Jerusalem to Egypt / Egypt to Jerusalem: All You Need To Know (2026)

Jerusalem to Egypt / Egypt to Jerusalem – this post will tell you the distance between the two, how to get from one to the other and the time it takes for each method, the best tours and things to do, plus places to stay and more travel tips!

Why listen to me? I lived in Israel for 2 years plus have been on multiple archaeological excavations and have traveled to Egypt, including solo travel in Cairo. Besides that, I have a degree in Archaeology from Tel Aviv University – so, read on to learn more!

Map of Jerusalem to Egypt / Egypt to Jerusalem

Jerusalem to Egypt / Egypt to Jerusalem: Distance

The distance (by air travel) between Jerusalem to Egypt / Egypt to Jerusalem is 433 miles, or 696 kilometers. A flight takes around 46 minutes.

The distance (by road travel) between Jerusalem to Egypt / Egypt to Jerusalem is 732 miles, or 1178 kilometers. A road trip takes around 10 hours.

Jerusalem & Egypt: Quick Introduction

Jerusalem is located in the central part of Israel, on a plateau in the Judean Mountains between the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea. It’s known for iconic religious sites located in the Old City including the Four Quarters with the Western Wall, Dome of the Rock, Church of the Holy Sepulchre and more, as well as the City of David, Mount of Olives and more religious and historical sites.

Egypt is located in northeastern Africa, with the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Red Sea to the east. Along the banks of the Nile River, the capital, Cairo, blends contemporary life with rich history. Beyond the capital, Egypt comes to life in cities like Luxor and Aswan, where ancient civilizations left behind impressive legacies and you can see amazing Temples, tombs and more!

Jerusalem to Egypt / Egypt to Jerusalem: How to Get There

There are multiple ways to travel between Egypt and Jerusalem! They include train and flight combinations, bus routes, and driving. Here are the ways you can travel from Jerusalem to Egypt – just reverse for getting from Egypt to Jerusalem!

Option 1: Train to Tel Aviv + Flight to Egypt

For this route, you’ll take the train from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv, then fly to Luxor or Cairo as follows:

• Jerusalem: Go to the Yerushalayim/Yits’hak Navon train station
• Change trains at Rishon LeZion station (נתב”ג) to get to Tel Aviv
• Fly from Tel Aviv (Ben Gurion Airport, TLV) to Luxor (LXR) or Cairo (CAI)

Option 2: Bus from Jerusalem to Egypt

You can take a bus from Jerusalem to Egypt as follows:

• Go to the Jerusalem Central Bus Station 3rd Floor Platforms
• Change buses at Eilat Central Station
• Ride to Taba Border crossing in Eilat
• Walk for 17 minutes to Taba
• Take the bus to Cairo

This route takes close to 14 hours total, and it’s the cheapest option.

You can also take the bus another way, that takes you through Amman, Jordan:

• Go to the Jerusalem Central Bus Station 3rd Floor Platforms
• Change buses at the Allenby Bridge Junction/Road 90An-Nuway’imah
• Get a town car to King Hussein Bridge in Jericho (Border Crossing)
• Take the bus from Jericho (King Hussein Bridge) to Abdali Amman
• Ride the bus from Amman to Cairo

This route takes a bit over 13 hours, though it’s a bit more complicated – there’s the towncar, and the bus from King Hussein Bridge only goes once per day!

Option 3: Driving

You can drive from Egypt to Jerusalem or Jerusalem to Egypt! The direct route takes around 10 hours.

Renting a car can be a convenient way to travel between Jerusalem and Egypt (it only requires navigating unfamiliar roads, dealing with local drivers and learning parking rules and signs).

For non-citizens of Israel, renting a car in Israel is very affordable because you don’t have to pay the VAT tax! Just be sure to keep the paper you get at the airport to show along with your passport.

Driving in Egypt is another story. Especially in Cairo, it’s complete and utter chaos, and I don’t recommend it at all if you haven’t driven there before! The lanes, signs and rules of the road are less than guidelines, and people must cross the street anywhere and everywhere. You definitely need a lot of confidence and nerve to drive there!

Of course, you can just drop the car at the rental place and not venture into Cairo, if you can help it!

🚙 Click here to rent a car in Egypt or Jerusalem

Jerusalem to Egypt / Egypt to Jerusalem: Crossing the Border

Traveling by land means crossing the border at the Taba border crossing. This is located north from Egypt just south of Eilat, the southernmost Israeli city. There’s an exit tax and a surcharge when you leave Israel, plus a border tax when you enter Sinai.

Everyone, including Israeli citizens, are able to visit Egypt with a visa and up-to-date passport.

Jerusalem to Egypt / Egypt to Jerusalem: What to see on a road trip

Stops to make if you’re driving the route from Jerusalem to Egypt or Egypt to Jerusalem include:

• Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
• Eilat, Israel
• Bethlehem, Israel
• Amman, Jordan
• Petra, Jordan
• Aqaba, Jordan

Jerusalem to Egypt / Egypt to Jerusalem: Best Tours

This 16-night Israel, Jordan and Egypt tour is a top-rated, private tour that covers three countries, all with a guide and climate-controlled transportation! You’ll get to see the major sites in each country and you’ll be picked up and dropped off at the airports so you don’t have to worry about logistics.

This tour is the most comprehensive, with sites in Israel beyond Jerusalem including Caesarea, Haifa and Akko, Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee, Old and New Jerusalem tour, Jericho, Bethlehem, Masada, the Dead Sea, and more.

In Jordan, you’ll get to explore Petra, have tours of Mt. Sinai and St. Catherine.

In Egypt, you’ll get to see Cairo sites, Aswan with Philae Temple and a felucca ride, Luxor with Kom Ombo and Edfu Temples, the Temple of Hatshepsut, Memnon, Karnak and Luxor Temples, and more!

This Jerusalem and Dead Sea Guided Day Trip from Sharm el-Sheikh is a day trip to Jerusalem, Bethlehem and the Dead Sea from Sharm el-Sheikh with hotel transfers and lunch included! You’ll get to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem’s Old City, the Mount of Olives, Church of the Nativity, float in the Dead Sea and much more!

Note: The guide in Israel trip is Russian speaking guide. If there are more than 10 people speaking English in the group, we will provide English Speaking guide

This 3 Days 2 Nights Tour to Cairo from Taba by coach is one you can book and meet up with at the Taba border! It includes Cairo and Giza highlights including the pyramids and Sphinx, a Nile River cruise, Cairo’s medieval historic area, Khan el-Khalili Bazaar and more!

🌟 Check out this 5-star review:
“Terrific experience – I highly recommend Your Egypt Tours! I found this tour company online and ended up booking a 3 day / 2 night tour of Cairo from Taba. The tour agent, Mona Hamdy, did a great job of communicating and organizing the perfect private tour to fit my needs. Mr. Taha Marie, my personal tour guide and Egyptologist, was extremely knowledgeable and always eager to share information about his home country and its long and fascinating history. I found that having my own private tour guide, as well as my own driver, was the perfect way to see and appreciate the many interesting sights in a short amount of time. I felt completely safe at all times and I found the Egyptian people to be kind and welcoming. My heartfelt thanks go out to Your Egypt Tours for an unforgettable trip!”

This 13-Day Private Tour around Egypt Jordan and Jerusalem covers a lot of Egypt sites, plus some in Amman and a day in Jerusalem! The flight tickets from Cairo to Aswan and Luxor to Cairo are included in the price, and they provide pick up from any agreed upon place.

You’ll get to explore in and beyond Cairo , from the pyramids to Sakkara and Old Cairo, the Nile, Aswan’s Abu Simbel Temple, more temples, Luxor sites and more. Then, you’ll setop in Jordan and see Amman, the Dead Sea, Petra and more before going to Jerusalem to see the sights!

🌟 Check out this 5-star review:
“We had an excellent experience. Very good service. Very respectful, reliable and we feel safe. Thanks for everything.”

👉 For even more ideas, check out my guides at the end of this post for day trips from Tel Aviv (that can also be done from Jerusalem), plus my Jerusalem and Cairo guides!

Where to stay in Jerusalem on any Budget

✅ Budget Option: Abraham Hostel Jerusalem

Abraham Hostel is a chain with multiple locations around Israel, and one of my favorite places to stay! They have a bar, game room, breakfast and events. You can book a dorm, private room or apartment.

🛏️ Check Availability at Abraham Hostel Jerusalem Here

✅ Mid-Tier Option: Bezalel Hotel (an Atlas Boutique Hotel)

Bezalel Hotel is a top-rated mid-tier hotel in a historic building with modern decor as well as breakfast and more amenities. It’s located near Mahane Yehuda, too!

🛏️ Check Availability at Bezalel Hotel Here

✅ Luxury Option: The American Colony Hotel

The American Colony Hotel is the highest-rated Luxury Hotel in Jerusalem. It’s a boutique hotel located in a historic building with a pool, fitness center, bar, walking tours and more!

🛏️ Check Availability at The American Colony Hotel Here

Where to stay in Cairo/Giza on any Budget

✅ Budget Option: Pyramids lounge

Pyramids Lounge is one of the best budget hotels in Cairo, and it’s close to the Pyramids with a great view! They have an outdoor fireplace, BBQ facilities, lounge, and much more, including:

• Sun terrace
• A/C
• Fridge, minibar & coffee machine
• Walk-in shower
• Free WiFi
• Continental Breakfast
• Coffee shop, grocery delivery & minimarket
• Airport shuttle
• 24-hour front desk
• Room Service

🌟 Check out this 5-star review from Borja:
“From my arrival until I left, all the staff were attentive all the time to make me feel as comfortable and safe as possible, not only in the place, I enjoyed the talks and the family atmosphere of this place, I really feel lucky that my first My visit to Egypt was with them, since they gave me a lot of advice and where to go so that I could enjoy and get to know the culture, I would definitely return but this time with my family”

🛌 Check Current Prices & Availability at Pyramids lounge Here

If you’re looking for even cheaper, I use HostelWorld to find the best hostels and deals!

✅ Mid-Tier Option: Al Masa Hotel Nasr City

Al Masa Hotel Nasr City is the top-rated mid-range hotel in Cairo, and it has a lot to offer! From a terrace swimming pool, to 5 restaurants, a wellness center and your own private balcony, there are plenty of things to make this hotel worth staying in! Here are more:

• Continental breakfast
• A/C, flat-screen TV and minibar
• Garden
• Library
• massages
• Billiards & bowling
• Bar

🌟 Check out this 5-star review from Awatif:
“I loved it it’s a large resort I dont know why it says that it’s a hotel it was so clean and the property was amazing it has a really big pool and many restaurants each restaurant is better than the other and it has a bowling alley, cafés, 8 ball table, cinema’s.. it’s just perfect if I ever go back to Egypt I’m definitely gonna stay in it again”

🛌 Check Current Prices & Availability at Al Masa Hotel Nasr City Here

✅ Luxury Option: Mena House Hotel

This historic, 5-star Marriott hotel is spectacular! It opened Egypt’s very first swimming pool in 1890 after being a private hunting lodge to begin with, and is one of the most iconic hostels in Egypt. I stayed here and I highly recommend it, especially for your visit to the pyramids!

The hotel is amazing! Here’s some of what they have to offer:

• Spectacular breakfast buffet and dinner
• Pool
• Beautiful grounds
• Pyramid views
• Fitness center and spa
• Bar
• Room service

🌟 Don’t just take my word for it! Check out this 5-star review from Harry:
“Staying here is a huge treat. It is a beautiful hotel and you are made to feel special the second you arrive. The staff are exemplary and we were treated fantastically. The grounds are wonderfully cared for and the pool area is amazing with a huge amount of beds, an excellent bar and the pool is large. Food at Mena House is similarly, perfect. We had room service and it was fresh and quick and the food at the onsite Moghul Restaurant was lovely. The best bit is the breakfast buffet. It needs to be seen to be believed and having your breakfast staring at the pyramids is once in a lifetime event. I will never forget my stay here.”

🛌 Check Availability at the Mena House Hotel Cairo Here

🛏️ VRBO is a great place to find vacation rental houses for yourself or a whole group to have the entire place to yourself.

Travel Planning Tips for Israel & Egypt

👉 For flights, WayAway is a flight aggregator that helps you find the cheapest flights. Use the code MUKI-TRAVELS for 10% off WayAway Plus.

👉 If you rent a car, just be prepared, especially for driving in Jerusalem and Cairo (I don’t recommend driving in Cairo). You’ll need to be an aggressive driver. To rent a car in Israel, Discover Cars is a great tool to use.

👉 Use the apps Moovit (for public transporation) and Waze (for driving directions), especially in Israel.

👉 Find more tips on things like travel insurance, what to pack, and more on my travel resources page.

👉 For the best times of year to visit Jerusalem and more things to see, read this post.

What to Consider for Israel & Egypt Travel

👉 Languages spoken. Most people in Israel, especially in the cities, speak English. Otherwise, you’ll hear Hebrew, Arabic, Russian and more languages (including from other tourists from all over the world)! In Egypt, you’ll mostly hear Arabic. It’s fun to learn words from both Hebrew and Arabic that are similar!

👉 Expectations. A lot of people expect Jerusalem to feel ancient, but that’s just not possible – this city has been continuously inhabited from ancient times! Experiencing it for what it is, with all the history from ancient times through now, is the best way to see it. Cairo is dirty and chaotic, but a great experience and the people are very hospitable and friendly! The other sites in Egypt are amazing, but they may be crowded – go as early in the morning as you can!

👉 Safety. Both Israel and Egypt are relatively safe for travel, as long as you know where to go, the safest ways to travel and stay up to date on current events. Learn more about safety for traveling to Israel here, and for Egypt travel here.

Jerusalem to Egypt / Egypt to Jerusalem: FAQs

👉 How do I get from Jerusalem to Egypt?

To get from Jerusalem to Egypt, you can take the train to Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv, and then fly to Luxor or Cairo. You can also take buses to Cairo from Jerusalem, or rent a car and drive yourself!

👉 How far is Jerusalem from the Egyptian pyramids?

Jerusalem is 272 miles, or 437 km, from the pyramids in Giza, Egypt.

👉 Can you drive from Egypt to Jerusalem?

Yes, you can drive from Egypt to Jerusalem!

👉 How long does it take to drive from Jerusalem to Egypt?

It takes around 10 hours to drive to Egypt from Jerusalem. The distance by road is 732 miles, or 1178 kilometers.

👉 How long did it take the Israelites to walk from Egypt to Israel?

According to the book of Numbers in the Torah, it took 10-11 months to reach the border of Canaan from Mt. Sinai – however, from there the Israelites sent 12 spies into the promised land. The spies returned, and all but one said it would be impossible to take the “giants” in the land. Because of this, the Israelites wandered in the desert for an additional 38 years, making it take 40 years for them to get into Israel.

All In All: Jerusalem to Egypt / Egypt to Jerusalem

I hope this helps you plan your travel between Jerusalem and Egypt! I love this part of the world from my travels in Egypt, Jordan and Israel – and living in Israel – and love to share tips and photos!

Check out these posts for more info on Jerusalem & Egypt travel:

👉 Is Egypt Safe For Travel? Important Advice Amidst War
👉 Is Israel Safe For Travel? Important Advice Amidst War
👉 Pictures of Alexandria, Egypt to Inspire Your Journey
👉 Four Quarters In Jerusalem Old City: 29 Places To Visit (With Map + History)
👉 Solo Travel In Israel: Expert Tips, Itinerary + More
👉 8 Best Tours From Tel Aviv To Jerusalem To Check Out
👉 Is Jerusalem Worth Visiting? 26 Things To Do To Make Your Trip Worthwhile (with pros & cons)
👉 Winter in Jerusalem: Weather, Things To Do + Travel Tips
👉 Is Cairo Worth Visiting? 23 Ways To Make Your Trip Worthwhile
👉 43 Best Places For Photography In Cairo (plus tips for how to get amazing photos)
👉 Israel Archaeology: Volunteer On An Excavation
👉 Jerusalem to Galilee / Galilee to Jerusalem: All You Need To Know
👉 Tel Aviv to Jerusalem / Jerusalem to Tel Aviv: All You Need To Know
👉 Jordan to Jerusalem / Jerusalem to Jordan: All You Need To Know
👉 Rome to Jerusalem / Jerusalem to Rome: All You Need To Know
👉 Israel To Palestine / Palestine To Israel: All You Need To Know
👉 Israel & Palestine, and the Conflict: A Beginner’s Guide (History, Maps & Resources)
👉 Captivating Scenes: A Photo Journey Through Historic Jerusalem
👉 The 41 Best Photography Spots In Jerusalem with Map + Ideas

Here are even more Israel guides to check out:

👉 The 20 best day trips from Tel Aviv
👉 31+ Best Things To Do In Tel Aviv (With Map)
👉 The best time to visit Tel Aviv
👉 Where To Stay In Tel Aviv: Best Places for Every Budget (Neighborhoods, Hotels + More)
👉 Renting A Car In Tel Aviv: Everything You Need To Know
👉 What To Pack For Israel In Winter (Dec-Feb)
👉 What To Pack For Israel In Spring (March-May)
👉 What To Pack For Israel In Summer (June-Sept)
👉 What To Pack For Israel In Fall (Oct-Nov)
👉 Is Tel Aviv Worth Visiting? 18 Ways To Make Your Trip Worthwhile (+ Pros & Cons)
👉 Is Haifa Worth Visiting? 38 Ways To Make Your Trip Worthwhile (+ Pros & Cons)
👉 Israel Archaeology List: learn about famous sites
👉 The 17 Best Israel Souvenirs
👉 Top 25 Biblical Sites In Israel
👉 10+ Unique and Captivating Photos of Tel Aviv, Israel

👉 For more International Travel guides, check out this page!