Port Ghalib Marina · Marsa Alam · Red Sea, Egypt — Boreas boarding point · boreascruises.com
Direct Flights from the US to Egypt — What Changed in 2026.
EgyptAir is the only airline operating nonstop flights between the US and Cairo. The new Los Angeles and Chicago routes launching in 2026 mean the Red Sea is now reachable from the US West Coast and Midwest without a European connection for the first time. If you are on the East Coast, daily direct options have existed for years. If you are on the West Coast or Midwest — 2026 is the year access changed.
EgyptAir is a Star Alliance member — the same network as United, Lufthansa, Swiss, Turkish Airlines, and Air Canada. United MileagePlus miles and Star Alliance status apply on EgyptAir flights.
EgyptAir is a full Star Alliance member. If you hold United MileagePlus, Lufthansa Miles & More, or any other Star Alliance frequent flyer status, check partner award availability and upgrade options on EgyptAir flights before booking at full fare.
Flights via Europe — The Standard Route for Most US Cities.
If you are not near a direct-route city — or if you want more airline choices, better pricing, or to use existing miles and status — flying via a European hub is the standard route. Total journey time is typically 14–18 hours including the connection. Every major European hub has daily onward service to Cairo.
Fly any US city to LHR, then direct to Cairo. Daily connections from Heathrow. Strong frequency from the US East Coast and Midwest — often the most straightforward routing.
Strong option for US East Coast and Midwest travelers. Daily Cairo connections from CDG. Air France’s US network covers Boston, New York, Washington, Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle.
Good for Midwest and Texas travelers. Lufthansa is Star Alliance — United MileagePlus status and miles apply. Daily direct Frankfurt to Cairo with EgyptAir and Lufthansa.
Strong US connections from multiple cities via Schiphol. KLM’s US network is extensive — competitive pricing, particularly from the East Coast and Midwest.
Direct US to Istanbul, then direct to Cairo. Turkish Airlines serves over 15 US cities nonstop. Competitive pricing, particularly from the South and West Coast. Worth comparing against European hub options.
Quieter hubs with good connections and competitive pricing. Worth comparing on any flight search — both SWISS and Austrian operate direct Cairo connections. Both are Star Alliance members.
If you are joining the combined Egypt land tour + Red Sea charter programme, you board Boreas at Port Ghalib Marina after your land days. The Boreas team coordinates the transfer from your last stop — no logistics to arrange between the land and sea legs.
Cairo to the Red Sea — Onward Connections.
From Cairo, guests connect to the Red Sea via a short domestic flight to Hurghada (HRG) or Marsa Alam (RMF). Both airports are served from Cairo International with multiple daily departures. Boreas boards at Port Ghalib Marina — accessible from both airports.
Questions about getting to Boreas?
Our team handles all arrival logistics — flights, transfers, visa questions, and land programme connections. We respond within 24 hours.
Port Ghalib Marina — Boarding Boreas.
Port Ghalib is a full-service marina on the Egyptian Red Sea coast, approximately 65km south of Marsa Alam. It is the southernmost major marina on the Egyptian Red Sea — positioned for direct access to Fury Shoals, Elphinstone, Samadai, and the deeper southern reef systems without the long northern transits required from Hurghada.
What Happens When You Land.
Boreas handles all arrival logistics from the moment you land in Egypt. Three steps from the arrivals hall to the vessel.
US citizens can obtain a visa on arrival at Cairo International Airport. Cost is $25, payable in USD or Egyptian pounds. Alternatively, apply online in advance through the official Egypt e-Visa portal — recommended to save time at the airport.
Your Boreas programme includes airport meet and greet in Hurghada or Marsa Alam. A representative will be waiting at arrivals with your name. No navigation required, no taxi coordination, no uncertainty at the airport.
Private air-conditioned transfer from the airport directly to the vessel at Port Ghalib Marina. Transfer time from Hurghada Airport is approximately 3 hours. From Marsa Alam Airport, approximately 15–20 minutes. Both transfers are included within the defined timeframe.
Cairo · Luxor · Pyramids of Giza — Egypt land extension · boreascruises.com
The Red Sea You Are Travelling To — Conservation & Marine Awareness.
The Red Sea contains approximately 10% of the world’s reef fish species and over 200 hard coral species. Visibility averaging 20–30 metres and the absence of river sediment input make it one of the clearest reef environments on earth. It is also one of the most actively managed — HEPCA (Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association) coordinates mooring installation, waste management, and diver education across the Egyptian Red Sea coast.
Boreas operates as a HEPCA member. HEPCA manages over 1,500 mooring buoys across the Egyptian Red Sea, removing the need for anchor drops on living reef. The organisation coordinates beach clean operations, plastic waste collection at sea, and diver briefings on reef contact protocols. Every charter aboard Boreas operates under HEPCA guidelines.
Marine awareness sessions run on selected evenings aboard Boreas — covering Red Sea species identification, reef contact protocols, and the current status of shark populations at Brothers, Daedalus, and Elphinstone. No anchoring on reef. Single-use plastic eliminated from all catering operations. Guest briefings before every dive session.
The Red Sea is one of the world’s saltiest and most mineral-rich bodies of water — average salinity of 40–43 ppt versus 35 ppt in the open ocean. This produces its exceptional buoyancy and water clarity. Water temperatures remain above 22°C year-round, making it one of the few tropical reef systems accessible without a drysuit at any season.
Every cruise offers the opportunity to actively contribute to reef protection, shark science, and local community support — your trip leaves something behind.
Coral health monitoring programme. Guests collect live reef data during snorkelling sessions — observations submitted directly to UQ’s global database.
Cooperation programme and shark log citizen science. Divers contribute species and behaviour observations to global shark population research.
Dive briefings include shark conservation education. Shark Angels materials available aboard — guests leave with a grounded understanding of Red Sea shark behaviour and status.
Active support of Red Sea local communities. Guests can join community meetings and cultural exchanges during port stops.
Ongoing partnerships with HEPCA, CDWS, and international marine science associations — reef mooring compliance, waste protocols, and diver education on every charter.
No anchoring on living reef. Single-use plastic eliminated from all catering. Marine awareness sessions on selected evenings — open to all guests aboard.
Ready to plan your trip to Boreas?
Charter rates, individual week availability, flight routing advice, and the combined land + sea programme — we respond within 24 hours.
Questions from Travellers Planning Their Trip
Marsa Alam (RMF) is the closest airport to the vessel at Port Ghalib Marina — approximately 15–20 minutes by road. If your routing allows it, flying into Marsa Alam is the most direct option. Hurghada (HRG) is the larger airport with more direct international connections — transfer time from Hurghada to Port Ghalib Marina is approximately 3 hours. Boreas includes transfers from both airports within the defined timeframe.
Yes. EgyptAir operates nonstop flights from New York JFK (daily), Newark EWR (Mon/Wed/Fri), and Washington DC (Tue/Thu/Sat). New in 2026: Los Angeles LAX launches in May 2026 (3x weekly, MS984), and Chicago ORD launches in June 2026 (3x weekly, MS948). These new routes mean the Red Sea is now accessible from the US West Coast and Midwest without a European connection for the first time.
EgyptAir is a full Star Alliance member — the same network as United Airlines, Lufthansa, Swiss, Turkish Airlines, and Air Canada. United MileagePlus miles can be used for partner award redemptions on EgyptAir, and Star Alliance status tiers apply for benefits including lounge access and upgrade priority. Check partner award availability directly with your frequent flyer programme before booking at full fare.
US citizens require a visa to enter Egypt. Two options: visa on arrival at Cairo International Airport, cost $25 payable in USD or Egyptian pounds — or the Egypt e-Visa, available online in advance through the official government portal. The e-Visa is recommended as it saves time at the airport and avoids queues. Processing typically takes 72 hours.
Boreas includes private airport transfers for guests arriving and departing within the standard embarkation and disembarkation window — check-in from 5:00 PM and check-out by 9:00 AM. The Boreas operations team coordinates all pick-ups and drop-offs. If your flight arrives outside the standard window, contact us in advance to confirm logistics and whether a supplement applies.
Port Ghalib is a full-service marina on the Egyptian Red Sea coast, approximately 65km south of Marsa Alam. Boreas boards from Port Ghalib because its southern position gives direct access to Fury Shoals, Elphinstone, Samadai, and the deep southern reef systems — without the long transits required from the northern marinas at Hurghada or Safaga. It is also the arrival point for guests coming directly from the Egypt land programme.
From Los Angeles: EgyptAir MS984 launches in May 2026 — nonstop LAX to Cairo, 3x weekly (Mon/Thu/Sat), approximately 14h 50min. From Chicago: EgyptAir MS948 launches June 2026 — nonstop ORD to Cairo, 3x weekly, approximately 12h 25min. If your travel dates fall before these routes launch, or if you want more frequency or pricing options, flying via a European hub — London, Paris, Frankfurt, or Istanbul — remains a reliable alternative with 14–18 hours total journey time.