Major city · Egypt
Ismailiaالإسماعيلية
A half-day stop between Cairo and the Suez Canal cities: see the Suez Canal Museum and the heritage district, then move on. One night if you want a quiet evening on the lake.
Ismailia is a quiet, tree-lined city on the Suez Canal, founded in 1863 by Khedive Ismail. Its main draw is the Suez Canal Museum and the colonial-era buildings of the Canal Authority district. Most travellers use it as a lunch-and-museum break on the Cairo–Port Said road or as a base for visiting the canal lakes. The city has a relaxed feel compared to Port Said or Cairo.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EGP
- Best months
- Oct–Apr
- avoid Jun–Aug (high heat and humidity)
- Airport
- CAI
- Nights
- 0–1
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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Ismailia122 ▾
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 Ismailia, 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
- SafetyIsmailia is one of the safer Egyptian cities.
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 (About 1.5–2 h by car or bus via the desert road).
- Getting aroundThe centre is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealFalafel sandwich (ta'amiya)EGP 15–25
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi ride across towncheckEGP 20–40
- Museum or sight ticketSuez Canal Museum entrycheckEGP 60–100
- Budget bedHostel or budget hotel bed, a night, per personEGP 300
- Mid-range bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per roomEGP 1,500
- High-end bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per roomEGP 2,500
A day, not counting the bed: Budget EGP 800 · Mid EGP 1,500 · High EGP 3,000
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
- CAI Cairo International (About 1.5–2 h by car or bus via the desert road)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Feb
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Mar
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Apr
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
May
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Jul
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Aug
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Sep
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Nov
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Dec
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Best: Oct–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (35°C (95°F)95°F (35°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
Ismailia: 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
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°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
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4 rd
Apr
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
1 rd
Jun
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
0 rd
Jul
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
0 rd
Aug
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
0 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
0 rd
Oct
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
2 rd
Nov
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3 rd
Dec
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°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
The centre is walkable. Taxis and micro-buses cover the rest; a ride across town costs EGP 20–40 (check).
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 1 h
Bus or taxi, about 1 h north on the desert road
Port Said's waterfront and the Suez Canal Authority building are worth a half-day.
Door to door: About 2 h
Bus or car via the desert road, about 1.5–2 h
Day-trip for the GEM or Islamic Cairo; return the same evening.
Door to door: About 3.5 h
Car or bus via the coastal road, about 3 h
A long day; better as an overnight stop.
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.
Forsan Island / Lake Timsah
Resort hotels with beach access; 5–10 min drive from the centre.
City centre (Mohamed Ali Street area)
Budget hotels and guesthouses near the museum and restaurants.
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 800–1,200 excl. bed
- Mid
- EGP 1,200–2,500 excl. bed
- High
- EGP 2,500+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel double room1 × 1 night × EGP 1,500 | EGP 1,500 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × EGP 1,500 | EGP 3,000 |
| Bus Cairo–Ismailia, one way2 × EGP 100 · check | EGP 200 |
| Taxi from bus station to centre2 × EGP 30 | EGP 60 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | EGP 476 |
| Trip total≈ EGP 2,618 per person per day, bed included | EGP 5,236 |
2026 estimate in EGP; flights and long-distance buses excluded.
Prices of common things
| Falafel sandwich (ta'amiya) | EGP 15–25 |
| Grilled fish meal at a lakeside restaurant | EGP 150–300 |
| Tea at a café | EGP 10–20 |
| Taxi ride across towncheck | EGP 20–40 |
| Suez Canal Museum entrycheck | EGP 60–100 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Friday midday: many museums and shops close for prayers.
- The Suez Canal Museum may have irregular hours: check before you go.
- Taxis from the station may quote inflated prices for foreigners: agree the fare before getting in.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 122
- Ambulance
- 123
- Tourist police
- 126
- Fire
- 180
Pocket card
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Ismailiaالإسماعيلية
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
العنوان ده، لو سمحتTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police122
- Ambulance123
- Tourist police126
- Fire180
Embassy
Most embassies are in Cairo; the nearest consulate for many countries is in Cairo or Alexandria.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Cairo → Ismailia, bus: about EGP 100, about 1.5–2 h (check)
- Taxi from bus station to centre: EGP 30–50
Say or show
- السلام عليكم — Hello (as-salamu alaykum)
- شكراً — Thank you (shukran)
- بكام؟ — How much? (bi kam?)
- غالي أوي — Too expensive (ghali awi)
- المتحف فين؟ — Where is the museum? (el-mat-haf fein?)
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 Ismailia. 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 (high heat and humidity) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages with verified hours for the Suez Canal Museum and the Archaeological Museum.
- Eat pages with last-order times for the fish restaurants on the lake.
- Golden-hour and sunset fixture on Lake Timsah for photography.
Sources
Ask about Ismailia
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