🇸🇩 Flights to Port Sudan
Cheap Flights to Port Sudan from the UK
Find the best deals on flights to Port Sudan New International Airport (PZU). Dream Fare specialises in Sudan routes with the best prices for Port Sudan — Sudan’s main Red Sea port, gateway to world-class diving and the extraordinary ancient Nubian civilisation.
Airlines to Port Sudan
All Airlines Flying London to Port Sudan
Port Sudan is served via connections through East African and Middle Eastern hubs. We compare every routing to find your best price.
Baggage Allowances — London to Port Sudan
| Airline | Cabin Bag | Hold Baggage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethiopian Airlines | 1 bag up to 7kg | 2 x 23kg | Best two-piece allowance on the route |
| Emirates | 1 bag up to 7kg | 2 x 23kg | Flex fares may vary — confirm at booking |
| Turkish Airlines | 1 bag up to 8kg | 2 x 23kg | Generous two-piece standard economy |
| Sudan Airways | 1 bag up to 7kg | 1 x 23kg | Extra bags purchasable at booking |
| EgyptAir | 1 bag up to 8kg | 1 x 23kg | Extra bags purchasable at booking |
When to Visit
Best Time to Visit Port Sudan & the Red Sea
Port Sudan has a hot desert climate on the Red Sea coast. The Red Sea is diveable year-round but the most comfortable visiting periods are the cooler months. Port Sudan is 3 hours ahead of GMT.
Best Season
Oct — April
The most comfortable time to visit Port Sudan. Temperatures of 24°C to 32°C with cooler evenings. Excellent diving visibility (30+ metres). Hammerhead sharks are present at Sha’ab Rumi throughout this period. Best time for whale sharks (October to January).
Peak Diving Season
Nov — February
The finest diving conditions of the year — excellent visibility, comfortable water temperature (25°C to 27°C) and the best chance of pelagic encounters including hammerheads, whale sharks and manta rays. The most popular period for liveaboard dive trips to Port Sudan.
Shoulder Season
May — June
Getting hotter (32°C to 38°C) but diving is still excellent. Fewer visitors and more competitive pricing. Whale sharks become less common. Good visibility continues. Comfortable in the water even if hot on the surface.
Hot Season
July — Sep
Extremely hot on land (38°C to 45°C). The Red Sea is warmest (29°C to 32°C) and visibility is still good. Very few tourists. Lowest prices of the year for those who can tolerate the heat. Mostly liveaboard diving trips during this period.
About Port Sudan
Port Sudan — Gateway to the World’s Finest Red Sea Diving
Port Sudan is Sudan’s main port city on the Red Sea — the gateway to some of the most extraordinary and pristine coral reefs on earth. Unlike the heavily touristed reefs of Egypt, the Red Sea off Port Sudan sees virtually no mass tourism — the marine life is spectacular, the coral is untouched and the diving experience is genuinely world-class. The ancient coral city of Suakin and proximity to the Nubian pyramids make Port Sudan one of Africa’s most compelling and undervisited destinations.
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World-Class Red Sea Diving
The Red Sea off Port Sudan is one of the world’s great diving destinations — virtually untouched by mass tourism. Sha’ab Rumi (where Jacques Cousteau built his underwater habitat in 1963 — the remains are still there as an extraordinary artificial reef) has resident hammerhead sharks, extraordinary coral walls and exceptional biodiversity. Sha’ab Suedi, Qita el Banna and the Umbria wreck are all world-class sites.
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The Umbria Wreck
One of the world’s finest wreck dives — the Italian cargo ship Umbria was scuttled in June 1940 by her captain to prevent the munitions cargo falling into British hands. She lies at 36 metres in Wingate Reef just off Port Sudan and is fully intact with her cargo of bombs, ammunition, wine bottles and Fiat cars still visible inside the holds. A magnificent dive in crystal clear water.
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Suakin — Coral Ghost City
60km south of Port Sudan — the extraordinary abandoned coral city of Suakin was one of the most important ports in the world from the 14th to 19th centuries and the main exit point for Hajj pilgrims from sub-Saharan Africa. The ruins of the Ottoman coral stone buildings crumbling into the Red Sea lagoon are one of the most atmospheric and haunting archaeological sites in Africa. A UNESCO tentative list site.
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Meroe Pyramids (UNESCO)
Sudan has more ancient pyramids than Egypt — over 200 Nubian pyramids at sites including Meroe, Nuri and El-Kurru. The Meroe Pyramids — a UNESCO World Heritage Site accessible from Khartoum — are steeper and smaller than Egyptian pyramids and rise dramatically from the Sudanese desert in extraordinary isolation. One of Africa’s most remarkable and undervisited ancient sites.
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Marine Life & Whale Sharks
The waters off Port Sudan have extraordinary marine biodiversity. Hammerhead sharks gather in large schools at Sha’ab Rumi year-round. Whale sharks visit from October to January. Manta rays are regular visitors. Grey reef sharks, silvertip sharks, oceanic whitetip sharks, eagle rays, sea turtles and hundreds of fish species inhabit the pristine reefs. Dugongs graze the seagrass in Dungonab Bay to the north.
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Sudanese Cuisine
Ful medames (fava bean stew — eaten at every meal), Kisra (fermented sorghum flatbread), Moukhbaza (banana paste eaten with bread), Gorasa (thick flatbread with stew), fresh Red Sea fish grilled on the waterfront — particularly the extraordinary Red Sea grouper and emperor fish — and the famously strong Sudanese coffee (jabana) served with ginger and cardamom in tiny cups are all essential Port Sudan food experiences.
Top Places to Visit in Port Sudan & Sudan
Sha’ab Rumi Reef
The most famous dive site in Sudan and one of the great dives in the world — Sha’ab Rumi is where Jacques Cousteau built his Conshelf II underwater habitat in 1963 for his extraordinary living-under-the-sea experiment. The remains of the habitat (including the shark cages) are encrusted with coral and have become an extraordinary artificial reef. The site has resident schools of hammerhead sharks, giant trevally and extraordinary coral.
The Umbria Wreck
One of the world’s most famous wreck dives — the Italian cargo ship Umbria sank in 1940 in Wingate Reef just outside Port Sudan harbour. She lies at 36 metres fully intact with her extraordinary cargo of 360,000 bombs, 60 Fiat cars and thousands of wine bottles still visible in the holds. Crystal clear water, abundant marine life and the historical poignancy of the scuttling make the Umbria one of the world’s finest wreck dives.
Suakin Coral City
60km south of Port Sudan — the extraordinary abandoned coral city of Suakin was one of the most important ports in the Islamic world from the 14th to 19th centuries. The crumbling Ottoman-era buildings of coral stone slowly returning to the sea are extraordinarily atmospheric. The old causeway, the Ottoman governor’s palace and the mosques of the dead city create one of Africa’s most haunting historical landscapes.
Dungonab Bay
150km north of Port Sudan — Dungonab Bay and Mukkawar Island is a UNESCO tentative list site of extraordinary marine significance. The bay has the most important population of dugongs (sea cows) in the Red Sea, exceptional whale shark aggregations, extraordinary mangrove systems and pristine coral reefs that rival anywhere in the Red Sea. Almost completely unvisited.
Meroe Pyramids (UNESCO)
A 4 to 5 hour drive from Port Sudan via Khartoum — the Meroe pyramids are Sudan’s most spectacular ancient monuments. Over 40 pyramids of the Meroitic Kingdom (300 BC to 350 AD) rise from the Sudanese desert in extraordinary isolation. Smaller and steeper than Egyptian pyramids, with external chapels decorated with relief carvings of Nubian kings, the Meroe site is one of Africa’s great archaeological wonders.
Khartoum — Sudan’s Capital
350km from Port Sudan by road or 1 hour by domestic flight — the Sudanese capital sits at the confluence of the Blue and White Niles. The National Museum of Sudan has extraordinary collections of ancient Nubian art including rescued temples from Nubia that would otherwise have been flooded. The Omdurman souk is one of the largest traditional markets in Africa. Khartoum is essential for understanding Sudan’s extraordinary history.
Travel Tips
Port Sudan Travel Guide
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Visa & Entry for Sudan
UK citizens require a visa to enter Sudan. Check the latest FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/sudan before booking as the situation can change. Dream Fare has specialist knowledge of current Sudan entry requirements for UK passport holders and will provide the most current advice when you enquire.
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FCDO Travel Advice
The UK Foreign Office maintains travel advice for Sudan that should be checked before any travel. Dream Fare monitors the latest advice and will be completely transparent about current conditions in Port Sudan and Sudan when you enquire. We only book travel we would be comfortable recommending to family members.
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Currency & Money
Sudan uses the Sudanese Pound (SDG). USD is widely accepted in Port Sudan hotels and tourist establishments. ATMs can be unreliable — bring sufficient USD cash for your stay. Cards have limited acceptance outside major hotels. Dream Fare will provide up-to-date practical money advice when you book.
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Diving in Port Sudan
Port Sudan diving is primarily liveaboard — spending several nights on a diving vessel to reach the best offshore sites. Day boat diving is available from shore but liveaboards give access to the finest sites including Sha’ab Rumi, the Umbria and the northern reefs. Advanced open water certification is recommended for most sites. Strong currents at some sites require experience.
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Weather & Climate
Port Sudan has a hot desert climate on the Red Sea coast. The best visiting months are October to April when temperatures range from 24°C to 32°C on land and the sea is 25°C to 27°C. July to September is extremely hot (38°C to 45°C) on land. Port Sudan is 3 hours ahead of GMT year-round.
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Communications
Zain Sudan and MTN Sudan are the main networks. Coverage in Port Sudan city is reasonable. Coverage offshore on dive liveaboards is limited. Satellite communication is used by most liveaboard vessels. Wi-Fi is available in better Port Sudan hotels. Download offline maps and dive site information before arrival.
Flights to Port Sudan FAQ
How do I fly from London to Port Sudan?
Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa is the most popular routing to Port Sudan. Sudan Airways connects via Khartoum. Emirates via Dubai and Turkish Airlines via Istanbul are also options. EgyptAir via Cairo is good for combining Egypt and Sudan. Dream Fare will find the most convenient and cost-effective routing for your travel dates.
Do UK citizens need a visa for Sudan?
Yes. UK passport holders require a visa to enter Sudan. Check the latest FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/sudan before booking as requirements and conditions can change. Dream Fare provides specialist Sudan travel advice and will help with the visa process.
Is Port Sudan safe for divers?
Port Sudan has historically been one of the world’s great diving destinations and has welcomed international divers for decades. Check the latest FCDO advice before travel. Most diving is done on liveaboard vessels that operate in international Red Sea waters. Dream Fare will provide the most current safety assessment when you enquire.
What makes Port Sudan diving so special?
The Red Sea off Port Sudan has some of the most pristine and biodiverse coral reefs in the world — virtually untouched by mass tourism. Sha’ab Rumi (where Cousteau built his underwater habitat) has resident hammerhead sharks and extraordinary coral. The Umbria wreck is one of the world’s finest. Whale sharks, manta rays, dugongs and exceptional visibility make Port Sudan a world-class dive destination.
What is Suakin and can I visit it?
Suakin is an extraordinary abandoned coral city 60km south of Port Sudan — one of the most important ports in the medieval Islamic world and the main exit for Hajj pilgrims from sub-Saharan Africa. The crumbling coral stone Ottoman-era buildings are hauntingly beautiful. Suakin is accessible by road from Port Sudan and is one of Africa’s most unusual and atmospheric historical sites.
How much do return flights from London to Port Sudan cost?
Return flights from London to Port Sudan start from approximately £599 with Dream Fare. Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa is typically the most competitive option. Contact us on 020 8264 0018 for the latest fares and Sudan travel advice.
* Prices are indicative from fares and subject to availability and change. Call 020 8264 0018 for current pricing.