Major city · Egypt
Kharga Oasisالخارجة
Go for 2 nights as a Western Desert add-on, not a first Egypt trip: the Roman forts and Hibis temple need a hired car and a full day.
Kharga is the largest and most southerly of Egypt's five western oases, a 160 km strip of palm and desert with a small town at its centre. The draw is archaeology: the Temple of Hibis, the Coptic necropolis of El Bagawat, and a chain of Roman forts that guarded the Forty Days Road. There is no train and no working airport, so you arrive by bus from Asyut or by private car from Luxor or Dakhla. Two nights is enough for the main sights; the desert forts need a guide and an off-road vehicle.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EGP
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- avoid May–Sep (40°C (104°F)+ summer heat)avoid May–Sep (104°F (40°C)+ summer heat)
- Airports
- LXR · ATZ · CAI
- Nights
- 2
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.
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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Kharga Oasis122 ▾
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 Kharga Oasis, 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
- SafetyKharga town is calm and the main risk is heat and distance, not crime.
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.
- AirportLXR Luxor International (Nearest airport with scheduled flights; Kharga's own airport has no working flights.
- Getting aroundKharga town is walkable on a cool morning, but the sights are spread over 50 km (31 mi) and there is no useful public transport between them.Kharga town is walkable on a cool morning, but the sights are spread over 31 mi (50 km) and there is no useful public transport between them.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeMint tea or coffee in a café2026 estimate: check
- Street or quick mealKebab or kofta plate2026 estimate: check
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi across Kharga townAgree the price before setting off.2026 estimate: check
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week2026 estimate: check
- Budget bedSimple hotel double room, a night, per roomEGP 600
- Mid-range bedSimple hotel double room, a night, per roomEGP 900
- High-end bedSimple hotel double room, a night, per roomEGP 1,400
A day, not counting the bed: Budget EGP 900 · Mid EGP 2,000 · High EGP 4,000
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
- LXR Luxor International (Nearest airport with scheduled flights; Kharga's own airport has no working flights. Luxor to Baris by private car on the desert highway, duration check; no public transport on this road.) · ATZ Asyut (Asyut is on the Cairo–Luxor rail line and is the bus hub for Kharga; bus about 3–4 h (check). Verify current bus times and seats before relying on it.) · CAI Cairo International (Fly or train to Asyut, then bus; or drive the full Cairo–Asyut–Kharga road. Kharga itself has no working flights (check).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Feb
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Mar
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Apr
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Jun
Avoid
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
Jul
Avoid
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
Aug
Avoid
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
Sep
Avoid
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
Oct
not flagged
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Nov
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Dec
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Best: Nov–Feb. Avoid: May–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)), coolest Jan (7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C) low). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kharga Oasis: 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
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
0 rd
Feb
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
0 rd
Mar
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°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)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
0 rd
Jun
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
0 rd
Jul
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
0 rd
Aug
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
0 rd
Sep
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
0 rd
Oct
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
0 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
0 rd
Dec
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°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
Kharga town is walkable on a cool morning, but the sights are spread over 50 km and there is no useful public transport between them. Hire a taxi or a car with a driver for a full day; agree the price and the list of stops before you set off. Some desert sites, including Umm al Dabadib and Tafnis el-Balad, need a 4x4 and an official guide. Buses and minibuses run between Kharga and Baris in about an hour.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
El Bagawat and the Temple of Hibis
goDoor to door: Half a day
Taxi or car from Kharga town; both sites are about 2 km (1.2 mi) northTaxi or car from Kharga town; both sites are about 1.2 mi (2 km) north
Check current opening and ticket details.
Qasr Dush and Baris
goDoor to door: Full day
Private car south on the Baris road; Qasr Dush is about 15 km (9.3 mi) south of BarisPrivate car south on the Baris road; Qasr Dush is about 9.3 mi (15 km) south of Baris
Check current access and opening details.
Umm al Dabadib
cautionDoor to door: Full day
Guide and off-road vehicle, about 50 km (31 mi) north of KhargaGuide and off-road vehicle, about 31 mi (50 km) north of Kharga
A guide and off-road vehicle are required.
Dakhla Oasis
overnightDoor to door: Check
Bus west from Kharga; journey time and current service check
Allow time for the journey and Dakhla's sights.
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.
Kharga town centre (Midan el-Bassatin area)
Walkable to the market, cafés and most restaurants; the practical base for one or two nights.
North of town, near the necropolis
Quieter, closest to Hibis and El Bagawat; you need a car for everything else.
Baris
Southern village on the Luxor road; simple lodging has been reported but availability is unverified — check before planning to sleep here.
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
- 2026 estimate: check; excl. bed
- Mid
- 2026 estimate: check; excl. bed
- High
- 2026 estimate: check; excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel double room1 × 2 nights × EGP 1,800 | EGP 3,600 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × EGP 2,000 | EGP 8,000 |
| Car with driver, full day around the sights1 × EGP 1,800 · 2026 estimate; arrange and confirm the price locally. | EGP 1,800 |
| Site tickets2 × EGP 120 · 2026 estimate; current admissions check. | EGP 240 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × EGP 300 · 2026 estimate; provider and package vary. | EGP 600 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | EGP 1,424 |
| Trip total≈ EGP 3,916 per person per day, bed included | EGP 15,664 |
2026 estimate; check availability and rate.
2026 estimate in Egyptian pounds; long-distance transport to Kharga excluded. Local prices check. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Mint tea or coffee in a café | 2026 estimate: check |
| Kebab or kofta plate | 2026 estimate: check |
| Fuul, falafel or shawarma sandwich | 2026 estimate: check |
| Bottle of water (1.5 L) | 2026 estimate: check |
| Taxi across Kharga townAgree the price before setting off. | 2026 estimate: check |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | 2026 estimate: check |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer heat is the main risk: 40°C (104°F)+ from May to September, zero rainfall and no shade at the sites.Summer heat is the main risk: 104°F (40°C)+ from May to September, zero rainfall and no shade at the sites.
- Some desert sites require a guide and an off-road vehicle; do not attempt them in a normal car.
- Bring cash. Card acceptance is limited outside the larger hotels.
- Alcohol is only reliably available at the Solymar Pioneers hotel restaurant.
- Check the current security advice for the Western Desert before travelling; some desert roads have restrictions.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 122
- Ambulance
- 123
- Tourist police
- 126
- Fire
- 180
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Kharga Oasisالخارجة
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
لهذا العنوان لو سمحتTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police122
- Ambulance123
- Tourist police126
- Fire180
Embassy
Most embassies are in Cairo; there are no consulates in Kharga. Carry your embassy's contact details and passport.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Asyut → Kharga: About 3–4 h; current departure times and seats check.
- Bus Kharga → Baris: About 1 h; current service check.
- Car with driver, full day: 2026 estimate: check; agree the route and price before departure.
Say or show
- السلام عليكم — Hello (as-salaamu alaykum)
- شكراً — Thank you (shukran)
- بكام؟ — How much is it? (bikam?)
- فين المعبد؟ — Where is the temple? (fein el-maʿbad?)
- عايز عربية بسواق — I need a car with a driver (ʿayez ʿarabiyya bi-sawwaq)
- الحساب لو سمحت — The bill, please (el-hesaab law samaht)
Mobile signal is limited outside Kharga and Baris; coverage in the desert is not reliable.
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 Kharga Oasis. 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: Nov–Feb · avoid May–Sep (40°C+ summer heat) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for LXR and ATZ: bus and private-car times field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Three walking clusters with rescue anchors: Kharga town centre, the Hibis–El Bagawat ridge, and the Baris road.
- Place pages with verified hours and ticket prices (Hibis, El Bagawat, Qasr Dush) and eat pages with last orders.
- Desert-fort fixtures with guide and 4x4 requirements so gates A–D can go green.