Visa for Sharm El Sheikh: costs, documents and Sinai only

Escursioni Sharm clarifies the visa question for Sharm El Sheikh, the one that creates the most confusion — and the most last-minute cancellations of excursions. There is only one rule to remember: if you stay in the Sinai you pay nothing; if you leave the Sinai (Cairo, Luxor, Petra) you need the full Egyptian visa.

The two entry options for most nationalities

Information verified in October 2026 for UK, EU and most Western passports: visa rules can change, so always check before departure with your government's travel advice or the Egyptian consulate.

When the Sinai only stamp is enough (and when it is not)

The Sinai only stamp is enough for: all of Sharm El Sheikh, the boat trips to Ras Mohammed and Tiran, the quad safari, the Bedouin dinner and Mount Sinai with Saint Catherine. All the sea and all the desert on our pages, in short.

You need the full visa for: Cairo by plane, Cairo by bus, Luxor and Petra. The reason is practical: as soon as you leave the Sinai Peninsula (or take a domestic flight) the free stamp is no longer valid. Without the full visa, at the airport or the checkpoint you simply do not go.

How and when to get the full visa

Two routes:

• On arrival at the airport — the bank kiosks before passport control sell the visa sticker for ~25 USD, payable in cash (bring notes in good condition). A quick procedure that almost everyone uses.
• Online e-visa — on the official Egyptian portal, before travelling: handy if you want zero queues on arrival or you land at busy times. Be careful to use only the official government portal: the web is full of intermediary sites charging pointless surcharges for the very same application.

Practical tip: if you even might do Cairo or Luxor, get the full visa on arrival — it costs 25 USD and keeps every option open. Changing the Sinai only stamp mid-holiday is only possible via the passport office in Sharm: an avoidable hassle.

If you book an excursion with a domestic flight through us, the operator will remind you of the required documents in the confirmation anyway: but arriving prepared avoids nasty surprises at the check-in desk.

The most frequent mistakes (and how to avoid them)

Four slip-ups we see repeated every season, each avoidable in a minute:

1. Arriving with the Sinai only stamp and then wanting to go to Cairo — changing it mid-holiday means a procedure at the passport offices: if in doubt, get the full visa on arrival.
2. Forgetting your passport at the hotel — for domestic flights, night transfers in the Sinai and border crossings you always need the physical document, not a photo on your phone.
3. Mixing up the validity — the Sinai only stamp lasts 15 days: for longer stays you need the full visa even if you stay in Sharm the whole time.
4. Not checking what the Jordanian visa covers for Petra — border conditions change: get written confirmation from the operator before travelling, not a verbal promise the night before.

The Petra case: two countries, two crossings

The Petra excursion leaves Egypt and enters Jordan via Taba and the Aqaba ferry: you need a passport, the full Egyptian visa (to exit and re-enter) and the Jordanian visa, generally handled by the operator for day tours. Border rules change: confirm in writing what is included in the price before you travel.

Documents and practical costs: summary

• Passport with at least 6 months' remaining validity (the standard precautionary rule for Egypt).
• ID card: accepted for entry into Egypt in some cases for certain nationalities, but for excursions with domestic flights and border crossings you need the passport — always bring it.
• Currency: euros and US dollars are accepted everywhere for excursions and tourist spending; change a small amount into Egyptian pounds for tips and minor expenses.
• Tips (baksheesh): they are part of the local culture; budget a few euros for guides, drivers and staff.

If you have specific doubts about your document situation, write to us before departure: we will point you to the right solution and, where needed, check with the local operator.

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