February 9 - Day 1

"So, my little wanderers, back at the decks? What’s this mystery destination you’ve got in store for us at the start of the year?"

Yes, the schoolyard bell’s ringing again! We’re hitting the road... or rather, the skies! At first glance, our destination might surprise more than a few. First off, simply because I was here exactly twenty years ago, and I don’t usually like retracing my own footsteps. Secondly, because the name of this place screams mass tourism—basically the opposite of what Flo and I look for.

Despite that, in this land of backsheesh, I’d promised myself I’d come back one day to experience it my way. And since Flo told me, during our wanderer chats, that this destination straddling Africa and the Middle East was in her top 2 travel dreams, the stars aligned for this roots-style trip to quickly make it onto our pharaonic festivities program! Unless you’re totally clueless in general knowledge, you’ve probably guessed by now—we’re off to Egypt! Of course, a few classics will be on our itinerary, but above all, we want to soak up a culture that can’t be appreciated in four-star resorts or on a Nile cruise boat. And let’s be clear, these next two weeks won’t be a walk in the park—neither for our two daughters who are joining us, nor for our bodies!

And that’s clear from the get-go: after our first flight, eight hours of trying (and failing) to sleep on Milan airport’s metal seats, our second flight, landing, passport stamps, our Uber ride, and our first Cairo kilometers, we finally drop our exhaustion at the little guesthouse we booked in Giza. Doesn’t all that energy deserve a little reward?

Oh, absolutely! And here it is: a full-on slap in the face for everyone! But just look at this view from our hotel terrace? For 20 € a night for four, even with this incredible view, I figured the room must be pretty shabby, right? Nope... Is the staff rude, then? Nope... Okay, so what’s the catch? You’re gonna tell me breakfast is included too? Well, yes! Honestly, this Egypt trip is off to a great start.



And the rest of the afternoon, spent rubbing shoulders with locals, only confirmed this vibe. After digesting our pyramid view, we dove into the hustle and bustle of our neighborhood with the goal of exchanging money, eating at street stalls, and testing the hospitality of the locals. Ten out of ten!









Eight little sun breads with baba ganoush and falafel? 80 pounds, or 1.5 €. A dozen Middle Eastern pastries? Same! 80 pounds! Two hawawshis, those little pita breads stuffed with meat and spices? 10 pounds each, or about twenty cents! Not to mention all those smiles and free "welcomes" left and right!!!





What a welcome! We end this first day with a sunset over the three sisters of Giza—where we’ll obviously be gawking tomorrow...







https://voyageforum.com/images/posts/small/1789072399-cCyLDYuFwPLAZTY.jpg

Hi there, We’re a family of 4 with two boys aged 12 and 10 traveling to Egypt in February. We’re spending 3 days in Cairo to take our time exploring the city and the sites before heading south.

-Is it necessary to have a guide to visit the GEM? Are audio guides available? -Do you have any contacts for drivers to organize a few transfers (Giza, Saqqara, Airport)? -Do you know a French-speaking guide who’s friendly, family-friendly, and good at making things exciting, with reasonable prices?

Marie

Hi there,

I’ve finally decided to make my childhood dream come true—and at the same time, fulfill my two boys’ dreams (ages 9 and 13). Just to give you some context, we’re used to "backpacker" vacations—the little one even crossed Malaysia on my back. But now I’ve got a teenager, so if I pack too much, he complains, and I’m getting older, so I’m more tired 😉.

I’ve put together this itinerary trying not to rush, based on a felucca trip with a small local agency that has a solid reputation.

Day 1: Late arrival in Cairo Day 2: Cairo - Flight to Aswan (11:20 PM)? Day 3: Aswan? Cairo? Day 4: Aswan Day 5: Sail Day 1 Day 6: Sail Day 2 (camel market + Kom Ombo) Day 7: Sail Day 3 (Jabal El Silsila) Day 8: Sail Day 4 Edfu - transfer to Luxor - arriving at 2 PM Day 9: Luxor (Valley of the Kings) Day 10: Luxor (Karnak) Day 11: Luxor / Cairo? Day 12: Cairo: Giza Day 13: Cairo Giza again - Flight home at 11 PM

My main question is about how much time to allocate in Aswan, Luxor, and Cairo to avoid missing out but without feeling rushed. We definitely have: - 3 full days in Cairo - 2.5 days in Luxor - 1 day in Aswan

I can adjust a bit: - By adding 1 day in Aswan or Cairo - By adding a half-day in Cairo or Luxor.

What would you recommend and why?

Thanks in advance!

Catherine, back on VoyageForum—what a joy.

Hi there, I’m heading to Hurghada for a few days in November. I’m looking for a spot where I can go snorkeling right from the beach. Is that still possible, or do you absolutely need to take a boat trip to see anything worthwhile?

I’ve read about Makadi Bay, but also that it’s packed with big resort complexes—which I’d rather avoid. Are there any beaches accessible without staying at one of those huge hotels?

Any great tips or advice for me? Thanks in advance, Lucille

Hello, For flight schedules and prices from Bordeaux, and ease of reaching Alexandria by bus/train afterward, I’m considering spending 4 days around Hurghada (direct flight from Bdx).

I don’t think I’ll go for courses to get my Level 1, since I don’t plan to dive often in the future—unless you think it’s better than doing 2 discovery dives in this area (I only have one baptism under my belt, in Koh Tao 15 years ago—amazing! But I’m not targeting trips for diving; I need to go to Alexandria, so this is a chance to get back into diving and snorkeling).

I’m looking for a spot to do some snorkeling, 1 or 2 baptisms, and explore the surroundings. I’ll arrive in early March on the evening of Day 0. I’ll have 3.5 days after that (I’m planning to leave on Day 4 around 4 PM by bus/train).

Is Hurghada completely to be avoided in favor of another area in the Red Sea, or can I still have a nice 3.5 days there? I know places like Dahab are more pleasant, but the convenience and timing of Hurghada appeal to me... I usually prefer more authentic travel spots and places, but I’m willing to compromise on that if it’s still worth it for the diving. Or should I only stay 2.5 days and head to Alexandria a day earlier? (I’ve already seen Cairo and Luxor a bit.)

Open to your advice ;) Thanks in advance!

Hi there,

This trip to Egypt isn’t happening anytime soon, but I like to plan a few steps ahead! 😉

I’ve already been to Egypt several times (Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, the classic cruise, the Lake Nasser cruise, Abu Simbel, Taba) both solo and on organized tours, but my partner hasn’t.

So, I’m thinking of mixing the classic with something a bit more original.

My idea is to visit Cairo and its surroundings, then make my way to Luxor in stages. The trip would end in Luxor.

Renting a car doesn’t seem like a viable option. That leaves boats, public transport, a car with a driver, or even a private tour for the stretch between Cairo and Luxor.

My questions:

How can I cover the Cairo-Luxor stretch if I go through the White Desert? Is a car with a driver possible? What’s the daily cost of hiring a car with a driver (including the driver’s accommodation and expenses)? How many days should I plan for this route (Saqqara, Fayoum Oasis, Black Desert, White Desert, Ad-Dakhla, El Kharga)?

Are there any cruise boats that do the Cairo-Luxor route (or vice versa)? Dahabiyas? Or at least the Assiut-Luxor stretch?

Thanks! 🙂

Hi everyone! 🙂 I’m planning a 3-week trip to Egypt in July 2025, and my itinerary isn’t set yet. I’ve traveled solo as a backpacker before and I’m really into history. Here’s how I’m thinking of organizing it: Since I’ll be arriving and departing from Cairo, I’m thinking of visiting the Giza sites on the 2nd day and saving the city of Cairo and the Grand Egyptian Museum for a few days before my departure, after seeing the sites where the collections come from. After Giza, I’m planning two days of visits to Saqqara: the first in North Saqqara with the tomb of Horemheb, the Pyramid of Unas (entering), the Step Pyramid of Djoser (entering), the Serapeum of Saqqara (entering), the Pyramid of Teti (entering), the Mastaba of Mereruka (entering), the tomb of Maia, and the Imhotep Museum. Does that sound doable in one day? The idea is to have slept in Saqqara the night before to arrive right at opening. The second day would include the Red Pyramids (entering) and admiring the Bent, White, and Black Pyramids from afar in the morning, then the Pyramids of Pepi I and Pepi II, the tomb of Mehu (entering), and the ruins of the Pyramid of Djedkare Isesi in the afternoon. Does anyone know if there are drivers who can take you to these places and what the price range might be? The ruins of Memphis don’t really excite me (maybe I’m wrong), so I might just stop by the museum with the giant reclining statue. I get the impression that the buildings in Abusir are closed to the public—maybe I got that wrong? 😉 It seems complicated to visit the sites of Tell el-Amarna and around Tuna el-Gebel in terms of transport. Next, I’d like to visit the sites of Abydos and the temple at Dendera. I understand it’s necessary to go to Luxor first and then head back to Abydos and Dendera to visit them comfortably in one day. By the way, do you know if negotiated prices with a local guide would be lower than those from agencies like Get Your Guide (110 € if I’m alone)? How many days do you recommend for visiting the tombs in Luxor? I’d like to see a lot of them—would 3 full days be enough? After that, I’d really like to visit the sites of Esna, Edfu, and Kom Ombo on the way to Aswan. The only options I’ve found for this kind of route are by boat. Do you think it’s possible to hire a taxi for the day to make the trip to Aswan with these stops (and at what price!)? After Aswan, I’ll visit the temples of Philae and Abu Simbel over two days. Then, the rest of the trip is less clear: I’m considering visiting Alexandria and Rosetta. Maybe also, depending on how many days I have left, the sites of Bubastis (I’m having trouble understanding the significance of the remaining ruins) to continue to Tanis, which looks nice (is it?). But again, there’s the question of transport to get there.

This is quite a long post for a first message—sorry for all the questions! Have a great evening, Nico

Hello, Taking the boat from VENICE to Alexandria is easier than going through Tunisia and Libya. We’re putting together a group to split costs for a trip in 2011 or early 2012. Inshallah. I’m looking for people who’ve recently crossed the Libyan Desert—sand sea, oases, etc.—with their 4x4s. Any info is welcome, thanks in advance. Things like: Entry formalities for the 4x4. Agencies and guides for the desert. Military requirements. Fuel, etc. Thanks again. Saharan greetings.

Hi there! I’m planning a 15-day trip to Egypt in the second half of July. Yeah, I know it’s not the best time, but we don’t really have a choice. Plus, we’ve traveled a lot and feel like we handle the heat pretty well.

We’re thinking of a classic itinerary: Cairo (pyramids and museum) Aswan-Luxor or Luxor-Aswan cruise + hot-air balloon in Luxor +/- Abu Simbel (not sure if it’ll be too rushed) 3-4 days by the Red Sea

I’ve got a few questions (I might have more later—I went to Egypt 15 years ago, so things have changed!):

1) Do we know the opening dates for the new Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo? 2) Can we book a French-speaking guided tour for Cairo in advance? I assume the cruise part is easier to arrange through an agency. 3) We see cruises going both Aswan-Luxor and Luxor-Aswan. Is one direction better than the other? Intuitively, it seems more logical to fly Cairo-Aswan, cruise up to Luxor, then take a bus from Luxor to the Red Sea rather than the other way around. But when I was in Egypt before, I remember going *down* the Nile (and didn’t visit the Red Sea).

Thanks in advance!!

Hi there, I’m making a quick trip to Cairo and plan to visit the pyramids... and I’ve got a few practical questions for those who’ve been before: - Can you buy tickets online before arriving? If so, what’s the official website? - If buying on-site, can you pay in euros? Or by credit card? Or do you absolutely need local currency? - Which entrance is best? The one up top, near the Great Pyramid of Khufu, or the one down by the Sphinx—probably less crowded but seems a bit "jumbled" from a video I saw? - During Ramadan, I think the site is open from 8 AM to 4 PM. Not keen on sharing the pyramids with busloads of tourists... Would you recommend arriving at 8 AM? What about the morning haze at that time? - Coming from the "New Cairo" area, is Uber the best way to get to the pyramids? I read there’s a metro not too far from the pyramids, but I have no idea if it goes to New Cairo. - How much do vendors hassle you on-site? Is it just at the entrance or also inside the site itself? Thanks so much in advance for your tips and experiences! !

Hi there, I’m looking for a cruise for two adults over 75 (with meals included, etc.) to visit Egypt—specifically the pyramids along the Nile and the Cairo museum. Looking forward to reading about other travelers’ experiences. Thanks.

Hi there, I’d love to know if anyone’s familiar with this travel agency and whether you’ve used them before. The agency is called MIATERRA, it’s based in Longueuil, but they seem to only have a website. Thanks in advance!

Hi there,

I’m planning—when it becomes possible again—to head to Khartoum and then travel down the Nile to Luxor.

I have a few questions:

For the Sudanese visa, it says I need proof of accommodation bookings for the entire stay. Is there another way to get it, because I really don’t want to book everything in advance.

About how long (just transport time, not sightseeing) does it take to get between these two cities?

Are all the connections manageable by public transport?

Thanks.

Hello everyone,

I’m looking into planning a trip to Egypt (first time!)

Important context: My wife has difficulty walking. Maybe what I’m looking for will turn out to be complicated. We’re traveling as a couple for 10 to 14 days.

The initial plan is: - Land in Cairo: visit Cairo and the surrounding area (still figuring out how long to stay) - Head up to Luxor: preferably by boat, otherwise by train, or as a last resort, by plane See what sights there are along the way - Hot-air balloon excursion in Luxor: Need to look into this - Then go either to Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh (via ferry) for some beach time and diving (2/3 days)

The goal for this first trip isn’t to see everything at each destination, but rather to be on the move and experience the journey.

My question is about whether it’s possible to travel up the Nile one-way without doing a round-trip cruise from the starting point. Is this doable? If so, how does it work? Through a local agency?

Should we do this trip in this direction, or would it make more sense to go the other way, starting from Sharm El Sheikh or Hurghada?

Thanks in advance for your tips! 🙂 Laurent

Hello,

I backpacked in Egypt back in 1998 (as I have in all my other destinations). We’re planning to go again in early 2026. The country has surely changed, and I have a few questions for those who’ve been there recently: - Is it possible to travel completely independently from Cairo to Abu Simbel (Aswan), both legally and safely? - If some stretches are better with guidance or a guide, could you let me know where, please? - In 1998, the only way to get to Abu Simbel from Aswan was by plane. What’s the situation now? - I read a tip about arriving the day before in Abu Simbel, staying overnight to be there at opening time and enjoy the site before the organized tours arrive. Do you have any links for hotels near Abu Simbel, please?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and advice! 🙂

Hello, We’d like to spend a week in Luxor and Aswan in February. I’d asked a tour operator to organize the trip for us, but I think it’s way too expensive for what’s included. So I’m going to try to plan it myself, and with your help if you don’t mind. We’re 76 and 77 years old and in good shape, but I doubt we’ll be getting up at 6 a.m. every day. I bought a paper guidebook, but I haven’t read it all yet. We arrive on a Saturday at 5 p.m. and leave the following Saturday at 6 p.m. Here’s what I’d like to do: The first three days in Luxor: - Valley of the Kings: 3 tombs + Seti I and Ramses VI, and Hatshepsut; see the Colossi of Memnon along the way. Ramesseum??? First question: How much time do we need for this? I can’t figure it out. Can we see anything else the same day without feeling overwhelmed or too tired?

- Karnak Temple: Should we start with it or with Luxor Temple? How much time for both? Sound and light show in the evening? Or just Luxor Temple illuminated? Can the Avenue of Sphinxes be seen separately?

- Valley of the Nobles (2 combined tickets), Artisans’ Village, and Medinet Habu: Same question—how much time? Can we see anything else?

No one ever talks about lunch or going back to visit in the afternoon. Is it too hot? I saw there are one or two small restaurants near the temples—do you know any? Or is it better to go back to Luxor?

What’s a fair price for a taxi for a day like this? We’ll probably stay on the East Bank.

- Day 4: Then we’d like to go to Aswan, stopping at Edfu and Kom Ombo along the way. I’ve seen prices around 140 € for a private car with a driver.

- Day 5: Unfortunately, no matter how I rearrange the days, we’ll only have one day for Abu Simbel. I’ve seen prices around 140–150 €. I don’t plan on getting up at 3 a.m.—what time should we leave so it’s not too bad? We won’t have much time to explore Aswan after two days on the road plus a third to return to Luxor.

- Day 6: Philae Temple—I’ve read a lot of comments saying it’s a madhouse to get the boat. How much should we pay to avoid haggling for hours??? How much time for the visit? Return to Luxor—I was tempted to take the train, but so far I’ve only seen options very early in the morning. The price is also around 150 €. - Day 7: In Luxor, since our flight leaves at 6 p.m., I thought we’d visit the Luxor Museum. Does this itinerary seem reasonable? Is there another way to organize it? Of course, if you know drivers who offer good rates, I’m interested—but I want a good driver who doesn’t drive too fast, a car with AC and in good condition for the long trips (we’re not 20 anymore). Thanks for reading this far, and all your advice is welcome! Annaïck

Hi,

We’d like to travel from Aswan to Luxor by private car, with stops at Kom Ombo and Edfu—but without a guide. I contacted an agency that’s offering the trip for 140 € for 3 people. I don’t really have a sense of pricing yet, but it seems a bit steep since the two cities aren’t *that* far apart. I get that the driver might have to return empty. Also, the agency wants us to leave early due to checkpoints where drivers have to report by a certain time. They’re also asking for copies of our passports in advance (government rules?).

Is this always the case, or is it possible to travel without these constraints? Thanks, Aquab10

Hi everyone,

I’ve got a bit of a dilemma about our return trip from Abu Simbel to Cairo.

On November 24th, we want to travel from Aswan to Abu Simbel during the day, arriving between 2 and 4 PM to check into our hotel and see the Sound and Light show at the temples. This transfer isn’t booked yet—I still need to find ground transportation for two. We also want to visit the two temples early on November 25th, before the minibuses arrive.

That’s when things get tricky for the return to Cairo!

- **PLANE from Abu Simbel**: There’s an EgyptAir flight at 1:30 PM, but it stops in Aswan at 2:10 PM and doesn’t leave again until 8:20 PM, arriving in Cairo at 9:50 PM. Since it’s a combined flight, I assume our luggage will follow. We *could* wander around the airport area, but that doesn’t thrill me—plus, we’ll have already seen the Kalabsha Temple.

- **GROUND TRANSPORT back to Aswan** (with prior authorization, like on the way there).

- **PLANE from Aswan**: Take the same flight mentioned above, but from Aswan at 8:20 PM. But what do we do with our luggage while waiting for the flight?

- **TRAIN from Aswan at 9:05 PM**, arriving in Cairo—or even Alexandria—at 6:05 AM, since we need to go there too! This could be a fun experience if the conditions are decent. The only catch: we’d need to book the train 17 days in advance, meaning by November 8th, when we’ll be in Kharga (the last leg of our 5-day desert trip). Our French-speaking guide might be able to help reserve the tickets, though???

Which option seems the most enjoyable 😉, the least hassle 😕...

Thanks so much for your help! Sylvie.

I’m stuck in the airport on a layover, so here’s what I wish I’d known before I left! :)

When I arrived, I got scammed right away at the VODAFONE stand in the airport. They sold me a 20 GB SIM card for 10 €—cash only because their terminal wasn’t working—and it stopped working the next day… After that, I got an Orange SIM in town for 10 €, and it worked perfectly.

I’d booked my airport transfer online with B… for 7 €, but it’s even cheaper on the spot with Indrive—I paid 4 € for the return trip. Indrive helps you avoid getting ripped off, because scamming is basically the national sport here…

Naama Bay, along with Old Sharm, is the heart of the nightlife: a few bars with music and shisha, and tons of shops selling knockoffs. The beach is nice, but there aren’t any corals.

Watch out: the beaches are all paid, costing around 2 to 3 € each time, and you’ll be packed in like sardines on sun loungers that are all squished together! Only hotels have private beaches, often with a shuttle running once or twice a day. Good to know if you’re thinking of renting an apartment…

Another issue with apartments is the food—there’s not much variety in the small supermarkets.

There’s apparently a free beach in Hadaba, but I couldn’t find it. I did find Shark Bay, which is amazing… but it’s a bit far.

At first, I rented an apartment, but I ended up switching to all-inclusive stays at different hotels for the same price…

AVOID booking with STAYFORLONG!!! I booked an all-inclusive stay through them, and when I arrived, the hotel told me it was only half-board! I couldn’t get in touch with them at all… That site is a total scam.

In early February, it’s chilly at night but hot in the sun during the day. The pool water is pretty cold, but the sea is fine for swimming.

The corals are incredible! Take advantage of them!!!

That said, once you’re out of the water, there’s not much else to do…

Hi there,

We’ll be traveling to Egypt in mid-February and plan to spend a full day on the Giza Plateau: visiting the pyramids site + the new GEM (Grand Egyptian Museum). The question is simple: in what order should we do these two visits? I’m torn: - Pyramids in the morning because it’s less crowded, or in the afternoon for the setting sun? - GEM in the morning since tickets are timed slots, so it’d be easier to stick to the schedule than if we visit the pyramids first (we don’t know exactly how long our visit will take and when we’ll be able to get to the GEM), or in the afternoon? Anyway, I’m looking forward to your suggestions for planning this day!

On another note, the day before, we’ll arrive at our hotel on the Giza Plateau around 2:30 PM. How could we spend the rest of the afternoon (keeping in mind we don’t want to overdo it since we’ll have just flown in from France and had a very short night before!)?

Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone, In October 2026, my wife and I are going on a cruise on the Nile. My question is: do they accept euros for personal expenses? Thanks everyone!

Hi everyone,

My partner and I are planning to visit Egypt in September for a week.

We’d most likely start in Hurghada first, and then explore other nearby places to see some legendary spots.

My first question—and probably the most important—is whether it’s safe to travel there in 2025 or if we should be concerned about security?

My second question: if we do go to Hurghada, could you recommend some standout spots not too far away with breathtaking views to make our romantic trip unforgettable?

Thanks in advance for all your tips! 😉

Hi! I’m planning a trip to Egypt in July with my 14-year-old daughter. We’ll spend a week in Cairo visiting different sites, and then we’d like to take a cruise for several days (4 to 6 days) from Luxor to Aswan. Should I take the train or a flight from Cairo to Luxor? Thanks for your advice!

Best, F

Hi there,

I’m planning my next trip outside Europe for next year, but unfortunately, I don’t have a choice with the dates—it’s late June to early July. Last year, I went to Japan for three weeks, and it was constantly 36-37°C with over 90% humidity. It wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t impossible either.

For Egypt, I know it’s a period to avoid if possible, but I’m thinking that by the sea, it might be manageable. Otherwise, I’ll consider another destination.

Day 1: Arrival in Hurghada in the evening Day 2, 3, 4: Hurghada Day 5: Hurghada, then drive to Luxor in the early afternoon Day 6: Luxor Day 7: Luxor, then drive back to Hurghada in the late afternoon Day 8, 9, 10, 11: Hurghada Day 12: Return flight

For the Hurghada trip, either rent a car or—easier—a private car/van. Is it worth adding an extra day in Luxor?

During the stay, we’re planning activities like camel rides, quad biking, jeep tours, snorkeling, and jet skiing.

Thanks for your replies

Hi everyone,

Four questions: - What is the official website of the Egyptian Embassy in France? - What is the official procedure for obtaining a multiple-entry visa (non-E-visa for French citizens) for someone residing in France who is not an EU citizen (on the list of countries required to obtain a visa before departure)? Is the Marseille Consulate authorized to handle this? - Finally, what’s the cost and processing time? 79 € or more?

Thanks in advance

Hi, We’re heading to the Tropitel Sahl Hasheesh hotel with family from April 19 to 26 and we’d like to visit the pyramids in Cairo. I found an agency that looks interesting: Memnon Reisen, but when it came time to pay the deposit, I got worried it might be a scam—the account is based in Dubai. Has anyone heard of them or used this company before? Thanks for your help.

Hi everyone, For an Egypt e-visa application, they ask online: Country you’re traveling from Now, if you’re French but leaving from Italy, for example, what do you put? Has anyone been in this situation before? Thanks

Hi, I’d like to know if Uber works for a trip between Marsa Alam and Hurghada Airport? Thanks

Hi everyone,

Since I had trouble finding up-to-date info, here’s an update on some key points for Jordan/Egypt ferries as of August 2025.

Right now, AB Maritime is the only company still operating ferries. Other companies sometimes mentioned (Jordan Sinaï Hotel and Tour, Sinaï Ferry, etc.) have stopped running (no response by phone or email, and confirmed on-site).

On the Jordanian side, the fast ferry doesn’t leave from the port of Aqaba but from Tala Bay (20 km further south). There’s supposedly a slow ferry that departs in the evening from Aqaba port (according to a taxi driver), but I couldn’t find any info about it.

Currently, there’s one ferry per day in each direction for Aqaba/Taba and another for Aqaba/Nuweiba. But the schedules aren’t great for backpackers—and they’re not the same every day.

On the Jordanian side at Tala Bay, you access the port by walking through a large resort, go through border control before boarding the ferry (+ luggage check). You have to pay the exit tax of 10 JOD (12 €) to "someone sitting on a bench in front"!!! It’s true—you need to ask who to pay, or customs won’t let you through without the magic coupon. Oddly, I arrived early and managed to take a different ferry than the one I’d booked online by insisting (it wasn’t open for online reservations). I bought the ticket on the AB Maritime website. Confirmation by email was brief. Then you have to find another person outside the port who has the passenger list and will give you the actual ticket. (What a joy this organization is!) Luckily, everyone’s really friendly with tourists.

On the Egyptian side, arrival in Taba isn’t in Taba itself but at Taba Heights (20 km further south), in a hotel zone. Immigration can be more or less quick depending on your place in the queue at the single office... (free Sinai visa or paid Egypt visa). And outside... nothing. Nothing: no exchange bureau, no ATM, no drink or SIM vendor... A nightmare. No bus station. One or two taxis at prohibitive prices. Personally, I walked about fifteen minutes to the Strand Hotel to find someone who could actually help me (ATM out of service in that big resort). From there, two bus companies currently operate: Webus in small vans but you have to book at least 2 days in advance (frequent, fast, reasonable prices) or GoBus with large buses (only one per day, even cheaper). They head south to Nuweiba, Sharm El Sheikh, etc. A taxi from Taba to Sharm was quoted at 120 USD at the port exit!

For me, the ferry and GoBus schedules didn’t align at all. If I’d known about Webus earlier, I could’ve saved 6 hours of waiting...

On another note, a Taiwanese traveler I met also mentioned that the Hurghada-Sharm El Sheikh ferry is no longer running.

Basically, these border crossings and ferries are more suited to organized tours than backpackers, but it’s still doable.

Hi everyone, We’re going on a Nile cruise. My question: We’re taking off from Brussels Airport to land in Cairo. Then we have to catch a second flight to Luxor. How does that work—do we pick up our luggage, do we have to exit and then re-enter the airport? Thanks for your help, tips, and advice, etc.…