Top Road Trip Routes in Egypt with iBestTravel

For those driven by nature, landscapes, and the open road, Egypt is the perfect country for a road trip. Beyond the inner-city traffic of Cairo, the roads take you along winding coastlines and deep into the mountains, so pack the trunk, prep your favorite playlist, and get ready for a cross-country adventure.

1. Cross Sinai: From Mountains to Coast

Best road trip for mountains and sea
Cairo–Nuweiba; 647km (402 miles); allow five days for the entire route

Sinai is a must-visit on every Egypt itinerary and makes for a scenic road trip destination. This route takes you from the crowded cityscape of Cairo onto highways carved through majestic mountains, with the Red Sea coast in the periphery of your vision.

Once you’ve driven out of the city and passed through the tunnel leading to Sinai, a single-lane road takes you to the seaside. Drive by the beach towns of Ras Sudr and Ras Matarma, and make pit stops in Abu Zenima and Ras Abu Rudeis to snap stunning photos of the coast.

After about five hours into the drive, you’ll reach St Katherine’s Protectorate and the famous St Catherine’s Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and your first stop along the road. Avid hikers should plan ahead to dedicate a day to hiking up Egypt’s highest peak – Gebel Katharina (Mt. Catherine). If possible, begin your hike before daybreak to catch the sunrise from the 2629m (8625ft) summit and then tour the biblical sites surrounding the peak during the day.

Back on the road, it’s another 90 minutes through the mountains before you reach Dahab, your first overnight beachside stop. Spend at least two to three days in Dahab to make the most of this boho beach town. Dive into the Blue Hole, kitesurf on the Blue Lagoon, and enjoy great food and drinks on the beach promenade.

Once you’ve had your beach fix, hop back in the car and head for an hour up north until you hit Nuweiba. This is the last stop on this trip – the perfect place to disconnect from the world and connect with nature. All the desert camps here are right by the sea, with endless crystal blue waters and mountaintops filling the horizon. There’s no better way to wind down from your trip than a night of stargazing and waking up by the beach.

Planning Tip: Beware that the route is long, and cell service cuts out here and there.

2. Deserts, Mountains, and Beaches Around Sharm

Best road trip for varied landscapes
Sharm El Sheikh–Ras Mohammed; 88km (55 miles); one day

The roads around Sharm El Sheikh promise scenic drives along the vibrant Red Sea coast. Since you’re already in Sharm, start your trip with a 20km (12 miles) drive north to Nabq Protectorate, a coastal desert landscape offering a triptych of sand dunes, crystal blue waters, and lush greenery. This area is one of Egypt’s protected wilderness sites, with opportunities for snorkeling, hiking, and birdwatching.

Afterward, head south along the coast into the mountains, pointed straight toward Ras Mohammed National Park. This 480 sq km (185 sq mi) park is home to glorious beaches teeming with marine life and a mangrove forest by a saltwater lake, attracting over 50,000 visitors annually drawn to the beauty of the Red Sea.

Planning Tip: For a picture-perfect location to finish the drive, keep going to Shark Observatory Cliff on the southern edge of Ras Mohammed, where you’ll enjoy sweeping views of this wondrous landscape.

3. Drive and Dive Along the Red Sea Coast

Best coastal road trip
Hurghada–Marsa Alam; 300km (186 miles); allow 5–7 days for the entire route

Nestled between the mountains and the sea, this 300km (186 mile) road trip along the Red Sea coast features gorgeous beaches and dive sites accessible year-round. Before you leave Makadi Bay, be sure to take a boat out to Giftun Island to enjoy its breathtaking reefs.

Once you’re ready to hit the road, make your first stop at El Quseir – a small coastal city with rich ancient history located 120km (75 miles) south. This quiet destination offers serene, secluded diving options in some of the world’s clearest waters – and plenty of marine life! Also, explore the ancient ruins scattered throughout El Quseir.

Your final driving destination, Marsa Alam, is 68km (42 miles) further down the beautiful Red Sea coast. Dubbed the “Egyptian Maldives,” Marsa Alam is known for its year-round sunshine, crystal clear waters, and world-class snorkeling and diving opportunities. Engage in a desert safari, snorkel in the crystal clear waters, or spot dolphins at Sataya Reef. Complete your experience with a brief drive through Wadi El Gemal National Park to see camels in their natural habitat.

Planning Tip: To make the most of this road trip, allow for more than an overnight stop at Makadi Bay, El Quseir, and Marsa Alam.

4. The Nile River Road Trip

Best road trip for ancient sites
Luxor–Aswan; 250km (156 miles); allow 7 days for the entire route

Skip the Nile cruise and take the scenic route from Luxor to Aswan, with stunning temple stops along the way. Start your road trip as early as possible, since you’ll be making multiple stops on your journey. Choose between an agricultural route through green fields and palm trees or a desert route dotted with sporadic towns.

Just an hour south of Luxor, pass through the city of Esna to check out the carved walls of the Temple of Khnum. Another hour’s drive along the Nile leads you to Edfu, where you can visit the enormous Temple of Horus, the largest temple dedicated to the god of kingship and the sky. Continue driving 70km (43 miles) south to explore the stunning Temple of Kom Ombo.

The final leg of your trip from Kom Ombo to Aswan takes about an hour and is best done before sunset. Once you arrive in Aswan, unwind with a peaceful dinner along the banks of the Nile. If you still have time, the iconic Abu Simbel Temple is another 290km (180 miles) south, best visited with a tour.

Planning Tip: The total drive time from Luxor to Aswan is about four hours; however, allow for 2–3 days in Luxor, 3–4 days in Aswan, and one day for the road adventure. Best to reserve this road trip for fall or winter to avoid the extreme desert heat.

5. From the Mediterranean to an Oasis

Best oasis road trip
Alexandria–Siwa; 598km (372 miles); allow 5 days for the entire route

Tucked away in the Western Desert, the oasis at Siwa remains one of the most underrated destinations in Egypt. The first leg of your trip from Alexandria to Marsa Matrouh features beautiful, blue, and breezy scenery. Depart early in the morning for this five-hour ride along Egypt’s scenic Mediterranean coast. If traveling in the summer, consider an overnight stay at one of the North Coast’s high-end resorts for a day of swimming in the Mediterranean.

Arrive in Marsa Matrouh in time for dinner and wander through the renowned Souq Libya before calling it a night. Remember that Marsa Matrouh is quite conservative, so be respectful while exploring.

Kick off the next day with a seaside breakfast before embarking on the final leg of your drive, which covers around 300km (186 miles) from Marsa Matrouh, entering the vast Western Desert. Make sure to undertake this trek during daylight hours; although the road to Siwa is paved, it gets bumpier as you approach your destination.

Upon arriving in the secluded oasis of Siwa, explore its incredible salt lakes, take a dip in the hot springs, or enjoy magical sunsets on Fatnas Island or Taghaghein Island. If you have a taste for adventure, consider a daytime safari in the Great Sand Sea.

Planning Tip: This road trip captures Egypt’s varied landscapes, making spring or fall the ideal seasons for the best experience.

This article was first published on July 16, 2022, and updated on August 23, 2023.