Egypt All-Inclusive Travel Guide

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.