Travel advisory · EgyptSome governments advise against travel to parts of Egypt.The warnings cover only these areas: 50 km strip along the Libyan border, Gaza Strip, North Sinai, Sudan border area, Western Desert, Ismailia Governorate east of Suez Canal, Libyan border area, Northern South Sinai (beyond St Catherine–Nuweiba road), West of the Nile Valley and Nile Delta.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- 50 km strip along the Libyan border · avoid all travel · Canada, New Zealand
- Gaza Strip · avoid all travel · Canada, France, New Zealand
- North Sinai · avoid all travel · Canada, Spain, France, Ireland, New Zealand, UK, US
- Sudan border area · avoid all travel · Germany, Spain, France, Italy
- Western Desert · avoid all travel · Canada, US
- Ismailia Governorate east of Suez Canal · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, UK
- Libyan border area · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, Spain, Italy
- Northern South Sinai (beyond St Catherine–Nuweiba road) · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, New Zealand, UK
- West of the Nile Valley and Nile Delta · avoid non-essential travel · France, New Zealand, UK
Also named by one government: 20 km strip along the Libyan border (UK), Egypt-Israel border area (Germany), Egyptian border areas (military zones) (US), Middle Sinai (US), Port Said Governorate east of Suez Canal (Canada), Rafah border zone (Spain), Remote Sahara desert areas (Germany), Suez Governorate east of Suez Canal (Canada), Western Desert border zone toward Libya (France), Bahariya–Siwa road (UK), Bir Tawil Trapezoid (UK), Gilf El Kebir and Gebel Al Uweynat region (Italy), Hala'ib Triangle (UK), Non-tourist desert areas (Italy), Rafah border crossing (Ireland), South Sinai Governorate (Germany)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Exercise increased caution (regional advisories) | Jul 15, 2025 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Exercise a high degree of caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | Besondere Vorsicht walten lassen (keine Gesamtwarnung) (regional advisories) | Oct 13, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Exercise increased caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| Ireland (Department of Foreign Affairs) | High degree of caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | Increased vigilance for the rest of the country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Red Sea coast
Go to Egypt's Red Sea coast for reef snorkeling and diving, mild winter weather and a choice between busy Hurghada and quieter Marsa Alam.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Egypt's Red Sea coast runs along the western shore of the sea, from El Gouna and Hurghada south to Marsa Alam. Desert hills come down to the water, and the shallow sea is clear enough that coral reefs sit close to shore. Hurghada is the main resort base and has an international airport. El Gouna, a planned resort town with lagoons and a marina, lies a short drive north of it. Marsa Alam, further south, is quieter and suits travelers who want a calmer base. Sharm el-Sheikh and Dahab, on the Sinai side, are also popular stops.
Most trips here are about the water. Day boats from Hurghada reach reefs for snorkeling and diving, and many resorts have a reef close by. Visit between October and April for mild air and warm sea, since summer is very hot. Plan at least a week if you want time for diving and beach days. Luxor's Nile temples are inland, a short flight from Hurghada, so add them by road or air if you want to see them.
Red Sea coast in five
- Choose the town by the reefHurghada and El Gouna run day boats to offshore reefs. Marsa Alam has more house reefs you can reach from the beach.Hurghada or El Gouna?
- Do not touch or stand on coralMuch of the coast is protected marine park. Use reef-safe habits and keep fins off the reef.
- Fly into the right airportHurghada (HRG) serves the north of the coast, Marsa Alam (RMF) the south. The drive between them is about 3–4 hours.Marsa Alam guide
- Plan Luxor as an overnight tripLuxor is about four hours from Hurghada by road. A night there beats a very long day trip.Luxor guide
Things to do in Red Sea coast
See all attractions in Red Sea coast
Need to know
- Airport
- Hurghada (HRG) or Marsa Alam (RMF)
- Getting there
- Direct flights from Europe; buses from Cairo, about 6–7 hours
- Getting around
- Resort transfers, taxis, day boats
- Best base
- El Gouna for towns, Marsa Alam for reefs off the beach
- Time needed
- 5–7 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryClear0 rainy daysHigh20°Low14°Mild, cool seaJanuaryClear
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, cool sea
- FebruaryClear1 rainy dayHigh21°Low14°Windy, cool seaFebruaryClear
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Windy, cool sea
- MarchClear0 rainy daysHigh24°Low17°WarmMarchClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 2 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm
- AprilClear0 rainy daysHigh27°Low20°Warm seaAprilClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 0 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea
- MayClear0 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°HotMayClear
Good
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 0 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot
- JuneClear0 rainy daysHigh33°Low27°HotJuneClear
Mixed
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 0 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot
- JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh34°Low28°Very hotJulyClear
Mixed
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 28°
- Precipitation
- 0 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot
- AugustClear0 rainy daysHigh35°Low29°Very hotAugustClear
Mixed
- High
- 35°
- Low
- 29°
- Precipitation
- 0 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot
- SeptemberClear0 rainy daysHigh33°Low27°HotSeptemberClear
Mixed
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 0 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot
- OctoberClear0 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Warm seaOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea
- NovemberClear0 rainy daysHigh26°Low20°WarmNovemberClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 0 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm
- DecemberClear0 rainy daysHigh22°Low16°MildDecemberClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
Average daily high and low in Hurghada, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Red Sea coast
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
28
- Feels like
- 29°
- Humidity
- 50%
- Wind
- 3 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Red Sea coast
10:37 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today32°21°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 32°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue33°24°0%Tuesday: Clear. High 33°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed30°23°0%Wednesday: Partly cloudy. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu29°21°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 29°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri28°22°0%Friday: Partly cloudy. High 28°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat25°20°0%Saturday: Clear. High 25°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun25°20°0%Sunday: Clear. High 25°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 0%.
Updated 06:16 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 55.96 EGP
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
Day trips from Red Sea coast, the full guideBefore you go to Red Sea coast
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Red Sea coast, checked
- Check Egypt's entry rules, including visa on arrival and the e-visa, with the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs before you book.
- Taking antiquities out of Egypt without a permit is illegal. Buy crafts from licensed shops and keep the receipt.
- Drones need permission in Egypt. Check the rules with the Egyptian civil aviation authority before you fly one.
- Dial 122 for police and 123 for an ambulance anywhere in Egypt.
Plan around Red Sea coast
Regions, e-visa, money and safety
Read the guideLuxorTemples and tombs, about four hours inland
Read the guideCairoPyramids and museums before the coast
Read the guideHurghadaThe biggest resort town and the airport for Luxor trips
Read the guideEl GounaA planned lagoon resort north of Hurghada
Read the guideVisa on arrival or e-visaWhich passports can use which route
Read the guideBest time to visit EgyptMonths and heat across the country
Read the guideRed Sea coast FAQ
Hurghada or Marsa Alam: which is better?
Hurghada has more hotels, restaurants and boat trips. Marsa Alam is quieter with more reefs straight off the beach and access to southern dive sites.
Is the Red Sea warm in winter?
Air highs stay in the low 20s °C from December to February, but the sea feels cool and wetsuits help for long snorkels.
Can I visit Luxor from the Red Sea coast?
Yes. Luxor is about four hours from Hurghada by road. Many visitors stay one night to see both banks without rushing.
When is the best time to snorkel or dive on the Red Sea?
March to May and September to November combine warm water with comfortable air. July and August are very hot on land, and January and February have the coolest sea, so wetsuits help.
Is it worth adding the Red Sea to a Nile trip?
Yes, if you want beach days after temples. Fly Cairo or Luxor to Hurghada or Marsa Alam, and give the coast at least three nights so transfers do not eat the stay.