Travel Guide: Cheap flights to Egypt
Egypt Airlines and Airports
Airline and airport information plus insider tips for Egypt
Since the late-18th Century when Napoleon conquered Egypt and became enamoured with the Nile Valley's incredible ancient monuments, the country has been a tourist magnet. The mysteries of this ancient civilisation have seized the imagination of the world more than any other. The fascination seems to grow along with the number of visitors to this desert-bound nation year after year, also drawn, no doubt, by the growing number of cheap flights to Egypt.
The main images of Egypt in everyone's mind are the huge pyramids of Giza and the inscrutable Sphinx, today encompassed by a suburb of sprawling Cairo. After stepping off their flights to Egypt, most tourists begin their Egyptian odyssey in the chaotic, confusing capital city, moving on down the magnificent Nile River, either on an elaborate steamer or by road in an air-conditioned bus. The green river valley harbours hundreds more temples, palaces and pyramids, and just beyond, in the harshness of the baking desert, is the unrelenting Valley of the Kings where archaeologists have laboured for centuries to uncover the exquisite painted tombs of the Pharaohs. It's such an unfamiliar landscape you'll find it hard to believe flights to Egypt are just five hours long.
Modern Egypt is a country of contrasts, where high-rise hotels glitter in the sun, and robed farmers prod donkeys onto felucca boats to cross the river to market. On the Red Sea coast holiday resorts have burgeoned, catering to scuba divers and holidaymakers seeking a sun-filled exotic holiday. Hopefully, by taking advantage of some of the discount flights to Egypt on offer, you'll have saved enough money to really make the most of your time here.
Find the best flight prices to Egypt
When to fly to Egypt
Peak season:
Because the heat of the summer can be unbearable, the peak season for flights to Egypt is between October and May during the cooler months. This period is especially appealing to European travellers as they can escape the winter temperatures of their own country. Hotels will often be fully booked and prices rise during this time of year. It can be hard to find cheap flights to Egypt at this time.
Off season:
The least popular time to visit is during the hottest months - for good reason. However, if you plan on travelling during this time, some real bargains can be found, including particularly cheap flights to Egypt. Avoid the southern parts, however, and stick to the coast, where breezes from the sea keep the thermometer mercury lower. The other advantage of visiting during this time is the increased peace and quiet to be found at major tourist sites.
The month of Ramadan is often less popular with Western visitors. Many restaurants will close down for the month and alcohol is much less widely available. The up-side is that this can be another perfect time to see more of the country and its people, and less of your fellow tourists. Again, there may be more cheap flights to Egypt during the Muslim observance.
Shoulder season:
Spring time, between March and April, is one of the best times to book your Egypt flights. The weather is still very warm, but has not yet reached summertime peaks, and the tourists are dwindling off from peak season. The Khamsin wind blows in from the desert between this time, however. It is a spectacularly powerful wind that can reach 150kmph. It normally blows for a few days only, so you can either try to avoid it, or simply bunker down and enjoy the spectacle
Getting Around
Egypt Air, the national carrier, services domestic routes across Egypt. Internal Egypt flights can save a lot of time, though they are certainly not the cheapest means of getting around.
Public transport is good throughout the country. Trains are reliable and safe and the rail network connects most towns. Surprisingly, however, this can be the slowest method of transport - particularly for short journeys where buses will almost always be quicker. If you are travelling long distances by train, make sure you get the fast non-stop air-conditioned wagons, rather than the slower stopping local trains.
Buses are also reliable and cheaper than trains. The network is excellent - almost anywhere you could want to go will be covered.
Service taxis, known as servees, are popular and common. Often Peugeot saloons, the large taxis will pick up passengers from popular spots, such as train stations and only depart when full - often with a dozen people in. They are an inexpensive way to travel and usually safe. But as you will have little control about when you leave or how long it takes to get to your destination, they are probably not the best option for you and your family after you disembark from your flights to Egypt.
Flying to Egypt
Major airports in Egypt include:
Cairo International (CAI)
Borg El Arab (HBE)
Luxor Airport (LXR)
Airlines offering cheap flights to Egypt include:
Astraeus
bmi
British Airways
Egypt Air
First Choice Airlines
MyTravel Airways
Thomas Cook
Thomsonfly
XL Airways
In-flight Reading
Try our in-flight reading suggestions for your flight to Egypt.
Hidden Treasures of Ancient Egypt Unearthing the Masterpieces of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo
by Zahi Hawass
Published by the National Geographic, this stunning book of photographs showcases some of the most impressive masterpieces housed in Cairo, including antiques from the tomb of Tutankhamun. A great way of passing the time on flights to Egypt.
River God
by Wilbur Smith
Zambian-born Smith lives in the UK but writes about Africa. River God - which looks at the fate of the Egyptian kingdom through the eyes of a eunuch slave - was a huge commercial success. There are two other books in his Egyptian series, which continue the story.
Death on the Nile
by Agatha Christie
One of Christie's most popular Hercule Poirot mysteries, most of the action takes place on a cruise down the Nile. The plot twists and turns enough to keep you occupied throughout the whole of your flight to Egypt.
The Cairo Trilogy
by Naguib Mahfouz
Mahfouz was the first Arabic writer to win the Nobel Prize for Literature. The Cairo Trilogy follows three generations of one family in Cairo, from World War One to the overthrow of King Farouk.
Insider Information on Egypt
Facilities for changing money are good, and exchange rates are often considerably better than they would be at home, so it is well worth considering changing your currency once you and your travelling companions have got off your flights to Egypt. However, be aware that banks are not open for the hours you might expect. Most are closed on Friday and Saturday, though open on Sundays. Working hours are usually 8am-2pm.
One of the best places for swimming or snorkelling in Egypt is at Marsa Alam, on the Red Sea. Until recently, Marsa Alam was a small fishing village, but it has increasingly become a popular resort with those taking cheap flights to Egypt who wish to avoid the tourists of the North. As it is one of the more recent developments for tourists, it's easy to find good eco-lodges and camps in which to stay. The Wadi el Gamal coast area is a national park, which means the mangroves, palm trees, coral reef and dolphins are all protected by the preservation area. Holiday here with a clearer conscience, knowing you're doing your best to offset the carbon emissions caused by your flights to Egypt.
If you don't fancy staying in the hustle and bustle of the cities for long, head to the lakes as soon as you get off your flights to Egypt. Lake Nasser in southern Egypt is the largest man-made lake in the world. Two towns by the lake are especially worth visiting: Abu Simbel and Aswan. It's easiest to stay in Aswan and take a day-trip (or longer) to Abu Simbel. Connection is easy by plane, and passengers may even be able to get on as soon as they leave their flights to Egypt. Or you could take a very early morning bus. The latter takes longer, but does mean you can see the sun rise over the desert.
Travel Tips
- Finding Cheap FlightsOur golden rules for finding a cheap flight
- Airlines with low-cost ticketsAn essential guide to how the main carriers operate
- Before You GoAdvice on everything you need to do before you set off
- Regional UK and Irish AirportsFlying from the four corners of the UK and Ireland
- Glossary of Flying TermsAn A-Z of common terms you’ll need to know
- Travel Sickness and DVTHow to stay happy and healthy in the air
Travel links
- Currency converterFind the current exchange rate
- WeatherThe weather in Egypt today
- Destination GuideLonely Planet's guide to Egypt