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For UK travellers
Egypt Tours from the UK
Egypt is one of the few genuinely ancient destinations within a short-haul-length flight of the UK - about five hours from London, with no jet lag worth the name.
Last updated: October 2026·Reviewed by the Cairo planning team
At a glance
- Flight time
- About 5 hours direct from London
- Direct routes
- London to Cairo year-round; seasonal Manchester to the Red Sea
- Visa
- E-visa online or visa on arrival - check current rules before you travel
- Time difference
- 1-2 hours ahead of the UK, depending on season
- Best months
- October to April
- Currency
- US dollars widely accepted alongside Egyptian pounds
- School holidays
- February and October half-terms book up first
Direct flights run from London to Cairo year-round, and seasonally from Manchester to the Red Sea resorts. Five hours in the air puts you in front of the pyramids the same day you leave, which is the single biggest practical advantage the UK market has.
The time difference is small enough to ignore - one or two hours ahead depending on the season - so you arrive able to use the day rather than needing to recover from it.
The best months for UK travellers are the ones the UK is at its worst: October through April, when Egypt is comfortable and Britain is not. December and February half-terms are the fixed points to book around.
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Planning from the UK
- About five hours from London - you land and start the same day.
- One to two hours ahead, so there is no jet lag to plan around.
- October to April is the window: comfortable in Egypt, miserable at home.
- Half-term weeks are the first dates to sell out. Book those early.
- A week is enough for Cairo, a Nile cruise and a couple of days on the coast.
Practical notes for UK visitors
- Bring a jacket for winter evenings - it is colder than people expect.
- US dollars in small notes are useful for tipping.
- Check your passport has six months left beyond your travel dates.
- Travel insurance that covers the Red Sea if you plan to dive.
- A UK-to-Egypt plug adapter (Egypt uses European two-pin).
Frequently asked
How long is the flight from the UK to Egypt?
About five hours direct from London to Cairo. Red Sea resorts take a similar time, with seasonal direct services from several UK regional airports.
Do UK citizens need a visa for Egypt?
A tourist visa is required, available as an e-visa online in advance or on arrival at the airport. Rules do change, so confirm the current position before you travel - we will point you to the official source when you book.
When is the best time to go from the UK?
October to April. That is when Egypt is comfortable for full days of sightseeing, and it happens to be when the UK is at its least appealing.
Is there a big time difference?
One to two hours ahead of UK time depending on the season - small enough that it will not affect your first day.