Major city · Egypt
Wadi El Natrun
Visit the four Coptic monasteries in a half‑day; stay one night if you want a quiet desert night.
Wadi El Natrun is a low‑lying desert valley north‑west of Cairo, known for its alkaline lakes and four historic Coptic monasteries. The sites are close together, so a half‑day visit covers the main sights; an overnight stay adds a peaceful desert experience.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EGP
- Best months
- Oct–Apr
- avoid May–Sep (high heat)
- Airport
- CAI
- Nights
- 1
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 Wadi El Natrun122 ▾
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 Wadi El Natrun, 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
- SafetyGenerally safe; stay in daylight, keep water, respect monastic customs.
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.
- Getting aroundTaxi or hired car from Cairo or Alexandria (≈1 h each).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedHotel room (double), a night, per roomEGP 696
- Mid-range bedHotel room (double), a night, per roomEGP 900
- High-end bedHotel room (double), a night, per roomEGP 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
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Feb
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Mar
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Apr
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
May
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Jul
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Aug
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Sep
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Oct
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Dec
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Best: Oct–Apr. Avoid: May–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)), coolest Jan (9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C) low), wettest Jan (5 rain days), driest Jun (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Wadi El Natrun: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
5 rd
Feb
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4 rd
Mar
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3 rd
Apr
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
2 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
1 rd
Jun
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
0 rd
Jul
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
0 rd
Aug
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
0 rd
Sep
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
1 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
2 rd
Nov
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4 rd
Dec
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
5 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
Taxi or hired car from Cairo or Alexandria (≈1 h each). No public transport within the valley; walk between monasteries (max 2 km).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Cairo
goDoor to door: ≈1 h
Taxi or private car via highway 75, about 1 h
Combine with a Cairo stay; return same day.
Alexandria
goDoor to door: ≈1 h
Taxi or private car via highway 75, about 1 h
Same travel time as from Cairo.
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.
Green Desert Hotel
LE696 per night, two pools, breakfast buffet, A/C, wifi, gym, airport shuttle
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
Trip budget
| Hotel room (double)1 × 1 night × EGP 900 | EGP 900 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × EGP 250 | EGP 500 |
| Taxi from Cairo airport to Wadi El Natrun (round‑trip)2 × EGP 200 · check | EGP 400 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | EGP 180 |
| Trip total≈ EGP 990 per person per day, bed included | EGP 1,980 |
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer temperatures can exceed 40 °C (104 °F); carry water.Summer temperatures can exceed 104 °F (40 °C); carry water.
- Monastery admission is free but donations are expected.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 122
- Ambulance
- 123
- Tourist police
- 126
- Fire
- 180
Pocket card
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Wadi El NatrunWadi El Natrun
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
إلى هذا العنوان من فضلكTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police122
- Ambulance123
- Tourist police126
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Cairo ↔ Wadi El Natrun (taxi): ≈ LE200 one way, 1 h (check)
Say or show
- أهلاً — Hello (ahlan)
- شكراً — Thank you (shukran)
- بكم؟ — How much? (bikam)
- أين الدير؟ — Where is the monastery? (ayn al-deir?)
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 Wadi El Natrun. 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 May–Sep (high heat) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add night at Green Desert Hotel for desert sunrise.
- Arrange a guided monastery tour (monk guide) for deeper insight.
Sources
Ask about Wadi El Natrun
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