Cheap flights to Egypt from S$ 470

The ancient wonders of the Great Pyramids and Sphinx at Giza; rolling sand dunes and camel trekking in the Sahara Desert; a hike up Mount Sinai; and the hotels and resorts on the warm shores of the Red Sea at Sharm el Sheikh – Egypt has a host of varied attractions to discover and explore. The North African country is easily accessible from Britain: an Egypt flight takes a mere five hours, but lands you in the middle of a completely different culture.

Travellers from Europe have been visiting Egypt for hundreds of yearsand remain as captivated by its charm in the 21st Century as Mark Antony was in 42 BC. The country’s ancient civilisation gives it one of the richest histories in the world – pick one of the many popular books about the Pharaohs to read on your flight to Egypt and becomeimmersed in a culture that dates back more than 5,000 years.

But the country is very much thriving and alive today. Along with the proliferation of modern resorts on its coastlines are the attractions of the cosmopolitan cities. Cairois seldom missed by travellers and is filled withmuseums, shops and bazaars; Luxor is the gateway to the Valley of the Kings and the ancient “City of Palaces;” Alexandria has monuments from Alexander the Great; and Aswan, an old trading town, is the starting point for many Nile cruises.

Egypt climate

Egypt’s Mediterranean coast can be cool, but the rest of the country is sizzling hot, especially in the summer. Be prepared to sweat – the desert is hot and arid.

Getting around Egypt

Domestic Egypt flights are readily available and can save a lot of time, though they are certainly not the cheapest means of getting around. Egypt Air, the national carrier, flies domestically.

Public transport is good throughout the country. Trains are reliable and safe and the rail network connects most towns. Surprisingly, however, this can be the slowest method of transport – particularly for short journeys where buses will almost always be quicker. If you are travelling long distances by train, make sure you get the fast non-stop air-conditioned wagons, rather than the slower stopping local trains.

Buses are also reliable and cheaper than trains. The network is excellent – almost anywhere you could want to go will be covered.

Service taxis, known as servees, are popular and common. Often Peugeot saloons, the large taxis will pick up passengers from popular spots, such as train stations and only depart when full – often with a dozen people in. They are an inexpensive way to travel and usually safe, but you will have little control about when you leave or how long it takes to get to your destination.

What is good to know if travelling to Egypt?

• Egypt brings one thing to mind immediately – the Great Pyramids. It is likely that everyone visiting the country will want to see the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. In order to avoid the bulk of the crowds, as well as the heat of the day, try and visit as early as possible in the day: 8am is ideal, but definitely aim to get there before midday. Additionally, tickets for the Great Pyramid are limited to 300 a day, so arriving early should ensure you get one.
• Taking money to any country in Africa can be a dilemma. Is it wiser to carry travellers cheques, local currency or change it when you get there? Facilities for changing money are good in Egypt, and exchange rates are often considerably better than they would be at home, so it is well worth considering changing your currency once you’ve arrived. However, be aware that banks are not open for the hours as you might expect. Most are closed on Friday and Saturday, though open on Sundays. Working hours are usually 8am-2pm. If you’re stuck at other times, search out a big international hotel, which will often contain money-changing facilities (though for unappealing rates).
• One of the best places for swimming or snorkelling in Egypt is at Marsa Alam, on the Red Sea. Until recently, Marsa Alam was a small fishing village, but it has increasingly become a popular resort with those wanting to avoid the tourists of the North. As it is one of the more recent developments for tourists, it’s easy to find good eco-lodges and camps in which to stay. The Wadi el Gamal coast area is a national park, which means the mangroves, palm trees, coral reef and dolphins are all protected by the preservation area. Holiday here with a clearer conscience.
• Lake Nasser in southern Egypt is the largest man-made lake in the world. Two towns by the lake are especially worth visiting: Abu Simbel and Aswan. It’s easiest to stay in Aswan and take a day-trip (or longer) to Abu Simbel. Connection is easy by plane, or by a very early morning bus. The latter takes longer, but does mean you can see the sun rise over the desert.
• If you’re searching for accommodation in Egypt, a popular site for user reviews is Trivago. Take a look at the page on hotels in Aswan.