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Visitors to Taba arrive either north from Israel, south from Egypt or by air to Taba International Airport. On leaving Israel, a departure tax of 106NIS (as of October 2015) is charged at the border, although if you pay this in advance at [wiki=cf69932607478765a40e19b95b79b63a]Eilat[/wiki]'s main post office on HaTmarim Street, you will pay 5 NIS less. You can pay with credit card for an additional 5NIS. For entering Egypt, most nationalities can receive a free Sinai permit allowing 14 days within Sinai itself. You must have an advance visa if you wish to proceed out of the Sinai (if not organised in advance expect a USD$35-85 fee if the local travel agent can come to write you one - you can get their contacts from the Egyptian border control officers). Whether you have a visa or not, you'll be charged 105EGP (as of Oct 2015) as "Sinai tax". (The tax is collected at a checkpoint 1 km from the border.)
When crossing the border, there are 150 meters between the Egyptian terminal and Israeli checkpoint. Touts may offer you the use of carts to carry your bags, but will charge (approx. 2EGP) for this service. There is no charge on the Israeli side for carts. Due to recent drops in tourism you may or may not see these touts.
On the Egyptian side, long-distance taxis await at the traffic circle, just past the border crossing. These are usually shared taxis, and they have the reputation of ripping off tourists. Except the usual haggling, pretending to go take the bus (from the bus station, further down the road on the left side) usually gets them to agree to a sensible price (45EGP to [wiki=65c9617289ce569b99a5ab38ae0c823c]Dahab[/wiki] at 3PM as of Oct 2015 and 20EGP to [wiki=62c257f0b32c3640eb690fc3121de4d6]Nuweiba[/wiki]). Negotiations will get you a private taxi to Dahab for 300-400EGP (Nov 2014) which takes about 2.5 hours. Tip the driver at the end as he is only getting ~100EGP for the trip and can really use the money.
On the Israeli side, local Egged bus #15 connects to Eilat's Central Bus Station about once an hour on the half hour (5 NIS, schedule listed on the Egged website) or take a taxi.
The Taba bus station is on the left hand side of the main road about 1 km from the border. Look for the East Delta sign with a big gravel patch in front of it. (There may be buses parked there to make finding it easier.) The buses to [wiki=b181c43993de481ea462a2bfe11f0a1b]Cairo[/wiki] leave at 10:30AM and 4:30PM and it costs 50-70EGP (Sep 2012), depending on the time at which it leaves. The only bus to [wiki=65c9617289ce569b99a5ab38ae0c823c]Dahab[/wiki] leaves at 3PM (Oct 2015) and costs 45LE. WARNING: as of September 2012, foreigners are BANNED from taking the bus from Taba to Cairo (they must make the much longer and more expensive trip to Sharm first, then Cairo, for about 85-105EGP). This bus ride will vary in time depending on how often check points decide to board the bus and inspect everyone's documentation. Currently there are security checkpoints going in and out of all towns. The trip takes at least 7 hours. Also it likely only stops once for a bathroom break, at a dusty and decrepit roadhouse that belongs in a Mad Max movie. The bus is generally a decent new-ish model, a notch or two below a Greyhound in the states. There is air conditioning but maybe not as much as you'd want. Seating is unassigned. (Avoid sitting near the toilet.)
If you are coming from Eilat, be forewarned that there could be a time change when coming into Taba, since Israel observes Daylight Savings Time while Egypt does not. You'll have a hard time finding a clock in Taba telling you what time it really is. The main effect of the time change is that in the summer, the bus to Cairo may seem to depart an hour late.
Most foreigners need an Egyptian visa to travel to Cairo. Unlike arriving in Cairo by air (where a visa can be purchased upon arrival), you need to arrange your visa in advance (at an Embassy or Consulate), before you get to Taba. If you don't have the proper visa, you'll be evicted from the bus at one of the checkpoints AFTER you have paid your tourist tax (75 EGP as of Sep 2012) at the first checkpoint.
Coming from [wiki=b181c43993de481ea462a2bfe11f0a1b]Cairo[/wiki] there are four buses leaving from the Tugormen bus station (AKA the Cairo Gateway Mall) in Cairo heading to the Taba border crossing. Two in the morning: 6AM & 9:30AM and one in the evening: 11:30 PM (Dec. 2011). The cost is about 90EGP (Sep 2012). If you need help finding the bus station there is a tourist information stand in the main Cairo train station, they speak English and are generally helpful. Notice that this service is currently unavailable (Dec. 2012). Take a bus to Dahab (90EGP) and get another bus there.
It is not advisable to discuss further travel plans, as in going to Israel, aloud or with other travelers as this may elicit unwanted attention. Notice that when the bus arrives at [wiki=cd59def3023c9e0be42a59a178eab0a8]Taba[/wiki], the bus conductor will demand an extra 5 EGP to take you to the border itself from the bus station. Avoid the rip-off and walk those 600m by foot.
Note: that the journey across the boarders Taba to Eilat to Aqaba, back to Eliat and finally Taba again (so in any direction) can be done without any stamps being placed in your passport. No extra fees are incurred and all stamps are placed on separate cards given to you by immigration officers. You must ask for this nicely, but the procedure was simple and quick with little hassle.
It will appear (once you throw out the cards) that you have never left your starting country.
Done with Canadian Passports in January of 2014, though it appears that nationality had no bearing whatsoever to the officers. Another experience in late January 2014 saw the Egyptian officials unwilling to do this. Your mileage may vary.
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The border crossing facilities are nicely landscaped on the Egyptian side. The crossing doesn't see a lot of traffic-seemingly more staff than travelers-so if all your paperwork is in order you'll probably wisk right through. The first thing you'll see in Egypt is the ritzy Hilton casino-hotel.
The border zone at Taba is an artificial bubble extending for one kilometer and consisting of little more than two giant resort hotels, the Hilton and the Movenpick, and a small village supporting them. Beyond one kilometer, there is a checkpoint where foreigners are required to pay a travel tax of about 105EGP, so if you are waiting for the bus, you are effectively trapped in the border zone until the bus comes. (The tax will be collected from you on the bus.)
Across the street from the bus station is a building marked "Taba Museum", but there is no indication on the outside if and when it is ever open.
About two blocks behind the bus station is a rocky beach on the Red Sea, where you can look through the fence at the somewhat nicer beach at the Movenpick resort. Crystal clear water, but any sand is probably trucked in by the resorts.
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The main reason for Taba's existence is the casino at the Hilton. Tour operators organize excursions to more interesting places nearby, including [wiki=2d69ff62c373227a42c3cf11a21d8fdf]Mount Sinai[/wiki] and even [wiki=a2289681db3b897b364d0260f156c397]Petra[/wiki] (in Jordan).
*East of the Sinai Peninsula, overlooking the Gulf of Aqaba, this impressive monument commands a dramatic mountainous view of four countries. The exact site signifies a landmark on the
ancient road connecting St. Catherine's Monastery with Jerusalem. Castle Zaman offers an exquisite and generous cuisine. Meat and seafood are roasted to perfection with an assortment of fresh vegetables, spices, dates and figs slowly prepared in earth pots. Preparation takes 1-3.5 hours, time gladly spent by the pool, exploring the underground treasure room, or sipping fresh coctails by the bar. (Not child friendly, WiFi available)
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In the vicinity of the bus station and the Museum, there are a couple of tiny grocery stores. If you are smart about haggling, you'll get cheaper prices than in Israel.
* Castle Zaman, 25 km Nuweiba - Taba Road (10 minutes from Taba Heights). Dramatic mountainous views of four countries. Specializes in food slowly roasted in earthen pots; the process takes 1-3 hours, which you can kill by the pool, exploring the underground treasure room, getting a massage, or sipping fresh cocktails by the bar. Not child friendly.
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Budget
Bir Sweir, an area located just some 30 km south of Taba, on your way to Nuweiba, offers lots of small beach camps. All have a restaurant section, and bamboo straw huts, where the Stars shine though at night. The camps are directly on the beach, with possibility to simply sleep on the beach, beside the sea. Figure on US$20/day including food and drinks.
* Aquarium camp
* The Good Life
* Al Tarek
* Diana Beach Camp
* Sabah Camp
* Baraka
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Splurge
Taba Hilton - completely unmissable at 11 storeys height, stands out like a sore thumb from the rest of the Taba landscape. Includes a diving centre. Expect Hilton prices.
It is worth noting however you can stay at the Hilton Taba from £20 GBP a night, £29 GBP including breakfast and dinner. This may still be a little steep for backpackers, but is much cheaper than the prices of a Hilton in Tel Aviv or Eliat. Good for if you are ill and need an en-suite, or just want a night of comfort!
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[wiki=65c9617289ce569b99a5ab38ae0c823c]Dahab[/wiki], Sinai's backpacker mecca, 175KM south, 2.5 hours by taxi/bus
* [wiki=cf69932607478765a40e19b95b79b63a]Eilat[/wiki], across the Israeli border to the north
* [wiki=bdea918c388c9feef6f3ba0691fd029c]Ras Abu Galum[/wiki], nature reserve north of Dahab
*Traditional Bedouin Camp, package includes dinner and breakfast. Optional tours available. Professional guides and service.
[wiki=47084d49b7c46d7d691be5420642106c]de:Taba[/wiki]
[wiki=bdd79730d21f383a607a98ef4e5e2a0e]nl:Taba[/wiki]
[[WikiPedia:Taba (Egypt)]]
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