Travel guide · Egypt
Sharm El Sheikh Travel Guide 2026: visa stamp, Ras Mohammed or Tiran, best months and what trips cost
Coral Bay, one of the resort beaches of Sharm El Sheikh. Photo: 74papa, CC BY 4.0
Sharm El Sheikh is a resort city at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, where coral reefs start a few metres off the beach and the desert begins behind the hotels. The decisions that shape a trip are whether the free Sharm-only entry stamp is enough for the excursions you want, which reef trip to pick (Ras Mohammed or Tiran), and which of the long day trips (Mount Sinai, Cairo, Petra) are worth a very early start. This guide checks the 2026 entry rules, fees and safety advice against official sources and compares typical prices across 1,147 bookable tours.
Sharm El Sheikh at a glance
Sharm El Sheikh sits on a promontory above the Straits of Tiran, where the Gulf of Aqaba meets the Red Sea, and is the capital of South Sinai Governorate with about 77,000 residents. It is not one town but a string of resort districts along the coast: Nabq and Ras Nusrani in the north, Naama Bay in the middle, and Hadaba, Umm Sid and Sharm El Maya (the Old Market) in the south. Most visitors fly in, stay in an all-inclusive hotel and buy excursions by the day.
| Where | Southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, on the Red Sea |
|---|---|
| Airport | Sharm El Sheikh International (SSH), Egypt's third-busiest: about 6.84 million passengers in 2024 |
| Entry | Free 15-day Sharm-only stamp for British and some other visitors arriving by air; full visa USD 30 cash on arrival |
| Climate | Hot desert: about 7 mm of rain a year; highs from 21.7 °C (January) to 37.5 °C (July–August) |
| Sea temperature | About 22.4 °C in February to 28.8 °C in August |
| Best known for | Ras Mohammed and Tiran reefs, the Thistlegorm wreck, desert safaris |
| Money | Egyptian pound (EGP); boat and park fees are paid in cash, usually US dollars |
| Tourist police | 126 |
Sharm El Sheikh in pictures
Tap a photo to enlarge it. Photos: Marc Ryckaert, Sovernigo, Dr. Ondřej Havelka (cestovatel), S. Ellermann, Шухрат Саъдиев — Wikimedia Commons.
Do you need a visa for Sharm El Sheikh?
Verdict: If you will stay in Sharm and do only reef, desert and Dahab trips, the free stamp is enough. If Cairo, Luxor, Petra, Ras Mohammed or St Catherine is on your list, pay the USD 30 visa (or buy an e-visa before you fly): sources disagree on whether the stamp covers Ras Mohammed and St Catherine, and a checkpoint is a bad place to find out.
| Option | Cost | Where it is valid | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharm entry permission stamp | Free | Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba, Taba; up to 15 days | Arriving by air at Sharm; does not cover travel beyond the resorts |
| Visa on arrival | USD 30, cash only | All of Egypt, up to 30 days | Bought at kiosks before immigration |
| E-visa | Bought online in advance | All of Egypt, valid up to 3 months | Speeds up arrival |
| Overland at Taba | USD 120 border tax, cash | Sinai Peninsula incl. Sharm, up to 15 days | Taba-only stay: USD 20; ATMs at Taba are unreliable |
The rules above are the UK government's description for British passports; eligibility for the free stamp depends on nationality, so check your own government's page. Every passport needs at least six months' validity on arrival and one blank page. You may carry up to EGP 5,000 in or out of Egypt, and foreign currency above USD 10,000 must be declared.
Older pages still quote a USD 25 visa. The current visa on arrival is USD 30, and it must be paid in cash.
Ras Mohammed or Tiran Island: which reef trip should you book?
Verdict: Book Ras Mohammed by boat first: it is the protected area the reefs here are famous for, with Shark and Yolanda reefs, and a boat reaches reef sites offshore that you cannot swim to from the beach. Make Tiran your second reef day. Take the bus version of Ras Mohammed only if you get seasick: you snorkel from the shore and see the mangroves and the crack pools instead.
| Trip | How it works | Highlights | Typical tour price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ras Mohammed by boat | Full day from a Sharm marina | Shark and Yolanda reefs; many trips add White Island | $55 |
| Ras Mohammed by bus | Drive about 12 km into the park, snorkel from shore | Mangrove channel, earthquake crack pools, Magic Lake viewpoint | $25 |
| Tiran Island by boat | Full day on the reefs in the Straits of Tiran | Reefs off Tiran with the island as a backdrop | $55 |
| Glass-bottom boat or semi-submarine | Short boat trip, no swimming needed | Coral viewing for non-swimmers and children | $46 |
Ras Mohammed became a protected area in 1983 and covers 480 km², most of it sea. Beyond the reefs it has a small mangrove stand along a 1.16 km channel and, about 150 m inland, cracks left by earthquakes that hold pools over 14 m deep. Boats from Sharm reach Ras Mohammed and Tiran within about two hours, so either trip fills most of a day.
Budget for cash fees on top of the trip price Worth it
Tour operators state that since 1 December 2025 every boat passenger, adult or child, pays a USD 10 marine fee in cash at the marina, in dollars or the euro, sterling or Swiss franc equivalent; it is not included in trip prices. Ras Mohammed also charges an entrance fee: a 2025 decree set entry to Egypt's protectorates at USD 5 per foreigner per day, and tour listings quote USD 5–10. No official notice of the marine fee was found, so carry small dollar notes and ask your operator what is included.
106 Top-rated Ras Mohammed boat trips tours on Excurgo · from $10, typical $55 per person · rated 4.8 across 9,871 reviews
21 Tiran Island boat trips tours on Excurgo · from $20, typical $55 per person · rated 4.6 across 208 reviews
Tiran Island itself was transferred to Saudi Arabia under a 2016 agreement, approved by Egypt's parliament in 2017; boat trips from Sharm to the Tiran reefs were still being sold in 2026.
When is the best time to visit Sharm El Sheikh?
Rain is not the issue: Sharm gets about 7 mm a year and almost none from June to September. What changes is heat and sea temperature. Daytime highs run from about 22 °C in winter to 37.5 °C in July and August, and the sea from about 22 °C in February to nearly 29 °C in August.
October–November and March–May are the best months for most people
In October the sea is still around 27.5 °C and highs are about 31 °C; by November the air drops to about 27 °C while the water stays near 25.6 °C. Spring warms quickly: highs climb from about 25 °C in March to 34 °C in May, with the sea at 22.6–24.6 °C. These months suit both beach days and desert trips.
June to September is for heat-tolerant divers
Average highs sit at 35–37.5 °C, nights stay around 26–28 °C, and the record is 46 °C. The sea is at its warmest, so reef days are comfortable, but desert safaris, Mount Sinai and Cairo are hard work in this heat.
December to February is mild but cooler than many expect
Highs of 22–23 °C are pleasant for sightseeing, but nights fall to about 13–15 °C, a cool north wind often blows, and the sea drops to 22–24 °C. Many snorkellers want a thin wetsuit. Ramadan in 2027 is expected to begin around 8 February, which shortens some opening hours outside the resorts.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Sea | Rain | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21.7 °C | 13.3 °C | 23.3 °C | 0.5 mm | Mild days, cool nights and sea |
| February | 22.4 °C | 13.7 °C | 22.4 °C | 0.2 mm | Coolest sea of the year |
| March | 25.1 °C | 16.1 °C | 22.6 °C | 1.2 mm | Good for desert and Sinai trips |
| April | 29.8 °C | 20.1 °C | 23.1 °C | 0.2 mm | Very good all round |
| May | 33.9 °C | 23.8 °C | 24.6 °C | 0.5 mm | Good; getting hot |
| June | 37.0 °C | 26.5 °C | 26.3 °C | 0 mm | Hot; reef days only |
| July | 37.5 °C | 26.7 °C | 28.3 °C | 0 mm | Hottest; warm sea |
| August | 37.5 °C | 28.0 °C | 28.8 °C | 0 mm | Hottest; warmest sea |
| September | 35.4 °C | 26.5 °C | 27.9 °C | 0 mm | Still very hot |
| October | 31.5 °C | 23.4 °C | 27.5 °C | 0.8 mm | Best balance of sea and air |
| November | 27.0 °C | 18.9 °C | 25.6 °C | 3.3 mm | Very good; the wettest month is still dry |
| December | 23.2 °C | 15.0 °C | 24.4 °C | 0.5 mm | Mild; bring a layer for evenings |
How do you get to Sharm El Sheikh and get around?
| Route | Mode | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK and Europe to Sharm | Direct flight | — | easyJet, TUI, British Airways (seasonal), Wizz Air, Air Cairo, Edelweiss, Neos, Transavia; Jet2 from 2027 |
| Airport to Naama Bay | Taxi or hotel transfer | About 10 minutes | Taxis are not reliably metered: agree the fare first |
| Naama Bay to the Old Market | Taxi or microbus | About 10 minutes | Microbuses are cheap for short hops |
| Naama Bay to Nabq | Taxi | About 12 km | Northern hotel strip |
| Sharm to Dahab | Bus or car | About 1 h 25–35 min, 100 km | East Delta bus twice daily |
| Sharm to St Catherine | Car or tour | About 3 h, 214 km | No direct bus; change in Dahab |
| Sharm to Cairo | Flight · car · bus | About 1 h · 4 h 50 min · 8 h | EgyptAir and Air Cairo fly daily |
| Sharm to Hurghada | Ferry | — | Suspended or irregular since 2018; check before planning |
Inside Sharm most people move by hotel shuttle, taxi or excursion pick-up. The city is ringed by a security wall with checkpoints, so carry your passport on any trip outside your hotel, and expect vehicle checks on longer drives. Excursions almost always include hotel pick-up, which is why the tour itself is usually the simplest way to reach Ras Mohammed, Dahab or St Catherine.
For Cairo, the flight is the realistic option for a day trip: about an hour in the air against nearly five hours each way by road. Bus day trips exist and cost far less, but they mean most of a day and night on the road.
What are the best things to do in Sharm El Sheikh?
Snorkel Ras Mohammed National Park Must do
This is the trip to prioritise if you do only one. Boats stop at reef walls such as Shark and Yolanda reefs, and many combine them with the White Island sandbar. Read the reef comparison for the bus alternative and the cash fees.
Learn to dive, or try it once Must do
Dive courses are among the highest-rated tours in our Sharm catalogue. A try-dive (Discover Scuba) typically costs $46; a full PADI or SSI Open Water course runs about $404 over several days. Choose a centre on reputation, not price: the UK government warns that Red Sea operators' safety standards vary considerably, and that you should not dive below the depth your insurance covers.
13 Highly rated dive courses tours on Excurgo · from $50, typical $404 per person · rated 5.0 across 1,507 reviews
7 Try-dives for beginners tours on Excurgo · from $28, typical $46 per person · rated 4.9 across 2,287 reviews
Dive the Thistlegorm wreck if you are qualified Worth it
The SS Thistlegorm was a supply ship sunk by German bombers in October 1941 near Ras Mohammed, with trucks, motorcycles and two steam locomotives still in its holds. It lies at around 30 m and currents can be strong, so it is a dive for experienced divers; dive days from Sharm typically cost $91.
20 Dive days from Sharm tours on Excurgo · from $25, typical $91 per person · rated 4.9 across 236 reviews
Spend an evening in the desert with stargazing Must do
The classic Sharm evening combines a camel ride, a Bedouin-style dinner and stargazing in the desert behind the city; sunset versions are cooler than daytime safaris in summer. Expect to pay around $51. Desert outings should stay on established tracks: Wikivoyage notes landmines in Egypt's deserts, including near Sharm.
43 Desert evenings and stargazing tours on Excurgo · from $19, typical $51 per person · rated 4.7 across 186 reviews
Ride a quad bike, but pick the operator carefully Worth it
Quad safaris are one of the most common excursions in our Sharm catalogue, often packaged as '5 in 1' with a camel ride and dinner, at a typical $31. The UK government reports several serious quad accidents involving British visitors in resort areas: insist on a helmet and a guide, and choose a buggy ($40) if you want someone else driving or are travelling with children.
135 Top-rated quad and desert safaris tours on Excurgo · from $5, typical $31 per person · rated 4.8 across 8,240 reviews
Walk Naama Bay and the Old Market in the evening Worth it
Naama Bay is the centre for restaurants, shops and nightlife. In the south, the Old Market (Sharm El Maya) is dominated by the Ottoman-style Al Sahaba Mosque, and the Coptic Heavenly Cathedral is a regular stop on city tours. A taxi from Naama Bay to the Old Market takes about ten minutes; guided city tours cost around $45.
65 City tours with the Old Market tours on Excurgo · from $5, typical $45 per person · rated 4.7 across 1,204 reviews
See the Sharm El Sheikh Museum Worth it
Opened in October 2020, the museum displays about 5,200 artefacts, a useful substitute if a Cairo day trip is too long or too expensive. Check current hours and prices locally: they are not published online in a reliable form.
Visit the mangroves of Nabq Worth it
Nabq Protected Area north of the city has about 4.5 km of mangroves, the northernmost in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean system, plus reefs with more than 200 hard coral species and over 400 fish species. It lies next to the northern hotel strip.
Parasailing and water sports Worth it
Parasailing, banana boats and similar rides are sold from the beaches and hotels, typically at about $40. Check that your travel insurance covers water sports: the UK government notes that sea rescue can cost more than USD 4,000 an hour.
26 Parasailing in Sharm tours on Excurgo · from $8, typical $40 per person · rated 4.8 across 495 reviews
Worth skipping
- Dinner cruises ($45) if you are on all-inclusive: you pay again for a meal and a show, and the sea is dark.
- Semi-submarines if you can swim: a snorkel trip to Ras Mohammed shows far more for a similar morning. Keep them for non-swimmers and small children.
- Petra in one day unless you will never come back to the region: it is a very long day with a border and a ferry, and same-day visitors pay the top Petra rate (JD 90).
- Diving the Blue Hole arch: it is a technical dive far below recreational limits. Snorkel or dive the shallow rim instead.
What are the best day trips from Sharm El Sheikh?
Sharm's day trips split into Sinai trips, which are reasonable by road, and trips to Cairo, Luxor and Petra, which need a flight or a border crossing and a very early start. Remember the visa question before booking anything beyond Dahab.
| Trip | Distance / travel | What you see | Typical tour price | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dahab, Blue Hole and canyon | About 100 km, 1.5 h each way | Dahab's seafront, snorkelling at the Blue Hole rim, a desert canyon | $60 | Best-value full day |
| Mount Sinai and St Catherine's Monastery | About 214 km, 3 h each way | Sunrise from the 2,285 m summit, the monastery | $70 | Worth it if you can walk 2–3 hours uphill at night |
| Cairo and the pyramids | About 1 h flight, or 5 h by road | Giza pyramids, a museum | $245 | Fly, don't bus |
| Luxor | By plane | Luxor's ancient sites | $410 | Expensive; better as a separate trip |
| Petra (Jordan) | Road, then a ferry across the Gulf of Aqaba to Jordan | Petra | $340 | Only if Jordan is not otherwise on your list |
Dahab and the Blue Hole are the easiest big day out Must do
Dahab is about 100 km up the coast. Day trips usually combine a jeep ride to a desert canyon (many itineraries use a canyon named Salama), snorkelling at the Blue Hole a few kilometres north of Dahab, and lunch in town. The Blue Hole's shallow rim is a normal snorkel site; its reputation comes from divers who attempt the arch at about 55 m, and more than 130 deaths were estimated over 15 years to 2012. The Coloured Canyon proper is near Nuweiba, about 90 km beyond Dahab.
71 Dahab and Blue Hole day trips tours on Excurgo · from $10, typical $60 per person · rated 4.7 across 2,375 reviews
Mount Sinai at sunrise means a night without sleep Must do
Mount Sinai (Jabal Musa) rises to 2,285 m. The camel path takes about 2.5 hours on foot; the steeper route climbs around 3,750 stone steps. A local guide is required and is hired at the trailhead, and many tours start the climb after midnight to reach the summit for sunrise. Pack warm layers for the wait at the top before dawn.
Saint Catherine's Monastery, at the foot of the mountain, was built between 548 and 565 and is described as the oldest continuously inhabited Christian monastery; its library is the oldest still operating. It opens to visitors only for a few morning hours and closes on Fridays, Sundays and Orthodox feast days, according to a 2026 visitor guide, so check that your tour day works. Shoulders and knees must be covered.
118 Mount Sinai and St Catherine trips tours on Excurgo · from $11, typical $70 per person · rated 4.5 across 792 reviews
Cairo in a day works only by plane Worth it
Cairo day trips typically cost $245, most of them with return flights; bus trips start from about $20 but spend roughly ten hours on the road. At Giza the plateau ticket is EGP 700 for foreign adults and does not include the pyramid interiors. If the trip includes the Grand Egyptian Museum, its foreign entry rises from USD 30 to USD 35 on 1 November 2026, and tickets are timed and sold only through the official site.
136 Cairo day trips by plane tours on Excurgo · from $20, typical $245 per person · rated 4.7 across 3,221 reviews
How many days do you need in Sharm El Sheikh?
Most flights and packages run for a week, and that is the right length. Fewer than five days leaves no room for a long day trip after the reef days, and long trips such as Mount Sinai need a rest day after them.
4 days
Ras Mohammed by boat, a desert evening with stargazing, Dahab and the Blue Hole, a beach day.
Tours ≈ $55 + $51 + $60, plus marine and park fees
7 days
Add Tiran, a try-dive or two dive days, Mount Sinai at sunrise, and an evening in Naama Bay and the Old Market.
Add ≈ $55 + $46 + $70
10+ days
Take a PADI Open Water course or dive daily, and add Cairo by plane. Buy the full visa before you fly.
Course ≈ $404 · Cairo ≈ $245 · visa USD 30
How much do tours and excursions cost in Sharm El Sheikh?
Prices below are the typical, cheapest and upper-range prices in our catalogue, updated automatically. The wide spread inside each line usually reflects group size, private boats or yachts, and whether park fees, lunch and transfers are included.
| Activity | Tours | From | Typical | Top end |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ras Mohammed and White Island boat trips | 106 | $10 | $55 | $114 |
| Ras Mohammed by bus or car | 25 | $9 | $25 | $56 |
| Tiran Island boat trips | 21 | $20 | $55 | $140 |
| Try-dives (Discover Scuba) | 7 | $28 | $46 | $97 |
| Dive days and packages | 20 | $25 | $91 | $319 |
| Dive courses (PADI / SSI) | 13 | $50 | $404 | $455 |
| Quad bike and desert safaris | 135 | $5 | $31 | $95 |
| Dune buggy safaris | 13 | $19 | $40 | $67 |
| Camel, Bedouin dinner and stargazing | 43 | $19 | $51 | $185 |
| Dahab, Blue Hole and canyon trips | 71 | $10 | $60 | $185 |
| Mount Sinai and St Catherine trips | 118 | $11 | $70 | $308 |
| Cairo and Giza day trips | 136 | $20 | $245 | $550 |
| Luxor day trips by plane | 25 | $55 | $410 | $820 |
| Petra day trips | 20 | $200 | $340 | $488 |
| City tours and Old Market | 65 | $5 | $45 | $90 |
| Glass-bottom boats and semi-submarines | 22 | $25 | $46 | $75 |
| Parasailing and water sports | 26 | $8 | $40 | $87 |
| Hammam and spa | 29 | $20 | $46 | $80 |
92% of tours in our catalogue offer free cancellation. Boat trips add a USD 10 marine fee in cash (operators say since December 2025), and Ras Mohammed adds a park fee; Petra same-day visitors pay JD 90 at the gate if it is not included.
Where should you stay in Sharm El Sheikh?
Verdict: Stay in or near Naama Bay if you want to walk to restaurants and go out in the evening; choose Nabq for a quieter resort holiday next to the Nabq protected area, and accept that you will take taxis. The Old Market area (Sharm El Maya) suits travellers who want local prices and are not tied to an all-inclusive.
| Area | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Naama Bay | Restaurants, nightlife, walking | Busier and noisier; beaches crowded |
| Nabq | Newer resort strip in the north, near the Nabq protected area | About 12 km from Naama Bay and the Old Market |
| Hadaba and Sharm El Maya (Old Market) | Old Market, Al Sahaba Mosque, independent travel | Check beach access before booking |
Most hotels in Sharm are three- to six-star all-inclusive resorts, and budget rooms are scarce. Wikivoyage advises treating official star ratings with caution, so read recent reviews on the reef access and the beach rather than relying on stars.
Is Sharm El Sheikh safe? Rules, safety and money
The UK Foreign Office does not advise against travel to Sharm El Sheikh. It advises against all travel to North Sinai and against all but essential travel to the northern part of South Sinai beyond the St Catherine–Nuweiba road; the coast is excluded. US advice has long told citizens not to travel to the Sinai except to Sharm El Sheikh by air; the overall US level for Egypt was 3 in a 2025 summary and was reported as Level 2 in March 2026. Read your own government's page before booking road trips inland.
- Quad bikes and boats cause more harm to visitors than crime: helmets on quads, and choose established boat and dive operators.
- Sharks are rare but attacks have happened on the Red Sea coast, most recently at Marsa Alam in December 2024 outside the swimming zone. Swim in marked areas, near other people, and not at dawn, dusk or night.
- Women travelling alone: most reported sexual assaults on British visitors happened in Red Sea resorts, often by hotel or excursion staff. Do not let staff into your room when alone.
- Touts and scams are the usual annoyance; report crime to the tourist police on 126 before you leave Egypt.
- Alcohol is legal only in licensed venues, private homes and resorts; drinking elsewhere can lead to arrest.
- Ramadan: do not eat, drink or smoke in public in daylight outside your hotel.
- Drones need Ministry of Defence permission; penalties reach seven years in prison. Do not photograph military sites or children, and ask before photographing people.
- LGBT+ travellers: same-sex activity is not explicitly illegal, but people have been prosecuted under 'debauchery' laws; avoid public displays of affection.
- Tap water is not drinkable; it is fine for brushing teeth.
- Money: restaurants add a 10–15% service charge, which often does not reach staff, so leave a small cash tip; guides and drivers often prefer US dollars. You may carry up to EGP 5,000 in or out of Egypt.
What mistakes do travellers regret in Sharm El Sheikh?
- Entering on the free stamp, then booking Cairo or Luxor. The stamp covers only Sharm, Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba. Pay the USD 30 visa at the airport if there is any chance you will go further.
- Arriving at the marina without cash. Boat trips carry a USD 10 marine fee and Ras Mohammed a park fee, paid in cash and usually not in the price.
- Choosing the cheapest quad or dive operator. The UK government highlights quad accidents and uneven dive safety; reviews and a helmet matter more than a few dollars.
- Planning Mount Sinai for a Friday or Sunday and expecting to see the monastery. It closes those days and on Orthodox feasts, and opens only in the morning.
- Taking the bus to Cairo for a day. Nearly five hours each way by road; fly if you go.
- Underestimating winter. December to February nights fall to about 13–15 °C and the sea to 22–24 °C; pack a layer and consider a wetsuit for snorkelling.
- Swimming at dusk or outside marked zones. Shark incidents on the Red Sea coast have happened outside designated swimming areas.
- Getting into an unmetered taxi without a price. Agree the fare before the car moves.
Sharm El Sheikh FAQ
Do I need a visa for Sharm El Sheikh?
British visitors, and some other nationalities, arriving by air at Sharm get a free entry stamp for up to 15 days in Sharm, Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba. For anywhere else in Egypt you need a visa: USD 30 in cash on arrival, valid 30 days, or an e-visa bought in advance.
Does the free Sinai stamp cover Ras Mohammed and St Catherine?
Sources disagree, and the UK government's page lists only Sharm, Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba. If either trip is in your plans, the USD 30 visa removes the doubt.
Is Sharm El Sheikh safe to visit in 2026?
The UK does not advise against travel to Sharm, and US advice exempts Sharm reached by air from its Sinai warning. The practical risks are quad bike and boat accidents, touts, and, for women alone, harassment in resorts.
What is the best month to visit Sharm El Sheikh?
October and April are the best balance: highs around 30–31 °C and a sea of 23–27.5 °C. July and August are the hottest months at about 37.5 °C, while January and February bring cool nights and a sea around 22–23 °C.
Is Ras Mohammed better by boat or by bus?
By boat for the reefs: boats reach walls such as Shark and Yolanda reefs. The bus suits people who get seasick and want the mangroves and crack pools, and it is usually cheaper ($25 against $55).
What extra fees are charged on boat trips in Sharm?
Operators say a USD 10 marine fee per person has applied to all boat trips since 1 December 2025, paid in cash at the marina. Ras Mohammed also charges an entrance fee, quoted at USD 5–10 per adult.
Can you climb Mount Sinai on a trip from Sharm El Sheikh?
Yes. Tours drive about three hours overnight, climb the 2,285 m mountain for sunrise with a required local guide, and usually visit St Catherine's Monastery afterwards. The walk up the camel path takes about 2.5 hours.
Is a day trip to Cairo from Sharm worth it?
Only by plane: the flight is about an hour, while the road is nearly five hours each way. Flight trips typically cost $245; the Giza plateau ticket is EGP 700 and the Grand Egyptian Museum rises to USD 35 from 1 November 2026.
Are there sharks in Sharm El Sheikh?
Sharks live in the Red Sea and attacks on tourists are rare but have happened along the Egyptian coast, most recently near Marsa Alam in December 2024. Swim in marked areas and avoid the water at dawn, dusk and night.
Can you drink alcohol in Sharm El Sheikh?
Yes, in licensed bars and restaurants, private homes and resorts. Drinking in public elsewhere is illegal and can lead to arrest.
Sources and how this guide is made
Written by the Excurgo editorial team with AI assistance. We are a tour comparison site, not a tour operator, and we have not personally tested every tour. Every fact was researched in official and specialist sources and checked against them before publication; prices, ratings and tour counts come from our live catalogue of 1,147 Sharm El Sheikh tours. Ratings and review counts are collected by Viator and Tripadvisor. Tours are picked by rating weighted by number of reviews (at least 20); we earn a commission from Viator when you book, and it does not affect the order.
- GOV.UK (FCDO) — Egypt entry requirements: Sharm stamp, visa on arrival, Taba, currency limits (Oct 2026)
- GOV.UK (FCDO) — Egypt travel advice: Sinai areas advised against (Aug 2026)
- GOV.UK (FCDO) — Egypt safety and security: diving, quad bikes, sharks, laws (Oct 2026)
- OSAC (US Department of State) — Egypt country report, Sinai exception for Sharm by air (Mar 2025)
- Petra Development & Tourism Region Authority — Petra entrance fees (Oct 2026)
- Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities — Giza Plateau tickets (Oct 2026)
- Grand Egyptian Museum official ticketing — booking rules (Oct 2026)
- Wikipedia — Sharm El Sheikh: geography, history and climate table (Oct 2026)
- Wikipedia — Ras Muhammad National Park (Oct 2026)
- Wikipedia — Mount Sinai: routes and guide requirement (Oct 2026)
- Wikipedia — Saint Catherine's Monastery (Oct 2026)
- Wikivoyage — Sharm el-Sheikh: getting around, safety, hotels (Sep 2025)
- Egypt Today — Grand Egyptian Museum prices from November 2026 (May 2026)
- CBS News — Red Sea shark attack near Marsa Alam (Dec 2024)
- Cassidy Travel (tour seller) — marine fee on Sharm boat trips from December 2025 (2026)
Photos come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences (CC BY, CC BY-SA, CC0 or public domain); the author and licence are shown under each one. They show the places described, not the exact tours listed.
Changelog. 24 October 2026: guide published with the 2026 Sharm entry stamp rules, the December 2025 boat marine fee, FCDO Sinai advice of August 2026 and the November 2026 Grand Egyptian Museum price rise.
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