TRAVEL FROM CAIRO TO MARSA ALAM

BY AIR, BUS OR TAXI

Flight and bus schedules can change at short notice, and while every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, I can’t guarantee the information on this page is completely error-free. Please double-check all times, dates, routes and prices directly with the relevant airline, bus or taxi company or a trusted travel agent before booking, to avoid any surprises.

Why People Love Flying via Cairo

Cairo has direct flights to and from most European countries and many countries worldwide.  So it is a convenient hub for many tourists who wish to travel to Marsa Alam but who find either that there is no direct flight from their country or that the timetable for the direct flights is limited or who simply prefer to travel business or first class on an upmarket national carrier rather than subject themselves to the sometimes arduous conditions of long haul charter flights. Transiting at Cairo also gives you the opportunity to overnight or even spend a few days in one of the world’s largest and most historic cities. You can check out possible excursions on our Cairo page.

Getting from Cairo to Marsa Alam: What Are Your Options?

If you’re planning the journey from Cairo to Marsa Alam, you’ve got three practical choices — and each one has its pros and cons. While it’s a shame that no train line serves the region, you can still get there by plane, bus, or taxi.

A taxi might not be as expensive as you’d think, especially if you’re travelling with others and can split the cost of a private taxi or minibus. Given the long distance, it can actually be a comfortable and cost-effective way to travel. I always recommend checking out Steven’s Taxis — prices are listed directly on the page and are updated regularly. I’ll provide more details on the taxi option further down this page.

Buses are another affordable option, and a great choice if you’re travelling on a tighter budget. I’ll go into more detail about bus travel shortly — but first, let’s take a look at what, depending on the day and time you wish to travel, can often be the most convenient and fastest way to reach Marsa Alam: by air.

Flights from Cairo to Marsa Alam – (to 29 April 2027)

Flights from Cairo to Marsa Alam, operated by Egypt Air, depart from terminal three at Cairo’s main international airport (CAI) located in Heliopolis to the north east of the city. Terminal 3 is Cairo airport’s most recent terminal completed in 2009 and it is also serves as the arrival terminal for at least some international flights by Egypt Air, Lufthansa, Aegean, Austrian, Flynas, China Eastern, Hainan, Turkish Airlines and possibly other operators too. However, if you arrive at a different terminal don’t worry as there is a fast and efficient automated people mover linking terminals one and two with terminal three within five minutes.

Did you know ? Cairo Terminal 3 has 23 gates, 7 baggage carousels, 63 elevators and 50 moving walkways.

Schedule and Some Example Fares

If you’re looking for the fastest and most comfortable way to reach Marsa Alam from Cairo, Egypt Air continues to operate a twice-weekly service, with flights scheduled every Thursday and Sunday, at least until 31 December 2026 (based on information checked on 8 May 2026). Departure times can vary slightly from week to week, so it’s always worth double-checking closer to your travel date.

These flights are operated using a Boeing 737-800, with an average flying time of around 1 hour 20 to 1 hour 25 minutes.

Typical Fares for 2026 and early 2027, including Christmas, as of 8 May 2026):

Prices as of 8 May 2026 seemed to still be available for at least most Thursdays and Sundays through 2026 until at least the end of April 2027, including even the peak Christmas 2026 season.

• Cairo → Marsa Alam (MS184)
  • Economy Flex: 6,579.50 EGP (approx. 106 euros)
  • Business: 7,712.50 EGP (approx. 124 euros)
• Marsa Alam → Cairo (MS185)
  • Economy Flex: 6,889.50 EGP (approx. 111 euros)
  • Business: 8,032.50 EGP (approx. 129 euros)

These Business Class fares typically include priority check-in, faster baggage handling, priority boarding, and lounge access, although services may vary—so be sure to confirm the specific benefits with Egypt Air before booking. If you’re curious about the difference in cabin comfort between Economy Flex and Business on the Boeing 737-800, Egypt Air provides full seating details here.

As you can see, even during the peak Christmas holiday season, Egypt Air was still offering reasonable prices so my advice would be to book early if you are thinking of flying from Cairo to Marsa Alam during Christmas or any busy period.

Howvever, always check directly with Egypt Air for the most up-to-date schedules, fares, and conditions before confirming your trip.

Travel to Marsa Alam by Bus.

Some tickets to Marsa Alam for as little as 11 euros

If you’re travelling on a budget, taking the bus from Cairo to the Red Sea coast can be an incredibly economical option. As of 9 May 2026, tickets for the 742 km/11 hour journey from Cairo to Marsa Alam cost as little as 680 Egyptian pounds (around 11 euros) – an amazing deal costing less than 2 cents per kilometre.

As of 9 May 2026, the GoBus company lists two daily departures taking you all the way to the town of Marsa Alam. This schedule however is only indicated up until 30 June 2026, and it’s not clear whether a direct service will continue beyond this date. Check with the company or driver first however, if you wish to be dropped off at El Quseir or at a hotel between El Quseir and Marsa Alam. The two overnight buses leave Cairo Tahrir (a short walk to the north from Tahrir Square) at

• 12.59 PM Super Go D arriving 10.59 AM – 680 EGP (about 11 Euros)
• 01.30 AM Elite Business M arriving 12.30 PM – 815 EGPT (about 13 Euros)

Super Go D buses are reasonably comfortable with air-conditioning and a TV for entertainment, while Elite Business M also offers food/snacks and drinks and DVD – which presumably means DVD films.

If you are looking for bus travel after 30 June 2026, I recommend that you search for both bus journeys to Marsa Alam and El Qusayr (El Quseir).

If your bus stops at El Quseir, don’t worry—affordable onward travel is easy to arrange. Steven’s Taxis, for example, offers reliable pick-ups from El Quseir, with prices from around 35 euros depending on your hotel’s location (especially if you’re staying near Port Ghalib or between El Quseir and Marsa Alam).

Always check the latest schedules and prices directly with GoBus, as they can vary by day or season. If you want to look for alternative buses, one alternative is to use the Cairo to Marsa Alam webpage search on CheckMyBus.co.uk which when I checked in May 2026 for the following month, was also offering travel to various destinations in and close to Marsa Alam from Abd Al Moneim Riad Coach Station, Ahmed Helmy Bus Stop, Ramses Bus Stop or Nadi El Sekka Coach Station, leaving at various times between 9.30 pm and 2.00 am and priced between about 14 and about 23 euros. Please check the website for details regarding the schedules and precise prices and bus stop locations.

Travel by Saloon or Minibus Taxi to Marsa Alam

Looking for a convenient and surprisingly cost-effective way to travel from Cairo to your hotel in Marsa Alam? If you’re sharing the journey with others, a private taxi—either a saloon (for up to 3 passengers) or a minibus (for up to 8)—can be an excellent option. As of 9 May 2026, Steven’s Taxis is offering the following direct, door-to-door service at even cheaper competitive rates:

• 300 250 euros one way (plus a 20-euro permit) by saloon — that’s 90 euros per person including the permit cost when shared between three.
• 420 375 euros (plus a 30-euro permit) by minibus — just under 51 euros per person including the permit cost for a group of eight.

Considering the distance is at least 600 km and the drive takes about seven hours, this offers a great blend of comfort, value, and convenience.

Steven’s Taxis is also a local Marsa Alam company you can trust: as of 9 May 2026, they maintain an outstanding rating of 4.9 out of 5 and ranks first out of 366 tours and activities on TripAdvisor based on 1,769 reviews.

Even if you’re planning to take a long-distance bus to El Quseir, it’s worth keeping them in mind for your final leg to Marsa Alam. Depending on your hotel’s location, the fare from El Quseir could be as little as 35 euros for destinations like Port Ghalib or anywhere between El Quseir and Port Ghalib.

For the most up-to-date rates and to plan your journey, it’s best to check directly with Steven’s Taxis.