Inexpensive tours to Egypt from Astana: prices

Inexpensive tours to Egypt from Astana are beach holidays on the Red Sea in the off-season, when prices drop and the weather remains comfortable. Departures are most often via Almaty or by direct charter to Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh. The optimal months are from October to November and from March to April. A week for two with bed and breakfast costs less than in high season.

Visa, documents and money: what to consider before departure?

The trip begins with calculation: such tours from Astana consist of fees, insurance and the exchange rate. This section helps to put together a budget without surprises on the spot.

Passport, visa on arrival and insurance for citizens of Kazakhstan

The visa to Egypt is issued on arrival at the airports of Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh. Medical insurance for inexpensive tours is not mandatory, but when traveling with children or diving it is arranged in advance. In Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh the stamp is placed quickly if there is a return ticket and a hotel booking. Keep copies of documents separate from the originals: they will be useful in Dahab and Nuweiba. Insurance covers treatment and flight cancellation, and for diving in Marsa Alam and Safaga a separate policy is needed. Arrange documents at home so as not to spend the first day of your holiday on formalities.

Cash, cards and tips: how not to overpay on the spot

The exchange rate of the Egyptian pound is unstable, so bring part of your cash in dollars or euros. ATMs in Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh accept Visa and Mastercard, but the withdrawal fee is noticeable. Exchange money as needed, not the whole amount at once. Tips in Egypt are a stable practice: hotel staff, drivers and guides expect a small reward in pounds or dollars. In Taba and El Gouna, payment is more often in cash than by card. For inexpensive tours it is convenient to keep small notes: large banknotes are not always changed. Plan your spending so that by the end of the holiday no excess currency remains.

Visa and entry rules change: check with the primary source — the portal of the electronic visa of the Arab Republic of Egypt, https://visa2egypt.gov.eg/eVisa/. The information on this page was checked on 18.09.2026.

When to go and how to get there without extra expenses?

The season and the flight determine the price of inexpensive tours. Here is how to choose dates and not overpay for the journey.

Direct flights and connections in high and low season

Direct charter flights from Astana to Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh operate in high season. In the remaining months, the flight is built via Almaty or Dubai. The low season offers cheaper tours but adds travel time. A connection via Almaty is convenient for residents of the capital, and via Dubai for those who want to break up the journey. In high season, flights to Hurghada operate more often than to Sharm El Sheikh. For Marsa Alam and Safaga, an internal flight or a long transfer is sometimes needed. Book in advance: at the peak, both inexpensive tours and seats on connecting flights are snapped up. Compare dates a week forward and back — the price difference can be noticeable.

Time zone difference and acclimatization in the first days

The time difference with Almaty is 3 hours in winter and 2 hours in summer: Egypt changes its clocks (UTC+2 in winter, UTC+3 in summer), while Kazakhstan stays on UTC+5 all year round. It is better to leave the first day in Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh without excursions. Children and elderly people cope with the time change harder, so plan a holiday in El Gouna or Dahab with a margin. In summer the air warms up above forty degrees, and the water stays at 28–30. Spring and autumn are better suited for trips with children than July. During Ramadan, many cafes operate on a reduced schedule. Drink more water and do not schedule diving in Marsa Alam for the morning after arrival. Inexpensive tours are more profitable to take in the off-season, when the heat subsides.

Where to stay inexpensively: hotels, apartments and guest houses

Accommodation is the main expense item in inexpensive tours. Let's look at what to choose in Egypt for different holiday formats.

3–4 star hotels versus expensive all inclusive complexes

In Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh, 3–4 star hotels are often more profitable than expensive complexes. The all inclusive system is convenient, but its price is built into the tour regardless of how much you eat and drink. Bed and breakfast separately costs less, especially if you have lunch in local cafes. In Taba and Nuweiba, small hotels give more freedom and proximity to the sea. For divers in Dahab, proximity to the sites is more important than the star rating. Inexpensive tours with bed and breakfast leave budget for excursions. Check the location: a hotel in the center of Hurghada saves on taxis. If you are going for a week, the price difference between a 3 stars and a 5 stars will go on trips to the pyramids and to Luxor.

Budget accommodation for divers and long trips

Apartments and guest houses in Dahab and Nuweiba are a budget alternative to hotels. Divers choose them because of proximity to the piers and a kitchen for self-catering. For a long stay, renting for a month is cheaper than a hotel. In Marsa Alam and Safaga the choice of accommodation is more modest, but the best reefs are nearby. El Gouna is suitable for families: there are shallow lagoons and less wind than in Hurghada. Guest houses in Taba are convenient for trips to Israel and Jordan. Check whether cleaning and water are included in the price. For inexpensive tours with accommodation of more than two weeks, this format pays off.

Food and everyday expenses at the resort

Food and small expenses eat up the budget unnoticed. Let's show how to spend less on inexpensive tours in Egypt.

Local cafes and street food instead of hotel restaurants

Local cuisine in inexpensive cafes costs less than food at the hotel. Falafel, koshari and shawarma are inexpensive and popular among tourists. In Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh, street stalls work until late. Caution is needed with water and fresh vegetables: choose hot food and peeled fruit. In Dahab and Nuweiba there are many cafes with a sea view and prices lower than in the capital. Breakfast at the hotel plus lunch in the city is a workable scheme for inexpensive tours. Leave tips for waiters in small notes. During Ramadan, the schedule of cafes changes, so plan dinner later than usual. Try dishes where the locals eat: it is fresher and cheaper there.

How to save on excursions, transport and communications

Excursions to the Pyramids of Giza and to Luxor from Hurghada take a full day. Early departure and overnight travel are common practice for such trips. Buy them locally from trusted guides, not at the hotel: the price is lower. In Sharm El Sheikh and Dahab, transport is cheaper if you use local minibuses. For communication, get a local SIM card: roaming will cost more. In Marsa Alam and Safaga, it is more profitable to rent equipment on site. Inexpensive tours leave budget for one or two major excursions. Gather a group for the trip: splitting a transfer among several people is cheaper. Compare prices from different operators before buying.

Features of holidays at different Red Sea resorts

Egypt's resorts differ from each other in climate and format. The choice of place determines what inexpensive tours will be like.

Calm lagoons and family holidays

El Gouna is suitable for a calm holiday with children: there are shallow lagoons and less wind. The water warms up quickly, and the entry into the sea is gradual. Hurghada offers more 3 stars and 4 stars hotels with pools and children's playgrounds. In Taba and Nuweiba it is quieter than in Sharm El Sheikh, and there is less noise in the evenings. In summer, the air is above forty degrees, so it is better to go with children in spring or autumn. Inexpensive tours to El Gouna are taken for the peace and short domestic flights. Check the depth of the lagoon at the hotel: a sandy bottom and no waves are important for small children. Plan swimming in the morning and evening, when the heat subsides.

Diving destinations and trips to neighboring countries

For diving in Marsa Alam and Safaga, a separate license or certificate is required. It is more profitable to rent equipment on site than to bring it with you. Dahab is known for inexpensive schools and reefs near the shore. In Sharm El Sheikh, dive centers are concentrated near bays with corals. Taba and Nuweiba are convenient for those who want to combine a holiday on the Red Sea with a trip to Israel or Jordan. Inexpensive tours with departure from Astana often include transfer to the piers. Bring your certificate with you: without it, access to deep sites is closed. Check seasonality: in winter, visibility in Marsa Alam is better than in summer.

Briefly

• The page collects the budget for a trip to the Red Sea from the capital of Kazakhstan.
• Inexpensive tours to Egypt become cheaper in the low season and with early booking.
• Resorts differ in format: families choose lagoons, divers choose reefs.
• Savings consist of accommodation, meals, and buying excursions on site.
• Check booking conditions and the composition of the price with the tour operator.