Travel tips · Sharm El Sheikh · Egypt
Sharm El Sheikh travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Tanya Dedyukhina, CC BY 3.0
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Quick answer
Sharm El Sheikh is a purpose-built resort city that grew from a small fishing and military outpost from the 1970s onwards, so most residents come from elsewhere in Egypt to work in tourism. South Sinai's Bedouin tribes keep their own traditions in the desert interior.
Key facts
- Language
- Arabic (Egyptian) and English
- Currency
- EGP
- Plugs
- Type C and F sockets, 220 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Do not drink tap water; bottled water is sold everywhere and provided by most…
- Emergency
- 122 police, 123 ambulance, 126 tourist police
Things to know
- Swimwear is fine on hotel beaches and pools; cover up in the Old Market, taxis and town.
- Dress modestly and remove shoes if entering a mosque; women should cover their hair.
- Never touch, stand on or take coral and shells; it damages the reef and is illegal in protected areas.
- Ask before photographing local people, especially Bedouin women.
- Respect Ramadan by not eating or drinking in public during the day outside resorts.
- Book SS Thistlegorm wreck ahead: Dive centres run the trip on set days; book a few days ahead and bring your certification card and logbook.
- Compare all-inclusive packages against room-only deals; eating out in the Old Market is often better and still inexpensive.
Tipping
Tipping is expected: small notes for boat crews, dive guides, drivers, porters and housekeeping, and about 10% in restaurants if service is not included. Tip boat crews at the end of a day trip.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Salam alaikum | Hello (peace be upon you) |
| Shukran | Thank you |
| La, shukran | No, thank you |
| Bikam? | How much? |
| Yalla | Let's go |
What to wear
Resort wear is fine in the bays, but bring a light layer for evenings from December to March and a sweater for desert nights and Mount Sinai, which is cold before sunrise.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type C and F sockets, 220 V, 50 Hz
- Drinking water
- Do not drink tap water; bottled water is sold everywhere and provided by most hotels.
- Emergency number
- 122 police, 123 ambulance, 126 tourist police
- Phone and internet
- Local SIM cards and eSIMs give good coverage in the resorts; Wi-Fi is standard in hotels but often weaker in rooms far from the lobby.
- Time zone
- Africa/Cairo
Check your own government's travel advice before travel. Common issues are persistent touts and unagreed taxi fares, coral cuts, sea urchins and strong currents on exposed reefs, and intense sun and heat; follow boat crews' briefings and stay hydrated.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check Egypt's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Sharm El Sheikh?
Tipping is expected: small notes for boat crews, dive guides, drivers, porters and housekeeping, and about 10% in restaurants if service is not included. Tip boat crews at the end of a day trip.
+Can you drink the tap water in Sharm El Sheikh?
Do not drink tap water; bottled water is sold everywhere and provided by most hotels.
+What plugs are used in Sharm El Sheikh?
Type C and F sockets, 220 V, 50 Hz
+What language is spoken in Sharm El Sheikh?
Arabic (Egyptian) and English.