Airport Guide to Sharm El Sheikh International (SSH)

Terminal Transfer | Getting into Town | Car Parking | Information Desks | Airport Facilities

The gateway to Egypt’s most popular holiday resorts, Sharm El Sheikh Airport, also known as Ophira Airport, is very busy during holiday season, when budget carriers like bmi and Thomas Cook bring hundreds of thousands of holidaymakers from Europe to the resorts of Sharm El Sheikh Airport and Dahab.

The airport has gradually been modernised over the past decade, with the modern Terminal 2 building absorbing much of the old Terminal 1 building’s traffic. Although there are steady complaints about luggage theft and dirty facilities, the small airport manages to process more than seven million passengers a year, making it Egypt’s second-busiest airport, just behind Cairo.

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Terminal Transfer

There is no transport between terminals, as they are close enough to walk between.

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Getting into Town

Train: There is no train service from Sharm El Sheikh.

Bus: While not a traditional “bus”, public minibuses operate to Sharm El Sheikh throughout the day, leaving as soon as they are full. The trip into town takes about 20 minutes. Many hotels and resorts in Sharm el Sheikh, including Radisson Blu, Sheraton Sharm Hotel, Domina Aquamarine Hotel Resort, and Baron Hotel Resort, operate courtesy shuttles for guests. The shuttles are free, though it is polite to tip the driver EGP2-5 (between £0.20 and £0.50).

Taxi: There are regular taxis and tourist taxis available at the rank outside the arrivals area. A regular taxi fare to Naama Bay is about EGP40 (£4), while the more luxurious tourist taxis with English-speaking drivers are generally double the price. Always insist on using the meter, as taxi drivers will quote ridiculously high prices upfront. A fare to Dahab is between EGP150-250 (£16-£26). Many taxi drivers will accept US Dollars, British Pounds, or Euros, and tipping is standard by rounding up to the nearest bill or coin.

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Car Parking

There is short and long-term parking available in a guarded facility located outside Terminals 1 and 2.

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Information Desks

There are information desks in the terminal building, however the helpfulness of the staff is rather hit-and-miss.

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Airport Facilities

Money and communications: currency exchange and ATMs.

Luggage: Baggage storage facilities are available. There is a lost and found in the Arrivals area. Theft from luggage has been reported; ensure your valuables are carried on your person, and use locks on your check-in luggage.

Conference and business: There are no business facilities at Sharm el Sheikh Airport.

Other facilities: There is a VIP lounge available for US$20, and smoking lounges are available.

Wi-Fi: There is free Wi-Fi.

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