Egypt holidays

Underwater explorers: With over 250km of coastal reefs, there’s plenty of opportunity for magical sea adventures. Sharks Bay will guarantee an unforgettable diving experience, whether you’re a green-gilled snorkeller or an expert deep sea swimmer, the Red Sea is renowned for its 1,200 species of fish, 120 of which are found nowhere else in the world. No wonder it’s one of the world’s top destinations for underwater explorations! 

Beach lovers: Soaking up the sun on a powder-soft beach is a highlight of any holiday. While all of Egypt’s sand spots are stunning in themselves, there are a few jewels in the country’s crown: look out for the Sunken City of Sahl Hasheesh Bay, Al Nayzak in Marsa Alam, and Soma Bay, near Hurghada.

Active types: While there are plenty of watersports for you to get involved with on your holiday to Egypt, there’s even more on offer on land. Go rock-climbing in Dahab; kayak along the Nile; head over to Cairo for your history fix. Golfers should check out Makadi Bay holidays for the ultimate 18-hole fairway. And did we mention you can even go skiing on an indoor slope, complete with over 7,000 tons of snow?

Language: The main language spoken in Egypt is Arabic. But don’t worry, English is also widely spoken in many tourist areas, making it easy to communicate.

Currency: The currency used here is the Egyptian pound (E£).

Local time: Egypt is 2 hours ahead of GMT/UK time.

Fly to: Hurghada International Airport (HRG), as well as Sharm El Sheikh (SSH), Cairo (CAI), and Luxor (LXR).

Flight time from the UK: The flight time to Egypt is around 5 hours.

Tourist information: Find out more from the Egyptian Tourism Authority.

Travel advice: Before your holiday to Egypt, check the FCDO website for recommendations and advice on visas, health and more.

Top holiday destinations in Egypt:

• Red Sea
• Hurghada
• Sharm El Sheikh
• El Gouna
• Makadi Bay

By bus: Getting around Red Sea resorts is easy with local minibuses. For trips to Cairo, Luxor or Sinai, use Middle Delta, Upper Egypt, or East Delta buses. Booking ahead is a good idea.

By taxi: It’s easy to flag down a taxi and it’s one of the most convenient ways to get around Egypt. It’s also an inexpensive way to travel. Metered taxis are common in big-name cities such as Cairo, but local resorts tend to have a fixed rate. It’s best to agree on a price before your departure to avoid any confusion.

By shuttle bus: Many hotels operate shuttle buses into town or the nearest beach - simply ask reception for more details.

On the waterfront: Friday night is Marina Party night in El Gouna with live music and dancing beside the bobbing yachts, it's a party-goers’ paradise. 

Ramadan: The fasting month of Ramadan is marked across Egypt, although it won’t be as disruptive in the beach resorts as elsewhere in the country. Immediately afterwards, the festivals of Eid al-Fitr, and later Eid al-Adha, are holidays when Egyptian families will often travel to resorts, so they’re likely to be busier at this time.

Do I need a passport?

You’ll need a valid passport to enter Egypt. Passports must be valid for at least six months from the date you enter the country, otherwise, you won’t be allowed to travel.

For more info on passports and other entry requirements, click through to the UK government's Egypt travel advice.

Do I need a visa?

Yes, British passport holders may need a tourist visa to travel to Egypt, depending on your destination. If you need one, you can get it online by visiting Visa2Egypt and it will be valid for a maximum of three months.

If you’re a British national staying in Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba or Taba, you’ll receive a free entry permission stamp upon arrival. This will be valid for up to 15 days. If you’re planning on travelling outside these areas or staying for longer than 15 days, you’ll need to get a visa.

It’s also possible to obtain a tourist visa when you arrive in Egypt. They’re available at approved bank kiosks in airport arrival halls, before you get to the immigration counter. The cost of a visa is US$25 and they’re valid for a maximum of 30 days. However, it’s strongly recommended that you get one before you travel to avoid any border issues.

Check the FCDO for more Egypt visa information and details of entry requirements to the country. If you have any questions, contact the Egyptian Consulate in London.

Should I get travel health insurance?

You should always buy comprehensive travel and health insurance when you go on holiday. It means you’ll be covered for overseas medical expenses if anything happens, such as medical repatriation and legal costs. Just be sure to check what’s included in your policy before you buy it, and make sure it covers any activities you’ll be doing on holiday.

Any other tips?

It can get very hot in Egypt, so it’s important to stay hydrated. Keep bottled water with you at all times.

Depending on when you’re going on holiday, there may be mosquitoes around. You’ll need to wear insect repellent to ensure you don’t get bitten; it’s available to buy while you’re out there, but it’s worth bringing some along with you in case you can’t find any.

The political situation in the Middle East can be volatile, so please check with your hotel concierge if you want to head off on your own to go exploring. They’ll be able to give you advice on travelling safely in Egypt.