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Voykit pocket guide · Egypt
Arish
العريش
Skip Arish for now: the security situation is volatile, the airport has been closed since at least 2021, and most tourist infrastructure is dormant. Check your government's travel advisory before any trip; only go if you have specific business or family reasons.
Arish is the largest city on the Sinai Peninsula and the capital of North Sinai Governorate, but years of terrorist activity have closed its airport and gutted its tourism sector. The city has a Mediterranean beach, an Ottoman castle ruin and a main mosque, but no functioning tourist economy. Most travellers should skip it and head to Dahab, Sharm el-Sheikh or Taba instead.
- Country
- Egypt
- Local name
- العريش
- Best months
- check
- Avoid
- check
- Stay
- 0 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- EGP
- Money
- Currency is the Egyptian pound (EGP, also written LE or £E). Hotels, cruise boats and larger restaurants take cards; taxis, markets, small cafés, tips and toilet attendants are cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget EGP 500–1,000 (2026 estimate, check) · Mid EGP 1,000–2,000 (2026 estimate, check) · High EGP 2,000+ (2026 estimate, check) (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Vodafone, Orange, Etisalat (e&) and WE sell tourist SIMs at Cairo airport with passport; about EGP 500–1,000 for 20–40 GB — check.
- Emergency
- Police 122 · Ambulance 123 · Tourist police 126 · Fire 180
- Plugs
- Types C, F · 220 V · 50 Hz · European round-pin sockets.
- Tipping
- Restaurant: 10% even when service is added (it rarely reaches staff).; Guide, full day: US$10–20 per person.; Driver, full day: US$5–10.; Cruise crew: About US$5–10 per person per day in the envelope.; Toilet, porter, small help: EGP 10–30.
- Water
- Tap water is chlorinated in cities but most visitors drink bottled; do not drink Nile water.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in hotels and restaurants; attendants at sites expect EGP 10–20. Carry tissue.
Get in
By air
- AAC · El Arish International Airport
- Closed as of 2021 due to security situation — status check
Typical fares
- Cairo → Arish by taxi
- about EGP 500–800, 4–5 h (2026 estimate, check)
- Arish → Dahab by taxi
- about EGP 300–500, 2–3 h (2026 estimate, check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Taxis and microbuses are available, but services are irregular. Driving yourself is possible but not recommended due to security risks.
See and do
Known for
- Mediterranean coastline
- Arish Castle (Ottoman ruin)
- Rifa'i Mosque
- Proximity to Gaza border
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Port Said | Taxi or minibus, about 1.5 h | About 2 h |
| Dahab | Taxi via the coastal road, about 2–3 h | About 3 h |
| Taba | Taxi via the coastal road, about 2.5–3 h | About 3.5 h |
Sleep
- Swiss Inn Resort area
- The only major hotel; a seaside resort just outside the city. Check if it is open before booking.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | السلام عليكمas-salamu alaykum |
| Thank you | شكراًshukran |
| How much? | بكام؟bi-kam? |
| I need help | أحتاج مساعدةahtaj musa'ada |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: 'Salam alaykum', handshake; wait for a woman to offer her hand; avoid: Hugging strangers
- Eating: Right hand; accept tea; avoid: Refusing hospitality flatly
- Bargaining: Humour and patience; avoid: Anger
- Dress: Shoulders and knees covered in cities; avoid: Beachwear outside resorts
- Baksheesh: Keep small notes ready; avoid: Showing a thick wallet
- Photos: Ask; pay if agreed; avoid: Photographing police or military
Scams and watch-outs
- The security situation is volatile; check your government's travel advisory before any trip.
- El Arish International Airport has been closed since at least 2021 — do not book flights to AAC.
- The border with Gaza was open as of early 2023 but can close at any time; status check. The nearest crossing open to tourists is Taba, 200 km south.
- Arish Castle is in a state of disrepair and may not be accessible.
Arish has been a focal point of terrorist activity. The Egyptian military maintains a heavy presence. Do not travel here without checking your government's latest advisory and having a clear, essential reason to go.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Arish yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Mediterranean coastline
- Arish Castle (Ottoman ruin)
- Rifa'i Mosque
- Proximity to Gaza border
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Swiss Inn Resort: swissinn.net/corporate/#
- Wikivoyage: Arish, revision 5103773 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5103773
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/arish). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.