Taba
Taba, in the eastern Sinai peninsula of Egypt, marks the location of the southern border crossing between Egypt and Israel, servicing travellers coming into Egypt and the Sinai via Eilat. The town has grown up around the border crossing and offers basic amenities for travellers - these will no doubt be greatly enhanced when a new "Taba Heights" development gathers pace. Taba is a relatively minor centre for Red Sea diving.
Get in
Visitors to Taba arrive either north from Israel or south from Egypt. On leaving Israel, a departure tax of 70NIS (Aug 2005) is charged. 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. Whether you have a visa or not, you'll be charged 35LE (Aug 2005) as "Sinai tax".
When crossing the border, there are several hundred meters of no-man's-land between the Egyptian and Israeli checkpoints. Touts may offer you the use of carts to carry your bags, but will charge for this service.
On the Egyptian side, long-distance taxis await at the traffic circle. Negotiate fares carefully, at last check rides to Dahab cost around 50 Egyptian pounds.
On the Israeli side, local bus 15 connects to Eilat's Central Bus Station and also the Jordanian border at Arava.
Do
- The primary reason for Taba's existence is the casino at the Hilton, where gambling-deprived Israelis can get their fix.
Sleep
- 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.
Cope
Currency
Both the Banque du Caire and Banque Misr have currency exchange booths within the Egyptian checkpoint (sometimes irregular opening hours, go along ASAP if you need to change money). Money and cheques can also be exchanged at the Taba Hilton Hotel.
Get out