This post is about Egypt Tours From Israel. But before getting into that issue first it’s worth noting that Israel borders with Egypt along the south. The border with Egypt is the international border demarcated in 1906 between the United Kingdom and the Ottoman Empire, confirmed in the 1979 Egypt–Israel Peace Treaty. Now, visiting Cairo and Egypt from Israel is for sure a natural extension to a trip to Israel. I offer private tours to Egypt and Israel makes it easy and relatively cheap to visit Egypt. Cairo is one of the world’s largest and greatest metropolises. The River Nile meanders through it and houses great iconic sites. For example, the Pyramids of Giza, Statue of the Sphinx, the Egyptian Museum, and so much more! For more information on my tours to Egypt please get in touch.
It’s not hard to find Israeli companies that do organized tours to Egypt, but before you book any Egypt tour, you should check what their policies are for canceling trips due to security reasons.
Traveling to Egypt
There are regular flights from Tel Aviv to Cairo, operated by EgyptAir subsidiary, Air Sinai. The price for these flights is approximately $450 per person, return. Reservations cannot be done through online flight booking websites, unlike most international flights. They must instead be handled through the office of Air Sinai in Tel Aviv.
The most practical way to travel between Israel and Egypt is overland via the Taba border crossing just south of Eilat. However at this time (November 2013), it will only provide convenient access to the southern part of the Sinai Peninsula. There is an exit tax of 100 NIS plus 5 NIS surcharge when you exit Israel and a border tax of 75 EGP when you enter Sinai.
If you are just traveling in Sinai, you will get a free 2-week visa at the border that will allow you to travel in Sinai as far south as Sharm El Sheikh. If you plan to go farther south to Ras Mohamed National Park or to mainland Egypt, you must get a visa beforehand at the Egyptian consulate in Tel Aviv or Eilat. Allow at least 1 day for processing.
Egypt Tours From Israel: Taba Boarder Crossing
The border crossing is about 10 km south of downtown Eilat, Israel’s most southern city. You can take a bus run by Egged (The Israeli national bus company) from any of the major cities in Israel to Eilat. From Jerusalem, Egged bus 444 goes to Eilat (78 NIS). It is best to buy your ticket online – and save 15% – if you are planning to travel Thursday, Friday, or on the eve of a festival.
From Eilat, you can either take Egged bus 15 (5 NIS) or a private taxi for 50 NIS or less (subject to your negotiating skills).
While Israel is notorious for its long waits at its borders, Taba is one of the exceptions. The terminal is quite modern with air-conditioning, bathrooms, and a nice duty-free shop. For more about Israel’s Border Crossings here is a governmental link in English.
