Sharm El Sheikh International Airport

Sharm El Sheikh International Airport (SSH) is the main airport for South Sinai and Egypt’s third-busiest, handling about 6.8 million passengers in 2024. It lies north of the resort, close to Nabq Bay, and roughly 12 km from Naama Bay. First built as a military airfield, it opened to civilian traffic after Sinai returned to Egypt in the early 1980s, and has grown with the resort.

Terminals

• Terminal 1 opened in 2007 and handles most international and charter flights.
• Terminal 2, the original building, was modernised and is used for some domestic and other flights.

The terminals are close together. Check your booking for the right one.

Airlines and routes

Air Cairo and other Egyptian airlines have bases here, and EgyptAir links Sharm with Cairo. International traffic is mainly leisure flights from Europe, Russia and the Gulf. Carriers include easyJet, Jet2, TUI, Wizz Air, Turkish Airlines, Saudia, flynas and Aeroflot, plus many charter operators. UK flights returned after the UK lifted its flight ban in October 2019.

Getting to town

• Hotel and tour transfers: the usual choice for package holidays. Independent travellers can pre-book.
• Taxis wait outside arrivals. Agree the fare in Egyptian pounds before you set off. The ride to Naama Bay takes about 15–25 minutes.
• Ride-hailing: coverage is patchy. Don’t count on Uber or Careem at the airport.
• Dahab is about 90 km north-east and St Catherine about 220 km by road. Book a transfer for either.

Facilities

Expect currency exchange, ATMs, mobile SIM counters, duty-free, cafés and lounges, with more choice in Terminal 1.

Tips

• Sinai-only entry stamp: if you fly into Sharm and stay less than 15 days at the resorts of Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba or Taba, you can ask for a free entry permission stamp instead of a visa. It does not allow travel to Cairo, Luxor or elsewhere in Egypt. If you plan to leave the resorts or stay longer, buy a full visa (US$30 cash on arrival) or get an e-visa. See the official entry requirements.
• Planning an excursion to St Catherine’s Monastery or Mount Sinai? Check whether your stamp covers it, or get a full visa to be safe.
• Security checks start at the terminal entrance, so arrive early for departures.

Last checked October 2026. Sources: en.wikipedia.org, gov.uk, unchartedlens.com.