Egypt · Holidays from the UK

Egypt holidays from the UK

Red Sea beaches and coral reefs through the winter, the pyramids and mosques of Cairo, and Nile cruises between Luxor and Aswan. A UK consultant arranges your flights, hotel and transfers as one ATOL protected holiday.

Packages from £549 per person, with return flights, hotel and transfers

About 5 hours away

Flights from UK airports to Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh, Marsa Alam and Cairo.

Winter sun

Around 21–30°C on the Red Sea from October to April.

Muslim-majority country

Halal food and mosques nearby, from the coast to Islamic Cairo.

ATOL protected

Holidays that include a flight are protected under ATOL 10416.

Egypt holiday packages

Egypt holiday packages

Flights, hotel and transfers in one price. Every package can be changed: more nights, a different hotel or another UK airport.

6 packages · guide prices per person

Overview

Egypt holiday guide for UK travellers

Egypt holidays from the UK pair a flight of around five hours with winter sun on the Red Sea, coral reefs close to the shore, and the pyramids, mosques and temples of Cairo and the Nile Valley. Most UK travellers fly to Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh, Marsa Alam or Cairo. October to April is the main season, though the coast is warm all year.

The Red Sea coast suits beach and snorkelling holidays. Hurghada has the widest choice of family hotels, a short drive from the airport. Sharm El Sheikh, at the southern tip of the Sinai, is close to the reefs of Ras Mohammed National Park. Marsa Alam, further south, is quieter, with reefs and seagrass bays where green turtles feed.

Cairo works as a city break or as the first part of a longer trip. Spend three or four nights visiting the pyramids at Giza, the Grand Egyptian Museum and the mosques of Islamic Cairo, then take a short domestic flight to Luxor for a Nile cruise, or to Hurghada for a week by the sea.

Where to stay

Where to stay in Egypt

Six areas to choose from, from the Red Sea coast to the Nile. Transfer times are approximate and depend on your hotel.

Hurghada’s coast from above, with villas, pools and the Red Sea

Hurghada

Families · Beaches · Short transfers

The largest resort area on the Red Sea, with family hotels along the coast from El Gouna to Makadi Bay, boat trips to the Giftun islands and a marina in the town.

Nearest airport: Hurghada Airport, approx. 15–45 mins

Packages from £579 pp
Sharm El Maya bay in Sharm El Sheikh, with a mosque and mountains behind

Sharm El Sheikh

Reefs · Snorkelling · Naama Bay

At the southern tip of the Sinai, with the beach and promenade at Naama Bay, the Old Market and its mosque, and boat trips to Ras Mohammed National Park.

Nearest airport: Sharm El Sheikh Airport, approx. 15–30 mins

Packages from £549 pp
Two palm trees on a quiet beach at Marsa Alam

Marsa Alam

Quiet coast · Reefs · Turtles

Resorts spread along a quieter stretch of coast in the south, many with a reef close to the shore, and seagrass bays such as Abu Dabbab where green turtles feed.

Nearest airport: Marsa Alam Airport, approx. 15 mins to 1 hr

Packages from £799 pp
A pyramid at Giza with the city of Cairo behind

Cairo & Giza

City breaks · History · Mosques

The pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum at Giza, and the mosques, madrasas and bazaars of Islamic Cairo. Good for three or four nights, or the start of a longer trip.

Nearest airport: Cairo Airport, approx. 45 mins to 1 hr 30 mins

Packages from £549 pp
Ram-headed sphinxes and palm trees beside the walls of Karnak Temple in Luxor

Luxor

Nile cruises · Temples · Tombs

Karnak and Luxor temples on the east bank, and the Valley of the Kings across the river. Most Nile cruises start or finish here.

Nearest airport: Luxor Airport, approx. 20–30 mins

Packages from £1,199 pp
Feluccas moored on the Nile at Aswan, with houses on the bank behind

Aswan

Nile cruises · Feluccas · Philae

The southern end of most Nile cruises, with felucca trips between the islands, Philae Temple and the High Dam. Abu Simbel can be visited on a day trip.

Nearest airport: Aswan Airport, approx. 30 mins

Packages from £1,199 pp
Things to see

Places to see in Egypt

A few of the sights to plan your trip around. We can suggest hotels close to the ones you most want to see.

The Sphinx and the pyramids of Giza at sunset
The Pyramids & the Sphinx
The Sultan Hassan and Al-Rifa’i mosques in Islamic Cairo from above
Islamic Cairo
Shops and shoppers under a stone archway in Khan el-Khalili, Cairo
Khan el-Khalili
A tall obelisk carved with hieroglyphs at Karnak Temple in Luxor
Karnak Temple
Statues and columns at Luxor Temple, lit up at night
Luxor Temple
Philae Temple beside the Nile near Aswan
Philae Temple
Yellow tour boats on the sea at Ras Mohammed, with mountains behind
Ras Mohammed
A green turtle on a seagrass bed off Marsa Alam
Turtles at Marsa Alam
Weather

Egypt weather by month

Average daytime highs in Hurghada and Cairo, with the sea temperature at Hurghada. Hover over or tap a month for the figures.

Average daytime highs and sea temperature HurghadaCairoSea at HurghadaBeach season
View as a table
Average temperatures by month (°C)
MonthHurghadaSea at HurghadaCairo
Jan21°C23°C19°C
Feb22°C22°C21°C
Mar25°C22°C24°C
Apr28°C23°C29°C
May31°C24°C32°C
Jun33°C26°C35°C
Jul34°C27°C35°C
Aug34°C28°C35°C
Sep32°C27°C33°C
Oct30°C27°C30°C
Nov27°C26°C25°C
Dec23°C24°C21°C

Long-term averages from weather2travel.com. Actual weather varies year to year.

October to April

The main season. Hurghada averages 21–30°C, with the sea at 22–27°C. December to February are the coolest months, around 21–23°C, and evenings can feel fresh.

May to September

Hot and dry: 31–34°C on the coast and up to 35°C in Cairo, with the sea at 24–28°C. Luxor and Aswan are hotter, at 38–40°C.

Sightseeing

For Cairo, Luxor and Aswan, November to March is more comfortable for the sites, at around 19–29°C in the day. Rain is rare all year.

Halal holidays

Halal holidays in Egypt

Egypt is a Muslim-majority country, so halal food is the norm and there is a mosque in every town and resort area. Most Red Sea resorts also serve alcohol, so tell your consultant what matters to you and we’ll check the details with the hotel before you book.

  • Halal foodMeat in Egypt is generally halal; we confirm the kitchen policy with your hotel
  • Mosques nearbyMosques in every town, including Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh and Marsa Alam
  • Modest swimwearBurkinis are worn at many Red Sea resorts; we check each hotel’s pool rules
  • Prayer facilitiesPrayer mats and qibla direction on request at many hotels
  • RamadanMany hotels serve iftar and suhoor during Ramadan
  • Islamic CairoAl-Azhar, Sultan Hassan and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali on a Cairo break
Ask about halal-friendly hotels
Egypt holiday FAQs

Questions about Egypt holidays

Quick answers for UK travellers. For anything else, our UK team is happy to help.

020 7871 4545
How long is the flight to Egypt from the UK?
Flights from London take approx. 5 hours to Cairo and approx. 5 hours 30 minutes to Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh or Marsa Alam. Egypt is 2 hours ahead of the UK for most of the year, and 1 hour ahead for a few weeks in spring.
When is the best time to visit Egypt?
October to April is the main season. The Red Sea is warm all year: Hurghada averages around 21°C in January and 34°C in July and August, with the sea at 22–28°C. For Cairo, Luxor and Aswan, November to March is cooler for sightseeing.
Which Red Sea resort should I choose?
Hurghada has the most hotels and a short airport transfer, which suits families. Sharm El Sheikh is close to the reefs of Ras Mohammed and has a resort centre at Naama Bay. Marsa Alam is quieter, with resorts spread along the coast and reefs close to the shore.
Can I combine Cairo with a beach holiday or a Nile cruise?
Yes. Domestic flights from Cairo take approx. 1 hour to Hurghada or Luxor, so you can spend a few nights in Cairo, then a week by the sea or four nights on a Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan. We include the domestic flights in your holiday.
Is Egypt good for Muslim travellers?
Egypt is a Muslim-majority country, so halal food is the norm and mosques are never far away. Most Red Sea resorts also serve alcohol in their bars; tell us what matters to you and we’ll check the hotel before you book.
Are Egypt holiday packages ATOL protected?
Yes. Holidays that include a flight are protected under ATOL 10416, and you’ll receive an ATOL Certificate when you pay. Entry rules can change, so check entry requirements before you travel.
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