Egypt travel guide for Britons

Yes, you need a visa to enter Egypt as a UK citizen, but you can get one on arrival at most airports and land borders. The visa on arrival costs about US$25 for a single entry and is valid for 30 days. Alternatively, apply for an e-visa online before you travel — useful if you want a multiple-entry visa or to avoid queues. Check the latest rules on gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice before you book.

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date. You need a visa for tourism: either a single-entry visa on arrival (US$25, cash in US dollars or euros) or an e-visa obtained online before you go. The e-visa costs about US$25 for single entry and US$60 for multiple entry (check). Some resorts in South Sinai (Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab, Taba) offer a free 15-day entry stamp if you arrive by air and stay in the resort area — but you cannot travel beyond Sinai without a full visa (check).

The British Embassy in Cairo is at 7 Ahmed Ragheb Street, Garden City, Cairo. It provides consular services for UK nationals, including passport replacement and emergency assistance. For visa or entry questions, contact the Egyptian embassy in London before you travel. For consular help while in Egypt, call the embassy or use the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) travel advice page.

Egypt is generally inexpensive for UK travellers. A budget trip (hostels, street food, local transport) costs about £30–40 per day; a mid-range trip (3-star hotels, private tours, some domestic flights) about £60–90 per day; and a luxury trip (5-star resorts, cruises, private guides) from £150 per day. These are 2026 estimates and depend on the season and your choices. See the cost of travel in Egypt page for a detailed breakdown.

Direct flights from London (Heathrow, Gatwick) to Cairo take about 4.5–5 hours. Flights to Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh are slightly longer, about 5–5.5 hours. From Manchester and Birmingham, you may need a connection. Use a flight-time planner to compare options from your home airport.

Egypt uses types C and F plugs (the same as most of Europe) at 220 V and 50 Hz. UK plugs (type G) will not fit, so bring a travel adapter. Most hotels have universal sockets, but a simple adapter is cheap and useful.

Tipping (baksheesh) is expected for almost every service: EGP 20–50 for small services like helping with luggage or guiding, and 10–15% in restaurants. Keep small notes handy. In hotels and cruises, a tip for the staff at the end of your stay is customary.

In an emergency, call 122 for police, 123 for ambulance, 126 for tourist police, and 180 for fire. The tourist police are particularly helpful for visitors. Save these numbers in your phone before you travel.