Sharm El Sheikh

macegang

Im going to sharm el sheikh in egypt in a few weeks time anyone know anything i should know or do??????

pinkshoes

£10 note on arrival for tourist visa?

alanrowell

If you are staying in the Sinai and don't intend visiting Cairo / Ras Mohammed / Luxor then you don't even need £10 as the Sinai-only "visa" is free

MKwife

If you choose to go to Cairo (and see pyramids and sphynx), there are 2 options: - 45 minutes on plane, or 6 hours on bus.

I would personally recommend going by plane (although it is more expensive) because 6 hours on an egyptian bus is no fun. Its fine if you can sleep but its very bumpy and I was green by the time we got home. Everyone that went by plane said how easy it was and laughed at poor green me.

But Cairo was fantastic!! Absolutely brilliant. I loved it so much.

If you go to the pyramids, you will get quite a lot of grief by locals trying to sell you stuff, just keep your hands in your pockets and shake your head a lot.

We also did the mental "climb the mount sinai trip". You start climbing the mountain at 2am so by the time you get to top it is sunrise. I tell you, by time I was at the top I fell asleep in a cave!!!

I am really jealous you are going, I hope you have a really lovely time.

x

hlhassall

Just be careful when going into the town as there will be lots of people trying to get you into their shops. Only go with them if your interested in looking at things, not to get a 'business card' or 'free gift'!

You will have a really good time though.

mum_of_one!

I went to Sharm el Sheikh last summer in July, had a lovely time but it was very hot! I definately recommend that you go snorkelling, you'll be amazed!
I'd suggest that you have a look at the 'trip advisor' sites as there is lots of information there from holiday makers.

I agree with what everyone else has said with regards to your visa, the rep will advise you when you get into the airport so dont worry too much about that.
DO NOT pay the locals at the airport for a luggage trolley. They'll take your money off (try have a good root through your bags too!) but you wont need it!

They Egyptians will try anything to get you in to their shops, very persistant(pervy too) people. Just stand your ground with them.
Bartering is 'expected' out there & good fun too. Don't accept the first offer...have a giggle with it!!

I went with 6 girlies & all of us suffered with a bad belly, its the heat etc. You can buy some tablets at the chemists over there, really cheap (sorry, I can't remember the name of them now but your hotel receptionist should be able to help).
When I saw the nurse for my injections I asked if there was anything I could take with me, she gave me some 'anti diaorrhea' tablets & Diaoralyte powders (to replace lost salts in your body when you have a bad tum) Handy to take with you.

Bacardi is not Bacardi over there doesn't even taste like it! Same with Whiskey & Vodka etc. If you want the 'english' brands you will have to pay alot more for them. Alot of people were telling us to avoid the ice cubes, I saw the hotel receiveing deliveries of frozen ice so I didn't worry too much about it!

I hope this has helped you.
Have a fantastic time, Egypt really is gorgeous

Oh!! A taxi ride is an experience like no other out there!! They're crazy! Just make sure you have your price BEFORE you get in & start the journey!! We were 'had off' a few times by not doing that.

Markyt

Stella in the bars is not Stella Artois - its a local thing. Take the exact right amount of money for the visa as you will not get change. Try not to laugh at the 'lifeboat' crew in the harbour who sit in a rubber dinghy under an umbrella all day - the dinghy is barely big enough for them! enjoy the holiday, the place is great.

i1189

I've not been to Sharm but I have been to Egypt. If you get hassled, just remember that "La" is Arabic for no. I found I got left alone if I just kept repeating that.

"Shukran" means "thank you", and if they say Afwan back it means "you're welcome".

zfrl

Go diving! If you haven't been diving before go to a BSAC Club in the UK & do a try dive - they are usually 1 on 1 & you get a chance to ask loads of questions.

I am so envious - diving in the Red Sea is on my list of things to do when I get enough money!