Sharm El Sheikh Travel Advice

Threat level: Medium
There are reported cases of the coronavirus in Egypt and measures have been taken to control the spread of the virus, making the use of face masks compulsory in enclosed public places, imposing a ban on large events, ordering the closure of schools, restricting public transport services between 00:00 and 04:00, and requiring public venues such as restaurants, bars, clubs, hotels and resorts to operate at a reduced capacity.

Egypt has resumed international flights on the 1st of July but they are limited. Passengers must comply with different entry rules, with the obligations to complete a monitoring card with personal details, to provide evidence of a valid travel insurance at the airport, to present a negative PCR test certificate on arrival taken no more than 72 hours prior to travelling.

See our healthcare section for precautions to take against the disease.

The overall travel advice for Sharm El Sheikh is for tourists to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to Police. There is a risk of terrorism in Sharm El Sheikh.

Sharm El Sheikh is a popular resort in the Red Sea that has suffered a decline in tourism due to a rise in terrorism in the past few years. The threat of terrorism is high and the UK FCO had operated a ban on air travel to and from Sharm El Sheikh, after the crash of a Russian plane in North Sinai that departed from Sharm El Sheikh. However, after four years this ban has now been lifted and UK flights are resumed to the resort. Airport security has significantly improved since the plane attack, and the Egyptian Government has enhanced security in Sharm El Sheikh with the presence of a local tourist police, partially as a response to the attack in Tunisia.

Intelligent Protection International Limited does provide its clients with Security and Bodyguard services across Egypt including in Sharm El Sheikh. If these services interest you, please visit our page Bodyguard services in Egypt.

Petty crime such as pickpocketing and bag snatching is particularly high in Sharm El Sheikh in tourist locations and in public transport. The best travel advice for Sharm El Sheikh is that it is recommended carrying only a small amount of cash on you, taking a copy of your passport when going out and leaving the original with other valuables in the safe of your hotel room. If you are the victim of a crime, it is essential to report it to the local tourist police who operate in hotels and at tourist sites, as failing to do so would stop you from seeking prosecution later down the line.

There is a moderate risk of mugging in Sharm El Sheikh with previous reported cases of car-jacking and kidnapping, although tourists aren’t the primary target of such crime. Muggers stop cars and are armed, it is best not to resist as their intention is to steal your valuables not to harm you.

Be wary of local shopkeepers inviting you to have tea inside their shops, they will take this opportunity to pressure you to buy their wares.

Egypt being a Muslim country, be respectful and follow local laws and customs when visiting Sharm El Sheikh. Women can be subject to unwanted interest and harassment in Sharm El Sheikh. It is therefore recommended for women not to walk around Sharm El Sheikh alone, avoid going out at night on their own and wear clothes that cover their arms, legs and chest. Cases of sexual assaults against female tourists have occurred in the past.

Protests and demonstrations take place occasionally and can turn violent. Avoid any public gatherings and don’t get involved in local public disputes.

If you intend to dive or snorkel in the Red Sea during your stay in Sharm El Sheikh, the best advice is to use a reputable tour operator as safety standards of diving operators in Sharm El Sheikh are not always up to the safety standards you might find in Europe or the United States of America.

Sharm El Sheikh Terror Attacks

On the 31st of October 2015, a Russian plane departing from Sharm El Sheikh going to St Petersburg crashed in North Sinai, killing all passengers on board.

On the 23rd of July 2005, terrorist targeted the Sharm El Sheikh resort with two separate bomb attacks on the Ghazala Gardens Hotel in the Naama Bay area and in a market in downtown Sharm, resulting in the deaths of 88 people and over 150 casualties. The date of the attack coincided with Egypt’s Revolution Day.

The standard of driving is poor in Sharm El Sheikh, so it is not advisable to self-drive in the city.

It is safer for tourists to travel on a planned trip than using other forms of transport including public transport. When travelling by bus, tourists should ensure that they are not the last passenger on the bus.

When using a taxi, agree a rate for the taxi ride before committing to the journey, as there have been cases of taxi drivers claiming that they don’t have a meter and passengers being overcharged once they’ve reached their destination. Women are advised to sit on the back seat of a cab.

Sharm El Sheikh is subject to a variety of natural hazards including sand and dust storms, strong winds and heavy rain.

Police emergency: 122 or 02/303 4122.
Tourist Police: 126
Traffic Police: 128
Fire emergency: 180
Medical emergency: 123

Official languages: Arabic (Egyptian Arabic)
Religion: Islam
Currency: Egyptian pound
Time now in Cairo:

U.S. Embassy Cairo
5 Tawfik Diab Street,
Garden City,
Cairo,
Egypt
Telephone: +20 (2) 2797 3300
Emergency telephone: +20 (2) 2797 3300
Email: consularcairoiv@state.gov

British Embassy Cairo

7 Ahmed Ragheb,
Qasr Ad Dobarah,
Qasr an Nile,
Cairo Governorate 11451,
Egypt
Telephone: +20 (2) 2791 6000
Email: information.cairo@fco.gov.uk

The American Center Alexandria (ACA)

3 Pharaana Street,
Alexandria
Telephone: +20 (2) 3486 1009

UK, EU and USA Passport holders travelling to Sharm El Sheikh for a maximum stay of 15 Days do not require a visa prior to travelling; a free entry permission stamp will be granted upon arrival. If visitors intend to travel outside of the above-mentioned areas they must obtain a Visa. A tourist visa can be obtained prior to travelling to Egypt via the Visa2Egypt portal or on arrival, and is valid for 3 months.

Visitors should check the latest visa requirements with the Egyptian government or your local Embassy. Alternatively, further information can be found here: Visa Check Egypt

COVID-19 cases have been reported in Egypt. There is no vaccination against the disease, precautions must be taken to avoid contracting the disease such as wearing a face mask, applying good hygiene practices, maintaining social distancing and avoiding public gatherings and unnecessary travel.

It is advised that visitors to Sharm El Sheikh are up-to-date with primary boosters such as MMR. It is further recommended that most travellers get Tetanus, Typhoid and Hepatitis A vaccinations. You may also want to consider vaccinations for Hepatitis B, however you should check with your local health professional prior to travel if you are unsure.

The medical facilities in Cairo and many of the tourist resorts are thought to be of an adequate standard, however facilities beyond this are variable. You should keep this in mind if travelling away from such areas.

There is a risk of Dengue in Sharm El Sheikh, a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes, so take precautions to avoid mosquito bites as there is no vaccine.

Schistosomiasis (a parasitic infection) is also an issue, so it is advised against swimming in fresh water in Egypt.

Hepatitis, Filariasis and rabies can flare up in the country, alongside water-borne, food-borne and insect-borne diseases. Personal hygiene must be paramount, the local water supply avoided at all costs and bottled water inspected prior to consumption. There have been a number of cases of bottled water being refilled with tap water and re-sold has come to our attention.

It is highly recommended full travel and medical insurance is checked for coverage prior to travel. The medical facilities in Sharm El Sheikh are limited and in some cases medical evacuation may be required, and treatment can prove to be extremely costly.