Marsa Alam Airport: what to know on arrival
Marsa Alam International Airport, code RMF, serves the tourist coast. It lies next to Port Ghalib, about 4 to 5 km from the marina, and about 65 km north of Marsa Alam town and 75 km south of El Quseir. The airport publishes its arrivals and departures online, including connections with German and other European cities. That is a daily timetable, not a promise of year-round frequency, so check the board for your dates.
From the airport your hotel can be near or far. Port Ghalib is about 10 to 20 minutes away, but resorts along the coast to the south take longer. Name your exact property when you book a transfer. If you want trips from your first day, see the Marsa Alam excursions that start from your area.
Taxi, transfer and car rental from Marsa Alam Airport (RMF)
Price depends on the destination, not on the airport.
Pre-booked transfer
A transfer arranged in advance gives you a price for your destination before you fly. For a southern destination such as Marsa Nakari, expect roughly EUR 40 to 80 per person one way in 2026, depending on group size. Check the current price when you book.
Taxi
Taxi fares from the airport depend on your destination and are not set by one standard tariff. Agree the price and the destination before you get in, and name the bay or the property, not just "Marsa Alam".
Car rental
Rates, insurance and minimum age differ by provider. Ask for the total price, the excess and the minimum age before you book. A transfer plus organised excursions is the simpler option if you do not want to drive along the coast.
Public transport
Do not plan on a fixed bus line from the airport to your resort. Ask your property how it arranges arrivals.
Our pick: a private airport transfer
A driver waits at Marsa Alam airport with your name on a sign, with taxes and service fees included.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Marsa Alam trips from your first day
Reef, dolphin and desert days, with live prices and availability.
Egypt visa on arrival and e-Visa for Marsa Alam
For a tourist stay you can get the visa on arrival or apply online first. The e-Visa costs $30 for a single entry and $65 for multiple entries. For many nationalities the visa is also sold at an official bank counter before passport control for $30. For British passports the visa on arrival also costs $30, paid in cash, for stays of up to 30 days.
Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months from the day of arrival. If you use the e-Visa, print it and carry your travel and accommodation documents. The rules depend on your nationality and purpose, and details can change, so read the current entry rules for your passport before you fly. A digital process introduced at Cairo airport is a separate system, and you should not assume it applies at Marsa Alam.
A stamp that is valid only for certain Sinai resorts is not a permit for the Red Sea coast around Marsa Alam.
Hurghada to Marsa Alam: the alternative airport
Some travellers fly to Hurghada instead, but the drive is long.
Plan about 3 to 3.5 hours by road from Hurghada to Port Ghalib. That is the time to Port Ghalib, not to every resort. Hamata and the south are further. Compare the saving on the flight with the extra transfer time and its cost, and ask your property whether it arranges the ride from Hurghada.
| Option | Time to Port Ghalib | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Fly to Marsa Alam (RMF) | About 10 to 20 minutes | Short transfer and the whole coast |
| Fly to Hurghada, then transfer | About 3 to 3.5 hours | A flight that suits you better, if the long ride is fine |
For most visitors to Marsa Alam, the direct flight to RMF is the better choice because the ride is short and the schedule is simpler.
Travel advice and entry notes
Read the version for your country shortly before you fly.
UK and US advice
The UK advice for Egypt was updated on 4 August 2026. The US advice rates Egypt at Level 2, increased caution, with stricter advice for some areas, and dates from 15 July 2025.
Dress and conduct
The UK advice asks visitors to dress modestly, especially in mosques, villages and souks, and to watch for overcharging at tourist sites.
Plan the rest of your trip
Pages that help after you land.
Marsa Alam Airport: frequently asked questions
How far is Marsa Alam Airport from the hotels?
It depends on the property. Port Ghalib is about 10 to 20 minutes away. Resorts south of the town take longer, so ask for the transfer time to your exact bay.
How much is a taxi from Marsa Alam Airport?
There is no single fare. It depends on the destination, so agree the price before you get in. For a southern destination such as Marsa Nakari, expect roughly EUR 40 to 80 per person one way in 2026. Check the current price when you book.
Do I need a visa for Marsa Alam?
Most visitors need a tourist visa. It costs $30 for a single entry on arrival or by e-Visa, and $65 for multiple entries by e-Visa. Check the rules for your nationality before you fly.
Can I fly to Hurghada instead?
Yes, but plan about 3 to 3.5 hours by road to Port Ghalib, and more for resorts further south.
Is there a public bus from the airport?
Do not count on one. Ask your hotel how it arranges arrivals, or book a transfer in advance.