Eritrea travel guide
How to Get to Eritrea in 2026: Flights, Visa and Arrival
By Dahlak Tours, Asmara. Last reviewed: 4 November 2026.
Quick answer. Eritrea is fly-in only. You land at Asmara International Airport (ASM) after a connection through Dubai, Istanbul or Cairo, and most flights arrive in the evening or after midnight. There are no flights from Ethiopia and the land borders are not a practical way in for tourists. Dahlak Tours is a licensed Eritrea tour operator, in business since 2004, so we handle your visa, permits and airport pickup as well as the tour. Last updated November 2026.
At a glance
| Topic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Airport | Asmara International Airport (ASM), the only entry point for tourists |
| Main airlines | flydubai (Dubai), Turkish Airlines (Istanbul), EgyptAir (Cairo) |
| Shortest flight | Dubai to Asmara, about 3h 40m |
| From Europe | One connection, about 10 to 16 hours in total |
| Landing times | Most flights land in the evening or after midnight |
| Visa | USD 170 in total: USD 100 to Dahlak online, USD 70 cash at the airport |
| Via Ethiopia | No flights since 2024 |
| Passport and health | Passport valid 6 months after your trip. Yellow fever vaccination recommended, not required |
| What to carry | US dollars in cash: no ATMs for foreign cards, exchange into nakfa at the airport or Himbol (about 15 per USD) |
Airlines that fly to Asmara
Eritrea is a fly-in destination. Every visitor arrives at Asmara International Airport, and there are no direct flights from Europe, North America or Kenya, so you connect through Dubai, Istanbul or Cairo.
| From | Airline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai | flydubai | Year-round, the most frequent link (about 3h 40m) |
| Istanbul | Turkish Airlines | Year-round, with a European hub behind it |
| Cairo | EgyptAir | Regular |
| Jeddah | flynas | Check the current schedule with the airline |
| Port Sudan and Khartoum | Tarco Air, Badr Airlines | Check the current schedule with the airline |
Flights and schedules change, so confirm with the airline before you buy.
Arrival and departure times
Most flights reach Asmara in the evening or after midnight. Check each time with the airline before you book.
Arrivals into Asmara
| Time | Airline | From | Days | Your first night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21:55 | flydubai | Dubai | Daily | Hotel transfer, dinner if you wish |
| 23:30 | Turkish Airlines | Istanbul | Five days a week | Late transfer, straight to bed |
| 02:25 | EgyptAir | Cairo | Most days | Room reserved from the previous night |
Departures from Asmara
| Time | Airline | To | Days | Your last day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22:55 | flydubai | Dubai | Daily | Full last day in Asmara |
| 00:05 | Turkish Airlines | Istanbul | Every day except Tuesday | Full last day, transfer after dinner |
| 03:25 | EgyptAir | Cairo | Most days | Check in at the airport about 01:30 |
Hotel check-in and check-out are at noon. If you land late at night, tell us when you book and we reserve the room from the previous night, so it is ready when you arrive. Send us your flight times when you book.
Why you cannot come via Ethiopia
Ethiopian Airlines suspended its Asmara flights in 2024, and many guides online still list a daily Addis Ababa to Asmara service. It no longer runs. Land borders are not a practical route for tourists either. If you want to combine Eritrea with Ethiopia, fly out of Asmara to a hub such as Dubai or Istanbul and connect onward.
Typical routes by region
| Starting point | Usual route | Total travel time |
|---|---|---|
| Europe | Connect in Istanbul, Cairo or Dubai | About 10 to 16 hours |
| North America | One or two connections, then Istanbul, Cairo or Dubai | Longer, depending on connections |
| Gulf | flydubai from Dubai | Under 4 hours |
| East Africa | Connect through Dubai or Cairo | Varies with the connection |
Airport pickup
If you book a tour with Dahlak Tours, we meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. If you only need a car, see our car rental page.
What happens when you land
- Visa stamp. Show your visa approval email at check-in, then pay the USD 70 entry stamp in cash (US dollars, no cards) to get your visa stamp. This takes about 25 minutes to 1 hour, so be ready for the wait and keep your passport, approval email and cash together.
- Collect your bags after the visa stamp.
- Meet your representative. If you booked a tour with Dahlak Tours, a representative waits for you outside the airport, holding a welcome sign with your name and the Dahlak Travel & Tours logo.
- Transfer to your hotel. The drive takes about 10 to 15 minutes. We take you to your hotel in Asmara, or to wherever you chose when you booked.
- Check in. Hotel check-in is at noon. If you land late at night, we have reserved the room from the previous night, so you go straight to your room.
- Permits. While you explore Asmara, we arrange the travel permits for the rest of your trip. Issuing takes one full day, and permits are included in the tour price.
Visa and entry
Sort your visa before you book flights. The visa on arrival costs USD 170 in total, in two parts:
- USD 100 processing fee, paid online to Dahlak Tours before you fly. We handle the application and send you written approval in about 6 business days. You only need a scan or photo of your passport photo page, not the physical passport.
- USD 70 entry stamp, paid in cash at the airport (no cards). This fee goes to the government, not to Dahlak Tours. Show your approval email at check-in.
If a visa is refused, which rarely happens, we refund 80% of the processing fee. You do not need to book a tour with us to use the visa service. Read the full steps on our Eritrea visa page.
Travel permits for anywhere outside Asmara are included in the price of every Dahlak tour. We arrange them while you explore Asmara, and issuing takes one full day. If you want to see the sights outside Asmara, see our tours.
Money and what to bring
Bring US dollars in cash. The USD 70 entry stamp is paid in cash at the airport, and cards are not accepted. There are no ATMs for foreign cards in Eritrea, so bring all the cash you need for the trip. You can exchange dollars into nakfa at the airport and at Himbol exchange bureaus. The rate is about 15 nakfa to 1 US dollar. If you carry more than USD 10,000, you must declare it when you arrive. Keep your visa approval email where you can show it at check-in, and your flight details so we can plan the pickup.
Passport and health
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your trip. A yellow fever vaccination is not required to enter Eritrea, but we recommend it.
How Dahlak Tours helps
Flights are only the first step. We are a licensed Eritrea tour operator and handle the rest:
- Licensed: operator licence ASL00031590 and registration ASC00023767, issued by the Ministry of Trade and Industry of the State of Eritrea.
- 22 years of experience: we have run tours in Eritrea since 2004, with offices in Asmara and Nairobi.
- Visa and permits: we process your visa online and arrange every travel permit. Permits are included in tour prices.
- Our own cars: guides and drivers use our own fleet, and we also rent cars to guests, with or without a driver.
- Daily departures: tours leave every day, every tour is private unless you come as a group, and there is a solo rate.
- Simple payment: no deposit. You pay the tour price in cash when you arrive, hotels are not prepaid, and you can cancel free of charge before you arrive.
- Fast replies: we answer enquiries within 30 minutes.
Ready to plan your trip? Message us on WhatsApp: Eritrea +291 745 6964, Kenya +254 728 053 447, or email info@dahlaktours.com. See our Eritrea tours or start with the visa.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct flight to Asmara from Europe or the US?
No. Connect through Istanbul, Cairo or Dubai. Flydubai, Turkish Airlines and EgyptAir are the main carriers.
Does Ethiopian Airlines fly to Asmara?
Not at the moment. The Addis Ababa to Asmara route was suspended in 2024, so route through Dubai, Istanbul or Cairo instead.
What time do flights land in Asmara?
Most arrive in the evening or after midnight. Tell us your flight times and we reserve the room from the previous night so you can check in on arrival.
Do I need a visa before I fly?
Yes. We process it online before you travel: USD 100 to Dahlak Tours, plus USD 70 in cash at the airport. See our visa page for the steps.
Will someone meet me at the airport?
Yes, if you book a tour with Dahlak Tours. A representative waits outside the airport holding a welcome sign with your name and our logo, and takes you to your hotel.
How do I contact you?
Email info@dahlaktours.com or message us on WhatsApp: Eritrea +291 745 6964, Kenya +254 728 053 447. We reply within 30 minutes.
Can I enter Eritrea overland from Ethiopia, Djibouti or Sudan?
Not as a tourist. Land borders are not a practical route, so every visitor flies into Asmara.
Which is the easiest way to fly to Asmara?
For most travellers, flydubai from Dubai: it is daily and the shortest flight, about 3h 40m. From Europe, Turkish Airlines via Istanbul or EgyptAir via Cairo are the usual choices.
Is there a flight from Nairobi to Asmara?
There is no direct flight. You connect, through Dubai or Cairo. Our Kenya office can help you plan the trip: WhatsApp +254 728 053 447.
How long must my passport be valid?
At least 6 months after your trip.
Do I need a yellow fever vaccination?
It is not required, but we recommend it.
Do I need cash when I arrive?
Yes. The USD 70 entry stamp is paid in cash at the airport, so bring US dollars. There are no ATMs for foreign cards, but you can exchange dollars into nakfa at the airport or at Himbol exchange bureaus.
