Cheap Flights from Sharm El Sheikh (SSH) to Cairo (CAI)

This information is correct as of January 2016

Airlines that fly from Sharm El Sheikh to Cairo

Egyptair is the only airline providing direct flights from Sharm El Sheikh to Cairo.

Terminal Information

Sharm El Sheikh Airport

Sharm El Sheikh Airport is located 18 kilometres northeast of Sharm El Sheikh resort. Taxi and bus services both provide access to the airport. There are two terminals at Sharm El Sheikh Airport. Domestic Egyptair flights depart from Terminal 2. Check-in opens three hours before each scheduled flight’s departure time and closes an hour before.

In the departures hall, passengers will find several restaurants, cafés and fast food outlets serving national and European dishes. There are also cash machines and a pay-as-you-go Wi-Fi connection. Before security there’s a baggage packaging service desk and, after security, a great selection of duty free and souvenir shops, selling perfume, tobacco, alcohol and local goods.

Cairo Airport

Cairo Airport is located 15 kilometres northeast of Cairo city centre. There are three terminals at the airport, with all EgyptAir flights arriving to Terminal 3. In the arrivals hall, passengers will find a range of facilities. There are cafés if you need to get a bite to eat, banks and cash machines, and a Wi-Fi connection which you can pay to access.

The airport also offers various options for onward travel. The Cairo Airport Shuttle Bus travels to downtown Cairo, Giza, Heliopolis, Nasr City, Mohandesin, Zamalek and Maadi. Depending on your final destination, a journey costs between EGP25.00 to EGP105.00. Buses depart from the airport every 30 minutes and you can get both information and tickets from a desk inside the Terminal 3 arrivals hall.

Taxis depart from outside the terminal building. Whilst newer white taxis have meters, old black and white taxis do not and you’ll need to negotiate a fare before travelling. You can expect to pay somewhere between EGP80.00 and EGP125.00 to get from the airport to Cairo city centre.

Alternatively, if you choose to hire a car from the airport, you’ll find offices for Avis, Sixt, Europcar, Hertz and Budget located in the arrivals hall. If you plan to drive in Egypt, you’ll need to get an International Driving Permit before you travel.  

Practical Information

If you’re a British national, you don’t need a visa to travel to Sharm El Sheikh. You can get a free entry permission stamp in your passport which entitles you to a stay of up to 15 days.

However, if you’re travelling outside of the resort, you need to have a visa. For stays of up to 30 days, it’s possible to get a visa when you arrive in Egypt. A visa costs US$25.00 and you’ll need to pay (using dollars, sterling or euros) at approved bank kiosks based in the arrivals halls before immigration control. You can also apply for a visa before you travel by applying to an Egyptian consulate.

Whether you get a visa on arrival or in advance, you’ll also need a passport valid for at least six months from your date of entry.

What to Expect in Cairo

Cairo has a desert climate with two seasons, a hot summer from May to October and a mild winter from November to April. Summer temperatures regularly reach the mid-thirties and beyond whilst you can still expect highs in the low-twenties during winter months.

Prices in Sharm El Sheikh and Cairo are fairly similar but you’re more likely to find a bargain or two out of the tourist resort. You can expect to pay EGP200.00 for a mid-range three course meal for two, EGP16.50 for a bottle of beer and EGP2.00 for a one way journey on public transport.