Major city · Egypt
Farafraالفرافرة
Spend 1–2 days in Farafra to see the White Desert and a few oasis sights; 4WD needed for most attractions.
Farafra is a remote oasis in Egypt's Western Desert, best known for the White Desert National Park and a handful of historic sites. The climate is extreme, so a short stay of 1–2 days is enough to explore the main sights and return to a larger hub.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EGP
- Best months
- Oct–Apr
- avoid Jun–Aug (very hot, >40 °C (104 °F))avoid Jun–Aug (very hot, >104 °F (40 °C))
- Airport
- Cairo (CAI)
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- North Africa ↗Plan links between North African countries by air or by ferry via Europe; the only regularly usable land borders for visitors are Tunisia–Algeria and Morocco–Mauritania via Western Sahara.
- North Africa ↗Book Saharan nights (dunes, desert camps, oasis tours) between October and April; from May to September desert day temperatures regularly exceed 40 °C and many tours stop.
- Egypt ↗Check visa rules for your passport on the official Egypt e-visa portal before flying; visa on arrival availability depends on nationality and can change.
- Egypt ↗Drones need prior permission and are routinely confiscated on arrival; leave them at home.
- Egypt ↗Do not photograph military sites, police, bridges or government buildings; some museums and tombs charge for or ban photography.
- Egypt ↗During Ramadan, avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public in daylight; hotels and tourist restaurants still serve.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Farafra122 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Farafra, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Egyptian pound (EGP, also written LE or £E).Egypt-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckVodafone, Orange, Etisalat (e&) and WE sell tourist SIMs at Cairo airport with passport; about EGP 500–1,000 for 20–40 GB — check.Egypt-wide
- Tap waterTap water is chlorinated in cities but most visitors drink bottled; do not drink Nile water.Egypt-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 10% even when service is added (it rarely reaches staff).Egypt-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Egypt-wide
- SafetyFarafra is safe for tourists; main risks are heat, dehydration and off‑road navigation.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels and restaurants; attendants at sites expect EGP 10–20.Egypt-wide
- Emergency numbers122 police · 123 ambulance · 126 tourist police (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysFriday is the weekend day (with Saturday for offices); sites open daily, some close earlier in Ramadan.Egypt-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCAI Cairo International Airport (No airport at Farafra; most travellers reach the oasis by bus from Cairo via Bahariyya (about 8 h total)…
- Getting aroundHire a 4WD vehicle for the White Desert tracks; local taxis for short hops between oasis sites.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (café)LE15–25
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi within town (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi within town (3.1 mi (5 km))LE30–50
- Museum or sight ticketWhite Desert entry (track guide)LE100–150
- Budget bedBasic hotel room, a night, per personEGP 300
- Mid-range bedMid‑range hotel, a night, per personEGP 800
- High-end bedMid‑range hotel, a night, per personEGP 1,200
A day, not counting the bed: Budget EGP 150 · Mid EGP 250 · High EGP 400
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CAI Cairo International Airport (No airport at Farafra; most travellers reach the oasis by bus from Cairo via Bahariyya (about 8 h total), or fly into Cairo and join a Western Desert tour — check schedules.)
Map of Farafra
Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Feb
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Mar
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Apr
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
not flagged
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Jun
Avoid
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
Jul
Avoid
44°C (111°F)111°F (44°C)
Aug
Avoid
44°C (111°F)111°F (44°C)
Sep
not flagged
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
Oct
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Nov
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Dec
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Best: Oct–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (44°C (111°F)111°F (44°C)), coolest Jan (8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C) low). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Farafra: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
0 rd
Feb
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
0 rd
Mar
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
0 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
0 rd
May
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
0 rd
Jun
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
0 rd
Jul
44°C (111°F)111°F (44°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
0 rd
Aug
44°C (111°F)111°F (44°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
0 rd
Sep
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
0 rd
Oct
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
0 rd
Nov
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
0 rd
Dec
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
0 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Hire a 4WD vehicle for the White Desert tracks; local taxis for short hops between oasis sites. Buses run daily from Cairo to Bawiti and continue to Farafra (≈8 h total, ≈LE100 fare).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
White Desert National Park
goDoor to door: ≈2 h round trip
4WD hire from Farafra, 30 km (19 mi) north on highway4WD hire from Farafra, 19 mi (30 km) north on highway
Stay on marked tracks; bring water and sun protection.
el‑Qasr fortress
goDoor to door: ≈15 min
Walk or short taxi from town centre
Free entry; explore the medieval ruins.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
El‑Waha Hotel
budget; basic rooms near the museum
Aqua Sun Hotel
mid‑range; air‑conditioned, pool fed by hot spring
Badawiya Hotel
mid‑range; adobe chalets, organized safaris
Rahala Safari Hotel
mid‑range; 13 double rooms, some en‑suite
Sunrise Hotel
mid‑range; similar style to Badawiya
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- LE150–250 excl. bed
- Mid
- LE250–400 excl. bed
- High
- LE400+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid‑range hotel2 × 1 night × EGP 800 | EGP 1,600 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × EGP 250 | EGP 500 |
| Bus Cairo → Farafra (round trip)2 × EGP 100 · check | EGP 200 |
| 4WD hire for White Desert (full day)2 × EGP 400 · check | EGP 800 |
| eSIM data (1 week)2 × EGP 250 · check | EGP 500 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | EGP 360 |
| Trip total≈ EGP 1,980 per person per day, bed included | EGP 3,960 |
2026 estimate in Egyptian pounds; flights and long‑distance bus not included.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (café) | LE15–25 |
| Meal at a local restaurant | LE50–120 |
| Bottle of water (1 L) | LE5–10 |
| Taxi within town (5 km) | LE30–50 |
| White Desert entry (track guide) | LE100–150 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Extreme daytime heat; carry water and sun protection.
- White Desert tracks require 4WD and staying on marked routes.
- Some sites (Wadi al Ubaiyid) need official permission and a robust vehicle.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 122
- Ambulance
- 123
- Tourist police
- 126
- Fire
- 180
Pocket card
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Farafraالفرافرة
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
إلى هذا العنوان، من فضلكTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police122
- Ambulance123
- Tourist police126
- Fire180
Embassy
US consulate in Cairo; other embassies in Cairo.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Cairo → Farafra bus (one way): ≈ LE100, about 8 h (check)
- 4WD hire per day: ≈ LE400, includes fuel (check)
Say or show
- عفواً — Excuse me / Sorry (ʿafwan)
- شكراً — Thank you (shukran)
- بكم؟ — How much is it? (bikam?)
- هل أستطيع الدفع بالبطاقة؟ — Can I pay by card? (hal astatiʿ al‑dafʿ bil‑bitaqa?)
- أين الحمام؟ — Where is the toilet? (ayna al‑ḥammām?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Farafra. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Apr · avoid Jun–Aug (very hot, >40 °C) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 5 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- 4WD rental contracts (check vehicle condition).
- Guided desert tours from Aqua Sun Hotel.
- Combine with Dakhla Oasis bus for a longer desert circuit.
Sources
Ask about Farafra
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