Transport: how it works in Egypt — first-hand

From real experience

• Exporting parts of marine life, such as crab claws, from Egypt is generally prohibited and customs regulations are strict. Tourists should avoid taking such items to prevent issues at border control.
• Service offering airport transfers and car rentals with drivers in Egypt and other countries (UAE, Turkey, Italy, France, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Bali, Oman, Qatar). Services include professional, vetted drivers, provision of water and wipes during transfers, luggage assistance, and conversational engagement. Various payment methods are accepted, including AED and RUB. Contact is recommended for booking and inquiries.
• For shopping and pharmacy needs in Sharm El Sheikh, Naama Bay is recommended. Look for 'Fix Price' stores (specifically the one in the pyramid building) for various goods. A 'Russian pharmacy' can also be found within walking distance in Naama Bay. Utilize the InDrive app for affordable taxi services to and from the area.
• To visit Abu Dabbab Bay (Marsa Alam) independently, taxis are available, with a reported cost of 270 EGP one-way from nearby hotels. The InDrive application is active in Egypt, including the Marsa Alam area, offering an alternative for taxi services. Entrance fees for Abu Dabbab Bay are 20 EGP for adults and 10 EGP for children. Organized excursions covering transport and entry are available, with reported costs around 35 USD.
• Direct sea travel between Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt is not possible. The available transportation options are by bus, which takes over 10 hours, or by plane, which typically involves a layover in cities like Istanbul or Cairo.
• Nesma Airlines cabin baggage allowance dimensions are 45x35x15 cm. Compliance is inconsistent and depends on airport staff discretion, but passengers should strictly adhere to these specific dimensions to avoid potential additional fees or baggage check.
• Before reaching the duty-free zone at Egyptian airports, passengers' hand luggage may be subjected to thorough manual inspections in addition to electronic scanning. Items purchased in the duty-free zone after these checks are generally not subject to further scrutiny for carry-on.
• For excursions between Egyptian cities (e.g., Sharm El Sheikh to Hurghada), consider using internal flights. Local airlines often operate special flights for tourists. When booking such excursions, ensure all necessary visas are obtained if regional travel requires them. Search for 'excursions by plane to Hurghada' or similar terms through tour operators or flight aggregators.
• Airport security in Egypt may enforce liquid restrictions inconsistently. Travelers have reported being asked to discard water before security, while others passed through successfully with liquids. Items purchased in duty-free after security are generally permitted.
• When a passenger travels from an international origin (e.g., Russia) to Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, with a domestic transfer in Cairo, an Egyptian visa (costing $25-$30) is required upon arrival in Cairo, even if they do not plan to leave the airport. Cairo is considered the point of international entry, and a domestic flight to Sharm El Sheikh requires a valid visa. The process for passengers with checked luggage includes: 1. Passport control. 2. Baggage claim. 3. Re-scan luggage and security check. 4. Check-in for the domestic flight. 5. Proceed to gates. For passengers with only hand luggage, steps 1, 3, 4, and 5 apply. The Sinai visa waiver does not apply when entering Egypt via Cairo for a domestic onward flight to Sharm.
• At Egyptian airports (e.g., Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada), services like 'Fast Track' and 'Meet Assistance' are available to expedite airport procedures. Staff promoting these services, identifiable by specific uniforms (e.g., burgundy in Sharm), approach passengers at the airport entrance. Passengers should confirm the exact scope of services included (e.g., expedited check-in, immigration, security) as 'Fast Track' might differ from 'Meet Assistance' in terms of coverage.
• Access to airport check-in areas for non-passengers in Egypt is possible, but subject to verification by security. Security staff will verify the passenger's name against the flight manifest at the check-in desk before granting access.
• Flights can experience significant delays. Reasons can include crew availability issues (e.g., waiting for flight attendants to arrive) or external events, such as sporting matches involving the national team, which can cause airport and airline operations to be delayed. In-flight communication may be limited to English or Arabic, and amenities like extra water might not be provided. Aircraft like the Airbus A320 neo can be cramped, with limited legroom for taller passengers.
• Airline passengers can often combine their checked baggage allowances, especially on charter flights. For example, a common allowance is 20kg checked baggage and 5kg hand luggage per person. Even if tickets state 'no meals,' airlines may still provide a snack box with sandwiches, drinks, and cookies.
• A positive travel experience with an airline flying from Moscow to Hurghada on April 24th is reported. Baggage (one suitcase for two passengers) was consolidated without issues. Water was provided during the flight, which was described as slightly cool. Take-off and landing were smooth, leading to a favorable impression of the airline.
• Public transport availability in Soma Bay is limited; taxis are required for travel to Hurghada city center. Uber is operational in Hurghada. For street-hailing taxis, typical local rates for short-to-medium trips within the city range from $3 to $5 USD.
• In cases where a tour operator (e.g., Fun Sun) experiences technical issues preventing issuance of physical vouchers/tickets, travelers to Egypt have reported successful boarding and hotel check-in based solely on their passport and inclusion on passenger lists. Vouchers were not always checked. Advise travelers to ensure they are on official passenger manifests even without physical documents. This situation carries a risk.
• Travelers booking through Fan San in Egypt have reported issues with missing flight tickets and booking confirmations, with some only having a reservation printout. Despite initial concerns about transfers and check-ins, travelers were generally able to proceed using just their passport and booking confirmation. Airport security may confiscate all water. Flight duration from Moscow to Hurghada is approximately 6 hours. Some travelers have reported successful trips with only a booking confirmation.
• In Sharm El Sheikh, a taxi from the Farsha area to the airport costs approximately 210 EGP when booked via the InDrive app. This offers a more transparent and potentially cheaper alternative to hotel taxis or street hailing.
• Airline: AlMasria (Egypt). Baggage policy: baggage weight can be pooled across multiple passengers (e.g., 20kg total for two). Carry-on: generally lax enforcement regarding dimensions and weight, but passengers should still adhere to standard airline guidelines to avoid potential issues at check-in.
• Rule of thumb in Egypt: While there's a common misconception about needing to depart on the same type of flight (charter/regular) as arrival, this is largely a myth. The primary concern for immigration is adhering to the allowed duration of stay. In practice, departing on a different flight type than arrival is often permitted without issue. However, specific restrictions may apply if changing departure airports or if the ticket has specific blockades (e.g., charter block on a regular flight). Distinguishing flight types: Regular flights typically have 3-digit flight numbers (e.g., TK700), while charters might be marked as 'charter' or have 4-digit numbers. Airlines like Turkish Airlines, Egyptair, Air Cairo, and Nesma Airlines often operate regular flights. Flights routed through Turkey are frequently regular.
• For domestic flights within Egypt, Marsa Alam Airport is an option. Hurghada Airport is generally less crowded for domestic flights, with 1.5 hours or even 1 hour and 15 minutes recommended for arrival before the flight.

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