Flights to Sharm El Sheikh have drawn Israelis in recent years who wanted a quick way to reach the hotels and beaches of southern Sinai. The direct route from Israel does not run on a permanent basis, though, and at the time this guide was updated we found no regular direct service between Ben Gurion and Sharm.
Before booking anything, look beyond the price and check the current travel warning. At the time of the update, Israel’s National Security Council (NSC) lists Sinai at level 4, which means a recommendation to avoid travelling to the area. The situation can change, so check the NSC website close to your trip.
Getting there: flights to Sharm El Sheikh and the overland route
Are there direct flights from Israel?
At the time of writing there is no active scheduled direct route from Tel Aviv. Israeli airlines have operated seasonal direct flights in the past, but timetables changed and the routes were suspended at various points.
Booking sites may show itineraries with a stop, and the result is sometimes absurd given how short the distance is. Check the number of stops, the waiting time, the airline and the transit airport before you pay.
How long is the flight?
A direct flight from Tel Aviv, when one operates, usually takes an hour to an hour and a quarter. With a stop, the journey can stretch to five hours or more. In many cases it is worth comparing the flight with the alternative of travelling to Eilat, crossing at Taba and continuing by transfer. The comparison should cover time, fees, transfers and safety.
Sharm El Sheikh Airport (SSH)
Sharm El Sheikh International Airport carries the code SSH. It sits close to the main hotel areas and handles many flights from Europe and elsewhere. From the airport you continue to your hotel by taxi or a pre-booked transfer. Arrange it with the hotel or a known supplier instead of relying on a last-minute fix.
Finding cheap fares
- Search by SSH to make sure you are looking at the right airport.
- Check whether the flight is direct. A cheap result may hide a long stop.
- Compare the final price, including baggage, a seat and the transfer to the hotel.
- Look at nearby dates. If a seasonal route returns, it may run only on certain days.
- Compare with the overland option, including the drive to Eilat, fees and the transfer from Taba.
- Check the travel warning before booking and again close to departure.
Search for flights on the Flight Hunter site. If nothing direct is available, look hard at whether the route with a stop really pays off.
Arriving through the Taba crossing
The alternative to flying is to travel to Eilat, cross on foot at the Menachem Begin terminal in Taba and continue by transfer or taxi. The drive from Taba usually takes several hours, depending on checks, traffic and stops.
Check in advance the crossing’s opening hours, exit and entry fees, passport requirements, transfer options and security guidance, because old information may no longer apply. Our Taba border crossing guide and the explainer on the crossing fee and how to pay it cover the details. Pay the fee only through an official channel and keep the confirmation. In busy periods, arrive with a wide margin.
Is a connecting flight worth it?
Because Sharm is so close to Israel, a route with a long stop does not always make sense. It can be more expensive and slower than going through Taba. If you book a connection anyway, a single ticket covering all segments is better. Read our guide to connecting flights.
Baggage
If direct flights return, basic tickets with only a small bag may be on offer. Check carry-on, a suitcase, seat selection and diving equipment separately. On a flight with a stop, find out whether your baggage is checked through to the destination. On two separate tickets you may have to collect it and check it in again.
Entry rules and the Sinai travel warning
Passport, visa and entry conditions
The rules for entering Egypt and southern Sinai depend on how you enter, how long you stay and where you plan to go. There may be differences between entering through Taba and landing by air.
Do not rely on an old visa-exemption rule without checking that it applies to your route. Confirm passport and visa requirements with an official source and the airline before making a non-refundable booking.
The travel warning
A travel warning is not a minor detail. At the time of the update the NSC warning for Sinai stands at level 4, and the NSC recommends avoiding the area.
Anyone considering the trip should read the current guidance on the National Security Council website and decide accordingly. Keep Israeli and Jewish symbols out of sight and follow the authorities’ instructions. The fact that a flight or hotel can be booked is no confirmation that the trip is advisable from a security standpoint.
Planning the holiday itself
Which area suits you?
- Naama Bay: a central area with a promenade, restaurants, shops and hotels. Good if you want to be near the nightlife.
- Sharks Bay and Soho Square: a resort area fairly close to the airport, suited to a holiday built around the hotel, the sea and diving.
- Nabq Bay: further north, with large resort complexes. Check the distance from the centre and what the beach is like before booking.
- Ras Um Sid and Hadaba: known for diving and snorkelling sites. Check whether the entry to the sea suits children and weaker swimmers.
What to check at the hotel
- Whether the hotel sits on a beach you can walk into the sea from, or above a reef.
- Whether the pools are heated in the relevant season.
- What the all-inclusive deal covers and what costs extra.
- Whether there is a transfer from the airport or the border crossing.
- The cancellation terms if flights or guidance change.
- Whether there are recent reviews, not only an overall score.
When to go
Winter and spring usually bring more pleasant weather. In summer temperatures are very high, so much of the holiday centres on the hotel, the pool and the sea. Before booking, check the forecast, water temperature, winds and diving conditions; our month-by-month Sharm weather guide helps here. Around holidays, demand and prices may rise.
With children
Many hotels offer pools, kids’ clubs and water parks. Not every beach has easy access, however, and at some hotels you enter the sea from a jetty above a reef. Check pool depths, water park opening, suitable food for children and the distance from the rooms to the facilities.
Kosher food and Shabbat observers
Kosher options in Sharm are limited and change. Do not assume vegetarian or vegan food is kosher; look for current information and prepare ahead. Shabbat observers should ask about electronic keys, automatic doors, lifts and walking distances inside the hotel grounds, which can be considerable in large resorts.
Mistakes to avoid
- Booking on old information as if a permanent direct route exists.
- Ignoring the current travel warning.
- Booking a route with a stop without checking the total travel time.
- Buying a hotel before checking entry conditions and your passport.
- Arriving at Taba without checking opening hours and fees.
- Booking a hotel without checking that the beach suits your group.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct flight right now?
At the time of the update, no active scheduled direct route was found. Check again when you book, since seasonal routes can change.
What is the airport code?
SSH.
How long does a direct flight take?
When a direct route operates, usually an hour to an hour and a quarter.
Can you arrive through Taba?
Yes. You can cross on foot at the Menachem Begin terminal and continue by transfer, subject to opening hours, fees, entry conditions and security guidance.
Is there a travel warning for Sinai?
Yes, at level 4 at the time of the update. Check the NSC website before making any decision.
The bottom line
Searching for flights to Sharm El Sheikh calls for an up-to-date check. A route that ran in the past is not necessarily running today, and a flight with a stop is not always worth it. Before you book, check flights, entry conditions, the travel warning, fees and transfers, and only then compare the full cost.
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