Sharm el-Sheikh Airport serves South Sinai's main beach destination, approximately 15-20 km from the Naama Bay resort area, a world-renowned point of reference for Red Sea coral reef diving.
South Sinai, where Sharm el-Sheikh is located, has a markedly different security profile from North Sinai: it is one of the country's most established and secured tourist zones, with dedicated controls along corridors to the resorts.
How to get to Sharm El Sheikh International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to SSH
Parking near Sharm El Sheikh International Airport
The car park, appropriately sized for tourist traffic, is located in front of the terminal.
Video surveillance is active; costs remain average.
How to get to Sharm El Sheikh from SSH
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Airport transfers you can book in advance
Shuttles and private transfers you can book online, picked from the best rated by travelers.
Sharm El Sheikh Airport (SSH): One-Way Private Hotel Transfer
Private Sharm El Sheikh Airport Transfers
Sharm El Sheikh: Airport Arrival/Departure One-Way Transfer
Private Sharm El Sheikh Airport Transfers
Car rental at Sharm El Sheikh International Airport
Leading car rental brands have desks at the airport.
The agency typically requires a driver's license, passport, credit card, and International Driving Permit.
Hotels near Sharm El Sheikh International Airport
Sharks Bay and Ras Nasrani
About 8-10 km from the terminal, 10-15 minutes by car: it is the stretch of coast closest to the airport among those with large resorts.
Best for: Travelers who want the shortest possible transfer from the terminal, in an exclusive resort away from the Naama Bay crowds.
- The shortest transfer from the terminal among all the areas of Sharm el-Sheikh
- Reef accessible directly from the beach, great for snorkelling without a boat
- Isolated from the evening life of Naama Bay, which still remains a 10-15 minute taxi ride away
- Few independent restaurants nearby: you almost always eat at the resort
Recommended hotels
- Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh On the northern tip of the peninsula, at Ras Nasrani, about 10 minutes from the terminal according to the official website; a kilometre of private beach among limestone cliffs and access to a protected marine reserve. View availability
- DoubleTree by Hilton Sharm El Sheikh Sharks Bay Resort At Sharks Bay, 182 Ras Nusrani, with multiple pools and a view of the Red Sea; among the hotels with the shortest transfer from the terminal in the whole area. View availability
Naama Bay
About 10-12 km from the terminal, 15-20 minutes by car; shuttles from the large resorts need to be booked in advance with flight details.
Best for: Nightlife, restaurants and historic dive centres, on a pedestrian seafront that exists nowhere else in Sharm el-Sheikh.
- The only area with a real pedestrian promenade of restaurants, bars and shops
- A concentration of historic dive centres, like Camel Dive Club, active since 1992, for those who dive every day
- A very busy, touristy area that is noisy in the evening, especially on weekends
- Some resorts are on a slope above the bay and require stairs or an internal shuttle service to reach the beach
Recommended hotels
- Hotel Novotel Sharm El-Sheikh In the heart of Naama Bay, among the highest-rated in the area on nearly every platform; beach and pool mentioned as the strong points in reviews. View availability
- Mövenpick Resort Sharm El Sheikh Naama Bay In an elevated position above Naama Bay, with a panoramic view of the bay and its five beaches; airport shuttle available on request. View availability
- Naama Bay Promenade Beach Resort Managed By Accor 520 units overlooking either the beach or the hillside, in the heart of Naama Bay; formerly a Marriott, now managed by Accor, about 10 km from the terminal. View availability
- Camel Dive Club & Boutique Hotel In the pedestrian centre of Naama Bay, 5 minutes on foot from the pier where the dive boats depart; the reference dive centre of the bay since 1992. View availability
Om El Sid and Ras Um Sid
The Sheraton states on its own website 10 minutes from the terminal and 4 km from the nightlife of Naama Bay; the Renaissance Golden View, on the same hill of Om El Sid, is a similar distance away.
Best for: Travelers who want the cliff and reef of Ras Um Sid reachable on foot, while still staying just minutes from Naama Bay.
- Direct access to the reef at the Ras Um Sid cliff, among the best-known snorkelling spots in Sharm el-Sheikh
- Quieter in the evening than Naama Bay, while still staying just minutes by taxi from the nightlife venues
- A hilly area, with smaller and rockier beaches compared to Naama Bay or Nabq Bay
- Few independent restaurants outside the hotels: you depend on the properties themselves or on a taxi
Recommended hotels
- Renaissance Sharm El Sheikh Golden View Beach Resort On the Om El Sid hill, with a long private beach and direct access to the reef, with views of Tiran Island. View availability
- Sheraton Sharm Hotel, Resort, Villas & Spa On the Al Pasha coast, near the Ras Um Sid cliff; the official website lists it as 10 minutes from the terminal and 4 km from Naama Bay, with a private beach and reef for snorkelling. View availability
Nabq Bay
Inside the Nabq nature reserve, north of the airport: sources agree on about 20-30 minutes by car, with some variation depending on the exact point of the bay.
Best for: Travelers looking for an isolated resort in the Nabq nature reserve, with a wide beach and views of Tiran Island, accepting to stay far from everything else.
- A 1,100-metre private beach and views of Tiran Island and the Gulf of Aqaba
- The Nabq nature reserve around the resort, less dense with properties than Naama Bay
- An isolated area, without any independent services nearby
- Farther from the terminal than Sharks Bay, to be avoided for short layovers
Recommended hotels
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The terminal is spacious and modern, reflecting Sharm el-Sheikh's status as one of Egypt's premier international tourist destinations.
Customs and security checks are generally thorough: for international flights, arriving at least 3 hours early is recommended.
Map of Sharm El Sheikh International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. Is Sharm el-Sheikh safe, despite being in Sinai?
Yes: South Sinai, where Sharm el-Sheikh is located, has a security profile clearly different from North Sinai. It's one of the country's most established and patrolled tourist areas, with dedicated checkpoints along the corridors to the resorts.
Q. What is the difference between North and South Sinai in terms of security?
North Sinai (where El Arish airport is located) is classified by the United States as Level 4, 'do not travel', due to the terrorist threat; South Sinai, where Sharm el-Sheikh is located, has a long tradition of international tourism and is considered a completely different context.
Q. What is Sharm el-Sheikh famous for?
The Red Sea coral reef, among the most renowned diving destinations in the world, along with Naama Bay as the main hub of tourist and nightlife activity.
Q. Do you need a visa for a stay only in South Sinai?
Those arriving by air directly in Sharm el-Sheikh and staying exclusively in the South Sinai area, including any trips to Saint Catherine, can obtain a free entry permit for up to 14 days without needing the paid e-visa: beyond that period, or when leaving the area, the ordinary visa valid for the whole country is required.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
