Egypt Visa RequirementsFor United Kingdom passport holders
UK passport holders can enter Egypt on a visa on arrival at major airports including Cairo (CAI), Hurghada (HRG), Sharm el-Sheikh (SSH) and Luxor (LXR). The fee is $25 USD and permits a stay of up to 30 days. Alternatively, apply for an e-Visa in advance at visa2egypt.gov.eg. Travellers visiting only the Sinai Peninsula may qualify for a free Sinai Only stamp.
United Kingdom passport holders can obtain a Visa on Arrival at Egypt ports of entry.
Option 1: Visa on Arrival (most common)\nNo advance application needed. On arrival at an Egyptian airport, proceed to the visa bank desk (before immigration) and pay $25 USD in cash. USD is the most reliable currency; EUR is also usually accepted. Receive a visa stamp, then join the immigration queue. Have your payment ready as card acceptance is unreliable at many visa desks.\n\nOption 2: e-Visa (recommended for convenience)\nApply online before travel at visa2egypt.gov.eg (the official Egyptian government portal). Single entry costs $25; multiple entry costs $60. The e-Visa is typically processed within a few working days. Print or save the approval to your phone and present it at immigration on arrival. This option avoids any queue at the visa desk.\n\nOption 3: Sinai Only Stamp (free, restricted)\nIf your trip is limited to the Sinai Peninsula resort areas (Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab, Taba) for up to 15 days, request the free Sinai Only entry stamp on arrival. No fee applies, but you are legally prohibited from travelling beyond Sinai. Do not use this option if you intend to visit Cairo, the Pyramids, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada or the Nile Valley.
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
6 months beyond date of entry
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Single entry only
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Required Documents
Valid UK Passport
Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay in Egypt. At least one blank page is required for the visa stamp.
Visa on Arrival Fee ($25 USD)
Pay $25 USD (or EUR equivalent) in cash at the visa bank desk before the immigration counter. Have exact or near-exact cash ready; card payment is sometimes accepted but not reliably available at all desks.
Return or Onward Ticket
Proof of a confirmed onward or return flight out of Egypt. Immigration officers may request this to confirm you do not intend to overstay.
Proof of Accommodation
A hotel booking confirmation, Airbnb reservation or host's contact details for at least your first night in Egypt. May be checked by immigration on arrival.
Current Travel Situation
United Kingdom to Egypt: What You Need to Know
UK citizens do not need to arrange a visa before travelling to Egypt. A visa on arrival is issued at the airport on entry, valid for 30 days single entry at a cost of $25 USD (or an equivalent amount in EUR). The visa on arrival is available at all major international airports.
An e-Visa is also available online before departure from the official Egyptian government portal (visa2egypt.gov.eg). This can be single entry ($25) or multiple entry ($60) and avoids any queue at the visa desk on arrival. The e-Visa is recommended during busy travel periods.
Travellers visiting only the Sinai Peninsula (Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab, Taba and surrounding areas for up to 15 days) may be eligible for a free Sinai Only entry stamp. This is issued at the border or airport and costs nothing, but it restricts movement entirely to the Sinai; you cannot travel to the rest of Egypt including Cairo, Luxor or Hurghada without obtaining a full visa.
The 30-day visa can be extended inside Egypt. Extensions are handled at the Mogamma government building in Cairo (Tahrir Square) or at passport and immigration offices in other major cities. Extensions are generally straightforward for tourists.
The UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advises against all travel to certain parts of Egypt including the Sinai Peninsula north of a line from Sharm el-Sheikh to Taba (except the immediate resort area of Sharm), the Western Desert near the Libyan border, and areas near the Sudan border. Check current FCDO travel advice at gov.uk before booking.
How to Get There
- British Airways flies from London Heathrow (LHR) to Cairo (CAI) and occasionally other destinations
- EgyptAir operates direct services from London Heathrow (LHR) to Cairo (CAI)
- easyJet flies from London Gatwick (LGW) and other UK airports to Hurghada (HRG) and Sharm el-Sheikh (SSH)
- Jet2 and TUI operate seasonal charter and scheduled flights from regional UK airports including Manchester (MAN), Birmingham (BHX), Leeds Bradford (LBA), Newcastle (NCL) and Glasgow (GLA) to Hurghada (HRG), Sharm el-Sheikh (SSH) and Marsa Alam (RMF)
- Ryanair offers routes to Egyptian resort airports from various UK bases
Airlines and Routes
Several airlines operate direct flights between the UK and Egypt:
- London to Cairo: approximately 5 to 5.5 hours
- London to Hurghada: approximately 4.5 hours
- London to Sharm el-Sheikh: approximately 5 hours
Flight Times (approximate)
For travel within Egypt, domestic flights connect Cairo with Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh and other cities. Nile cruise ships operate between Luxor and Aswan and are a popular way to combine sightseeing with transport.
Money & Banking
The currency of Egypt is the Egyptian Pound (EGP). Exchange rates have been volatile in recent years following significant devaluations; check rates before travel.
ATMs are widely available in Cairo, Alexandria, Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh and other tourist areas. UK bank cards (Visa, Mastercard) work at most ATMs in tourist zones. Inform your bank before travel to avoid cards being blocked. ATM availability is less reliable in rural or off-the-beaten-track areas.
Cash is essential in local markets (souqs), small restaurants, taxi fares, tips and smaller shops. Many tourist-facing businesses and hotels accept USD or EUR alongside EGP, but rates may be unfavourable.
Exchange: Use banks, hotel exchange desks or official licensed bureaux de change. Avoid exchanging money with unlicensed street traders, which is illegal and carries risk of receiving counterfeit notes.
Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) warning: If an ATM or card terminal asks whether you want to pay in GBP rather than EGP, always choose EGP. Choosing GBP activates DCC, which applies a very poor exchange rate set by the merchant.
Practical Tips
Dress and Culture
Egypt is a predominantly Muslim country. Dress modestly when visiting mosques, bazaars, local neighbourhoods and historical sites: cover shoulders and knees. Beachwear is fine at Red Sea resorts but not appropriate elsewhere. Remove shoes when entering mosques.
Ramadan
If travelling during Ramadan, be respectful of fasting customs. Eating, drinking and smoking in public during daylight hours may cause offence in some areas. Many restaurants in tourist resorts remain open throughout the day.
Harassment and Scams
Tourist sites such as the Pyramids at Giza attract persistent vendors and unofficial guides. Be politely firm when declining. Agree prices before accepting any service including camel rides, boat trips or photography. Use licensed, registered guides booked through your hotel or a reputable agency.
Transport
Use registered taxis booked through your hotel or ride-hailing apps such as Uber or Careem in Cairo. Agree fares in advance if using unmetered taxis. Avoid unofficial taxis at airports.
Food and Water
Do not drink tap water. Drink only bottled water and check the seal is intact. Use bottled water for brushing teeth. Be cautious with street food and salads washed in tap water, particularly in the first days of your trip.
Nile Cruises
A Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan is one of the most popular ways to experience ancient Egyptian temples and ruins. Cruises typically run 3 to 7 nights and visit Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae. Book through reputable operators.
Photography
Photography is prohibited at some archaeological sites and inside certain temples. Always check signage and ask permission before photographing local people.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do UK citizens need a visa for Egypt?
UK citizens do not need to arrange a visa before travelling to Egypt. You can obtain a visa on arrival at Egyptian airports for $25 USD, valid for 30 days. Alternatively, you can apply online for an e-Visa before departure via the official portal at visa2egypt.gov.eg. A free Sinai Only entry stamp is also available if you are visiting only the Sinai Peninsula.
How does the Egypt visa on arrival work for UK travellers?
After landing at an Egyptian international airport (Cairo, Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh, Luxor and others), look for the visa bank desks located before the immigration counters. Pay $25 USD (or EUR equivalent) in cash, collect your visa sticker, then proceed to the immigration queue and have it stamped into your passport. The visa grants a single entry stay of up to 30 days. Card payment is not always available at the visa desk, so bring cash.
What is the Sinai Only visa and should I get one?
The Sinai Only entry stamp is a free visa alternative for travellers going exclusively to the Sinai Peninsula resort areas such as Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab or Taba for up to 15 days. It is issued at the airport or border crossing and costs nothing. However, it comes with a strict restriction: you cannot travel outside Sinai. If you want to visit Cairo, the Pyramids, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada or anywhere else in Egypt, you must obtain a full visa on arrival or an e-Visa instead.
Do UK bank cards work in Egypt?
UK Visa and Mastercard debit and credit cards work at ATMs in major tourist areas including Cairo, Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh. Inform your bank before travel to prevent your card being blocked. Cash (Egyptian Pounds) is essential for local markets, smaller restaurants, transport and tips. Many tourist venues also accept USD or EUR. If an ATM or payment terminal offers to charge you in GBP, always decline and choose EGP to avoid poor Dynamic Currency Conversion rates.
Are there direct flights from the UK to Egypt?
Yes. Several airlines fly directly from the UK to Egypt. British Airways and EgyptAir operate direct flights from London Heathrow to Cairo. easyJet serves Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh from London Gatwick and other UK airports. Jet2 and TUI run direct charter and scheduled flights from Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds Bradford, Newcastle, Glasgow and other regional airports to Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh and Marsa Alam. Ryanair also offers routes to Egyptian resort destinations. Flight time from London to Cairo is approximately 5 to 5.5 hours; to Hurghada around 4.5 hours.
Is Egypt safe for UK tourists?
Egypt is visited by millions of tourists each year and the main resort and historical destinations are generally considered safe. However, the UK FCDO advises against all travel to certain areas including the Sinai Peninsula north of a line between Sharm el-Sheikh and Taba (with the exception of the Sharm resort area itself), parts of the Western Desert near the Libyan border, and areas close to the Sudan border. Always check the latest FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt before booking. Standard precautions apply: use registered taxis, keep valuables secure, drink only bottled water and be cautious of scams at tourist sites.