Flights from Paris to Egypt from 95EUR*

Flights to Egypt from Paris

Vueling flies direct from Paris to Cairo in around 4 and a half hours. It is the only way into the country from Paris, and the gateway to everything else too: domestic flights to Luxor, Aswan and the Red Sea leave from there, operated by local airlines and booked separately.

For much of the year Egypt is an hour ahead of France, so factor that in when you work out your arrival day.

What documents you need to travel to Egypt

Egypt is outside both the European Union and the Schengen Area, so a passport is mandatory, and it must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry into the country.

French and other EU citizens need a visa to enter Egypt. You can apply online through the official system before you travel, and there is also the option of getting one on arrival at certain points of entry. Sorting it out in advance spares you a wait after a long flight.

Requirements change and depend on individual circumstances. Check the current information on Vueling’s travel documents page and with the relevant consulate before you book.

As this flight leaves the Schengen Area, you will go through passport control before boarding. Allow for that extra time at the airport.

What to know when you land in Egypt

From the airport into the city. Cairo International Airport lies north-east of the city, and the drive to the centre takes around an hour, depending on traffic, which in Cairo is heavy. Most people book a transfer in advance or take a taxi, agreeing the fare before getting in.

Cash. The currency is the Egyptian pound. Cards work in hotels and restaurants geared to tourists, but cash is essential in markets, on local transport and for tips. Change money when you arrive, at the airport or at official bureaux de change, and it is worth carrying small notes.

Climate by region. Inland, desert summers climb above 40°C, while winters are mild and pleasant. The best time for Cairo, Luxor and Aswan runs from October to April. On the Red Sea, temperatures stay more moderate for most of the year.

Getting around the country. Domestic flights with local airlines link Cairo with Luxor, Aswan and Hurghada in just over an hour. There is also a sleeper train to Aswan, an experience in its own right that saves you a night in a hotel.

Egypt uses type C and F plugs, at 220V. Arabic is the official language, although English is widely spoken in tourist areas.

What to do in Egypt

Cairo and Giza

Where you land, and the natural starting point. The Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx stand on the edge of the city, the Egyptian Museum holds the world’s largest collection of Pharaonic antiquities, and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar has been a hub of noise and trade since the 14th century. Islamic Cairo and Coptic Cairo deserve a day each.

Luxor and the Valley of the Kings

A domestic flight of just over an hour from Cairo, with a local airline. Here you will find the Karnak temple complex, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings, with Tutankhamun’s tomb. No other part of Egypt has as many Pharaonic monuments, and the west bank of the Nile is best explored with a guide.

Aswan and Abu Simbel

Further south, Aswan moves at a slower pace, and its Nubian atmosphere changes the feel of the trip, with Elephantine Island and the Temple of Philae. This is also where trips to Abu Simbel are organised. Its colossal statues, carved into the rock, were moved stone by stone when the Aswan High Dam was built.

The Red Sea

Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh have some of the finest coral reefs on the planet, with warm water all year round and exceptional visibility for diving and snorkelling. They are the restful counterpoint to a trip built around archaeological sites, and you reach them on a domestic flight from Cairo.

Luggage for your flight to Egypt

What you can take depends on the fare you choose when booking. The simplest fare includes a personal item that fits under the seat in front, and from there you can add cabin or checked luggage.

Egypt combines desert and coast, so what you pack varies more than you might expect: layers for the nights inland and beach gear for the Red Sea. Sorting out your luggage when you book avoids surprises at the check-in desk. Check the current conditions in Vueling’s luggage policy.