Red Sea Day Trips from Cairo

The Red Sea laps the shores of eastern Egypt and its beautiful beaches are just over 100 kilometres from Cairo. Amidst all the desert and heat, a refreshing dip in the sea is one of the best things to do from the Egyptian capital.

The quintessential Red Sea beach area is Ain Sokhna. Thanks to its clear waters, well-kept beaches and facilities, this area, just over 100 kilometres from Cairo, is the ideal place to escape the heat and bustle of the city. In this post I'll share with you the best options for a trip from Cairo to the Red Sea beaches.

If you are looking for the cheapest option for a day on the beaches of the Red Sea, you should know that these start from around 27 euros. The itinerary is simple. You set up a departure point from Cairo, usually at one of the city's hotels, and a private vehicle will pick you up and take you to the town of Ain Sokhna, 120 kilometres from the capital.

Once at the destination you will have several hours to enjoy a nice swim, walks or your chosen activity before returning to your hotel in Cairo. Bottled water is also included, much needed to combat the Egyptian heat. In total you will have about 6 hours on the beach plus another 2 or 3 hours for the return trip.

• Price: From 27 euros.
• Duration: Between 8 and 10 hours in total.
• What's included: Round trip transfer from Cairo, bottled water, and air-conditioned transport.
• Means of transport: Air-conditioned private vehicle.
• Recommended if: You are looking for the cheapest option to enjoy a day at the beach from Cairo.

Perhaps the above option is a bit too short for you and you are looking for extra comfort. In that case you can add that extra bit of comfort to your excursion by adding the possibility of having a hotel room for the whole day. The dynamic is the same, you are picked up in an air-conditioned vehicle and driven to Ain Sokhna. In the town itself and near the beach, you will be assigned a room in a hotel, usually a 4-star hotel, which you can use for the whole day until the time you return.

Having a room where you can leave your belongings, shower or rest while you enjoy the beach is a considerable extra. These types of excursions also usually include lunch at the hotel. Of course, you have to pay for the upgrade and in these cases the prices are usually around 100 or 120 euros per person. This is especially advisable if you go during the warmer months.

• Price: From 100 euros per person.
• Duration: Around 12 hours between departure from Cairo and return.
• What's included: Pick up from a hotel or point in Cairo, and return transfer in a private air-conditioned vehicle, hotel room for the whole day, lunch at the hotel.
• Means of transport: Private vehicle, usually conditioned vans.
• Recommended if: You want to enjoy a longer day on the Red Sea beaches with all amenities.

If your budget is high and you prioritise comfort and luxury above all else, there is a premium option to satisfy all your aspirations. With this choice you combine the beach with a resort hotel with swimming pools, activities, buffets and much more. If you prioritise the beach the hotel has access to a private beach with sunbeds and umbrellas, and if you prefer the pool or spa you can also use the resort facilities.

In the case of the spa, the price is usually paid separately. You can also have your own room if you wish. Lunch at the hotel buffet is included with the tour. Of course, pick up and drop off in Cairo and transfer to and from the resort is included as with all excursions to the Red Sea beaches. As you can see with these excursions you will not lack anything to enjoy a quiet and luxurious day away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

• Price: From 190 euros. If you add the Spa and the room, the price rises to over 250 euros. Children from 6 to 12 years old pay half price.
• Duration: Between 9 and 10 hours from departure from Cairo to return.
• What's included: Pick-up and drop-off from Cairo, air-conditioned transport, use of resort facilities at Ain Sokhna, buffet lunch at the hotel and Spa and room (the latter if chosen as an option).
• Means of transport: Private vehicle, usually conditioned vans.
• Recommended if: You want the most comfortable and luxurious experience possible on the shores of the Red Sea.

If you're not the kind of person who likes to stay on the beach and need some movement and action, this excursion is perfect for you. You can make the most of your visit to the Red Sea by taking a jet ski ride. In addition to the pick-up and drop-off at Ain Sokhna beach, you can add this highly recommended experience.

If you hire it as an extra, you can choose between a 15, 30 or 60 minute ride and it's usually done after lunch, which is usually included in the excursions. Of course it includes an instructor who also acts as a guide so that your jet ski ride is completely safe. In this case I recommend you to choose the 1 hour ride, as less time will certainly not be enough time for a very fun activity.

• Price: From 85 euros.
• Duration: Jet ski ride (between 15 and 60 minutes) The total time between departure from Cairo and return is about 10 hours.
• What's included: Pick up from a hotel or point in Cairo, round trip transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, mineral water and lunch, jet ski ride with instructor. Optionally can be taken with hotel room for the day.
• Means of transport: Private vehicle, usually conditioned vans.
• Recommended if: You want an extra dose of adventure and a different way to see part of the Red Sea coast.

The disadvantage of the above excursions is that they are only a day trip and given the charm of the Red Sea beaches it is possible that this may not be enough. In that case you can add a hotel night to your tour package and have more hours to enjoy the place. It works in the same way as the other tours.

You are picked up at a point in Cairo and transport is included to the hotel on the beachfront. In addition to having your room during the day, and of course the night, these packages include dinner at the hotel. They are usually buffets that include typical meals of the area.

This option allows you to enjoy the virtues of the Red Sea in a more relaxed way and without time pressure, so it is highly recommended, for example, if you are travelling with your family. I recommend this tour if you are travelling to Cairo for more than 5 days as it will give you time to see the whole city and is a perfect way to round off your trip.

• Price: From 240 euros.
• Duration: This tour is a full day and night tour and you return to Cairo in the afternoon of the following day.
• What's included: Pick up from a hotel or point in Cairo, transport to and from Cairo in an air-conditioned vehicle, room and night in a hotel in Ain Sokhna, buffet dinner in the same hotel.
• Means of transport: Private vehicle, usually conditioned vans.
• Recommended if: You want to spend more time on the beach without stress and with the comfort of having a room and more time to enjoy yourself.

The Red Sea is one of the best places to snorkel in the world. Thanks to its crystal clear waters and shallow reefs it is one of the most popular destinations for divers.

Although the best areas are far from Cairo, diving excursions are available from the Egyptian capital to some points along the coast of Ain Sokhna. These excursions are accompanied by a dive guide who will escort you to some of the most interesting spots to observe marine life. If you're a beginner, don't worry, it's easy and the instructors will help you every step of the way.

Of course transport to and from the dive site is included and as an option we can rent all the necessary equipment such as fins, goggles and snorkels. It is not necessary to use tanks or wetsuits as the dives are done in shallow areas. This is the most basic option although there is another more complete excursion that includes taking a boat from the marina to deeper areas and spending the day on the deck of the boat.

Logically, this is an option that allows you to see a more beautiful and complete underwater landscape more suited to more experienced divers.

• Price: From 95 euros.
• Duration: The full round trip from Cairo takes about 10 hours, the diving activity takes about 2 hours.
• What's included: Pick up from a hotel or point in Cairo, transport to and from Cairo in an air-conditioned vehicle, dive guide, option to hire equipment, if you book the boat trip it includes travel and equipment.
• Means of transport: Private vehicle, usually conditioned vans.
• Recommended yes: For diving enthusiasts.

Although the excursions to the Red Sea are very well organised and include all kinds of comforts, there are always some details that can escape us and spoil the experience. So that this doesn't happen, here are a few tips:

• Always carry your passport and documents with you as you may need them on the way. And if you book the excursion with a room then it is compulsory.
• Hotels usually ask for a marriage contract from Egyptian nationals if you book a room together, even if you are travelling with foreigners.
• Although it's a no-brainer, don't forget to bring sunscreen, an umbrella and so on to protect yourself from the sun.
• Although drinks are usually included on excursions, bring cash to buy some on the beach as not all places accept cards and you'll probably have to buy extra water or drinks.
• If you like diving, bring goggles and snorkelling gear. The Red Sea is a diver's paradise, even in shallow water
  even in shallow waters.