Overview
Taba sits at the top of the Gulf of Aqaba, where Egypt, Israel and Jordan meet — Egypt's most northerly Red Sea resort and one of its quietest. Centred on Taba Heights, with its marina and beachfront hotels, it offers calm bays, reefs just metres from shore, and an easy base for winter sun and side trips into Jordan.
Best time to fly to Taba
Taba is warm and dry for most of the year, with good diving and snorkelling year-round. October to April suits UK travellers best, with daytime temperatures in the low-to-mid twenties; December to February is busiest and priciest, especially over Christmas and New Year. July and August bring intense heat above 35°C, better suited to keen divers than sunbathers. For value alongside comfortable weather, aim for April-May or October-November — see the When to book chart above for how fares move through the year.
Airlines and routes
There's no year-round scheduled direct flight between the UK and Taba. Most travellers fly on a seasonal charter — often with TUI Airways from London Gatwick or Manchester during the winter sun season — or take scheduled flights to Cairo or Sharm El Sheikh with airlines such as British Airways, easyJet or EgyptAir, then continue by connecting flight or road transfer. A direct charter takes around 5 to 5.5 hours from London; compare routings and journey times using the price charts on this page.
Things to do in Taba
Taba is best known for its reefs, desert scenery and easy access to Jordan. Top attractions include:
- Pharaoh's Island (Coral Island): a short boat trip to a tiny island with a 12th-century fortress and excellent snorkelling just offshore.
- Taba Heights Marina: the resort's hub for waterside dining, boat trips and diving centres exploring some of the northern Red Sea's healthiest coral.
- Petra day trip: cross by ferry from nearby Nuweiba to Aqaba in Jordan for a full day exploring the rock-cut city of Petra.
- Coloured Canyon safari: a jeep or camel trip through striking sandstone canyons, often with a Bedouin tea stop along the way.
- Eilat border crossing: pop across into Israel for duty-free shopping and a different stretch of Red Sea coastline.
At Taba International Airport (TCP)
Taba International Airport is small and efficient, around 10-15 minutes' drive from the Taba Heights resort strip — one of the most convenient airports on Egypt's Red Sea coast. There's no rail link, so onward travel is by pre-booked resort transfer, taxi or hotel shuttle, usually included as standard with package holidays. Staying further along the coast at Nuweiba or Dahab means a longer transfer, often an hour or more.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Taba
- Book early for winter sun dates: charter capacity to Taba is limited, so December-February flights sell out and rise in price early.
- Fly midweek where possible: Tuesday and Wednesday departures are typically cheaper than weekend flights, as shown in the price charts above.
- Stay flexible on dates: shifting your trip by a few days either side of school holidays can unlock noticeably lower fares.
- Compare routings: a connection via Cairo or Sharm El Sheikh can sometimes beat a direct charter fare, so check both before booking.
Travel essentials
Most UK travellers staying within the Sinai resort zone (Taba, Nuweiba, Dahab, Sharm El Sheikh and St Catherine's) qualify for a free Sinai-only entry stamp valid for up to 15 days, rather than needing a visa arranged in advance — this doesn't apply if you also plan to visit Cairo, Luxor or other parts of Egypt. Passports should be valid for at least six months from your travel date. The local currency is the Egyptian pound, though hotels and tour operators widely accept US dollars and euros. No vaccinations are mandatory for UK travellers, but check current NHS travel advice, stick to bottled water and pack strong sun protection for the desert climate.