How far is Egypt from Israel?

In case you are planning a trip to the Middle East, the question may be: How far is it from Israel to Egypt? These are two historically rich countries that have a land border and are not far from each other at all (relatively speaking), meaning that we can easily get from one to the other.

Overview of border Egypt-Israel 

The Egyptian – Israel land border is about 208 kilometers (129 miles). It is between Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula and the region to the south of Israel towards the towns of Taba (in Egypt) and Eilat (in Israel). The best travel land route between one country and another for travelers is this crossing.

Distance between major cities

The distance between major cities varies depending on your route and mode of travel. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Cairo to Jerusalem: 427 kilometers (266 miles) by road. The car or bus ride is normally 8–10 hours, assuming reasonable border procedures and traffic.
• Cairo to Tel Aviv: It is approximately 490 kilometers (304 miles) by road distance. Travel overland can take up to 10–12 hours including Taba Border crossing time.
• Taba to Eilat: Sitting directly across the Egypt-Israel border, these cities are. The two are within less than 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) distance and you can walk there between the two on the Taba Border Crossing, the only official overland entry point for tourists.

Travel options between Egypt and Israel

• Overland travel (Most common): Most people who travel choose to cross the Taba Border Crossing which is close to the Red Sea. This makes for a good entry point if you’re coming from South Sinai (e.g., Sharm El Sheikh or Dahab) into Eilat, Israel’s southern resort town. From there, it is easy to reach other destinations in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
• Flying: EgyptAir and El Al operate direct flights between Cairo and Tel Aviv. Though it takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes flight time, it is the fastest way to travel between the two capitals.
• Bus services: East Delta Travel runs bus routes from Cairo to the Taba Border. After that, Israeli bus lines, such as Egged, can take you on from Eilat to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and elsewhere.

Important travel tips

• Visas: Make sure that you meet the entry requirements for both countries. While many nationalities can obtain an Egyptian visa on arrival or online, travelers not eligible for visa-free entry to Israel must apply for a visa in advance. Although Egypt does not stamp Israeli entry in passports, having Israeli entry or exit evidence (e.g., stamps from the Taba border) may cause issues when entering certain Muslim-majority countries. Consider using a second passport if applicable.
• Border hours: The Taba Border Crossing is not open 24/7. It typically operates from around 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM, with variations depending on the day of the week and season. The crossing may close early or shut down completely on Jewish holidays and during Shabbat (Friday evening to Saturday evening), so travelers should always check the latest hours on official or trusted travel sources before planning their trip.
• Security considerations: While the Taba Border itself is considered safe and regularly used by tourists, travelers should be aware that parts of North Sinai remain under security advisories due to occasional military or terrorist activity. It is highly recommended to travel via well-known tourist routes such as Sharm El Sheikh or Dahab when heading to Taba. Avoid attempting to cross any land border other than Taba.

How far is Egypt from Israel, then? Just a few hundred kilometers separate major cities, and it isn't a long way to the border towns. Traveling in both these fascinating countries by any means i.e. road, air or bus is simple and full of scenic routes and travel experiences.

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