Overview
Sudan sits where the Sahara meets the Nile – a land of ancient Nubian kingdoms, desert pyramids and Red Sea reefs. It is firmly off the beaten track for UK travellers, and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) currently advises against all travel to the whole of Sudan because of armed conflict. If you are planning ahead, this guide explains how flights from the UK to Sudan work, when to fly and what to expect on arrival. Always check the latest FCDO advice before booking, and speak to our team about the routes running now.
Best time to fly to Sudan
Sudan has a hot desert climate, so timing matters. The most comfortable window is November to February, when the north sees warm days of around 30–35°C and cool evenings – ideal for the archaeological sites. March to June is intensely hot, often above 40°C. From July to September a short rainy season brings humidity and dramatic dust storms (haboobs) across central Sudan. For Red Sea diving near Port Sudan, spring and autumn give the clearest water. Use the price charts on this page to line the cooler months up with lower fares.
Main gateway cities & airports
Port Sudan New International Airport (PZU), on the Red Sea coast, is currently the country's main international gateway. Khartoum International Airport (KRT), historically the principal hub in the capital, has been closed to commercial traffic since April 2023. Smaller airports such as Dongola in the north handle domestic and limited regional services. Most UK travellers now route into Port Sudan and continue overland or on domestic flights.
Airlines and routes
There are no direct flights from the UK to Sudan – every journey needs at least one connection. The most dependable routings are via Cairo with EgyptAir, via Addis Ababa with Ethiopian Airlines, or through a Gulf hub such as Dubai, Doha or Jeddah. Sudanese carriers including Badr Airlines and Nova Airways operate regional flights into Port Sudan, often feeding from Cairo, Jeddah and the UAE. From London, reaching a hub like Cairo takes about 5 hours, with an onward hop to Port Sudan of roughly 2 hours; total journey time including the layover is usually 11–16 hours. From Manchester you would normally connect via Cairo, Istanbul or Amsterdam, adding a short first leg.
Popular places to visit in Sudan
- Pyramids of Meroë: the steep-sided royal tombs of the Kushite kings rising straight from the dunes – Sudan has more pyramids than Egypt.
- Jebel Barkal: a sacred sandstone mountain near Karima, ringed by temples to Amun and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Old Dongola: ruined churches, monasteries and a medieval throne hall on the banks of the Nile.
- Suakin: a crumbling coral-stone port on the Red Sea that was once Sudan's gateway for Mecca pilgrims.
- Sanganeb Atoll: a pristine reef and marine national park off Port Sudan, known for wall dives and clear water.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to Sudan
- Check the When to book chart above and choose quieter mid-week departures rather than weekends.
- Compare routings via Cairo, Addis Ababa and the Gulf – capacity is limited, so the cheapest connection changes often.
- Book well ahead; few airlines serve Sudan and seats on the best-value connections sell out early.
- Be flexible on your UK departure airport and travel outside the December–January peak.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders need a visa arranged in advance through the Sudanese Embassy in London, usually with a letter of invitation or local sponsor; there is no tourist visa on arrival. The currency is the Sudanese pound (SDG), and Sudan runs largely on cash – UK bank cards and ATMs generally will not work, so carry clean US dollars or euros to exchange locally. Check that your travel insurance is valid given current FCDO advice, and use the price charts on this page to time your booking as early as you can.
