Tours to Marsa Alam from Chisinau — Last-Minute Deals
Marsa Alam is the southernmost of Egypt's well-known Red Sea resorts, roughly 270 km south of Hurghada. People come here for what lies beneath the surface: coral gardens begin a few metres from the beach, and in several bays you can swim alongside sea turtles. A direct charter from Chisinau takes about four hours.
While Ukrainian airports stay closed, Chisinau is the nearest place to fly from, a couple of hours' drive from the border. Flights, transfers, a hotel with meals and medical insurance all come in one package; you only pay separately for the trip to Moldova and the Egyptian visa. Pick your dates and compare every tour operator in our tour search, or send a request and a manager will find a hotel for you.
What Sets Marsa Alam Apart from Other Egyptian Resorts
- Reefs right by the hotels. Green turtles regularly swim up to the beaches of Abu Dabbab and Marsa Mubarak, and the luckiest visitors spot a dugong, the rare "sea cow".
- Peace and space. The resort stretches for dozens of kilometres along the coast, far from any big city, so the beaches stay uncrowded even in high season.
- A place for divers. Elphinstone Reef, one of the best-known dive sites of the Red Sea, is close by, and boats head to Sataya Reef to watch pods of dolphins.
- Things to do on land. Wadi El Gemal National Park, jeep safaris into the desert and day trips to the pharaohs' temples in Luxor.
Flight and Hotel Transfer
Planes from Chisinau land at Marsa Alam International Airport (RMF), near Port Ghalib and about 60 km north of the town itself. Hotels are scattered along the whole coast, and getting from the aircraft to your room can take anything from 15 minutes to over two hours, so compare distances when choosing a hotel.
Some Marsa Alam packages fly into Hurghada instead. In that case add 3.5–4 hours by coach, so check the arrival airport in the tour description before paying.
Getting to Chisinau from Ukraine
- Kyiv. A direct Bessarabia train leaves every day and takes about 17.5 hours; buses run as well.
- Odesa. Around 180 km: buses and minibuses leave several times a day, and some drop you right at the terminal.
- Vinnytsia. The same Bessarabia train stops in the city, and there are direct buses too.
Where to leave your car at the airport and how many hours before departure to arrive are explained on our Egypt from Chisinau page.
When to Go to Marsa Alam
The sea stays warm all year, yet the most pleasant months are October–November and March to May, with warm days and no draining heat. Winter afternoons sit around +24 °C, but evenings turn fresh and the wind often blows. Summer brings +35…+36 °C, so in July and August pick a hotel with its own beach and plenty of shade.
| Period | Daytime air | Water |
|---|---|---|
| December – February | +24…+25 °C | +22…+24 °C |
| March – May | +27…+33 °C | +23…+26 °C |
| June – September | +35…+36 °C | +27…+29 °C |
| October – November | +28…+32 °C | +26…+28 °C |
Approximate seasonal averages.
Hotels and Prices
Marsa Alam usually costs more than Hurghada: the flight is longer, and four- and five-star hotels far outnumber budget ones. As a rough guide, a week for two on an all-inclusive basis starts at about 33,175 UAH. Dates move the price most: New Year and school holidays are the dearest, while early December and the second half of January are the best value. Prices for exact dates change daily, so check current offers with the "Find a tour" button above.
- Port Ghalib. Closest to the airport: a marina with restaurants and a waterfront promenade, handy if you like to leave the hotel in the evening.
- Abu Dabbab and the nearby coast. Hotels with house reefs and the best snorkelling spots next door.
- The south, beyond Marsa Alam town. Secluded resorts for divers and anyone who values quiet, at the cost of the longest airport transfer.
Hotels with a pontoon are the most practical: it lets you slip straight into deep water without stepping on the coral.
Entry Requirements
- Passport that will remain valid for six months or more after you land in Egypt. Ukrainians enter Moldova without a visa.
- Egyptian visa. Paid for on landing, it costs 30 USD, while an e-Visa issued in advance is 25 USD. Marsa Alam needs a full visa: the no-cost Sinai Only stamp covers just the resorts of Sinai.
- Tour documents such as the hotel voucher, tickets and insurance policy reach your inbox right after payment.
- Ukrainian border. Check the exit rules under martial law beforehand, especially for men of conscription age and for children, on the official website of Ukraine's border guard service or with our manager.
Marsa Alam from Chisinau: Your Questions Answered
What is the flying time from Chisinau to Marsa Alam?
A direct charter takes about four hours. If your package lands in Hurghada, add another 3.5–4 hours on the road to the hotel.
What does a Marsa Alam tour from Chisinau cost?
Roughly from 33,175 UAH for a week for two with all-inclusive meals, which is more than in Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh. The best-value dates are early December and the second half of January, and the tour search will show the exact price for your dates.
Which months suit Marsa Alam best?
October–November and March to May: the water is around +23…+28 °C, and there is none of the summer midday heat. You can swim in winter too, but the evenings are cool and windy.
Where can I see turtles and reefs?
The easiest places are the bays of Abu Dabbab and Marsa Mubarak and the house reefs of the hotels. Experienced divers should make the trip to Elphinstone Reef.
What visa do I need for Marsa Alam?
A standard Egyptian tourist visa: 30 USD on arrival or 25 USD if you get an e-Visa in advance. The Sinai stamp does not work here.
Other resorts with departures from Chisinau: tours to Hurghada and tours to Sharm El Sheikh. Read more about the resort itself on the Marsa Alam page.
