3 popular destinations across Egypt — compare prices from 500+ airlines and OTAs, find the cheapest fares from any UK airport.
Cairo runs daily UK direct flights from Heathrow on BA and EgyptAir, plus Wizz Air from Luton. Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada on the Red Sea are heavy charter destinations from Manchester, Birmingham and Gatwick on TUI and easyJet, peaking November–April for winter sun and diving. Luxor occasionally has direct UK charters; otherwise connect via Cairo.
| Visa (UK passport) | A 30-day tourist visa is required, available on arrival at Cairo, Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada airports for around US$25, or applied for online at visa2egypt.gov.eg before flying. |
|---|---|
| Currency | Egyptian pound (EGP). Cards work in cities, hotels and chain restaurants; cash for bazaars (Khan el-Khalili), taxis and rural areas. ATMs (CIB, HSBC, NBE) widely available. |
| Time zone | EET (UTC+2) — two hours ahead of UK winter, one ahead during BST. |
| Language | Arabic (Egyptian dialect). English in tourist hotels and Cairo upscale areas; basic Arabic helps in souqs. |
| Plug type | Type C/F (European two-pin). EU adaptor needed. |
| Best months | October–April for sightseeing (Cairo, Luxor — pleasantly warm). November–February for Red Sea diving and snorkelling. Avoid June–August (40°C+ in Upper Egypt; though Red Sea coast is fine year-round). |
| Flight times from UK | Cairo (CAI) 5h 0m; Sharm el-Sheikh (SSH) 5h 30m; Hurghada (HRG) 5h 30m; Luxor (LXR) 5h 0m |
Yes — UK passport holders need a 30-day tourist visa. Buy it on arrival at Cairo, Hurghada or Sharm el-Sheikh airports for around US$25 cash, or apply online at visa2egypt.gov.eg before flying. Tourist visas at Sinai-Peninsula entry-only ports are free for stays under 14 days in Sharm/Dahab area only.
Yes — Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada have strong tourism infrastructure and visible police presence. The Sinai interior (St Catherine, Dahab beyond the resort area) has FCDO advisories — check gov.uk before travel. Resort areas have been overwhelmingly safe for over a decade.
November (post-summer end) and May (post-Easter) are cheapest direct Red Sea fares — often £200–£350 return. Christmas and New Year are peak. Cairo runs different demand: spring and autumn are best.
For Red Sea beach: package usually wins on total price, especially all-inclusive deals from TUI, easyJet Holidays and Jet2. For Cairo + Nile cruise + Luxor cultural trips, DIY booking with a local tour operator (G Adventures, Intrepid) often gives more flexibility for similar money.
Yes — the Red Sea has some of the most accessible coral reef diving worldwide. Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab (further south Sinai) and Hurghada offer year-round dive operators with PADI/SSI courses. Visibility regularly 25 m+; water 22–28°C year-round.
