When arriving in Sharm el-Sheikh, you can get a free "Sinai Stamp" (Sinai Only) for 15 days. It allows you to stay only on the Sinai Peninsula: Sharm, Dahab, Nuweiba, Taba. For trips to Cairo, Luxor or Hurghada, you need a tourist visa for $25-45 (from December 2025 the price may increase to $45).

No, with the Sinai stamp you cannot leave the Sinai Peninsula. For a Cairo excursion you need a tourist visa. You can buy it directly on the bus on the way to the excursion for $30. Also, with the Sinai stamp you cannot visit the Ras Mohammed reserve and the Thistlegorm dive site.

From January 2025, the fine for overstaying a visa or Sinai stamp is $140 (was $100). Important: if you overstay, you cannot fly out on a charter from Sharm or Hurghada — only on a regular flight from Cairo.

As of December 2025, the rate is approximately 49-50 EGP per 1 USD. In tourist exchange offices, the rate can be 48-51 EGP. Exchange money at banks or official exchange points — they have fairer rates. Rubles are not profitable to exchange, better bring dollars or euros.

UnionPay works with limitations. After sanctions on Gazprombank (November 2024), its cards do not work abroad. Rosselkhozbank cards are still accepted, but payment goes through only in 15-20% of cases. Cash can be withdrawn from Banque Misr and AAIB ATMs, but the commission is high — 7-10% loss. Better bring cash dollars.

Best rates at banks and official exchange offices (Naama Bay, Old Market). Avoid exchanging at hotels — rates are lower there. When paying in dollars, sellers round up in their favor, so Egyptian pounds are more profitable for purchases. Change may be given in a mix of currencies.

With all inclusive: $200-300 per person is enough for excursions, shopping and entertainment. Without meals: $400-500. Cairo excursion — $45-100, waterpark — $40-50, taxi around the city — $3-7, dinner at a restaurant — $15-25.

Main operators: Vodafone (best coverage 97%), Orange, Etisalat, WE. Prices: 10 GB internet about 250-255 EGP ($5-8). A 43% tax + 65 EGP for the SIM card is added to the tariff price. You can buy at the airport or in the city with passport in 15 minutes.

In most 4-5* hotels WiFi is free, but often works only in the lobby. Internet in rooms may be paid or weak. For stable connection, it is better to buy a local SIM card with 4G.

When buying a tour, transfer is usually included. On your own: taxi $10-30 depending on the hotel (bargain!), transfer via Kiwitaxi/GetTransfer from $27. Uber and Careem work worse in Sharm than in Cairo. InDrive is popular for city trips — 150-200 EGP.

Around the city: $3-7 (150-350 EGP). To Old Market from Hadaba: $5-7. To Naama Bay: $3-5. Blue minibus — $1 per person. Be sure to bargain or use InDrive for a fixed price.

By bus: $45-50 (children 5-11 years $35). Travel time 7-8 hours one way. Included: pyramids, Sphinx, Egyptian Museum, lunch. By plane: $100 (children $80), flight 1 hour. Cairo visa (if you only have Sinai stamp) — $30 on the bus.