Travelling To Egypt

Air

Egypt is a pioneer of air transport in the Middle East and Egypt Airlines connects almost all parts of the world, including 72 world cities in addition to 12 Egyptian cities, which is good news for investors of property in Egypt.

There are many airlines serving Egypt from the UK. New services and fares are constantly being added to their routes, so you should refer to the following airlines for more details:

British Airways
Egyptair
Excel Airways
First Choice
Flythomascook.com
GB Airways
Sudan Airways
ThomsonFly

If you have the budget, flying within Egypt is your best option. Egyptair flies daily from Cairo to Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel and Hurghada, and twice a week to Kharga Oasis. Egyptair has booking offices throughout Egypt if you decide to buy a ticket while you are visiting. It is adviseable to book well in advance during peak season.

Air Sinai (a subsidiary of Egyptair) flies from Cairo to Hurghada, Al Arish, Taba, Sharm el Sheikh, St. Catherine's Monastery, El Tor, and to Tel Aviv, Israel.

Egyptair Offices:

Alexandria: 19 Midan Zaghloul. Tel: 492-0778.
Cairo: 6 Adli Street, Tel: 920-000; 12 Qasr el Nil Street, Tel: 750-600; Nile Hilton Hotel, Tel: 759-703; Cairo Sheraton, Tel: 958-408.
Heliopolis: 22 Ibrahim el Lakani, Tel: 668-552.
Luxor: Winter Palace Arcade
Aswan: Corniche.

Train

Trains are an excellent way to travel within Egypt. Trains are sometimes air-conditioned express versions. However, trains do not go to Sinai or the main beach destinations of Hurghada and Sharm el Sheikh.

Ferries

Ferries operate from Greece and Cyprus to Alexandria.

The River Nile

The romance of a Nile Cruise has captured tourists’ imaginations for many years. The Nile Cruise used to be the only way tourists could get to the tombs and temples of Luxor and today you can get excellent package deals, usually ranging from 4-7 days. Most boats depart from Luxor, sailing down to Aswan, with stops at Esna, Edfu and Kom Ombo.

Bus

Buses range from modern luxury to overcrowded and uncomfortable. In general, the faster and more luxurious buses will run between major cities and tourist destinations. Tickets can be bought at bus stations and often on the bus itself.

Across Borders

From Israel

Private cars are not permitted to enter Egypt from Israel. However public transport is available via Rafah on the northern coast of Sinai or from Eilat on the Red Sea. Buses run regularly from Tel Aviv and Jerusalem to the border at Rafah. Passengers go on foot from an Israeli vehicle, go through customs, then take an Egyptian bus or taxi. Remember that there are no facilities for issuing visas at the Rafah border. In Eilat, Israeli buses are permitted to enter Egypt and travel as far as Sharm el Shaykh at the southern tip of the Sinai.

From Sudan

There is a twice-weekly car ferry that runs the length of Lake Nasser, from Wadi Halfa in the Sudan to Aswan in Egypt. Information is available from the Nile Navigation Company Limited, Ramses Square (in the train station), and Nile Maritime Agency, 8 Quasr el Nil, both in Cairo or the Nile Company for River Transport, 7 Atlas Building, Aswan. All arrangements to enter Sudan, including visas, must be made in Cairo. You will need a valid passport and either a transit or tourist visa to Sudan. If you plan to pass through Sudan you must have a visa for your next destination.