Cheap flights to Sharm el-Sheikh

Quick summary

Why watch Sharm el-Sheikh with SniperAir

You don't need to compare prices every day

Airport and transfer

An airport about ten minutes from the bay

Approximate times, based on Wikivoyage (EN); check routes and timetables before travelling. We do not quote fares.

The districts

Na'ama Bay is the tourist centre, with hotels, restaurants, bars and largely pedestrian streets. The Old Market (Sharm el-Maya) is the old part of town, with the port; Hadaba is a residential area to the north, and Nabq a newer hotel zone about 12 km from Na'ama Bay according to Wikivoyage.

Distances on the peninsula

Dahab is about 90 km north, around an hour on a mountain road (best avoided at night according to Wikivoyage). Cairo is about 490 km to the north-west (Wikipedia DE): most people fly.

Beaches, bay and sights

At the tip of Sinai, between desert and Red Sea

Sharm el-Sheikh, at the southern end of the Sinai peninsula, began as a fishing village before becoming a naval base and then a major resort. Israel occupied it from 1967 to 1982. The town has hosted several summits, including one in 1999 and COP27 in November 2022 (Wikipedia FR). The dry climate, clear sea and diving explain its success.

Na'ama Bay

Na'ama Bay concentrates hotels, restaurants and shops, and its sea is known for easily accessible reefs. The water is turquoise, and excursion boats come and go until evening. Wikivoyage also mentions an old Russian shipwreck and dolphins in the bay.

At sunset

Hotel jetties and beaches are the best places to watch the sun go down over the sea; late-afternoon boat trips often leave from there. Some jetties are reserved for hotel guests: ask beforehand.

Places of worship and walks

Among the town's landmarks, Wikivoyage lists the Al-Mostafa and Al Sahaba mosques in the Old Market and the Coptic All Saints Church, built between 2002 and 2010 with private donations (Wikipedia DE). The Old Market is the most local district, where people shop and eat at lower prices.

Excursions and distances

Ras Mohammed, Tiran, Thistlegorm, canyons and Mount Sinai

Ras Mohammed and Tiran

Ras Mohammed National Park, at the southern tip of the peninsula, protects the reefs; entry requires official permission (Wikipedia DE). Tiran and Ras Mohammed can be reached by boat in about two hours according to Wikivoyage, which ranks them among the best dive sites in the world. During the day boats crowd onto the same reefs: dive safaris avoid the crowds.

Thistlegorm

The wreck of the Thistlegorm is a major Red Sea dive site, reserved for advanced divers because of strong currents (Wikivoyage). You go by boat from the Sharm area with a reputable operator.

Desert and monastery

Quad or buggy trips lead to the Coloured and White Canyons, and cultural excursions go to St Catherine's Monastery and Mount Sinai (Wikivoyage). Book through local operators; they are long days, so bring water and sun protection and check the safety of the route.

Museums and culture

Few museums: culture centres on places of worship and shows

No major documented museum

We found no major documented museum in Sharm el-Sheikh: Wikipedia (DE) lists none, and Wikipedia (FR) mentions a "museum" only in a photo caption, without details. Do not make it a reason to travel.

Religious buildings

The Al-Mostafa and Al Sahaba mosques and the Coptic All Saints Church are the town's cultural landmarks (Wikivoyage, Wikipedia DE). Respect dress codes and prayer times.

Shows and leisure

Wikivoyage lists shows such as Alf Lela w Lela, water parks and a dolphinarium. They are mostly family attractions; we do not quote prices.

Food and drink

Grills, Red Sea fish and Bedouin tea

Egyptian cooking

The Old Market has inexpensive Egyptian grills, often alcohol-free and sometimes open very late (Wikivoyage). Fish restaurants serve fresh Red Sea catch, and there are many Lebanese places with water pipes as well as Indian ones.

Good to know

Pork is not sold. A 10 to 15 percent service charge is often added to the bill (Wikivoyage). Tap water is not drinkable: drink bottled water, and be careful with salads, cheese and fresh juice that have not been kept cold.

Drinks

Fresh guava juice, mint tea and Bedouin tea are recommended. Alcohol is served in hotels and some bars in Na'ama Bay.

Getting around

Taxis, minibuses and hotel shuttles

Taxis

Meters are usually not working: agree the fare before getting in, pay that price and note the driver's ID number (Wikivoyage). Hotels run shuttles to Na'ama Bay and the Old Market.

Minibuses

Fixed-route minibuses link the north and south of town, with a detour via Hadaba; they are cheap, but you need local small change. There is no structured public transport network (Wikipedia DE).

To other towns

Buses link Dahab, Nuweiba, Cairo and other towns; sea links (Hurghada, Aqaba) vary over time, so check before building an itinerary.

Budget and precautions

A variable budget, closely tied to the hotel package

Price level

Sharm el-Sheikh ranges from very cheap stays to luxury resorts; accommodation and dive trips weigh the most. We do not quote prices because we could not cross-check them on at least two sources.

Flights

The flight is the most variable cost. SniperAir tracks fares to SSH and compares them with the route's history, but does not sell or book tickets. Hurghada (HRG) is another possible entry point on the Red Sea.

Security and travel advice

The region saw attacks in July 2005 and the destruction in flight of an airliner in October 2015 after it took off from Sharm (Wikipedia FR, DE). Several governments advise against certain areas of Sinai, with nuances for Sharm itself; Wikivoyage described it in 2025 as the safest place in Sinai, with checkpoints. Read your foreign ministry's advice. At sea, follow swimming guidance, as shark attacks occurred in 2010.

When to go

Very dry, scorching summers, mild winters

Climate figures

Sharm has a hot desert climate: about 23 °C annual average, highs close to 37 °C in July and August and lows around 13 °C in January (Wikipedia FR, 1971-2000). The sea stays at about 21 °C at its coolest and reaches 27 to 28 °C in late summer (Wikipedia DE, ES). Rain is very rare. Check forecasts before you go.

By trip length

What to do in Sharm el-Sheikh depending on your trip length

In pictures

Sharm el-Sheikh in pictures

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions about flights to Sharm el-Sheikh