Navigating Egypt's Borders: A Guide to Ports of Entry
Egypt is a wonderful country to visit or plan a family vacation. The country also administers a lot of business activities which increases the count of business travellers to Egypt. Travellers should have a keen eye, from getting the entry requirements to booking the return tickets. Despite the travel purpose, like other international trips, planning a trip to Egypt isn’t an easy task. Gathering the needed and required information about each process will aid in building a proper and complete travel plan to Egypt.
In that regard, information about the Egypt ports of entry is significant for travellers. Egypt has many entry ports and travellers can choose any port of their choice to enter Egypt. It is mandatory that travellers must gather all information and be aware of the entry requirements of their entry port. The entry requirements, rules and regulations of Egypt's entry port are mostly the same. At times, some entry ports might require particular documents or specific requirements which must be addressed. All the gathered information will be of great advantage for travellers in making informed decisions.
Major Egypt Ports of Entry
Ports are the actual gateway for travellers to enter and explore the monuments and landscapes in Egypt. As noted above, Egypt has many ports that serve the country’s different purposes. Here is noteworthy information about the major Egypt ports of entry that benefits travellers visiting Egypt.
Cairo International Airport
The largest city and the capital city of Egypt is Cairo. Cairo International Airport (CIA) has a long history dating back to World War II. Cairo International Airport (CIA) is situated in the northeast part of Cairo, the Heliopolis region or the Eternal City. The airport extends to an area of 37 km2 (approximately). The CIA is an important gateway to Egypt's tourism, business, etc. It has three runways and serves as the hub for Egypt’s Nile Air, Egypt Air, Air Cairo and other airlines.
Cairo International Airport has visa-on-arrival facilities near the arrival area. Travellers who have planned to get an Egypt visa upon their arrival should check their eligibility for it and have the proper documents. It is significant to note that not all nationals are eligible for the Egypt visa-on-arrival option. After their arrival travellers can follow the sign board, which leads to visa-on-arrival counters or banks. Get the visa application form and enter only the correct information. Submit it to the visa counter with all the essential documents. Proceed to the visa fee. Check the visa fee and have the exact change, and cash is the only acceptable mode of payment.
Travellers can make use of the currency exchange house in Cairo International Airport, but remember it exchanges currency as per the rate set by the government. Or else choose another official and trustworthy currency exchange outside the airport. The Mini Metro of Cairo International Airport eases the transportation connecting all the three terminals to the car park. Besides, the airport also has taxi and shuttle bus services. The other amenities of the airport are rental cars, ATMs, duty-free shops, lounges, shopping places, café and restaurants and a kids play area with games.
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The capital of Egypt, Cairo, is also nicknamed “the city of a thousand minarets” owing to its beautiful Islamic architecture and stunning mosques located all over the city. Getting to the city is easy, it is home to Egypt’s significant airport, the Cairo International Airport (CIA). Read more at Tourist Guide to Cairo Egypt for First Time Tourists.
Sharm El Sheikh International Airport
The airport is also one of Egypt’s busiest airports and it is situated in the northeast part of Sharm el-Sheikh. The airport is situated in Egypt’s coastal city the Sharm el-Sheikh. The airport was opened in 1968 as the Israel Air Force base. Following the peace treaty, the airport was reopened and used for commercial purposes. The airport is the major entry point to Egypt. Reaching the airport from the city center only takes about 15-20 minutes.
Travellers can get an Egypt visa upon their arrival at the airport. A valid Egypt visa is crucial to enter Egypt, except for the citizens who are exempted from Egypt visas. Travellers looking for Egypt visa-on-arrival options can walk straight to the visa counter at the arrival hall. Checking the eligibility of the travellers is important for getting an Egypt visa on arrival. Get all the necessary documents ready, such as passport, traveller’s photograph, accommodation proof, financial statement, travel itinerary, etc., to submit along with the Egypt visa-on-arrival application form. Getting an Egypt e-visa or other Egypt visa is advisable to avoid the risk of visa rejection upon the traveller’s arrival in Egypt or delays in the visa application process.
As stated above, reaching the city centre from the airport will never be a trouble. Travellers can choose from the available transportation modes such as rental or private vehicles, regular buses, rental bike services and taxis (which operate anytime). A few other amenities of Sharm El Sheikh International Airport are lounges, shopping areas, cash machines, currency exchange counters, information desk, first aid assistance, dining facilities, royal fast track service, over 5000 car parking spaces and many more. It is advisable to have proper documents subject to the entry requirements for a hassle-free entry.
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Organizing a tourist trip to Egypt mandates a valid visa. Travellers should have a valid Egypt visa to secure their entry and stay in Egypt. Getting an Egypt tourist visa takes a lot of groundwork such as checking the visa types, required documents, stay limitations, validity, eligibility and visa fee.
Hurghada International Airport
One of the important and busiest airports in Egypt is the Hurghada International Airport, located near the coastal parts of the Red Sea. The airport is situated in Hurghada, the most famous tourist city. The coastal city is popular for diving activities, beaches, islands and ancient monuments. The airport’s new terminal approximately extends up to 92,000 square meters. The airport has two terminals and twenty departure gates. The aircraft site of the Hurghada International Airport features up to 52 aircraft sites. Reaching the city from the airport takes about a 20-25 minute drive.
Travellers can obtain their Egypt visa after their arrival at Hurghada International Airport only if they are eligible for it. After their arrival in Egypt, travellers can head to the visa bank or counter at the terminal to get their Egypt visa. The Egypt visa-on-arrival is valid only for tourism visits or activities. Using the e-visa, travellers can enjoy 30 days stay in Egypt. Additionally, it is a single-entry visa, so travellers can use it only a single time to enter and exit Egypt. It cannot be used for business purposes. Ensure to have all the essential documents. Get the visa application form from the visa counter, fill the form completely and pay the fee.
It is mandatory to follow all the rules and airport protocols after arriving at Egypt airport. The Hurghada International Airport has two terminals and the newly constructed terminal is terminal one. The airport is one of the significant hubs for the country’s commercial and domestic purposes. Travellers can enjoy dining at restaurants or shopping at the duty-free shops. The airport is well-equipped to assist physically challenged persons. A few other amenities of the Hurghada International Airport are a smoking area, ATMs and currency exchange counters, kid area, lounges, baggage or luggage facilities, medical services, etc.
Port of Alexandria
The largest coastal city Alexandria is situated near Cairo, Egypt. The Alexandria Port is the most significant seaport in Egypt. The historic seaport was established around 331 BC and underwent several enhancements. The port served as the important hub of Mediterranean and global trade since ancient days. At present times, the Alexandria Port handles over 50% of Egypt’s international trade. The total area of the Alexandria Port extends around 10 square kilometers (approximately), including the two harbors (east and west), water and land area of the port.
The Egypt visa for cruise travellers is mostly arranged and handled by the cruise line. Travellers do not have to worry about long queues, visa processing time or physical visits to the Egypt embassy or consulate. The cruise line will get Egypt visas for its travellers. Most cruise lines do not charge its travellers for Egypt visas. However, travellers are advised to check the Egypt visa facility with their opted cruise line before booking. Double-check the information or clarify all the queries. Travellers looking for further details or the latest information can clarify it by contacting the Egypt embassy or consulate. Also, check on the alternatives such as Egypt e-visa, which ensures secured entry into Egypt.
Travelling to the city centre from the Alexandria Port is made easy with various transportation modes available at the port. Travellers can use public transportation, taxis, rental vehicles, etc. The Alexandria Port permits the travellers with Egypt e-visa to enter Egypt. Opting for the Egypt visa-on-arrival option is an ideal choice, but it has certain restrictions such as single-entry, valid only for tourism visits, etc. Additionally, travellers might face the risk of visa rejection and end up leaving Egypt.
Other Egypt Ports of Entry
Travellers can choose any of the Egypt entry ports to explore the beauty of Egypt and its civilization. Below-listed are a few other Egypt entry ports.
- Luxor International Airport
- Port of Port Said (seaport)
- Port of Safaga (seaport)
- Taba border crossing
- Rafah border crossing
The above-mentioned list of Egypt ports of entry is only for reference purposes. Travellers are advised to check the latest details close to their travel date. After choosing the entry port, always remember to check the entry requirements or if any specific document is required to enter Egypt through the chosen entry port.
Required Documents List at Egypt Entry Port
The preparation to enter Egypt does not stop after getting an Egypt visa or e-visa. There is a lot to the process and the most important one is maintaining proper documents. This helps travellers in various ways, and it is mandatory to have a hassle-free entry process after arriving in Egypt. Ensure to have a proper record of all the below-mentioned documents.
- Passport (validity is important)
- Egypt visa or e-visa (eligible travellers can get an Egypt visa-on-arrival after arriving at Egypt)
- Accommodation proof in Egypt
- Health document and prescription (if carrying any medicines)
- Pet health certificate (if travelling with pets)
- Financial statement
- Egypt travel itinerary
- Travel insurance (if necessary)
There might be a few specific or additional documents relating to the traveller’s citizenship or passport type. Besides the documents list, also check the prohibited and restricted items to carry to Egypt before packing to comply with Egypt’s customs regulations. Every piece of information counts when planning for an international trip to a country like Egypt.
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Many travellers dream of exploring Egypt to get amused by its wonders and ancient civilization. The pyramids, Nile River and other monuments in Egypt never disappoint the travellers. When it comes to planning an international trip travellers should adhere to the country’s rules, regulations and customs. Learn more at Egypt Customs Regulations.
Check your eligibility for Online Egypt Visa and apply for Egypt e-Visa 4 (four) days in advance of your flight. Citizens of many countries including Moldovan citizens, Australian citizens, Dutch citizens, Slovenian citizens and Italian citizens can apply online for Egypt e-Visa.