Gap 360 is now Adventure360. New name, same great adventures.
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A land of ancient wonders and vibrant culture, Egypt invites travellers on a mesmerizing journey. Explore the iconic pyramids of Giza, marvelling at the architectural prowess of the ancient Egyptians. Cruise along the mystical Nile River, witnessing picturesque landscapes and visiting the temples of Luxor and Karnak. Immerse yourself in the bustling streets of Cairo, where the vibrant markets of Khan El Khalili offer a sensory adventure. From the serene beauty of the Red Sea's coral reefs to the historic treasures of Luxor and Aswan, Egypt offers a blend of history, adventure, and natural beauty that captivates the imagination.
Travelling through Egypt means diving deep into its rich tapestry of culture and heritage. Encounter the warmth of Egyptian hospitality as you interact with friendly locals, savour delicious Egyptian cuisine, and experience traditional music and dance performances. Step back in time as you explore ancient tombs and temples, gaining insights into the fascinating history of this extraordinary civilization. Egypt's unique blend of archaeological wonders, natural landscapes, and cultural experiences promises an unforgettable travel experience that will leave you in awe.
Name a more iconic archaeological site than the Great Pyramid of Giza - we’ll wait. Epic history comes alive at Egypt’s crown jewel, famed as the sole surviving Ancient Wonder of the World. Get ready to feel starstruck as it resides over you, glowing pure gold under the sunlight, with surrounding pyramids and the Sphinx of Giza in its company.
Welcome to Cairo, the electric capital that never sleeps. Trace the footsteps of pharaohs at Egypt’s most legendary sites, then make your own stories by exploring colourful artisan stalls at the souk markets. These days, Cairo is a tale of two cities: its ancient heart and the bustling, modern metropolis that encompasses it.
Cruising the River Nile needs to be at the top of your Egypt bucket list. Set sail along the glistening sapphire waters, relishing in the views of amber dunes and shady palm trees. Flood your camera roll with the most stunning photos at sunset, not to mention all the alluring attractions calling out to be explored as you glide along.
Luxor has rightfully earned its reputation as the world’s greatest open-air museum. Let this historic city transport you back in time, with magnificent tombs and temples unfolding before your eyes. Get ready to experience the legacy of ancient Egypt in all its glory. Saying it’s a dream come true doesn’t even cover it.
The Valley of the Kings is home to 63 discovered royal tombs and infinite mysteries. Egypt’s most impressive ancient burial site is hidden in the heart of Luxor’s isolated valley terrain. Wanderlust hits you as you stroll along the wooden bridges, marvelling at the hieroglyphs that cover each wall, and visit the tombs of famous pharaohs.
Live like a pharaoh in Hurghada, where sun-kissed shores beckon. Go for a dip in those famously crystal-clear waters, or cruise to the legendary Red Sea, where you can go snorkelling with the best of Egypt’s marine life. Feel the sand between your toes as sunset fades over the turquoise ocean, guaranteed to make your jaw drop.
Aswan is easily one of the most enchanting gems explored on our Egypt trips. It instantly draws you in with the most awe-inspiring temples, from the towering figurines of Abu Simbel to the secluded island of Philae. Dig a little deeper and you’ll uncover every shade of the rainbow at the traditional Nubian villages. What’s not to love?
The food scene in Egypt is seriously underrated. Similar to Mediterranean cuisines but with its own unique twist, the food of the Pharaohs is hearty, aromatic and infused with many herbs and spices. Koshary is a local favourite. Made of layered pasta, rice, lentils, chickpeas, fried onions and tomato sauce, it’s filling, cheap and delicious. Shawarma (meat cut into thin slices and stacked on a spit before slow-roasting) is best eaten from a street stall (look for the one with the longest queue of locals!). Falafel is a veggie standard here, as it is across much of the Middle East, but is traditionally made with fava beans rather than chickpeas. Fuul mudammas is the breakfast staple. Slow-cooked, mashed fava beans flavoured with tomatoes, garlic and cumin, fuul can be eaten as a dish itself or stuffed into pitta. Either way, it’s delicious. Generally speaking, you can eat very well, even if you don’t have a massive budget, especially if you make use of the street stalls, which is often where the best food is to be found anyway.
Egypt has a hot, desert climate. It’s extremely dry all over the country, apart from the northern Mediterranean coast, which receives rainfall in winter. Some mountainous areas have cooler temperatures, especially at night.
Visas may be required depending on your nationality, travel plans, and length of stay. Below are the FCDO travel advice for British travellers. Entry rules can change at any time, so always check with the relevant embassy before travelling.
To make things easier, we’ve partnered with The Travel Visa Company, a UK-based visa specialist. Their team can guide you on requirements and, for a fee, apply for visas on your behalf.
This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Egypt’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
The authorities in Egypt set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Egyptian Consulate General in the UK.
To enter Egypt, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive and have at least one blank page.
Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document.
When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.
British passport holders travelling to Egypt normally need a visa.
If you are arriving by air to Sharm El-Sheikh and staying for less than 15 days at resorts in Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba or Taba, you do not need a visa. You will get a free entry permission stamp on arrival at Sharm El-Sheikh Airport. If you plan to travel outside the resorts or stay more than 15 days, you must get a visa. You can get a visa at Sharm El-Sheikh Airport or online.
If you arrive in South Sinai by land through the Taba Border Crossing, see ‘Entering Egypt from Israel’.
You can apply for a visa:
British passport holders from British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies cannot apply online.
You can apply for a visa extension at the Egyptian Passport and Immigration Offices. If you try to leave Egypt on an expired visa, you may face difficulties, including a fine if your visa has expired by more than 14 days. Contact the Egyptian Consulate General in the UK for more information.
You do not need to buy a visa from an agent. Agents often charge more than the required 30 US dollars. If an agent harasses you, report the incident to the tourist police in the airport terminal.
You may be denied entry if your gender expression or physical appearance does not match the sex marker in your passport or your passport photograph. See general advice for LGBT+ travellers
If you plan to cross the border from Israel into Egypt at Taba, we recommend you bring at least 170 US dollars (cash) per person, with some extra US dollars in cash to cover any further expenses. Since early March 2026, border crossing charges at Taba have been subject to increases at short notice.
If staying in Taba, travellers will need to pay a border tax of 20 US dollars. The border tax allows you to obtain an entry permission stamp for a stay of up to 15 days
If travelling further than Taba, including to Sharm El-Sheikh, but remaining within the Sinai Peninsula, travellers will need to pay a border tax of 120 US dollars. The border tax allows you to obtain an entry permission stamp for a stay of up to 15 days
If travelling beyond the Sinai Peninsula, including to fly from airports such as Cairo and Hurghada, travellers will need to pay a border tax of 120 US dollars and purchase a standard entry visa for 30 US dollars. At Taba, this entry visa also requires a “letter of guarantee”, provided by travel agents and costing around 20 USD. Both the visa and the “letter of guarantee” can be purchased at the Border Crossing
If travelling by car through the Taba Border Crossing, you may also be required to pay 100 US dollars, with additional charges for parking.
Please note that ATMs at the Taba Border Crossing are unreliable and frequently run out of cash. Travellers should obtain US dollars before travelling or in Eilat before arriving at the Crossing as all payments are required in cash.
Border officials may ask travellers to remove hats, coats or other items of clothing, including religious clothing, as they pass through the Taba Border Crossing terminal.
Ferry services operate between Aqaba, Jordan and Taba Heights and Nuweiba in Egypt. Contact ferry operators directly for schedules and availability. Please check Travel Advice for Jordan for latest on exit requirements.
If your stay in Sinai will exceed 15 days, or you are planning to travel in Egypt beyond the Sinai Peninsula, including to fly from mainland airports, for example Cairo or Hurghada, you will need an entry visa. If entering at Taba Heights, this costs 35 US dollars. If entering at Nuweiba, this costs 30 US dollars. Visas can be purchased at the port terminals. Travellers should obtain USD in cash before travelling given payments are often required in cash.
The situation at the Egypt-Sudan border remains unclear. There are 2 main land border crossings, Qustul and Argeen. There is almost no infrastructure at these crossings, and it is no longer possible to obtain a visa on arrival at these locations. The Egyptian consulate is based in Wadi Halfa, 30km from the border, applications for Egyptian visas can be made here, but visa approvals can take upwards of 6 months.
The British Embassy in Cairo does not have staff at the border and our ability to provide assistance is very limited. Travel in and from Sudan is at your own risk. See Sudan travel advice.
If you are a British national and have crossed into Egypt from Sudan without valid documents, contact the British Embassy in Cairo for support.
To enter Egypt, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.
For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Egypt guide.
You will need to show HIV test results to apply for a work permit.
There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Egypt. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. Contact the Egyptian Consulate General in the UK for more information about customs rules.
You can bring up to 5,000 Egyptian pounds into or out of Egypt.
You must declare foreign currency worth more than 10,000 US dollars on arrival – there is no limit to the amount of foreign currency you can bring.
You should declare high value electronic devices and recording equipment when you arrive. Officials are likely to confiscate satellite phones or radio communications equipment unless you have prior clearance from the Ministry of Telecommunications.
Egyptians are warm, welcoming, good-humoured people. However, Egypt is a predominantly Islamic country and local laws and customs reflect this. This is especially relevant during the holy month of Ramadan.
