Overview
Eritrea is one of the Red Sea's least-visited countries, and that is much of its charm. From the Art Deco avenues of Asmara — a UNESCO-listed modernist city in the cool highlands — to the coral islands of the Dahlak Archipelago, it suits travellers who like their destinations quiet and unhurried. There are no direct flights from the UK, so every trip connects through one hub, but the routing is simple once you know which to use. This page brings together the practical detail: when to fly, which airlines serve Eritrea, and how to keep the fare down.
Best time to fly to Eritrea
Asmara sits above 2,300m and stays mild year-round, usually 15–25°C by day. The highland rains fall from late June to early September and tend to affect road travel more than flights. October to March is the most comfortable window for the highlands and historic sites. The coast is far hotter: Massawa and the Dahlak Islands are pleasant from November to February but climb past 40°C from May to September. For a trip combining both, travel in the winter months and check the When to book chart above.
Main gateway cities & airports
Nearly everyone arrives at Asmara International Airport (ASM), just south of the capital and the only Eritrean airport with regular international flights. It is small and straightforward, though passport queues can be slow, so allow time. Massawa International Airport (MSW) on the coast handles very little traffic and is not a practical entry point for UK travellers, so plan your itinerary around Asmara.
Airlines and routes
No carrier flies non-stop between the UK and Eritrea, so you will change planes once. The most dependable one-stop options are Turkish Airlines via Istanbul, EgyptAir via Cairo, flydubai via Dubai and Saudia via Jeddah, with connecting flights from Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham to those hubs. Ethiopian Airlines has operated Addis Ababa–Asmara flights at times, but the route has been suspended and restored more than once, so treat it as changeable. From London, expect roughly 11–15 hours in total including the connection; from Manchester allow a little more, usually routing via Istanbul or Dubai.
Popular places to visit in Eritrea
- Asmara: UNESCO-listed modernist capital of Art Deco cinemas, palm boulevards and 1930s Italian architecture at a cool highland altitude.
- Massawa: atmospheric Red Sea port of coral-stone Ottoman and Egyptian buildings and the gateway to island trips.
- Dahlak Archipelago: a scatter of remote, barely-developed islands with some of the Red Sea's quietest diving and snorkelling.
- Keren: lively highland market town north-west of Asmara, known for its Monday camel and livestock market.
- Qohaito: high-plateau archaeological site with pre-Aksumite ruins and sweeping escarpment views.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Eritrea
- Compare hub routings, not just airlines — the same trip via Cairo, Istanbul or Dubai can vary widely in price and journey time. Use the price charts on this page.
- Book early: capacity into Asmara is limited and flights fill well ahead, especially around Orthodox Christmas and Easter and the summer diaspora season.
- Mid-week departures and shoulder-season travel (October–November and March) usually undercut weekend and peak-winter fares.
- Stay flexible on your UK departure airport; a connection from Manchester or Birmingham sometimes beats Heathrow for the same hub.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders need a visa arranged in advance through the Eritrean Embassy in London; there is no dependable visa on arrival for tourists. You will also need government permits to travel outside Asmara, which a hotel or tour operator can help organise. The currency is the Eritrean nakfa; foreign cards and ATMs are effectively unusable, so bring US dollars in cash to exchange. Check the FCDO's Eritrea travel advice before booking, particularly on border areas, and use the When to book chart above to time your purchase.
