Egypt Visa for Indians 2026: e-Visa Guide & Pyramids Travel Tips

The land of Pharaohs, the Nile, and the last remaining Wonder of the Ancient World — Egypt is a civilisation like no other. Indian passport holders can obtain an Egyptian e-Visa or apply on arrival.

Entry Options for Indians

1. e-Visa Egypt (Recommended)

• Apply at: visa2egypt.gov.eg
• Cost: USD 25 (~₹2,100)
• Stay: 30 days single entry or 30 days multiple entry
• Processing: 3–7 business days

2. Visa on Arrival

Available at Cairo International Airport, Luxor, Sharm El Sheikh, and Hurghada airports:

• Cost: USD 25 (cash only, exact change)
• Stay: 30 days
• Can be slow during peak season — e-Visa is faster

3. Sinai-only Stamp (Free)

If you're ONLY visiting the Sinai Peninsula (Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Saint Catherine) and NOT going to mainland Egypt, you receive a free "Sinai Only" stamp at the port. This is NOT a full Egypt visa.

Documents Required

• Valid passport (6+ months validity)
• Passport-size photo
• Return ticket
• Hotel booking
• For e-Visa: credit/debit card for online payment

Egypt's Top Attractions

Cairo

• Pyramids of Giza — see them at sunrise before the crowds; the Sphinx is right there
• Egyptian Museum (Tahrir Square) — over 120,000 artefacts including Tutankhamun's golden mask
• Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM, opened 2023) — the world's largest archaeological museum
• Khan El Khalili Bazaar — centuries-old covered market; tea, spices, souvenirs
• Coptic Cairo — ancient Christian churches and synagogues
• Saladin Citadel & Mohammed Ali Mosque (stunning views over Cairo)

Luxor (Upper Egypt — 1 hour flight from Cairo)

• Karnak Temple Complex — the world's largest religious building ever built
• Valley of the Kings — tombs of pharaohs including Tutankhamun (KV62)
• Luxor Temple — beautifully lit at night
• Temple of Hatshepsut — extraordinary cliff-side temple
• Felucca ride on the Nile at sunset

Aswan

• Philae Temple (on an island)
• Abu Simbel — two massive rock temples of Ramesses II (2-hour drive or short flight)
• Nubian villages along the Nile

Red Sea (Hurghada, Marsa Alam, Sharm El Sheikh) World-class diving and snorkelling:

• Coral reefs of incredible biodiversity
• Sharks, rays, turtles, dugongs
• El Gouna: upscale resort town near Hurghada
• Sharm El Sheikh: Ras Mohammed National Park (phenomenal diving)

Alexandria

• Bibliotheca Alexandrina (modern library on the ancient Library of Alexandria site)
• Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa
• Mediterranean seafront Corniche
• Citadel of Qaitbay

Nile Cruise

A Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan (3–7 nights) is one of travel's great experiences:

• Float past ancient temples and fertile banks
• Feluccas and cruise ships both available
• Cost: ₹15,000–60,000/person depending on ship class

Egypt Travel Tips for Indians

• Egyptian Pound (EGP): Carry local currency for bazaars; ATMs in major cities
• Bargain everywhere: Prices in bazaars are inflated 3–5x — start at 20% and meet in the middle
• Dress modestly near mosques and religious sites
• Photography: Some museums/sites charge extra for cameras; drones are prohibited near pyramids
• Water: Never drink tap water; bottled water (Baraka/Nestle) widely available
• Tipping (Baksheesh): Expected everywhere — carry small bills (EGP 20–50)

Food Guide

Egypt isn't the most vegetarian-friendly country, but options exist:

• Koshari: Egypt's national dish — rice, pasta, lentils, fried onions, tomato sauce (entirely plant-based!)
• Ful medames: Slow-cooked fava beans with olive oil, lemon, garlic
• Ta'meya: Egyptian falafel (made from fava beans, not chickpeas)
• Eish baladi: Flatbread
• Avoid meat-based dishes like kofta and shawarma if vegetarian

Best Time to Visit

October–April is ideal — temperatures 20–30°C in Cairo and Luxor. May–September is brutally hot (40–50°C in Upper Egypt). Red Sea resorts are year-round.

Plan your Egypt adventure with us — pyramids to Red Sea, visa to Nile cruise, all sorted.