Sharm el-Sheikh is Egypt's Red Sea showpiece: warm, clear water over some of the planet's best coral, sunshine almost guaranteed, and big all-inclusives along the shore. Pyramids are a short flight away, but plenty of people come purely to dive, snorkel, and do gloriously little.
- Language
- Arabic
- English widely spoken at resorts
- Currency
- Egyptian pound (EGP) – USD and euro often accepted
- Power
- 220V, Type C/F plugs
- European – adapter needed
- Driving
- On the right
- Main airport
- Sharm el-Sheikh
- SSH
Where Egypt splits
The resort areas are not interchangeable. What each one is actually for.
Sharm El Sheikh
The Sinai side, on the Gulf of Aqaba: reef walls a few metres off the shore and the calmest, clearest water in the country. Pick it for the diving and snorkelling above all else. Many of the beaches are coral rather than sand entry, so check whether yours has a jetty.
Start with Rixos Premium Seagate, five-star.
The Red Sea bays
The purpose-built bays either side of Hurghada: self-contained, low-rise and calmer, each one a single sweep of sand with a handful of resorts on it. Pick it for a quieter beach without leaving the mainland's flight prices behind. There is nothing outside the bay, so plan on staying put.
Start with JAZ Aquaviva, five-star.
Hurghada
The mainland's original resort town: sandy beaches, a long strip of hotels, and the cheapest flights and rooms on the Red Sea. Pick it for value and for windsurfing. It is the most developed and least characterful stretch of coast here.
Start with Jaz Aquamarine Resort, five-star.
When to go to Egypt
Climate normals for Red Sea coast (Hurghada), and our verdict on each month.
| Measure | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average daily high | 71 degrees Fahrenheit | 73 degrees Fahrenheit | 78 degrees Fahrenheit | 85 degrees Fahrenheit | 91 degrees Fahrenheit | 95 degrees Fahrenheit | 97 degrees Fahrenheit | 97 degrees Fahrenheit | 93 degrees Fahrenheit | 87 degrees Fahrenheit | 80 degrees Fahrenheit | 74 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Rainfall | 0.1″ | 0″ | 0″ | 0″ | 0″ | 0″ | 0″ | 0″ | 0″ | 0.1″ | 0.1″ | 0.1″ |
| Verdict | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Good | Good | Good | Prime | Prime | Prime |
Sweet spot. October–May; high summer is very hot (but dry, and the sea is warm); rainy season runs None to speak of.
Storm risk. No tropical systems and effectively no rain: the Red Sea is the most weather-proof beach destination on this site.
Figures are long-term climate normals for Red Sea coast (Hurghada), good for planning. They are not a forecast.
Do you need a visa for Egypt (or Sharm el-Sheikh)?
Here's the good news for resort-goers: if you fly into Sharm el-Sheikh and stay within South Sinai (Sharm, Dahab, Nuweiba, Taba) for up to 15 days, U.S. citizens get a free entry-stamp permit on arrival – no visa needed.
Want to see the Pyramids or stay longer? You'll need a tourist visa – the easiest route is the online e-Visa (about $25, single entry) before you go, or a $25 visa-on-arrival paid in cash. Passport must be valid six months. Always confirm on travel.state.gov.
Is Egypt safe?
Be straight about this one: Egypt carries a country-wide U.S. travel advisory (the current level is shown at the top of this guide), but adds 'do not travel' warnings for the North and Middle Sinai and parts of the Western Desert. Those are remote regions far from the coast.
Crucially, Sharm el-Sheikh and the Red Sea resort strip are treated differently and are excluded from those restrictions – even U.S. government staff may visit Sharm by air. Tourism runs normally, with a strong security presence. Read the full advisory on travel.state.gov.
Currency and tipping
The Egyptian pound is the local currency; ATMs are easy and U.S. dollars or euros are widely accepted at resorts. Carry small bills for tips and the souk.
Tipping ('baksheesh') is a genuine part of the culture and expected for almost every small service – plan to tip housekeeping, drivers, guides, and porters. In restaurants, 10% on top of any service charge is the norm.
When to visit
Sharm is a year-round sun destination. Spring and autumn are glorious; winter is mild and pleasant on the coast. Midsummer (June–August) is reliably sunny but very hot, so it's the trade-off for lower-season value – the sea stays warm enough to dive all year.
Getting there & around
Fly into Sharm el-Sheikh International (SSH), usually connecting through Europe or a Gulf hub – there are no nonstops from the US. Egypt drives on the right; once you're at the resort, transfers, hotel shuttles, and taxis handle everything. Agree taxi fares before setting off.
What to do beyond the resort
The sea is the star: snorkel or dive Ras Mohammed National Park and the reefs of Tiran. Beyond that, take a glass-bottom boat, a desert quad safari, or a Bedouin dinner under the stars. The big-ticket day trip is a flight to Cairo for the Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum.
Good to know
Power & plugs: 220V, European Type C/F – bring an adapter. Language: Arabic, with English widely spoken at resorts. Water: drink bottled only. Reef etiquette: don't touch or stand on coral, and choose reef-safe sunscreen. Keep small notes on hand for baksheesh.
Getting to Egypt
Indicative round-trip fares into Sharm el-Sheikh (SSH) from the major US gateways, cheapest first. Tap through for live prices and dates.
| From | Airport | Round trip |
|---|---|---|
| Newark | EWR | $756Cheapest |
| New York | JFK | $817 |
| Miami | MIA | $834 |
| Atlanta | ATL | $882 |
| Boston | BOS | $890 |
| Chicago | ORD | $912 |
| Dallas | DFW | $919 |
| Los Angeles | LAX | $1006 |
Where the Egypt resorts are
20 resorts mapped stars are five-star properties
The best all-inclusive resorts in Egypt
The Egypt properties we would actually book. For the full numbered ranking, see the best all-inclusive resorts in Egypt.
Where to stay in Egypt
The resort areas we cover, and which properties sit in each.
Resort chains in Egypt
The brands operating here. The ones we rank in full link through to the chain, what its plan really covers, and every resort of theirs we track.
Egypt, head to head
Price, flights, sand, food and safety, compared honestly.
Egypt vs JamaicaMexicoDominican RepublicMaldivesGreeceSpainTurks & CaicosArubaBarbadosSt. LuciaItalyPortugalTurkeyAntiguaCuraçaoBrazilCosta RicaPhilippinesFrench PolynesiaMoroccoSouth AfricaMauritiusKenyaTanzaniaMozambiqueThailandIndonesiaMalaysiaPunta CanaCancúnRiviera MayaLos CabosPuerto VallartaMontego BayNegrilOcho RiosGuanacasteCreteBahiaBora BoraMalé AtollsRodney BayBarbados South CoastBarbados West CoastViti LevuVanua LevuCanary IslandsBalearic IslandsCosta del SolBelekRhodesLara & AntalyaMaldives Outer AtollsCorfuHalkidikiKosSoufrière & South St. LuciaGrenadaFijiCroatiaU.S. Virgin IslandsSri LankaSeychellesBahamasChileArgentinaUnited States
Reading on Egypt
- GuideHurricane season, decodedJune through November scares more travelers than it should, and burns the unprepared ones. The real odds by month and map position, the insurance rule, and when the discount is worth it.Jul 10, 2026 · 4 min read
- GuideWhat to actually pack for an all-inclusive weekThe resort provides more than you think and less than you hope. Here's what earns its place in the suitcase, and what stays home.Jul 9, 2026 · 3 min read
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Sharm el-Sheikh?
Not if you stay in South Sinai (Sharm, Dahab, Nuweiba, Taba) for up to 15 days – U.S. citizens get a free entry permit stamped on arrival. To go elsewhere in Egypt or stay longer, get the e-Visa or a $25 visa-on-arrival.
How much is the Egypt e-Visa?
A single-entry tourist e-Visa is about $25 and is done online before you travel; a visa-on-arrival is also $25, paid in cash. Your passport must be valid for six months.
Is Egypt safe right now?
Egypt carries a country-wide U.S. travel advisory, with 'do not travel' zones in North/Middle Sinai and parts of the Western Desert. Sharm el-Sheikh and the Red Sea resorts are excluded from those warnings and operate normally – check the current level at travel.state.gov.
What currency is used and is USD accepted?
The Egyptian pound. U.S. dollars and euros are widely accepted at resorts, and ATMs are easy to find. Carry small bills for tips and markets.
Do you tip in Egypt?
Yes – 'baksheesh' is expected for most small services, from housekeeping and porters to drivers and guides. Tip about 10% in restaurants on top of any service charge.
When is the best time to visit Sharm el-Sheikh?
Spring and autumn are ideal, and winter is mild on the coast. It's sunny year-round; midsummer is very hot but the sea stays warm for diving in every season.