Cairo and Dahab might seem far apart from each other, but you’d be surprised to see how easy it is to transfer between one and another.
In this transfer guide, we will break down the three best travel routes between the two cities, from direct flights from Cairo to Sharm El-Sheikh to overnight bus journeys from Cairo to Dahab via Sharm El-Sheikh and Saint Catherine.
Whether you are looking for a fast transfer or hoping to save money along the way, in this article you will find a travel route that suits your itinerary along with a bunch of hands-on advice. This is how to get from Cairo to Dahab.
Key Takeaways
- To get from Cairo to Dahab, you can fly to Sharm El-Sheikh and take a transfer, take an overnight bus, use a mini bus, or book a private transfer.
- Flying is the fastest option (2-3 hours total) but also the most expensive; buses are the cheapest but take 8-12 hours.
- Mini buses offer a good balance of speed (6-8 hours) and cost but are less comfortable than big buses.
- Private transfers are fastest overland (6-7 hours) and good for groups but cost more; always book tickets or transfers in advance.
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This is Where to Stay in Dahab
Filling the gaps in your Egypt itinerary? Do stop at booking your flight to Dahab, and take care of your hotel, too. These are the best hotels in Dahab according to your budget:
Hostel | Rafiki Hostels | from $ 16 per night | |
Hotel | NEOM Hotel Dahab | from $ 120 per night | |
Resort | Swiss Inn Resort Dahab | from $ 122 per night |
4 Travel Routes for Getting from Cairo to Dahab
Cairo and Dahab are not exactly close to each other. Depending on your exact location in Cairo, you are some 540 kilometres away from Dahab. To get there, you can either take a domestic flight from Cairo International Airport to Sharm El-Sheikh International Airport, take a direct overnight bus to Dahab or book a private transfer.
Let’s break down all four routes from Cairo to Dahab in detail:
Direct Flight to Sharm El-Sheikh & Transfer to Dahab (The Fastest Route)
The fastest route from Cairo to Dahab is taking a domestic flight from Cairo International Airport (CAI) to Sharm El-Sheikh Airport (SSH). Dahab itself does not have an airport. Two domestic carriers, Egyptair and Air Cairo, operate daily direct flights from Cairo to Dahab. The flight takes around one hour and one-way tickets start from just $ 82 (or 72 €).
Once you have made it from Cairo to Sharm El-Sheikh, you only need to travel another 90 kilometres to get to Dahab. For this final stretch, you can either take a direct transfer or a taxi directly at the airport or catch a bus at Sharm El-Sheikh Bus Station. We cannot recommend taking a taxi directly at the airport, as drivers often ask for highly inflated rates. Instead, arrange a private transfer to Dahab beforehand.
Before your flight to Sharm El-Sheikh, check out some of Dahab’s Facebook groups. There, you will find several local transport companies offer group transfers and private transfers between Sharm El-Sheikh Airport and Dahab. These transfers start at 800 EGP per seat and take around one hour. Usually, you can arrange for you to be dropped off right in the neighbourhood of your hotel.
Altogether, the flight from Cairo to Sharm El-Sheikh and the subsequent transfer to Dahab take 2 to 3 hours, if all goes well. This makes it by far the fastest option to get to Dahab, but it does include at least one transfer along the way and comes out much more expensive.
Overnight Bus Journey from Cairo to Dahab via Sharm El-Sheikh (The Cheapest Trip)
While Cairo is located on the Nile, Dahab is located on the Red Sea coast of the Sinai Peninsula, separating them by approximately 540 kilometers. Despite the long distance, several bus companies make the trip every day. So, if you don’t feel like going through the hassle of a domestic flight or simply looking for a more affordable option, you can take an overnight bus from Cairo to Dahab.
Some of the bus companies running between Cairo and Dahab are Go Bus, Blue Bus, WeBus and East Delta Travel. Personally, we have made the best experiences with Go Bus, which also happens to be the company with the most daily rides from Cairo to Dahab. With Go Bus, the bus ticket to Dahab costs as little as 650 EGP and takes up some 10 to 12 hours with stops in Nasr City and Sharm El-Sheikh.
Ideally, take a late night departure from Cairo to arrive to Dahab the next morning. Also, note that there is a mandatory stop and security checkpoint at the Suez Canal where you will have to get off the bus with your bags for them to be searched. Additionally, the bus makes stops at rest houses along the way where you can go to the toilet and stock up on snacks.
In Dahab, the Go Bus Station is within walking distance of most hostels and hotels. Taxi rides within Dahab’s central district should be no more than 50 EGPs and taxi drivers in pick-ups usually wait next to the bus station. Overall, the overnight Dahab buses offer the cheapest price of transfer and additional comfort with air conditioning, reclining seats, Wi-Fi and even entertainment systems in some buses.
Mini Bus Journey from Cairo to Dahab via Saint Catherine (The Value Pick)
While the large overnight buses from Cairo are very comfortable and climatized, they are not the fastest overland option to get to Dahab from Cairo. The larger busses usually take longer at the Suez Canal checkpoint and take the slightly longer route through Sharm El-Sheikh where they add another stop of 30 minutes to 1 hour. This way, they can easily take up to 12 hours to get to Dahab.
Conversely, the smaller white mini buses from Cairo to Dahab, pass the Suez Canal checkpoint much faster skip the stop in Sharm El-Sheikh in favour of the slightly shorter Saint Catherine route and take much closer to 6 to 8 hours. The only things you’ll have to compromise on are comfort on the bus and a much curvier route.
Just like the large overnight buses, you can book the white mini buses directly on the Go Bus website. There, they are listed as ‘Go Mini’ with fares starting at 730 EGP per person. On the mini bus, you will pass the Suez checkpoint faster and have another stop in Saint Catherine. There, the military will check IDs again and you will have some time at a gas station to get some breakfast and to go to the toilet.
In Dahab, the mini buses arrive to the same terminal as the larger overnight buses, from where you can either catch a taxi for 50 EGP or simply walk to your accommodation. To us, these mini buses to Dahab offer the best balance of cost and convenience for transfers from Cairo to Dahab.
Private Transfer from Cairo to Dahab
If you are looking for a more convenient or comfortable journey or travelling with a larger group, it is also worth considering to simple book a private taxi all the way from Cairo to Dahab. When travelling in a private car, the journey takes only 6 to 7 hours with much less stops and delays at checkpoints, making it the fastest non-flight option.
You can either keep an eye out for transport companies in Dahab’s Facebook groups, scout offers online or use the intercity feature of the InDrive app to find a ride at your desired rate. The current average price for a private driver from Cairo to Dahab seems to be around $ 120 (or 105 €) per vehicle. If you split this price between four travellers in total, this ride will be only a little more expensive than a regular bus ride.
Well on the Way? This is Where to Stay in Dahab
Before we start looking into all the cool things you can do during your stay in Dahab, let’s take a minute to think about where we want to stay. Generally, Dahab has something to offer for everyone. The town has a vivid hostel scene, a number of beach-front hotels and even some resorts.
So, what are the best hotels in Dahab to stay at? These are our favourites:
- Hostels: When it comes to hostels, Dahab is not short on options. We, personally, enjoyed the Rafiki Hostel in Dahab the most, though. Located a few minutes outside the centre, this hostel is close to the center and to local shopping options at the same time. Additionally, it offers a free breakfast and plenty of daily activities, so you won’t even realise you are not staying in the center of Dahab.
- Hotels: If you opt for a hotel stay in Dahab, you have to go for one of the beachfront hotels along Assalah. Our favourite, the recently-opened Neom Hotel not only offers comfy rooms with air-conditioning, but also its very own swimming pool, a rooftop terrace, a restaurant and a beach café. What more can you wish for?
- Resort: For maximum comfort, of course, there are no better options than the local resort hotels, many of which offer full all-inclusive packages. The Swiss Inn is an all-inclusive resort located in Laguna featuring a large outdoor pool, a private beach, a spa centre and a fitness centre. For any tours in Dahab, you can arrange to be picked up right at the hotel compound.
Thinking about staying long-term? Then, skip the hotels and hostels and rent a long-term apartment in Dahab. Our long-term rental guide shows you exactly how it’s done.
What to Do When You Visit Dahab
Now that you’ve got your transport and accommodation sorted, we can finally talk about the fun things in life: what to do in Dahab.
The Blue Hole
If you are heading to Dahab, there is a good chance you dive. And if you dive, there is no way around visiting the Blue Hole in Dahab. The Blue Hole, if you haven’t heard of it before, is a massive underwater sinkhole a few meters off the Red Sea Coast. At its deepest it reaches as deep as 100 metres.
For divers, the Blue Hole has been a sort-of holy grail for technical diving. Whether you are attempting the incredibly challenging Arch, doing from The Bells to the Blue Hole or simply snorkelling along its ridge, you are guaranteed to get your money’s worth here.
You don’t have to join a tour to explore the Blue Hole. Find out how to visit the Blue Hole independently and save money along the way.
The Blue Lagoon
Water sports reign supreme in Dahab, but it is certainly not all diving. Sure, the coral reefs and plentiful marine life provide a good reason for diving into the water, but how about flying over it for a change? In the Blue Lagoon windsurfing wins over diving and you can learn to do it, too.
The Blue Lagoon is located a little further north of Dahab than the Blue Hole and Ras Abu Galoum and it is best known for its great windsurfing conditions. Even Red Bull comes out here. Head to the Blue Lagoon, join a windsurfing school and enjoy a serene night under the stars far away from any settlement.
How do you even get to the Blue Lagoon? The Blue Lagoon might be secluded, but it’s not impossible to reach. In the guide we break down how to get to the Blue Lagoon without a tour.
The Sinai Mountains
Sticking with the sports theme for now, Dahab also has plenty to offer outside of its crystal-clear waters. In its rugged mountains, for instance. There are plenty of hiking trails around Dahab, but none quite as promising as the Mount Sinai summit.
Regarded as the mountain where Moses received the Ten Commandments from God, Mount Sinai makes for a popular pilgrimage route and a beautifully rewarding hike. The Mount Sinai summit is usually done overnight with groups arriving at the summit shortly before sunrise – a view that you will never forget.
Looking for even more things to do? On this list, we presented the 10+ best things to do on the Sinai Peninsula. You’d be surprised by some of the entries!
The Bottom Line
When you visit Dahab, getting there should not add any stress to your trip. From Cairo there are daily plane and bus connections to Dahab, that are either fast, affordable or both. But matter what Dahab route you end up choosing, make sure to book your tickets in advance, arrange connections and transfers and bring some patience for possible delays along the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the bus from Cairo to Dahab?
The overnight bus to Dahab takes around 10 to 12 hours, depending on the departure times, wait times at the Suez Canal and additional checkpoints and pit stops along the way. The mini bus to Dahab is much faster averaging 6 to 8 hours thanks to shorter wait times and fewer stops along the way.
How do I get to Dahab in Egypt?
The fastest way to get to Dahab, Egypt, is taking a direct flight to Sharm El-Sheikh Airport and transferring to Dahab from there. Alternatively, you can take a direct overnight bus from Cairo to Dahab which takes around 10 to 12 hours.
Is Dahab worth visiting?
Yes, Dahab is 100% worth visiting, especially if you are into water sports and hiking. Dahab is a paradise for snorkelling, scuba diving and free diving with world-famous dive sites such as the Blue Hole and offers many beautiful hiking routes in the Sinai Mountains, too.
Is Dahab close to Cairo?
No, Dahab is not close to Cairo. While Cairo is located right on the East Bank of the Nile River, Dahab is located on the Red Sea coast of the Sinai Peninsula. The two cities are, however, well-connected to each other with domestic flights via Sharm El-Sheikh and direct overnight buses.
Hey! We are glad you are curious about travelling the Middle East.
We are Nancy & Elias.
Over four years of backpacking and digital nomading made us fall in love with the Middle East. We have lived on the Red Sea coast in Egypt, lived in a Bedouin Camp in Jordan and travelled 6+ Middle Eastern countries overland.
As we continue to travel, we share our battle-tested travels advice on this blog, from travel reports and transfer guides to accommodation recs and saving hacks.
