Giza	CAI	30 min from Cairo, include Sphinx
Valley of the Kings	LXR	Pharaohs' tombs, Tutankhamun
Karnak Temple	LXR	Massive temple complex
Luxor Temple	LXR	Central Luxor, illuminated at night
Abu Simbel	ASW	Ramesses II temples, fly or drive from Aswan
Saqqara	CAI	Step Pyramid, 1 hour south of Cairo

Cities

City	Airport	Known For
Cairo	CAI	Pyramids, Egyptian Museum, Islamic Cairo
Alexandria	HBE/CAI	Mediterranean city, Bibliotheca, history
Luxor	LXR	Open-air museum, temples, tombs
Aswan	ASW	Nubian culture, felucca sailing, temples

Red Sea Resorts

Resort	Airport	Known For
Hurghada	HRG	Beach resorts, diving, nightlife
Sharm el-Sheikh	SSH	Diving, Ras Mohammed National Park
Dahab	SSH	Budget diving, backpacker scene, windsurfing
Marsa Alam	RMF	Pristine reefs, dugong sightings
El Gouna	HRG	Upscale resort town, lagoons

Day Trips

• Abu Simbel: Fly from Aswan (30 min) or drive 3 hours
• White Desert: Overnight from Cairo via Bahariya Oasis
• Siwa Oasis: 8-hour drive from Cairo or Alexandria

Money

• Currency: Egyptian Pound (EGP, LE, E£)
• Exchange: ATMs widely available in cities and resorts. Banks and exchange offices at airports
• Cards: Accepted at hotels, restaurants, larger shops. Cash needed for small purchases, taxis, markets
• USD: Widely accepted for tourist services (hotels, tours) and sometimes preferred
• Tipping (Baksheesh): Expected everywhere—guides, drivers, hotel staff, restroom attendants. Keep small bills handy

Bargaining

Expected at bazaars and markets (Khan el-Khalili). Not applicable in fixed-price shops and malls. Start at 30-50% of asking price.

Electrical

• Voltage: 220V, 50Hz
• Plug types: Type C (European two-pin) and Type F (Schuko)
• Adapters: UK and US travelers need adapters

Connectivity

• Mobile carriers: Vodafone, Orange, Etisalat
• Tourist SIM: Available at airports. Bring passport, expect 100-200 EGP for basic data plan
• eSIM: Works well. Airalo, Holafly available
• WiFi: Available in hotels and cafes. Quality varies

Safety

Egypt is generally safe for tourists, with significant security presence at major sites. Standard precautions:

• Use official taxis or Uber/Careem
• Keep valuables secure in crowded areas
• Women may experience unwanted attention—dress modestly, ignore or firmly decline
• Avoid isolated areas at night
• Check government travel advisories for current situation, especially regarding Sinai

Health

• Tap water: Don't drink—use bottled water
• Food: Eat at busy restaurants; be cautious with street food
• Sun protection: Essential, especially in Upper Egypt
• Heat: Stay hydrated, limit midday exposure in summer

Cultural Notes

• Dress: Modest dress appreciated, especially at religious sites. Cover shoulders and knees
• Photography: Ask permission for portraits. Some sites charge camera fees
• Friday: Mosques busiest at Friday noon prayer
• Ramadan: Restaurants may close during daylight; be respectful. Evenings become lively after iftar

Useful Apps

• Uber/Careem: Rideshare (essential for Cairo)
• Google Translate: Arabic offline pack
• Maps.me: Offline maps
• Currency converter: EGP fluctuates

• Tourism: egypt.travel
• E-Visa: visa2egypt.gov.eg
• EgyptAir: egyptair.com
• Cairo Airport: cairo-airport.com
• Watania Sleeper Trains: wataniasleepingtrains.com
• GoBus: go-bus.com