Cairo to Marsa Alam tickets

About the ride from Cairo to Marsa Alam

As the international gateway to Egypt and a logical starting point for exploring the country, Cairo will appear on every Egyptian travel itinerary. Cairo is a bridge between modern and ancient Egypt, home to some of the world’s finest archeological museums and straddling the famous Nile River. Oh, and there’s also the Pyramids of Giza right next door.

But Egypt is so much more than temples, museums and pointy buildings. 

It also boasts a stunning coastline along the Red Sea, where the barren desert meets crystal blue water and amazing coral reefs. Over the past few decades, multiple beach resort towns have sprung up to capitalize on this stark natural beauty. 

An up-and-coming addition to this list is the town of Marsa Alam. 

Whether you cross the desert by bus or minivan, make no mistake, you’ve got a long ride ahead of you — to the tune of 7-11 hours. But once you’ve sampled Marsa Alam’s pristine reefs, desert landscape and sandy beaches, you’ll feel the effort was worth it.

Unmissable things to do in Marsa Alam

Once an under-the-radar hangout for hardcore divers, Marsa Alam is finding its place on the world map. And with the addition of luxury resorts and tourist infrastructure, you may not want to leave. 

Here’s a list of some of the top things to do in the area:

1. Get beneath the surface. Decades ago, Marsa Alam was known as a remote outpost in the diving community for its untouched coral reefs. The appeal is still there in abundance, as divers and snorkelers can choose from many world-class sites for an up close and personal look at this oasis teeming with marine life.
   
   

2. Keep an eye out for turtles and dugongs. In contrast to the starkness of the surrounding desert, the waters around Marsa Alam are teeming with life.
   
   Two remarkable species to look out for are sea turtles and dugongs — also known as sea cows. Dugongs are similar to manatees, and seeing these large yet harmless local residents in their natural environment is a real thrill.
   
   

3. Snag your own section of the beach. You’ll immediately notice upon arriving in Egypt that there’s a lot of sand. So, it’s not difficult to grab a peaceful spot along the beach that lines the town and beyond.
   
   

Boasting smaller crowds than fellow Red Sea resort towns and a number of new luxury resorts, you have plenty of opportunities to get a lounger to relax on the beach.

4. Become a desert explorer at Wadi El Gemal National Park. Sitting just 28 miles (45 kilometers) south of town is the rugged Wadi El Gemal National Park. This protected park is where you can explore the region’s desert landscape, spot local critters, and check out ruins from the days of Ancient Rome. 

How to get from Cairo to Marsa Alam

You’ve really only got two practical ways to get from Cairo to Marsa Alam: by minivan or bus. Your budget and comfort level are the biggest factors to consider. 

Here’s a breakdown:

Minivan

At about seven to eight hours, the fastest (and most expensive) way to make the trip is by minivan. 

Usually, two or three passengers are required to make a booking in a shared minivan. 

Depending on the operator, baggage allowances range from one suitcase (up to 44 lbs/20 kg) and a handbag to three bags per person. Additional bags incur extra charges.

Minivans feature air conditioning, charging stations, an English-speaking driver, and WiFi upon availability. 

You can also be picked up at your hotel (or the airport) in Cairo and dropped off at your accommodations in Marsa Alam.

Private minivans are ideal for groups, with prices starting at about $174 for up to 12 people. Not only do you have the comfort of traveling only with your party, but you won’t have to make any extra stops for others. Plus, you get to pick the departure time.

Shared minivans start at around $48 per person. In this case, you’ll have to go along for the ride when picking up and dropping off fellow passengers. 

Bus

If you’re not in an absolute rush and don’t mind an extra couple of hours, taking the bus is by far the best budget option. Tickets are around $15, and the ride will take anywhere from 10-11 hours, including stops.

Like minivans, the luggage allowance varies, so read the details before you book. 

Buses are air-conditioned and sometimes have TVs on board. Keep a light jacket handy if the AC gets too much for you. 

Buses depart on a set schedule, usually overnight. However, the departure and arrival points vary by operator, so check with them for exact details. 

Marsa Alam isn’t a terribly big place, so you shouldn’t have trouble getting to your hotel from the drop-off point.

What to expect on the way from Cairo to Marsa Alam

There’s no way around it — the trip between Cairo and Marsa Alam is a long one. It will take between seven and eleven hours of driving, including stops, to cover the 466 miles (750 kilometers) separating the two.

Once you get through the ramshackle outskirts of Cairo, you’ll pass through desert (and more desert) until you hit the highway that runs along Egypt’s Red Sea Coast. 

Nearly all bus departures are overnight, so if you choose that option, you won’t see much along the way. If in a daytime minivan departure, you’ll have lots of desert scenery to keep you company.

At some point, you will be greeted by a sunrise over the waters of the Red Sea. And by the time that sun starts baking the rocky mountains and bleached sand, you should be rolling into Marsa Alam, ready to enjoy your luxury resort or underwater adventures.

When is the best time of year to visit Marsa Alam?

You can count on finding pleasant weather all year round since it’s much further south than other Egyptian Red Sea resort towns. Still, it does get rather hot for half the year, with the warmest months running from April through October. August generally has the highest temperatures (96°F/36°C). 

In the winter, you can expect temperatures in the low 70’s°F (low 20’s°C). That should still be warm enough for time at the beach and in the water. Plus, your desert explorations will be much more comfortable.

Regardless of what time of year you arrive, you can expect dry weather and a ridiculously low chance of rain. Since you’ve probably come for the beach and water scenes, this is a nice bonus.

How much time do I need in Marsa Alam?

Given that you spent at least half a day traveling to Marsa Alam, it is best to stay for about three days to make the trip worthwhile.

That allows you enough time to go diving or snorkeling and make the trip out to Wadi El Gemal National Park.

If you’re a diver, you’ll want to spend a little more time here to fully explore the reefs and wrecks that put this place on the map. 

Where to travel after Marsa Alam

Now that you’re on Egypt’s Red Sea, you’ve got some appealing options. 

One of the best is just a 3-hour ride away at the established resort town of Hurghada for a glitzier beach experience. 

And if you’re up for another drive, the amazing temples of Luxor are well within reach.

One last tip: If you’re a diver and are flying somewhere directly from Marsa Alam, don’t forget to give yourself at least 24 hours after your last dive just to be safe.