City in South Sinai, Egypt
Sharm El Sheikh
Sinai resort hub for reef diving, Ras Mohammed and desert trips, with a lot of package hotels and year-round sun. Pricey for Egypt, car-dependent and touristy; Dahab suits independent travelers better.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$669–1,150Comfortable, one person · E£35,000–60,000Details
- Value for money83/100Better value than 82% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMar–May, Oct–NovWarmest: Aug, 39°CDetails
- Internet99 MbpsFixed broadband, Egypt medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledTap water is desalinated and tastes salty; drink bottled or filtered water.Details
- LGBTQ+2/5HostileDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: common in tourist areasDetails
- Doctor's visit$10–29Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundUberYou'll need transportDetails
- Cash or cardMixed: cards and cashCards in hotels, malls and most restaurants; cash for taxis, microbuses, small eateries, bazaars and tips.Details
Where to stay in Sharm El Sheikh
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Naama Bay | First-timers: hotels, restaurants, bars and a walkable promenade |
| Hadaba | Mid-range hotels, shops and cafés near Soho Square |
| Sharks Bay | Quieter reefs and diving hotels north of Naama Bay |
| Nabq | Large resorts, mangroves and calmer beaches |
Apps that work in Sharm El Sheikh
Ride-hailing
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Uber | Works across the resort area; fewer cars late at night |
Food delivery
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Talabat | Main delivery app in Naama Bay and Hadaba |
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- Go Bus: Intercity and Red Sea bus tickets
- Taxis: Taxis rarely use meters; agree prices before getting in. Hotels can book fixed-price transfers to Dahab and Ras Mohammed.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Egypt.
- Mixed: cards and cash Cards in hotels, malls and most restaurants; cash for taxis, microbuses, small eateries, bazaars and tips.
- Currency: Pound (EGP). US$1 ≈ E£52.28 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Common in cities and resorts; use machines at bank branches. ATMs at the Taba border often run dry.
- Tipping: Baksheesh is part of daily life: about 10% on top of restaurant service charges, small notes for guards, toilet attendants and guides.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay work at contactless terminals; InstaPay needs an Egyptian bank account.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Get an e-visa at visa2egypt.gov.eg at least 7 days ahead, or buy a visa on arrival at airport bank kiosks for US$30 cash.
- Since 1 August 2026 Cairo airport also sells digital visas on arrival by card (US$36) via kiosks or visaonarrival.gov.eg.
- Flying into Sharm el-Sheikh for under 15 days in South Sinai resorts? A free entry stamp replaces the visa.
Emergency numbers
Police 122 · Ambulance 123 · Fire 180 · Tourist police 126
Plugs
Type C, F · 220 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Vodafone, Orange and e& booths in Cairo airport arrivals and shops everywhere; passport required. Data is cheap. Long stays may require registering a foreign phone. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Egypt
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.