Planning a trip to Siwa requires some preparation. This remote oasis is not like the mass tourist destinations in Egypt, and its charm lies precisely in its authenticity and isolation. Here is everything you need to know to make your trip unforgettable (and trouble-free).

How to Get to Siwa

From Cairo

• Night bus: This is the most popular option. Buses depart daily from Torgoman station (and from the new station on the October City Highway) around 7:45 PM and 11:45 PM. The journey takes between 10 and 12 hours.

• Private car: You can hire a 4×4 with a driver. The trip is faster (8-9 hours) but more expensive.

• Alternative route: From Cairo, take a bus to Marsa Matruh (on the Mediterranean coast) and from there another to Siwa (4 additional hours). This option allows you to split the journey.

From Alexandria

• There are regular buses departing at 8 AM, 11 AM and 3 PM, with a journey of approximately 9 hours.

From other oases

• There is no bus service between Siwa and other oases like Bahariyya. The only option is a 4×4 with a driver, with a price starting from 1200 LE per vehicle, negotiable if shared with other travelers.

Best Time to Visit

• Recommended (November to February): The climate is mild and pleasant, with daytime temperatures between 18°C and 25°C and cool nights.

• Avoid (June to August): Temperatures exceed 40°C, making the visit very uncomfortable and even dangerous.

• Spring and Autumn: They are also good options, although temperatures may be higher.

Money and Payments

• Bring cash: There are very few ATMs in Siwa and in many places they only accept Egyptian pounds in cash.

• Currency exchange: It is better to exchange currency before arriving in Siwa, as options are limited.

• Approximate budget (2025):

  • Night bus Cairo-Siwa: around 160 LE (one way).

  • Bicycle rental: 10 LE/day.

  • Tuk-tuk to Fatnas Island: negotiate, around 20-30 LE.

  • 4×4 excursion to the Great Sand Sea: depends on duration and number of passengers.

How to Get Around Siwa

• Bicycle: It is the most recommended means of transport. You can rent gearless bicycles for about 10 LE per day, but make sure the brakes work well, as the streets are sandy and slippery.

• Tuk-tuk: It is the most fun and affordable way to move between points of interest. Agree on the price before getting in (a short trip can cost 3 LE, and a longer one up to 30 LE).

• Donkey cart (donkey cart): It is an authentic experience, especially with child drivers. Negotiate the price well before setting off.

• On foot: The center of Siwa is small and can be explored without any problem.

What to Pack in Your Suitcase

• Modest clothing: The Siwa community is conservative (Berber). It is recommended to cover shoulders and knees, especially for women. This will also help you protect yourself from the sun.

• Sun protection: High-protection sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat or scarf to cover your head. The desert sun is relentless.

• Appropriate footwear: Sturdy sandals for the salt lakes (salt crystals cut bare skin) and comfortable shoes for walking through the fortress ruins.

• Bottled water: Tap water is saline and not drinkable. Always carry several bottles of water.

• Towel and swimsuit: Essential for the salt lakes and Cleopatra’s Pool.

• Fresh water for rinsing: Carry large bottles of fresh water to wash the salt off your skin after bathing in the salt lakes.

• Mosquito repellent: Mosquitoes can be persistent, especially at sunset.

• Warm clothing: Even if you go in autumn, desert nights can be quite cool.

• External battery and flashlight: Electrical connection is not always reliable and there are few outlets in some accommodations.

Where to Stay

• Adrère Amellal Eco Lodge: It is the most famous and exclusive accommodation in the oasis. Built with salt and mud, it has no electricity. At night, it is only illuminated by candles and stars. It is one of the most special hotels in the world, but the price is high.

• Siwa Shali Resort and Talist Eco-Lodge: Other options to experience the Berber lifestyle in a more affordable way.

• Desert camps: Near Bir Wahid, there are Bedouin camps to sleep under the stars, an unforgettable experience.

Safety and Cultural Tips

• Military checkpoints: Due to Siwa’s proximity to the Libyan border, there are several military checkpoints on the road. Always carry your passport and expect your luggage to be checked. Do not travel with alcohol, as it could be confiscated.

• Ask permission to take photos: The local population is reserved. Always ask before taking photos of people or their property.

• Tips (baksheesh): It is a common practice in Egypt. Have small coins and bills on hand to tip guides, drivers, and service staff.

• No mobile coverage: The phone signal is weak. Download offline maps before arriving and always have a physical map of the oasis on hand.

• Avoid midday heat: Schedule your activities for early morning or sunset. During midday, the heat is overwhelming.

Local Cuisine: Flavors You Won’t Forget

• Tagilla: A stew cooked in a clay pot with lamb, dates, and Siwan olives.

• Feteer: Crispy puff pastry bathed in local honey.

• Dates and olives: They are the oasis’s star products. At the Shali fortress stalls, you can buy freshly picked dates.

• Mint tea (shai na’ana): The quintessential desert drink. Perfect to accompany a sunset on Fatnas Island.

• Olive jam: A very interesting specialty worth trying.