Egypt Tours from the Netherlands

Getting to Egypt from the Netherlands is refreshingly direct. Amsterdam Schiphol is one of the easier European gateways to Cairo, with EgyptAir and Transavia both flying the route non-stop and a busy charter programme carrying sun-seekers straight to the Red Sea. Add a straightforward e-visa for Dutch passport holders and a mature package market led by Corendon and TUI, and Egypt becomes one of the most accessible long-weekend-plus culture trips within reach of the Randstad. Here is how to plan it well, what it costs, and what to lock in before you fly.

Flights from Amsterdam

AMS-Cairo is flown direct by EgyptAir (around seven times a week) and Transavia (roughly twice a week), a route carrying close to 29 flights a week as of mid-2026. Flight time runs about 4h20 to 5h35 depending on the schedule. Fares have been soft lately, with cheap direct returns cited from around 272 euro and a typical return economy band of roughly 250-450 euro. Treat all of these as starting points and verify at booking, since fares move with season and demand.

For the Red Sea, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Sharm el-Sheikh are served mainly by charter and leisure carriers such as Corendon and Transavia. One catch worth knowing: charter arrivals generally have to fly home by charter from the same airport, so an open-jaw Cairo-in, Hurghada-out itinerary usually means separate scheduled tickets.

Visa for Dutch travellers

Dutch nationals qualify for the official Egyptian e-visa at visa2egypt.gov.eg. Apply at least seven days before departure; the single-entry e-visa costs 25 USD (60 USD multiple-entry) for a 30-day stay, with processing typically 24-72 hours. A traditional visa-on-arrival is also available at Egyptian airports for around 25-30 USD in cash.

From 1 August 2026, Cairo Airport is piloting a digital visa-on-arrival: a QR code replacing the paper sticker, generated via the official portal, mobile app or airport kiosk, at 36 USD single-entry (30 base plus 6 processing) and valid 48 hours from issuance. Paper visas run in parallel during the pilot. Carry a full passport valid at least six months beyond your return; a Dutch national ID card is not accepted for Egypt. Always confirm current rules on the official portal before you travel.

Packages and prices

Corendon is the dominant Dutch packager, selling Hurghada beach weeks and Nile-cruise-plus-beach combinations. Typical products include an 8-day Nile cruise from around 589 euro and 8-day cruise-plus-Hurghada combos from roughly 650 euro all-inclusive, pairing a 5-star full-board cruise ship with a 4-5 star Red Sea hotel. TUI Nederland and independent sellers offer similar structures. The classic format is seven nights on a Luxor-Aswan cruise followed by seven nights on the beach, blending temples with sun and diving. Prices are seasonal, so verify directly.

If you are weighing the cruise portion, our Nile cruise guide walks through routes, ship standards and what a good itinerary should include.

Best time to go

For Nile cruising, October to April is most comfortable, with November often rated the single best month. Red Sea water stays warm April to November. Dutch school-holiday windows shape demand and price: the autumn Herfstvakantie lines up neatly with peak Nile season, while Kerstvakantie pushes prices up. May to September is the cheapest, quietest window inland, if you can handle the heat.

Money and practicalities

Egypt is cash-heavy. Cards work in upscale hotels, better restaurants and tour bookings, but you will need Egyptian pounds for souks, taxis, street food and tips. ATMs typically charge 50-100 EGP per withdrawal. Tipping, or baksheesh, is expected and given in cash directly. No vaccines are legally required from the Netherlands, though Hepatitis A and Typhoid are commonly recommended; see a GGD travel clinic four to six weeks ahead, and take out proper travel insurance with medical cover.

What to book before you fly

Sort your e-visa online, confirm passport validity, and reserve your cruise and any marquee excursions early for autumn and Christmas departures.