Taking the Ferry from Sudan to Egypt

Published by Johnny on October 31, 2010

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Taking a ferry up the Nile from Sudan to Egypt – now tell me that doesn’t sounds pretty amazing!? This is actually the only border crossing available between the two countries so if you’re traveling through Africa overland, it’s your only option (albeit a very very cool option)…

The ferry goes from Sudan to Egypt (the route I took) every Wednesday. It departs Wadi Halfa at 4pm and arrives in Aswan, Egypt around lunchtime the following day.

If you’re coming the other way – from Egypt to Sudan, it leaves Aswan every Tuesday after lunch and arrives in Wadi Halfa, Sudan 24 hours later.

How much does the boat ticket cost from Egypt to Sudan? Unfortunately it’s not cheap, even though Sudan is pretty inexpensive to travel in. There are two classes of tickets available and the costs are as follows:

1^st class ferry ticket from Sudan to Egypt:                        152 SDP/$50            USD approx

* The 1^st class ticket gives you a 2 bed berth with air conditioning and a plug socket

2^nd class ferry ticket from Sudan to Egypt:                        85 SDP/$30 USD approx

* The 2^nd class ticket allows you to sleep anywhere you can, probably on deck (so get there early and claim your space! The best spot is under the lifeboats)

Either option is fine. I had been looking forward to taking a boat in the Nile for months so I opted for 1^st class (unlike me I know!) and it was pretty awesome. It’s not the Sheraton but A/C after all the 45 degree heat in Sudan offered some welcome respite and the power socket allowed me to write this article I met a guy on the boat who took second class and he was happy with his choice too, so the choice is yours.

WADI HALFA: I ended up going to Wadi Halfa on the Sunday afternoon – that’s THREE DAYS before the ferry, assuming that being the port town it would be big and there be loads of stuff to do. I was wrong.

If you’re taking the ferry you have no choice but to stop in Wadi Halfa so take my advice and don’t spend more than 1 night here. It’s small, dusty, hot and there’s nothing really to see or do.

Accommodation here is pretty basic too. $3-$4 a night, shared squat toilets (with no paper – be warned!), and no running water. All the ‘hotels’ fill up seriously quick the day before the ferry leaves so arrive early and get somewhere to stay or you’ll be sleeping on the street – seriously.

Ok, all-in-all the ferry is a great way to arrive in Egypt and beats another 12 hour bus that’s for sure. Egypt holidays, with all the culture, food, archecticture,  really offer so much, so you’re in for a great trip! Happy travels!

NOTE: Bring ear plugs to counteract the extremely loud Muezzin call to prayer at 4.30 am on the boat!

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Related posts:

1. A Backpacking Guide to Sudan
2. Visiting the Pyramids of Sudan
3. What to Do with a Couple of Days in Luxor, Egypt
4. Witnessing a Camel Sacrifice in Sudan
5. A Backpackers Guide to Egypt

Tags: Backpacking, backpacking in sudan, cheap travel