Cheap flights to Egypt

Flights from the UK to Egypt take approximately 4.5–5.5 hours depending on your destination. London to Cairo is around 5 hours. Flights to the Red Sea resorts of Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada from London are approximately 4.5–5 hours. Flights from UK regional airports are similar. Egypt is one of the most accessible North African and Middle Eastern destinations from the UK — comparable in flight time to long-haul within Europe.

Egypt is a year-round destination with the best time varying by region. Cairo and Luxor are most comfortable October to April — avoiding the extreme summer heat (July–August can reach 40–45°C in Upper Egypt). November to February is peak season for cultural tourism — mild temperatures of 18–26°C are ideal for exploring the pyramids, Luxor temples, and Nile cruises. The Red Sea resorts (Sharm el-Sheikh, Hurghada) are popular year-round for diving and beach holidays, with the warmest sea temperatures May–October and milder winters around 20–23°C — making them a popular winter sun destination for UK visitors.

Egypt has several international airports. Cairo International Airport (CAI) is the main hub and Egypt's largest airport, handling all major scheduled international services. Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport (SSH) is the primary gateway for the South Sinai resort area. Hurghada International Airport (HRG) serves the Red Sea Riviera resort strip. Luxor International Airport (LXR) and Aswan International Airport (ASW) serve Upper Egypt's ancient sites. Marsa Alam International Airport (RMF) serves the southern Red Sea coast. Most UK charter flights arrive at Sharm el-Sheikh or Hurghada.

The cheapest time to fly to Egypt from the UK is during spring (March–May) and autumn (September–October) for the Red Sea resorts, when it is the shoulder season between the peak winter sun and summer diving periods. For Cairo and cultural tourism, late April to May and September can offer competitive fares before and after the peak November–February season. The shoulder periods also offer some of the best weather for exploring ancient sites without the extreme summer heat.

Egypt is 2 hours ahead of the UK during Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) in winter (EET, UTC+2), and 1 hour ahead during British Summer Time (BST), as Egypt does not observe Daylight Saving Time. This means the time difference varies throughout the year — 2 hours ahead from late October to late March, and 1 hour ahead from late March to late October. Always check current local time before important calls or connections.

Arabic is the official language of Egypt. Egyptian Arabic (Masri) is the most widely spoken and understood dialect in the Arab world, largely due to Egypt's influential film and television industry. English is very widely spoken in tourist areas — hotels, restaurants, tour operators, and major historical sites across Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Sharm el-Sheikh, and Hurghada. In resort areas, staff at hotels and restaurants typically speak English to a very good standard. Away from tourist areas and in rural Upper Egypt, Arabic is the primary language. French is also spoken by some educated Egyptians. Learning a few Arabic phrases — 'Marhaba' (hello), 'Shukran' (thank you) — is warmly received.

UK driving licence holders can drive in Egypt using their valid UK driving licence together with an International Driving Permit (IDP). Egypt drives on the right. Driving in Cairo is an extremely intense experience — traffic is chaotic, road rules are inconsistently observed, and driving styles can be alarming for UK drivers. Outside Cairo, road conditions vary considerably. Driving between Luxor and Aswan or along the Red Sea coast is more manageable. For most tourists, hiring a private driver or joining organised tours and excursions is significantly more practical, affordable, and less stressful than self-driving.

Yes — there are many direct non-stop flights from the UK to Egypt. EgyptAir operates direct services from London Heathrow to Cairo. British Airways also flies direct from Heathrow to Cairo. For the Red Sea resorts, extensive direct charter services operate from London Gatwick, Stansted, and Luton, as well as from Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds Bradford, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and many other UK regional airports to Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada — particularly during the winter sun (November–March) and summer diving (June–September) seasons. Egypt is among the best-served North African destinations from the UK in terms of direct flight availability.

Airlines flying directly from the UK to Egypt include EasyJet, Jet2, TUI, Thomas Cook Airlines, Ryanair, and charter operators serving resort destinations (Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh, Marsa Alam) from multiple UK airports. EgyptAir (Egypt's national carrier) operates direct services from London Heathrow to Cairo. British Airways also serves Cairo from Heathrow. For the Red Sea resorts, charter services from UK regional airports are extensive, particularly during summer and winter sun season.

British passport holders require a visa to visit Egypt. Tourist visas can be obtained in one of three ways: on arrival at Egyptian airports ($25 USD — efficient and widely used), as an e-Visa applied for online in advance through the official Egypt e-Visa portal (visa2egypt.gov.eg — costs $25 USD and is recommended for convenience), or through the Egyptian Embassy in London. Tourist visas allow stays of up to 30 days. Your UK passport must have at least 6 months' validity beyond your intended departure date. Some package holidays include visa arrangements — check with your tour operator.

Return flights from the UK to Egypt are very competitive. Direct charter flights to Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada from UK regional airports with Jet2, TUI, or easyJet can be found for £150–£450 return depending on season. Scheduled services from London to Cairo on EgyptAir or British Airways typically range from £200–£500. July–August (peak summer for Red Sea diving) and December–January (winter sun) see higher prices for resort destinations. Booking 2–4 months ahead is usually sufficient.

Egypt offers some of the world's most iconic and awe-inspiring historical and natural experiences. Highlights include the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx (the last remaining wonder of the ancient world), the Egyptian Museum in Cairo (housing the treasures of Tutankhamun and thousands of ancient artefacts), the extraordinary temple complexes of Luxor — including Karnak Temple (the largest religious structure ever built), the Valley of the Kings (where Tutankhamun and other pharaohs were buried), and the Temple of Hatshepsut. A Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan is one of the world's great travel experiences. Beyond antiquities: world-class scuba diving and snorkelling in the Red Sea at Sharm el-Sheikh, Hurghada, and Dahab (the Blue Hole), the Bedouin-guided desert landscapes of the Sinai, and the medieval Islamic architecture of Cairo's Khan el-Khalili bazaar and Al-Azhar mosque.

The currency in Egypt is the Egyptian Pound (EGP). Cash is important for local markets, street food, tips (baksheesh is culturally important and expected), taxis, and smaller establishments. Credit cards (Visa and Mastercard) are accepted in major hotels, larger restaurants, and some tourist businesses in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, and the Red Sea resorts. ATMs are available in cities and resort areas. Egypt has experienced significant currency depreciation in recent years — check the current exchange rate, as the pound goes a very long way. Always carry some Egyptian Pounds in small denominations for tips and markets.

Travel insurance is strongly recommended for Egypt. While major cities (Cairo, Alexandria) and resort areas have adequate private hospitals and medical clinics, facilities outside tourist centres can be limited. Medical costs without insurance can be significant. The UK FCDO has previously advised against travel to certain areas of Egypt, including parts of the Sinai Peninsula beyond the Sharm el-Sheikh resort area — always check the latest FCDO travel advice before booking. Your policy should cover medical expenses, emergency repatriation, trip cancellation, water activities (particularly diving in the Red Sea), and loss of belongings. Be aware that the FCDO advice for certain Egyptian regions may affect insurance validity — verify carefully.

Baggage allowances for flights to Egypt from the UK vary by airline and fare type. Charter operators (Jet2, TUI) generally include 20–23kg checked luggage as part of package holiday bookings. EgyptAir typically allows 23–30kg checked plus 8kg carry-on in economy. British Airways follows its standard international economy policy (23kg). Budget carriers (easyJet, Ryanair) on cheaper fares may include only a small cabin bag — hold luggage and larger carry-ons cost extra. For diving holidays, check your airline's policy on transporting dive equipment, as cylinders, BCDs, and wetsuits add weight.

Egypt has a predominantly hot, desert climate with very little rainfall. Cairo and Lower Egypt have a hot desert climate — summers (June–August) are intensely hot and dry (35–40°C), while winters (December–February) are mild and pleasant (14–22°C). Upper Egypt (Luxor, Aswan) is even hotter in summer (40–46°C) but has glorious winters (20–28°C, clear blue skies). The Red Sea coast (Sharm el-Sheikh, Hurghada) is warm year-round — hot and dry in summer (35–42°C) and mild in winter (20–25°C), making it an ideal winter sun destination. The Mediterranean coast (Alexandria) receives some winter rainfall and has a more moderate climate. Egypt is consistently sunny — with over 300 days of sunshine per year across most of the country.