Best time to go to Marsa Alam
Marsa Alam pairs 13 hours of daily sunshine with temperatures that rocket to the 33°C mark in July and August. And while the winter months hover around a decent 23°C during the day, evenings can see temperatures fall by a cool 10°C. It’s all down to the area’s desert climate, which also means Marsa Alam only gets a sprinkling of rain each year.Passports and Visas
If you have a British passport, check the foreign travel advice from the FCDO to see if you need a visa. If you have a different passport, check with the Egyptian embassy or consulate before you travel.You don’t need a visa if you’re visiting Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba resorts for up to 15 days. Instead, you’ll receive a free entry permission stamp on arrival. If you’re travelling outside these resorts or staying for longer than 15 days, you must buy a tourist visa.
You can apply for an e-visa online through the Egypt e-Visa Portal, or you can buy one on arrival if you have a full British passport.
We recommend you sort your visa before you travel to avoid queues. You should apply for your e-visa at least 10 days before you travel.
Visa costs until 31st December 2026
- US$30 per person, including children and infants, from the local authorities
- £28 per person from our local partner, Travco (you’ll see them in the arrivals hall with a TUI and Travco sign)
- US$33 per person, including children and infants, from official government sources, plus a US$6 service fee
- £31 per person from Travco
Digital visas at Cairo International Airport
At Cairo International Airport, you can buy a digital visa on arrival from a self-service machine or through the Visa on Arrival portal. This costs US$36, including a US$6 service fee. You’ll need to pay by card.
For the most up-to-date passport and visa information, visit the FCDO’s entry requirements for Egypt, where you can also register for travel updates.
You can also apply for an e-visa online through our visa partner, Sherpa.
Health and safety
You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover you while you’re away. For the latest health and safety information, visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt/healthTravel Aware
Travel Aware – Staying Safe and Healthy Abroad
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and National Travel Health Network and Centre have up-to-date advice on staying safe and healthy abroad.
See gov.uk/travelaware and follow @FCDOtravelGovUK on Twitter and Facebook.com/FCDOtravel – for the latest general FCDO travel advice, including coronavirus travel guidance, security and local laws, and passport and visa information.
See gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice – for FCDO travel advice about individual destinations.
Sign up for FCDO travel advice email alerts, so you automatically receive the latest travel advice updates and travel requirements for the destinations you want to know about.
See Travel Aware page – for travel advice from First Choice.
See travelhealthpro.org.uk – for current travel health news.
The advice can change so check regularly for updates.
