Egypt appeals to just about everyone – warm seas in winter, coral reefs right on the hotel’s doorstep, and pyramids you once stared at in your history textbook. But then comes the practical uncertainty: when is it actually worth flying out, how much will the whole thing cost, and should you grab a ready-made package or piece it together yourself? That’s exactly where the two of us once stood, so we built this hub to help you decide quickly and without overpaying.
You’ll find three things here: live package and flight prices that we refresh every morning, so you’re looking at what’s actually on offer today; our own tips from the road and our articles, where we’re honest about what isn’t worth it; and a simple plan for when and what to book, so your money doesn’t slip away on a needlessly expensive date.
What to see and do in Egypt
Egypt isn’t just one resort and one beach – depending on what you want from your holiday, you’ll choose an entirely different corner of the country. Our favourite is the Red Sea, where snorkelling is doable even with kids straight off the shore.
- Hurghada – the biggest and most accessible resort, with an endless choice of hotels, excursions and nightlife; ideal for a first visit to Egypt.
- Marsa Alam – the quieter south with the prettiest reefs, dugongs and turtles; if you’re torn, we’ve also put together a comparison: Hurghada or Marsa Alam.
- Sharm el-Sheikh – the Sinai, with superb beaches and the reefs of Ras Mohammed, and within easy reach of a trip up Mount Moses.
- Families with children will appreciate hotels with a water park, where the kids burn off energy while you finally settle in with a drink.
- If you want inspiration across the whole country, browse our 20 tips on where to go – from beaches to Cairo and Luxor.
When to visit Egypt
The great thing about Egypt is that you can fly here practically all year round. The main beach season on the Red Sea falls in spring and autumn – April to June and September to November – when the air is pleasantly warm, the sea is heated through, and it isn’t as scorching as the middle of summer.
In summer (July, August) temperatures by the sea can easily climb past 40 °C, but thanks to the dry air it’s manageable and the hotels run at full tilt. In winter (December to February) the air temperature is at its most pleasant, and Egypt becomes one of the few destinations where you can genuinely swim in winter – the sea stays around comfortable levels and there’s plenty of sun.
We’ve laid out the air and sea temperatures month by month in our article When to go to Egypt – so you can pick a date when the water isn’t too cold and the heat isn’t unbearable.
How to get to Egypt
The easiest and fastest way is by air. From Czechia, flights to the Red Sea typically depart straight from Prague (and sometimes Brno or Ostrava on seasonal charters), with the flight to Hurghada taking roughly 4.5 hours. Most charter flights head to Hurghada and Marsa Alam, while flights to the Sinai land in Sharm el-Sheikh.
Driving or taking a ferry to Egypt from Czechia isn’t realistic – the distance and the transit through several countries make it impractical. If you’d rather not take a charter, you can fly with a scheduled airline with one connection (typically via a European or Middle Eastern airport), which is especially handy when travelling independently outside of a package.
Z Česka se do Egypta létá nejčastěji charterově z Prahy přímo k Rudému moři – hlavní branou je letiště v Hurghadě, regionální roli hrají Marsa Alam pro klidnější jih a Sharm el-Sheikh pro Sinaj. Mimo balíčky se dá letět i s jedním přestupem na evropském nebo blízkovýchodním letišti; podrobnosti k cestě najdete v našich tipech, kam vyrazit.
Renting a car
For a classic beach holiday on the Red Sea you usually don’t need a car – a hotel transfer, taxi or organised excursion will cover everything. Renting a car makes more sense if you want to explore the surroundings independently or combine several places; just be prepared for a different driving style and heavy traffic in the towns.
- Book ahead through a rental comparison site – it tends to be cheaper and more reliable than picking up a car on arrival.
- Insurance and deposit: check the scope of cover (ideally with no excess) and expect a deposit to be held on your credit card.
- Watch out for: roadside checks, tolls on the main routes and refuelling – photograph the condition of the vehicle before you take it.
- For the resort itself and ordinary excursions you can easily manage without a car and save on parking and stress.
Where to stay in Egypt
Along the Red Sea, large all-inclusive resorts reign supreme, with their own beach, pools and often a water park too – a comfortable option where everything is taken care of for you. If you’re travelling with children, we’d suggest choosing mainly by the beach (sandy entry vs. a coral reef with a jetty) and by the distance from the centre.
- Hurghada – the widest choice of hotels at every price point, close to excursions and the buzz of town; a solid first choice.
- Marsa Alam – quieter resorts with the prettiest reefs, perfect for snorkellers and lovers of peace and quiet.
- Sharm el-Sheikh – the Sinai, with the lively resort of Naama Bay as well as more tranquil bays.
- Travelling with kids? Take a look at our tips for hotels with a water park.
Package tour or independent travel?
In Egypt this question is easier than in many other places – and honestly, the two of us lean towards a package here more often than not. Here’s an honest comparison:
- A package is worth it when… you want a relaxed all-inclusive beach holiday, you’re flying with kids, you’d rather not deal with transfers and visas, you’re after the best value for money on the Red Sea and you appreciate having a rep on hand.
- Go independently when… you want to combine the beach with Cairo and Luxor, you’re planning a longer tour of the sights, you’re looking for a specific smaller hotel that isn’t on the tour operators’ books, or you want to set your own pace and route.
Our recommendation: for a week by the sea and relaxing with the family, go for a package – it works out cheaper and it’s hassle-free. But if you’re also drawn to the history and want to see more than just the beach, don’t hesitate to travel independently; feel free to combine both worlds (a resort stay + your own excursions).
−31 %
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−13 %Budget: daily costs in Egypt
A rough daily budget per person outside an all-inclusive package (i.e. if you’re paying for accommodation, food and excursions yourself). Prices are indicative and vary by season.
| Level | Accommodation | Food | Transport & activities | Total/day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Backpacker | 400–700 Kč | 200–350 Kč | 150–400 Kč | approx. 800–1,400 Kč |
| Standard | 900–1,800 Kč | 400–700 Kč | 400–900 Kč | approx. 1,700–3,200 Kč |
| Comfort | 2,500 Kč+ | 800 Kč+ | 1,000 Kč+ | approx. 4,500 Kč+ |
Note: with an all-inclusive package, a holiday works out considerably cheaper than this standalone calculation, because food and drinks are included in the price — which is why a package to the Red Sea often pays off.
How to save when planning
- Buy flights ideally 2–4 months in advance; you’ll pay the most last minute in peak season and over the holidays. Search for flights in our finder.
- Packages have two sweet spots: early bird (the best choice of hotels and dates, often with a big discount) and last minute a few days before departure, if you don’t mind exactly where you fly – discounts can reach −31%. Keep an eye on the current packages on this page.
- If you’re booking accommodation independently, reserve well ahead especially over holidays and in the winter season; outside peak times prices move less. Take a look at our accommodation tips.
- Don’t buy excursions and activities blindly from the rep at the hotel – they tend to cost more. We’ve rounded up what’s worth arranging ahead in the section what to book in good time.
Where do people most often overpay? On dates around school holidays and public holidays, and on excursions bought on the spot. If you buy a package within a sensible window and sort out your data with an eSIM, you can easily save thousands.
Practical information
- Language and money: you’ll get by in English, and the local currency is the Egyptian pound; hotels and tourist spots widely accept euros and cards too, but keep cash on you for the market and tips.
- Visa: Czech citizens need a visa – you can get it online (e-Visa) or as a stamp at the airport; we’ve spelled it all out in visa for Egypt.
- Connectivity: the most convenient option is an eSIM, which you activate at home so you have data the moment you land, without hunting for a local SIM card.
- Safety and health: the tourist resorts are calm; keep an eye on staying hydrated, use sunscreen, and stick to bottled water to be safe.
- Packing: what to pack (including water shoes for the coral) is all in our article what to take to Egypt.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to go to Egypt?
Do I need a visa for Egypt?
How much does a holiday in Egypt cost?
Hurghada or Marsa Alam?
Is Egypt safe?
How long is the flight to Egypt from Prague?
Is a package or independent travel better in Egypt?
Do cards work in Egypt and how do I sort out internet?
Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (best for everyone) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Why don’t we recommend any Czech insurance company? Because they have too many restrictions. They set limits on the number of days abroad, travel insurance via a credit card often requires you to pay medical expenses only with that card, and they frequently limit the number of returns to the Czech Republic.
Find the Best Experiences
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can book guided walks, trips, skip-the-line tickets, tours, and much more. We always find some extra fun there!
