What You Can Do with a Transit Visa in Egypt
If you are traveling to a place during your vacation, and Egypt happens to fall on your route, then you should apply for an electronic Egypt transit visa. This will prevent deportation or unfair treatment.
Furthermore, you can also explore the sights and smells of Egypt with the help of this visa. Let’s explore more about that below.
Understanding Egypt’s Transit Visa
An electronic Egypt transit visa is issued to those people who are traveling through Egypt, but not staying there. In other words, you can apply for this visa if Egypt falls on your route while you are going to another country.
You should note that the authorities will issue this after the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt approves of the same, provided you belong to countries like Albania, Antigua, Australia, Belgium, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Chile, etc.
Get in touch with our online helpdesk if you wish to know about the full list of countries.
Now, normally, you cannot travel outside the airport with the transit visa, unless you have a layover of less than 48 hours. However, you can get a free transit visa for a period of between 8 and 96 hours if you choose to travel there with EgyptAir.
**As of August 2024, you can enjoy a free transit visa duration of up to 96 hours till April 2025 when you travel with other airlines, apart from EgyptAir.
This will ensure that you can spend some time exploring the place as well since you will be permitted to leave the airport if you’re staying for up to 96 hours.
However, do remember that you will be required to carry a scanned copy of your electronic Egypt transit visa, along with your passport, and the documents confirming your journey to the next destination to ensure a hassle-free travel experience when you leave the airport.
How to Apply for an Egyptian Transit Visa
Before you can apply for an electronic Egypt transit visa, you’ll have to gather some documents, for a hassle-free application process.
That is, you’ll have to gather documents like a valid passport that is active for at least the next 6 months after your trip and your ID proofs.
You must also have a completed visa transit form, proof of income, 2 passport photographs, documents that confirm your payment, your itinerary for your onward journey, and contact details.
After that, you’ll first have to visit our website. Here, you’ll have to fill in your personal details like your name*, surname, email address, country of birth, and marital status. Ensure to carefully check all these details before moving ahead to the next step.
*Note that you must provide your Arabic name if the same is mentioned in your passport. Furthermore, it should be exactly like the passport.
After filling in all these details, you should click next, and after that, you’ll be redirected to the payment page. Once there, you’ll have to fill in details like your credit or debit card number, CVV etc. Do remember to check the details before you pay the fee.
Finally, you’ll have to wait for a few days to get your eVisa. If you’re getting jittery about the status of your eVisa you can check it by getting in touch with our online helpdesk.
Exploring Egypt During a Layover
Now, if you’re stuck in Egypt during a layover, and it’s been more than 24 hours, then you can consider exploring the place. As we mentioned previously, you can explore Egypt with your Egypt transit visa if you have a valid transit visa for up to 96 hours.
So you can explore the following places, as mentioned below, depending on which airport you’ve landed at.
Cairo International Airport
Two of the best places that you can explore if you’re at Cairo Airport are the Pyramids of Giza and the Egyptian Museum.
The Pyramids of Giza are probably the most famous landmark in Cairo and are also considered to be the oldest in the whole world. They were built for 3 different pharaohs, namely Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure, who reigned during different periods in the 4th dynasty.
However, unlike with other pyramids, you will be unable to view any treasures or mummified remains of the kings, since the pyramids were desecrated and plundered by medieval grave robbers and other people.
Nonetheless, you can still enter the pyramids to travel back in time mentally and feel how things must have been then.
We would recommend traveling to the Pyramids of Giza during the evening, depending on your flight time, as the experience will be an unforgettable one, with the starry sky, and the glow of the moon of the pyramids.
Apart from that, you can also pay a visit to the Egyptian Museum. This museum was founded in the 19th century and moved to its current location between 1897-1902.
When you visit the museum, you can find exhibits from the Pharaonic (between 3200 BC and 323 BC) and Greco-Roman period (8th century BC to the 5th century AD) that comprises]sarcophagi, papyri, and the content of various tombs like jewelry, etc.
Luxor International Airport
If you’re at the Luxor Airport, you can explore places like the Luxor Temple, and Karnak Temple Complex with your electronic Egypt transit visa.
The Luxor Temple was built by Egyptian pharaohs Amenhotep III and Ramses II, to celebrate major festivals like Opet. During this festival, people bought the statues of the Egyptian Moon God Khonsu, Sun God Amun-ra, and Goddess of Fertility Mut via the Sphinxes Avenue.
This festival was celebrated to honor the marriage of Mut and Amun-ra, the Goddess of Fertility and Sun God respectively.
You can visit this temple to feel the weight of history on your shoulders and also view the play of light and shadows during the evening.
Another temple complex that you should not miss under any circumstance is the Karnak temple complex, which is dotted with innumerable statues leading to the gates. It is dedicated to the Theban triad of Egyptian Moon God Khonsu, Sun God Amun-ra, and Goddess of Fertility Mut.
You will find yourself progressively walking back in time as you keep wandering deeper into the complex.
Some Other Things You Can Do
Once you’re done exploring all these places, you can consider visiting the nearby cafes, restaurants, etc. to sample the local delicacies like Ta’amiyya sandwich (Egyptian falafel), Kushari, etc.
It is made from brown lentils, white rice, and pasta, and topped off with tomato sauce, chickpeas, garlic-flavored vinegar, and fried onions.
You can also try Roz Muammar, which refers to milk, rice, samna, and fresh cream that is oven-baked and served to you.
After that, if you still have time left, you can go shopping in the nearby markets to take home some souvenirs.
Now, you should remember to plan your trips and book any shuttles, or cabs, in advance, to avoid getting stuck in traffic. You should also keep an eye on your flight’s schedule so as to not miss it.
Ready for a Short Stay with an Egypt Transit Visa?
Do remember to research about the weather and culture in Egypt. Doing so will help you choose your attire and know the correct etiquette.
Some general pointers include not drinking tap water, drinking alcohol on the street, wearing modest clothes, and not putting your feet on a table. You can get in touch with our online helpdesk, for a more detailed list of things you should be aware about.
Also, you shouldn’t forget to carry a scanned copy of your Egypt transit visa, passport, and other documents mentioned previously. This will ensure that you enjoy a hassle-free trip. Happy travels!
Check your eligibility for Online Egypt Visa and apply for Egypt e-Visa 5 (five) days in advance of your flight. Citizens of many countries including Georgian Citizens, Danish citizens, Hungarian citizens, Russian citizens and New Zealand citizens can apply online for Egypt e-Visa.