1

There is no direct transport from Eilat to Dahab (or anywhere else in Egypt). You need to cross the border at Taba on foot, and once you're across you'll get transport from there. Sorry I can't help on the specifics of that.

There is an hourly bus, route 15, from the Eilat central bus station to the border crossing.

2

If you prefer to use public transport: Take the Israeli local bus as Shuffulff has recommended, to the Taba border. Walk across the land border and walk to Taba’s local bus station (700m on your left)) and take the local bus to Dahab. Admittedly that takes you way past the turn off to St Catherine, but from Dahab you can hook up with the Bedouin Bus http://www.bedouinbus.com/ and their bus to St Catherine.

Thorn Tree’s top tip # 57, apply for your visa in advance if you are heading onto Cairo.

3

Thanks. We're actually not going to Cairo, just Mt.Sina/Dahab. I know we need a limited visa and I'm still uncertain where to get that. Can we get it at the border? If not, how is it attained?

4

If you are going only to Dahab you don't need a visa in advance. For Mount Sinai (and the rest of Egypt) you do:
http://www.travcour.com/g_page.php?pageid=1097

And you get it from an Egyptian consulate. Do a Google search to find the nearest/most convenient one.

5

Hi there. I did a sort of similar trip in reverse a couple of years ago but with no time limit. But to and from Dahab to the border with Israel at Taba there is a bus. Then you cross on foot and take a taxi or bus, I can't remember but I actually think I took a bus, to/from Eilat. So in reverse, Tel Aviv (which by the way, I thought I wasn't even going to visit as it was just a "modern city" turned out to be one of my favourite cities....definitely modern but amazing food, great people, and Shabbat starts friday afternoon through Sunday where the whole city goes into one big huge flea market/party....if you arrive on a Friday, STAY THE WEEKEND before heading out...otherwise at least give yourself two days...the beaches are really nice and its a really GOOD city to visit...though MEGA expensive...I spent more in Israel than in Europe). To Eilat by bus, taxi to Taba, cross by foot, bus to Dahab. I highly recommend using it as a base but beware if you are on a timeline....despite huffing and puffing that it is too "touristy" and "backpackery" now (which it is, definitely), you will still find yourself lazing around the beach, the pools, the restaurants, the holes, and uninspired to go much of anywhere else for at least a few days. :) Enjoy it! Snorkling at the Blue hole in the Red sea is a must do half day trip, and from any hotel/resort/hostel in Dahab you can organize the trek up to Mt. Sinai and St. Catherines. The most popular trip is in the middle of the night, which is what I did. You leave at midnight or so, and trek up with torches and hundreds of other people to the top of Mt. Sinai, arriving shortly before sunrise, then back down, have a few hours at St. Catherines, then the bus back to Dahab. Look, I'm a solo traveler and usually dislike organized tours, but there are some that are must do's. The snorkeling trip to the red sea and Mt. Sinai/St. Catherine's for sunrise is another. You can spend 2 very very busy days but I would suggest giving yourself a week if you have it. If not, four days will suffice. Backtracking then, bus back to Taba, taxi or bus to Eilat, from there, the bus station will have a bus to the border crossing for Jordan. Sorry, I was solo and this was my favourite border crossing in the world, on the Jordanian side. :) So friendly and laid back! Anyway though, you HAVE to take a taxi wherever you want to go from there. No busses. I got stuck on my own and paid alot of money...Jordan is probably one of my 2 favourite countries in the world and not uber expensive but transport is. If you can find someone to share teh ride, do it. Otherswise, you are looking at $50 to $100 US for a few hour drive from the border to Petra. I loved Petra. Again, its touristy, but the site is amazing and the locals that still live there are so much fun. Best thing about Jordan are the people...wicked senses of humour and totally without a mean bone! I spent four days in Petra but one and a half should defnitely be enough to see the sites if you are particular about your choices. If you have an extra three days, you can organize a trip to Wadi Rum from here. Again, one of my best experiences and usually hate tours! Three of us with a funny as guide 4-wheeling through the desert and stayed at a Bedoin camp. We were the only guests so it was fantastic, played music and ate amazing food cooked in the sand, dragged our little beds out so we slept under the stars. I loved it.

It has been three years since this trip and I know much changes in the middle east in that time, but I must say this area you are going to visit is one of my favourite places in the world, I felt nothing but safe and excited to be there, and some of the nicest people in the world with great food and exciting adventures. ENJOY EVERY SECOND OF IT. Any questions please email me personally at oddgrace32@gmail.com.

Erin

6

From Eilat you must take a bus or a taxi to the border. Take cash with you to pay for the Israeli exit fee.You can get a "free Sinai pass" which is valid for 15 days at the Egyptian border - someone said you cannot go to Mount Sinai with it, personally I'd expect Egyptian authorities to be flexible as long as you do not live Sinai but maybe worth checking first. Once in Taba you can either walk to the bus station and wait for a bu to Dahab, or hire a taxi, some are waiting directly at the border.

I'd head to Dahab, it has a lovely vibe (I'd suggest you do not waste time in Eilat). I'd leave my stuff in one of the small hotels (Penguin is my fave) and go to Mount Sinai from there.

7

Sharm a shekh, in the southern Sinai, has a small international airport with flights connecting with Europe. I would think you could get there directly from Cyprus. Worth looking into as it would save you a lot of logistics (and best get your visa in order in advance).