you dont need a visa if you staying in sharm, when you get your visa card on the plane, just write on the back SINA ONLY then go straight to passport control. the only time you need a visa is if you going to cario or up to the pyamids etc anything else you would like to know please ask

Hi Joe,

As has been said, visas apply for Cairo, Luxor & Ras Mohammed Park only. It won't take long to get one at the airport as everyone has to go by the desk & then onto collect luggage. If you're on a transfer coach, you've all got to wait for the last person anyway & most folk seem to get out at about the same time. Folk are more likely to be held up by waiting for a late bit of luggage than by visas.

The only advantage of buying one in the UK before hand is that it's a muti-entry one, valid for 6m. the one you get at the airport is valid for only 3m.

Regards

P.S. Can't remember if I've posted this link for you before:

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g297555-i9225-k130…

It covers:

Jabs, suitable dress, visas (at the right price), shopping, taxis, airport transfer, safety, trips, water parks, karting, golf, nightlife, food, tipping, currency, plugs, map of the area, mozzies, upset tums, mobile phones / sims, weather & jewellery (p24).

It’s lengthy, so plz bear with it as there are updated tips all the way thru.

Plz note that since it was 1st put up, the price for Antinal is now (Dec ’07) 90p a packet & plz see p21 & p26 of the thread re: visa situ / prices & a few more updates following our ’07 Xmas there.

P24 & 26 will explain the average air & water temps thru’out the year & also gives some info jewellery shops.

P14 & P32 give info on the swimming with DOLPHINS excursion; one in Sharm & one in Eilat.

P30 tells you a bit about Sand Buggies (courtesy of Nebel)

P33 has links to threads recommending restaurants & bars.

P37 has info about food allergy translation (courtesy of simon36)

Duty Free & taxi metres – p37 (Matilda82 & MrSmall)

P39 – How to deal with hassle from the shopkeepers & where to find fixed price shops.

Regards

hi. should have sed am planning 2 visit cairo

Hi Joe,

In reply to your question regarding a visa. I've travelled to Sharm with my family 3 times in the past 21 months.

If you intend going on any snorkelling/boats trips ie Ras Mohammed, or intend going on trips like the jeep safari, or travelling up to the Blub Hole (diving) and obviously Cairo or Luxor you will need a visa.

The visa application will be given to you on your outward flight, which you should fill in prior to landing, and upon arrival you need to join the queue to have it processed, sorry don't know how long this takes as I've never purchased it this way before.

First and second time to Sharm wasn't sure what trips we would be going on, and dedcided not to get one. But upon arrival at hotel we deceided to do the Ras Moahammed, Jeep Safari and Blue Hole trip, and the Thomas Cook t to the airport on our behalf and purchased the visas on our behalf.

We are off to Makadi Bay near Hurghada in August and have been told that a visa is compulsory it you travel to that region.

Anyway, if you do decide to go on any of these trips I would highly recommed them.

1) Ras Mohammed Excursion - Beautiful boats, plenty of space to sunbath and relax, also includes buffet with soft drinks. Three stops for snorkelling, although water was very choppy.

2) Jeep safari - Travelled in a convoy of about 13/14 jeeps. Jeeps travel into the Siani desert. Have a stop at a bedouin camp for egyptian tea, nann bread (as I called it), then off further into the desert for a camel safari (spent about 30 miniutes on the camel - long enough) before arriving at another camp for lunch and soft drinks. From there we travelled onto the Blue Hole, if my memory serves correctly, near the Israeli border and facing Saudi Arabia. Long day - and make sure you take pleny of water with you on this trip.

Sorry can't comment on the Cairo or Luxor trip. Although we did meet people who went on these trips, who said they were great trips, very educational but said the flights were awful (no air conditioning on the planes), that was enough to put me off!

Anyway, hope this is of some help to you. I'm sure you will have a fantasic holiday, it is a fabulous place and the people are so friendly - enjoy!

If I can help any further please don't hesitate to contact me.

Regards,

Pat

Sports bra for the jeep safari Joe ! And for quads!

: 0

Do you just have to get 1 visa that covers more than 1 trip out of Sinai,ie: trip to Luxor and Eilat or 1 for each place(finally been given the ok for Dolphin Reef Neph!!)

You dont need the visa for Dahab(blue hole),only your passport.

Half a reply again.You dont need the visa for most boat trips.Tiran/diving local/glass bottom boats are fine,its just Ras Mo or further(thistlegorm/hurgada etc).

Good news, Roxy!!!

Re: visa - as far as I understand it (following a discussion a while back with Swisssinai) if you go to petra, Jerusalem, Eilat - ie out of Egypt, you don't need a visa, as you're leaving the country. When you re-enter, you're coming in & saying you don't want to leave the Sinai peninsular & are staying up to 15 days, so you don't need a visa. In theory, you could do this infinitum.

If you are going to Luxor too, that should be covered by one visa, obtained at the airport.

Hope I've got that right! Swiss won't mind if you double check with him.If I think about it too much, I get reeeaaallly confused! : S

Regards