Region in Matrouh, Egypt
Siwa Oasis
Remote Western Desert oasis near Libya with salt lakes, hot springs, palm groves and Amazigh (Berber) culture. Slow and rewarding for a few days; a long drive from anywhere with few services.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$459–765Comfortable, one person · E£24,000–40,000Details
- Value for money96/100Better value than 95% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goFeb–Apr, Oct–NovWarmest: Jul, 38°CDetails
- Internet99 MbpsFixed broadband, Egypt medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDrink bottled water; local spring water is not treated for visitors.Details
- LGBTQ+1/5DangerousDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: limitedDetails
- Doctor's visit$3.8–15.3Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundTuk-tuk (kerro)Walkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardCash onlyMostly cash; cards work only in a few lodges.Details
Where to stay in Siwa Oasis
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Siwa town (Shali) | Main base: guesthouses, restaurants, bikes and the old mud-brick fortress |
| Palm-grove lodges | Quiet eco-lodges among date palms and springs |
| Desert-edge camps | Basic overnight camps for dune and starlight trips |
Apps that work in Siwa Oasis
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- Go Bus: Intercity and Red Sea bus tickets
- Taxis: No ride apps; tuk-tuks and pickups set the price by negotiation. Guesthouses arrange desert tours and transfers.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Egypt.
- Cash only Mostly cash; cards work only in a few lodges. ATMs are limited and may be empty, so bring enough Egyptian pounds.
- Currency: Pound (EGP). US$1 ≈ E£52.28 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Common in cities and resorts; use machines at bank branches. ATMs at the Taba border often run dry.
- Tipping: Baksheesh is part of daily life: about 10% on top of restaurant service charges, small notes for guards, toilet attendants and guides.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay work at contactless terminals; InstaPay needs an Egyptian bank account.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Get an e-visa at visa2egypt.gov.eg at least 7 days ahead, or buy a visa on arrival at airport bank kiosks for US$30 cash.
- Since 1 August 2026 Cairo airport also sells digital visas on arrival by card (US$36) via kiosks or visaonarrival.gov.eg.
- Flying into Sharm el-Sheikh for under 15 days in South Sinai resorts? A free entry stamp replaces the visa.
Emergency numbers
Police 122 · Ambulance 123 · Fire 180 · Tourist police 126
Plugs
Type C, F · 220 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Vodafone, Orange and e& booths in Cairo airport arrivals and shops everywhere; passport required. Data is cheap. Long stays may require registering a foreign phone. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Egypt
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.