Sharm El Sheikh Travel Advice

Best time to go to Sharm El Sheikh

Summers in Sharm El Sheikh are long and dry, and in July and August temperatures hit 37°C and higher, although the beaches are cooled by Red Sea breezes. A good time to come is in spring and autumn, when temperatures hover between a pleasant 24 and 32°C.

Passports & Visas

If you have a British passport, check the foreign travel advice from the FCDO to see if you need a visa. If you have a different passport, check with the Egyptian embassy or consulate before you travel.

You don’t need a visa if you’re visiting Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba resorts for up to 15 days. Instead, you’ll receive a free entry permission stamp on arrival. If you’re travelling outside these resorts or staying for longer than 15 days, you must buy a tourist visa.

You can apply for an e-visa online through the Egypt e-Visa Portal, or you can buy one on arrival if you have a full British passport.

We recommend you sort your visa before you travel to avoid queues. You should apply for your e-visa at least 10 days before you travel.

Visa costs until 31st December 2026

• US$30 per person, including children and infants, from the local authorities
• £28 per person from our local partner, Travco (you’ll see them in the arrivals hall with a TUI and Travco sign)

Visa costs from 1st January 2027

• US$33 per person, including children and infants, from official government sources, plus a US$6 service fee
• £31 per person from Travco

You’ll need to pay in cash for visas bought on arrival, including from Travco, unless you choose the digital visa option at Cairo International Airport.

Digital visas at Cairo International Airport

At Cairo International Airport, you can buy a digital visa on arrival from a self-service machine or through the Visa on Arrival portal. This costs US$36, including a US$6 service fee. You’ll need to pay by card.

For the most up-to-date passport and visa information, visit the FCDO’s entry requirements for Egypt, where you can also register for travel updates.

You can also apply for an e-visa online through our visa partner, Sherpa.

Health & Safety

You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover you while you’re away. For the latest health and safety information, visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt/health