Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Egypt’s recent decision to raise crossing fees at the Taba border has stirred outrage among Israeli travelers, with calls in Israel to boycott travel to the neighboring country. The Egyptian government increased the fee for crossing from $60 to $120 per person, representing a sharp escalation from $25 just a few months ago and a more than sevenfold increase since December 2025.
The Taba border crossing, which links Eilat in southern Israel to Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt, is a key land route widely used by Israeli and international tourists seeking access to Sinai. In addition to the fee hike, travelers face increasing delays and logistical complications due to the suspension of flights from Aqaba and regional security concerns amid ongoing regional tensions.
Israeli media, including the newspaper Haaretz, reported that the new fee came as a shock to many planning to travel through Sinai en route to flights abroad or short vacations. The border has seen three successive fee increases in a very short period: from $25 to $60 in mid-March 2026, and most recently to $120 on March 28, 2026. Egyptian authorities appear to have gradually implemented these increases following the launch of “Operation Visiting Lion” on February 28, 2026, in response to regional security developments.
The sharp fee increase has triggered widespread dissatisfaction in Israel. Travelers have called for a boycott of Egyptian destinations, while thousands have protested the new rate on social media. Many Israelis had relied on the Taba crossing as a convenient and relatively inexpensive gateway to Sinai’s resorts, especially as the region has remained one of the few viable options for short escapes amid regional instability.
The fee hike comes amid broader regional tensions and ongoing conflicts, highlighting how security, tourism, and economic measures intersect. Analysts suggest that while Egypt’s move is largely framed as a revenue and security measure, it may have significant repercussions for cross-border tourism and bilateral relations with Israel.
