Luxury Egypt holidays from UK

Flights from the UK

EgyptAir and British Airways fly direct from London Heathrow to Cairo in about five hours. Seasonal and charter flights also go direct from London Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham and other UK airports to Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh, Marsa Alam and Luxor; schedules change every season. Fly into Cairo for the pyramids and museums, Luxor or Aswan (via Cairo) for a Nile cruise, and Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh for the Red Sea.

Visa for British citizens

British passport holders need a visa: an e-Visa online before you fly ($30 single entry) or a visa on arrival ($30, cash). If you fly straight to Sharm El Sheikh and stay in the South Sinai resorts for up to 15 days, a free Sinai-only stamp is enough. Your passport must be valid for six months. Details in our Egypt visa guide.

Time difference

Egypt is two hours ahead of the UK for most of the year. Both countries change their clocks in spring and autumn, on slightly different dates, so for a few days the gap can be one or three hours.

When to go from the UK

October to April is the season for sightseeing in warm sunshine. The busiest weeks follow the UK school holidays: October half-term, Christmas and New Year, February half-term and Easter, so book early for those dates. July and August are very hot inland but good for the Red Sea. See the best time to visit Egypt.

Money, plugs and practicalities

• Pounds sterling are easy to change; cards work in hotels and larger restaurants, and you need Egyptian pounds for tips and markets.
• Egypt uses the European two-pin plug (types C and F) at 220 V, so bring a UK-to-European adapter.
• Check the Foreign Office travel advice before you go: see is Egypt safe?.
• Take travel insurance that covers medical treatment and any activities you plan.

Planning your trip

All our holidays are private, with Egyptologist guides, transfers and hand-picked hotels. Browse the trips below, read how much an Egypt trip costs, or ask for a tailor-made trip around your dates.