Major city · Egypt
Arishالعريش
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.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EGP
- Best months
- check
- avoid check
- Airport
- AAC
- Nights
- 0
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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Arish122 ▾
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 Arish, 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
- SafetyArish has been a focal point of terrorist activity.
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.
- AirportcheckAAC El Arish International Airport (Closed as of 2021 due to security situation — status check).
- Getting aroundTaxis and microbuses are available, but services are irregular.
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
- AAC El Arish International Airport (Closed as of 2021 due to security situation — status check)
Weather and climate
Arish: 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
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
8 rd
Feb
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
6 rd
Mar
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
5 rd
Apr
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2 rd
May
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
1 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
0 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
0 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
0 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
0 rd
Oct
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
2 rd
Nov
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4 rd
Dec
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
7 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
Taxis and microbuses are available, but services are irregular. Driving yourself is possible but not recommended due to security risks.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 2 h
Taxi or minibus, about 1.5 h
Port Said has a lighthouse and a military museum, but the security corridor is not reliable for tourism.
Door to door: About 3 h
Taxi via the coastal road, about 2–3 h
Dahab is a better base; do not day-trip from Arish.
Taba
skipDoor to door: About 3.5 h
Taxi via the coastal road, about 2.5–3 h
Taba border crossing is 200 km (124 mi) south; not a day trip from Arish.Taba border crossing is 124 mi (200 km) south; not a day trip from Arish.
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.
Swiss Inn Resort area
The only major hotel; a seaside resort just outside the city. Check if it is open before booking.
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
- EGP 500–1,000 (2026 estimate, check)
- Mid
- EGP 1,000–2,000 (2026 estimate, check)
- High
- EGP 2,000+ (2026 estimate, check)
Watch out
Safety
- 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 (124 mi) south.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, 124 mi (200 km) south.
- Arish Castle is in a state of disrepair and may not be accessible.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 122
- Ambulance
- 123
- Tourist police
- 126
- Fire
- 180
Pocket card
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Arishالعريش
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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لهذا العنوان، من فضلكTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police122
- Ambulance123
- Tourist police126
- Fire180
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- 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)
Say or show
- السلام عليكم — Hello (as-salamu alaykum)
- شكراً — Thank you (shukran)
- بكام؟ — How much? (bi-kam?)
- أحتاج مساعدة — I need help (ahtaj musa'ada)
Most services are cash-only; carry small denominations.
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 Arish. 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: check · avoid check · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
- officialSwiss Inn Resort
- secondaryWikivoyage: Arish, revision 5103773 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Arish
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