Lots of people who visit Egypt also visit Israel as a second destination before returning to their home countries. Getting from Israel to Egypt, whether to the Sinai area or the Cairo region, is a journey filled with exciting possibilities. The two countries share a border, making travel between them relatively straightforward. It takes about four to five hours by road from Tel Aviv to Sinai, and roughly six to eight hours from Tel Aviv to Cairo. Visiting Cairo and Egypt from Israel is a popular extension to a trip to Israel for many visitors. Many tours and transportation options readily available which make it easy and relatively cheap to visit Egypt. Cairo is one of the world’s largest and greatest metropolises.
Here's a detailed guide on how to navigate this trip, covering various transportation options, border crossing information, and essential tips for a smooth journey.
Best Ways to Travel from Israel to Egypt
There are several ways to make the trip, but here are the best options for convenience, cost, and the overall travel experience.
Joining a Tour
Joining a tour is the easiest, recommended, and most hassle-free way to travel from Israel to Egypt. Many tours depart from Tel Aviv and other major Israeli cities, offering itineraries that cover the best of Egypt’s attractions. These tours allow you to start and finish in different cities, giving you flexibility in planning your trip.
Whether you’re interested in exploring the ancient wonders of Cairo, the pristine beaches of Sinai, or the rich cultural heritage of Luxor, there’s a tour that suits your needs. Check out the range of Israel to Egypt tours available.
Read also: Travel: Egypt - Israel
The tours from Eilat to Cairo and Egypt are fully guided, and importantly, operate with full coordination with the Egyptian authorities for security and safety matters. An Egyptian plain-clothed police officer is usually assigned to tourist groups to give an added element of peace of mind for visitors to the country.
Incredible Pyramid Day Tour | Exploring the Ancient Wonders of Cairo, Egypt
Popular Tour Options:
- Three day tour to Cairo: $249 per person. A three-day tour to Cairo, including a visit to the Pyramids of Giza and the Egypt National Museum.
- Four day tour to Cairo, Luxor and more highlights of Egypt: $939 per person. The ultimate four-day tour of Egypt, visiting Cairo in depth, plus Luxor.
All of the tours outlined above are available with an optional flight transfer from Tel Aviv to Eilat. Flying from Tel Aviv to Eilat takes around 45 minutes, and the check in process is much quicker than international flights. The additional cost for adding the flights before and after the tour is approximately $100 each way.
Other Ways to Get from Israel to Egypt
By Bus
Public buses are a cost-effective way to travel from Israel to Egypt. While there’s no direct bus service, you can take a shuttle from Tel Aviv to Eilat and then cross the Taba Border into Egypt. From there, local buses and taxis can take you to your desired location in Egypt.
At the time of writing, a bus ticket from Cairo to Taba cost between US$4 and US$8, depending on which bus service you use. The journey from Cairo to Taba by bus takes around 8h 45m. If you are going to be traveling from Sharm El-Sheikh to Israel, your cheapest option for getting to the Taba border crossing would be to travel by bus, at a cost of around US$5.
By Car
Renting a car or hiring a taxi is another option. From Eilat, it’s an easy drive across the border into Sinai or a longer journey to Cairo. Remember to check the requirements for driving in Egypt, including international driver’s licenses, car insurance, and different road rules than what you’re familiar with.
Read also: Egypt-Israel Treaty
By Air
For those short on time, flying can be the fastest way to get from Israel to Egypt. Regular flights operate from Tel Aviv to Cairo, with a duration of about 1.5 hours. This option might be more costly, but it saves considerable travel time.
As of the time of writing, EgyptAir was the only airline company offering direct flights between the two countries, from Cairo International Airport in Egypt, to Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel. If you are going to be flying to Israel from one of Egypt’s other international airports, such as Luxor Airport or Sharm El-Sheikh Airport, you will have to make do with indirect flights that typically make a short stop in Cairo.
Private Transfers
For a more comfortable journey, consider pre-booking a private transfer. This option offers the convenience of a pick-up from your location in Israel and a drop-off at your destination in Egypt.
By Ferry or Boat
If you’re not in a rush, consider taking a ferry from Eilat to the Sinai Peninsula. It’s a beautiful journey across the Red Sea and a unique way to enter Egypt.
Taba Border Crossing
The only land border crossing that is consistently open for visitors wanting to cross from Egypt into Israel, is the Egyptian border crossing near to the popular Taba Red Sea resort. The Taba Border Crossing is relatively easy to cross, being geared to handle tourists and therefore relatively efficient as Middle Eastern border crossings go.
Read also: Current dynamics in Egypt-Israel relations
From the Taba Border Crossing to Cairo, there are different transportation options available. Generally the bus service is not available to tourists as it passes through areas of Northern Sinai which are not accessible by tourists. As a result, transfers are provided by local companies or taxi companies.
Important Considerations
Visas
Of course, it goes without saying that all foreign nationals need to be in possession of a valid passport and a valid visa in order to enter both Egypt and Israel. Full Egyptian visas, required for visits to Cairo, are no longer issued here on the spot. It is crucial that you pre-arrange this prior to approaching the border. Tour operators are able to do this, but traveling independently requires you to to go the Egyptian Embassy ahead of time.
Good news: an Egyptian visa and/or Egyptian stamps in your passport will not prevent you from entering Israel. Yes, the Egyptian authorities don’t care if you have been to Israel or not.
Safety and Security
At the time of this post being written, the American government, the government of Canada, and most other Western governments were advising their citizens to avoid all non-essential travel in South Sinai, and to avoid all travel in North Sinai. These warnings were issued due to concerns about possible terrorist attacks and the overall security situation.
Most travelers from Israel to Cairo and Egypt opt to travel with a guaranteed departure tour. This option is often the most cost effective, as well as being the most hassle-free and tourist friendly. It gives tourists a greater level of security than they might feel traveling independently by bus or taxi.
Before you go, tell local authorities of your planned travel. Ask them about current risks and precautions for your route and destination. If you travel around Egypt, you may be stopped at military and civilian checkpoints.
International borders in Israel and Palestine could close at short notice, including the Taba border crossing between Israel and Egypt. No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions.
Travel Insurance and COVID-19 Regulations
In Egypt, travel insurance is not mandatory for tourists, and as of June 2022, there were no longer any Covid-19 travel restrictions in places. Both vaccinated and unvaccinated tourists were welcome to visit Egypt.
In Israel, things are somewhat different. To begin with, travel health insurance is mandatory for all foreign nationals, and your insurance must also cover Covid-19 treatment. You will need to show proof of this before you will be allowed to enter the country. You will also need to show proof of your Covid-19 vaccination status or proof of Covid-19 recovery.
Departure Taxes
As of the time of writing, Egypt was not charging an exit fee for tourists leaving the country. In Israel, the departure tax was higher, at around US$65. It should be noted that some travel agents include these fees in the cost of their tours, but many do not, so it is the client’s responsibility to pay any mandatory departure taxes.
Additional Tips
- Whatever option you choose, you should book your airline tickets well in advance.
- If you travel around Egypt, you may be stopped at military and civilian checkpoints.
- Rules apply to people entering the Sinai, including via the Ahmed Hamdi tunnel.
- Travel to the Sinai in a 4WD vehicle may be restricted if you don't hold a valid permit.
- You need permission to cross borders on the main sealed roads, including at the borders with Libya, Sudan, Israel and parts of the Sinai.
- Road travel to Abu Simbel, 40km north of the Sudanese border, can be dangerous.
- There's a high threat of terrorist attacks within 40km of Egypt's border with Libya.
- Road conditions are very poor. Where possible, avoid travelling by road. Take extra care if you plan to ride a motorbike.
- Avoid taxis, especially if you're a woman and on your own.
- All forms of shipping are attractive targets for pirates.
- Sharks and other potentially dangerous aquatic animals are in Egyptian waters. Certain beaches and dive areas may be subject to temporary closures. Exercise caution and seek advice from local authorities.
Summary of Transportation Options
| Transportation | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Tours | Hassle-free, secure, guided | Less flexibility |
| Bus | Cost-effective | No direct service, potential security concerns |
| Car | Flexibility | Requires international license, insurance, and familiarity with local traffic laws |
| Air | Fastest | More expensive |
| Private Transfers | Comfortable, convenient | More expensive |
| Ferry/Boat | Scenic | Time-consuming |
Popular articles:
tags: #Egypt
