Major city · Egypt
Bahariyyaبحريّة
Spend 1–2 days, arrive by bus from Cairo (6 h, LE100) and explore Bawiti, the Black/White Deserts and nearby historic sites.
Bahariyya is a remote oasis in Egypt's Western Desert, 370 km from Cairo. With a compact town centre, scattered desert sights and limited accommodation, a short stay (1‑2 days) lets you see the main museums, mosques and launch desert day‑trips without rushing.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EGP
- Best months
- Oct–Apr
- avoid Jun–Aug (extreme heat)
- Airport
- 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 Bahariyya122 ▾
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 Bahariyya, 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
- SafetyBahariyya is generally safe for tourists; stay on marked roads, keep water supplies, and heed the military road closure to Siwa.
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 aroundA hired car or 4WD is needed for desert sites; town can be walked.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedBudget hotel double, a night, per roomEGP 90
- Mid-range bedBudget hotel double, a night, per roomEGP 150
- High-end bedBudget hotel double, a night, per roomEGP 250
A day, not counting the bed: Budget EGP 350 · Mid EGP 600 · High EGP 1,000
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 Airport
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
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Apr
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
May
not flagged
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Jun
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Jul
Avoid
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
Aug
Avoid
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
Sep
not flagged
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
Oct
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Dec
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Best: Oct–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)), coolest Jan (8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C) low). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Bahariyya: 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
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
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
0 rd
Apr
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
0 rd
May
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
0 rd
Jun
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
0 rd
Jul
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
0 rd
Aug
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
0 rd
Sep
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
0 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
0 rd
Nov
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
0 rd
Dec
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°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
A hired car or 4WD is needed for desert sites; town can be walked. Buses run between Cairo and Bawiti (6 h, LE100).
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: ≈5 h total
Hire 4WD from Bawiti, 100 km (62 mi) north; about 2 h each wayHire 4WD from Bawiti, 62 mi (100 km) north; about 2 h each way
Day‑trip, entry free, bring water.
Black Desert
goDoor to door: ≈2 h total
Drive west from Bawiti along highway, 30 km (19 mi) to Gebel el‑MarsusDrive west from Bawiti along highway, 19 mi (30 km) to Gebel el‑Marsus
Scenic basalt hills, no special permit.
Valley of the Golden Mummies (view)
cautionDoor to door: ≈30 min
Walk from Bawiti Museum, 500 m
Site is active archaeology; visitors cannot enter the burial chamber.
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.
Qasr El Bawety Ecohotel
B&B double, LE450; traditional style, 28 rooms.
Old Oasis Hotel
Rooms from LE90; simple, date‑palm garden.
Desert Safari Home
B&B double LE400; mid‑range, 2 km (1.2 mi) east of centre.B&B double LE400; mid‑range, 1.2 mi (2 km) east of centre.
Western Desert Hotel & Safari
B&B double LE500; basic to mid‑range, 22 rooms.
Hotel Desert Rose Eco Lodge
B&B double LE1,000; eco‑lodge 5 km (3.1 mi) north, fan‑cooled.B&B double LE1,000; eco‑lodge 3.1 mi (5 km) north, fan‑cooled.
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
- LE350–LE600 excl. bed
- Mid
- LE600–LE900 excl. bed
- High
- LE900+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid‑range eco‑hotel double1 × 1 night × EGP 500 | EGP 500 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × EGP 600 | EGP 1,200 |
| Bus Cairo → Bawiti (round‑trip)2 × EGP 100 · check | EGP 200 |
| 4WD hire for desert day‑trip2 × EGP 300 · check | EGP 600 |
| eSIM data (1 week)2 × EGP 250 · check | EGP 500 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | EGP 300 |
| Trip total≈ EGP 1,650 per person per day, bed included | EGP 3,300 |
2026 estimate in Egyptian pounds; flights, visas and international transfers excluded.
Prices of common things
| Bus Cairo → Bawiti (one way)3–4 departures daily | LE100 |
| Meal at Oasis restaurantsimple Egyptian dishes | LE80–LE150 |
| Bottle of water (1 L) | LE10–LE15 |
| Mint tea (glass) | LE5–LE8 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No airport or railway; rely on bus or private vehicle.
- Road west to Siwa closed to foreigners (military restriction, 2019).
- White Desert requires 4WD; off‑road tracks are signed but can be rough.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 122
- Ambulance
- 123
- Tourist police
- 126
Pocket card
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Bahariyyaبحريّة
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
إلى هذا العنوان من فضلكTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police122
- Ambulance123
- Tourist police126
Embassy
US embassy in Cairo; consulates in Alexandria and Hurghada (check for latest details).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Cairo → Bawiti bus: about LE100, 6 h (check)
- 4WD hire per day: ≈LE300, includes fuel (check)
Say or show
- عفواً — Excuse me / Sorry (ʿafwan)
- شكراً — Thank you (shukran)
- بكم؟ — How much is it? (bikam?)
- عندكم مياه؟ — Do you have water? (ʿindakum miyāh?)
- أين الحمام؟ — Where is the bathroom? (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 Bahariyya. 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 (extreme heat) · 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
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Bus Cairo → Bawiti (LE100, 6 h).
- Hire 4WD for desert day‑trips (≈LE300 per day).
- Stay in budget hotels (LE90‑LE450).
Sources
Ask about Bahariyya
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