Taba Travel Forum

I am planning to visit Egypt in April 08 and we want to go swimming with the dolphins in Eilat. When I was informing about crossing the border from Taba to Israel, people warned me that that it is not avisable now due to the political situation and that it is possible that the Egyptians might refuse you to return to Egypt. My personal feeling about this is that it is nonsense. Can anyone comment on whether these warnings are correct? If we rent a taxi bus from Sharm al Sheikh to Taba and back (5 persons, +/- 500 km) what would be a reasonable price for that in Egypt? Thanx very much in advance!

What political situation? I did not heard anything.
And if you haven't indicated who you are or what nationality, how can we help you? Maybe once when you left Egypt your visa is not valid anymore and they wouldn't let you back? That is possible.
Or, some nationalities can visit Egypt without even passport required, so go figure.
Anyhow, I would say, no worry, go and have fun with the dolphins, I know my kids did.

Yes but i heard that when you pass by Israel and get their stamp it would be problem when visit some other countries! i am not sure but many tourists prefere ferry to avoid that although it is more expensive than land bus

i don't know about price if taxi but it is better to take bus from cairo to taba if you plan to visit cairo and it would be cheaper

What is that have to do with the border crossing between Egypt and Israel?
And I think our friend is probably flying direct to Sharm and there fore will not be in Cairo this time.
There is peace for 30 years and people can cross all over and do so for ages no matter what passports they have or where they been to. In case he plan in the future to visit 'unfriendly' countries e.g. Syria, he should ask not to be stamp in his passport by the Israelis and Egyptians while crossing the border.

My friend Gili ,don't say that about Syria :*) there are syrian and arabian people here like myself.we won't discuss politics of course on travel site like here but i honestly heard more than one time that it is beter to avoid this stamp on passports so i tell you what i heard honeslty,any way when i visit jordan one day i will transfer my personal experience to you sure ; )

ps thanks for sweet comment on my home page!! you will put more pictures for me !!!! thanks ALOT

Rosegirl

I agree with you.
Unfortunately because of visa issues it is easier to visit some countries but not others, I just call it "more friendly" when some countries are welcome you visa free or can give you the visa on arrival while other countries make it as a hassle. The friendly issue is related to the country visa requirements of course and not to the people who live in those countries which I am sure are very friendly.

I am Dutch nationality. I checked at the appartment complex in Egypt, Sharm and the people there replied that is not to be advised to cross the border now due to the political situation. I dont know which political situation they mean but I thought Id just check since I'm travelling with family and children. Thanks for the your reply.

In some countries in the Middle East you can get trouble when you have an Israeli stamp in your passport, but Egypt is not one of them. And you can always ask to have the stamp on a piece of loose paper that you will keep with your passport while you are in Israel. This is quite a common practice in Israel and nobody will make problems with this.

Since many people from Israel will come to Taba for their holidays I don't think you will have any problems.

About the cost of a taxi van.. It depends where you hire it (and on your bargaining skills!) 5 years ago we paid 125$ for a trip from Dahab to Cairo.
This year we paid 70 Euro per person for a trip from Marsa Alam to Cairo. And remember the chauffeurs will be paid next to nothing for this trip and are depending on your tipping money. For the trip from Marsa Alam to Caior we paid them 80LE each and they seemed very happy with it.

Good luck, Dora.

I think they mean the situation with the open border between Egypt and the Gaza strip. I wouldn't worry that is far away to the North West near Al Arish.

I read that Egypt is either repairing the wall and border or has repaired the border between the Gaza strip and Egypt.

Confusing Taba and Gaza border crossing is like San Diego and Vancouver, what that has to do with the other?
And, if I would have listen to such advices in the past I wouldn't be visiting 90% of the countries I visited, and not even some Finnish cities where everyone told me its danger there.
Unless some unexpected can happened, and that we can never predict and can happened also in your home town, you should have a great holiday, don't worry, just go and enjoy yourself, and be sure the kids are drinking enough, dehydration is what I would be worry the most.

Hello

Did you have any problems crossing to Eilat from Taba?

Thank you