Sharm El Sheikh International Airport (SSH) is close to almost every hotel in the resort: about 10 minutes to Nabq Bay and Sharks Bay, 15–20 minutes to Naama Bay, and 25–30 minutes to the Old Market and Hadaba. You can take a taxi from outside arrivals or pre-book a Sharm El Sheikh airport transfer so a driver is waiting when you walk out. Below is the arrival process step by step, a drive-time table for every area, and an honest comparison of both options.
Arriving at Sharm El Sheikh airport, step by step
1. From the plane to passport control
Depending on where your aircraft parks, you either walk into the terminal or take a short bus ride from the plane. Follow the signs for arrivals and passport control. When several flights land close together the queues can be long, so keep your passport, return flight details and hotel address within reach rather than buried in a bag.
Entry requirements depend on your passport and change from time to time. Check the current entry rules for your nationality before you fly — your airline and official Egyptian government sources are the right places to confirm — so there are no surprises at the desk.
2. Baggage reclaim
After passport control, collect your luggage from the belt. Count your bags before you leave the hall, and check them for damage while you can still report it to the airline. Bags are sometimes scanned again on the way out, so keep moving with the queue.
3. SIM cards and cash
Two things most people sort out on day one:
- A local SIM or eSIM. Buy a SIM from an official mobile operator counter or shop; you’ll usually need your passport to register it. If your phone supports eSIM, buying one before you travel saves a queue.
- Some cash. The local currency is the Egyptian pound (EGP). US dollars and euros are widely accepted in tourist areas, but small notes in pounds are handy, because tipping is customary in Egypt — porters, drivers and hotel staff all appreciate it. If you need cash, use an ATM or a bank exchange counter rather than anyone offering to change money informally.
4. Finding your driver
With a pre-booked transfer, your driver meets you in the arrivals area with your name and walks you to the car — meet and greet is part of the service. If you don’t spot them straight away, don’t go off with anyone else who offers a ride. Message us on WhatsApp and we’ll connect you within minutes.
Tip: Send your flight number when you book, and drop a quick WhatsApp message when you land or if your flight is delayed. Our support runs 24/7, so someone is always on the other end.
Drive times from Sharm El Sheikh airport to each area
The airport sits on the north side of Sharm, so most hotels are a short drive away. These are typical times in normal traffic:
| From SSH airport to | Approx. drive | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Nabq Bay & Ras Nasrani | about 10 min | The closest resorts to the airport |
| Sharks Bay & Soho Square | about 10 min | Cliff-side hotels, evenings at Soho Square |
| Naama Bay | 15–20 min (about 12–15 km) | The busiest bay, promenade and nightlife |
| Old Market (Sharm El Maya) | about 25 min | Old Sharm and Al Sahaba Mosque |
| Hadaba / Ras Um Sid | 25–30 min | Cliff-top hotels on the south side |
| Dahab | about 1 h 15 – 1 h 30 | Mountain road, passport checkpoints |
| Nuweiba | about 2.5 h | Ferry port to Aqaba, beach camps |
| Taba | about 3–3.5 h | Via Dahab and Nuweiba, border crossing |
| Cairo | about 6–7 h | Via the Suez Canal tunnel |
Not sure which area your hotel is in, or still choosing one? Our guide to where to stay in Sharm El Sheikh explains the differences.
Sharm airport taxi or pre-booked transfer? An honest comparison
Both options get you to your hotel. Which one is better depends on your group, your luggage and the time you land.
| Taxi from the rank | Pre-booked transfer | |
|---|---|---|
| Booking | None — walk out and take one | Arranged in advance on WhatsApp |
| Price | Agreed with the driver on the spot | Quoted clearly before you travel |
| At arrivals | You find the taxi rank yourself | Driver meets you in arrivals |
| Vehicle | Whatever is next in line | Car or minivan chosen for your group and bags |
| Child seat | Unlikely | On request — we confirm when you book |
| Best for | Light travellers happy to negotiate | Families, groups, late arrivals, first-time visitors |
When a taxi from the rank makes sense
If you’re one or two people with small bags, landing in daylight and comfortable agreeing a fare, a taxi from outside arrivals is a perfectly workable choice. Agree the price, the currency and the exact hotel before you load your bags, and have the hotel name written down — some Sharm hotel names sound very alike.
When a pre-booked transfer is worth it
A pre-booked Sharm El Sheikh airport transfer removes the bargaining at the end of a long flight. The price is agreed before you travel, with no hidden fees, the driver is already waiting, and the vehicle fits everyone: a private air-conditioned car for couples or a Toyota Hiace-style minivan for bigger groups. It’s door to door, from the terminal to your hotel entrance.
Families and lots of luggage
Families are where planning pays off most. When you book, tell us:
- how many adults, children and babies are travelling,
- how many suitcases, plus any strollers, golf bags or dive gear,
- whether you need a child seat — tell us and we’ll confirm before you fly.
With that information we send the right size of vehicle, so nobody rides with a suitcase on their lap. Keep one small bag with swimwear, sun cream and snacks on top: hotel rooms often aren’t ready until the afternoon, and the pool is the best waiting room in Sharm.
Landing late at night
Tired children, a long passport queue and a fare negotiation at the kerb are not a great combination, which is why late arrivals are where a booked SSH airport transfer really earns its place. A few habits help:
- Tell your hotel you’ll arrive late so the room is held and reception expects you.
- Ask whether any food will be available — restaurants may be closed, but many hotels can leave a snack.
- Keep water and a charged phone in your hand luggage.
- Plan an easy first day; save the full-day excursions for day two or three.
Going home: when to leave for the airport
For most hotels, plan to leave 2.5–3 hours before your flight time. Lean towards 3 hours if you’re staying in the Old Market or Hadaba, checking several bags, or flying at a busy time of day. For example, for a 14:00 flight from a Naama Bay hotel, a pick-up around 11:00–11:30 works well.
Expect security screening at the terminal entrance as well as before the gate — Egyptian airports usually scan bags as you walk in, so the queue starts at the door. Hotel check-out is usually around midday; if your flight is in the evening, ask about a late check-out or a room to shower in. We agree your pick-up time with you on WhatsApp in advance, and one booking can cover both directions, so your ride home is settled from day one.
Getting around once you’ve arrived
The same local team handles short rides around town. Taxi Mido covers trips to Naama Bay, the Old Market, Soho Square, restaurants and beaches — see our taxi service in Sharm El Sheikh for how it works. Save +20 10 1868 1624 in your phone for any ride, day or night: a pre-booked in-town taxi with a local driver means no flagging down cars on the roadside. When you’re ready to plan your days, our list of the best things to do in Sharm El Sheikh is a good place to start.
