Argeen & Arqin Border Crossing

Important Note: A Border Affected by Conflict

The border between Sudan and Egypt is currently and directly affected by the ongoing, catastrophic civil war in Sudan. The Argeen-Arqin crossing has become a primary escape route for hundreds of thousands of Sudanese refugees and third-country nationals fleeing the violence. The situation at the border is a humanitarian crisis. The crossing is subject to immense queues, long delays, and unpredictable closures. It is not a tourist route at this time. This guide provides information on the crossing’s function and procedures, but you must understand that the current reality is one of a humanitarian emergency, not of tourism. Travel to Sudan is extremely dangerous and advised against by all foreign governments.

The Argeen-Arqin Crossing: The Western Desert Route

The border crossing at Argeen in Sudan, which connects to the Egyptian post of Arqin, is the newer of the two main land gateways between the two nations. It is located deep in the Sahara Desert, to the west of the Nile River and Lake Nasser. This is a modern, purpose-built crossing, opened in 2014, designed to be a major commercial highway for trade between the two countries, bypassing the slower ferry route on Lake Nasser. It is a massive, isolated complex in a landscape of stunning, empty desert. In times of peace, it is a route for long-distance buses and trucks. In the current era of conflict, it has been transformed into a critical, if overwhelmed, humanitarian corridor. The atmosphere is one of stark, beautiful desolation, punctuated by the formal, high-security procedures of the two states and, at present, the immense human drama of a refugee crisis.

Before Crossing

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A History of a New Corridor

For decades, the only way to travel overland between Egypt and Sudan was via the weekly passenger and vehicle ferry that sails the length of Lake Nasser, between Aswan in Egypt and Wadi Halfa in Sudan. This journey is slow and iconic, but it is a major bottleneck for trade. The Argeen-Arqin crossing was built to solve this problem. It was a major joint infrastructure project, part of a grand vision to create a “Cairo to Cape Town” highway, a seamless road link down the entire length of Africa. The crossing and the new highway leading to it were designed to dramatically boost trade, allowing for the direct transport of goods by truck. It was a symbol of a new, modern economic relationship. However, its history since opening has been dominated by the political and security situation in Sudan. It has served as a key escape route during various crises, most significantly during the current civil war that began in 2023, which has turned this commercial gateway into a major humanitarian crisis point.

The Border Crossing Procedure (Under Normal and Crisis Conditions)

The border is open 24 hours, but the process is extremely long and bureaucratic, even in normal times. In the current crisis, the delays are extreme. You must have valid, pre-arranged visas for both countries.

The Journey: This is a remote desert crossing. The journey from the nearest major towns (Dongola in Sudan, Aswan in Egypt) to the border takes many hours by bus or car through an empty desert. You must be on a licensed bus or have a licensed vehicle and driver. Independent travel is very difficult.

Exiting Sudan (Argeen): The Sudanese border post is a large, modern facility. In normal times, you would go through immigration and customs, a process that could take several hours. In the current crisis, the facility is overwhelmed with people, and the process is one of managing a massive, desperate crowd.

Entering Egypt (Arqin): The Egyptian border post is an even larger, fortress-like complex. The security and immigration procedures are extremely strict. All travelers are subject to detailed security checks and questioning. In the current crisis, this process is even more intense, as Egyptian authorities screen the massive influx of people. The wait times can be many days, with people camped out in the desert in dire conditions. For any traveler, the process is exhausting and requires immense patience and resilience.

Route, Onward Travel, and The Desert Landscape

The crossing is on a modern, paved highway that has been built through the desert. On the Sudanese side, the road connects to the northern city of Dongola and the main road network. On the Egyptian side, the road connects to the highway that runs along the western side of Lake Nasser, leading to the magnificent temples of Abu Simbel and on to the city of Aswan. The journey is a long one, through a landscape of spectacular, raw desert beauty. However, the remoteness means you must be completely self-sufficient. There are very few services along the route. The only practical way to use this crossing is by taking one of the long-distance international bus services that run (when possible) between Khartoum and Cairo. These bus companies are experienced with the complex and lengthy procedures.

Final Contextual Note: A Humanitarian Gateway

The Argeen-Arqin crossing is a modern piece of infrastructure that has had its intended commercial purpose completely overshadowed by the tragedy of the Sudanese civil war. It is a place that highlights the fragility of such grand projects in a volatile region. For the traveler, it is not currently a viable option. The security situation in Sudan makes travel there impossible, and the border itself is a humanitarian crisis zone. In a future, peaceful time, this crossing will once again be a key part of the great African overland journey. For now, it stands as a stark and powerful symbol of the human cost of conflict, a remote outpost in the desert that has become a gateway of last resort for a people in desperate need of safety.