Most people arrive in Sharm El Sheikh through the international airport. It has an old and new terminal, which are approximately 200m away from each other. As a general rule most flights from the UK arrive at the old terminal, except British Airways flights which arrive at the new terminal. EgyptAir flights also use the new terminal.
The arrivals hall can be a bit chaotic if several flights arrive at the same time. However, obtaining visas is a lot quicker than it used to be. These can be obtained from the various kiosks on the left as you enter into the building prior to joining the queues for immigration/passport control. After showing your passports you will be able to reclaim your baggage.
Alongside the baggage hall there is a small duty free shop (all prices are in U.S. dollars) with a limited selection on offer. If you have a favourite brand of drink or tobacco you may have wished that you had already purchased it at your departure airport or on the plane.
If you bought a flight + hotel package, your airport transfer is normally included. If not, it is a good idea to arrange your transfer with a local company - they are familiar with the systems and the staff, and will speed you past the queues of coach groups waiting to go through immigration! Also keep in mind that private cars and taxis are no longer allowed into the pedestrianised centre of Na'ama Bay. If your hotel is in this area it's highly recommended to book a transfer. If you choose to arrive by taxi, the central Na'ama Bay hotels (such as Tropicana Na'ama Bay, Helnan Marina, Kanabesh, Camel, Ocean Bay, Cataract, Kharamana) are up to a 10 minute walk away from the the taxi rank on the main road. That could be uncomfortable with luggage, especially in day time heat.
Transfer times from the airport vary greatly as many of the larger resort hotels are scattered along the coast - check with your tour operator. Approximate transfer times from the airport: Nabq Bay - 15 minutes; Sharks Bay - 10 minutes; Na'ama Bay - 15 minutes; Hadaba/Ras Umm Sid - 20-30 minutes.
It is also a good idea to try and get to the airport early for your departure - if you arrive at the same time as a coach you will be waiting quite some time to get through security to even check in. Monarch, Thos Cook and First Choice and others depart from Terminal 2. Prior to reaching the check in desks you will have to go through a security screening process (you are permitted to take bottles of water through this screening). Be aware that the charges for being overweight with your baggage allowance are very expensive. Also, many airlines will not allow you to pool your baggage, so make sure you have distributed your allowance equally before arriving at the airport.
As you check in your baggage you should be given an emigration card (almost identical to the card you completed prior to immigration on your arrival) along with your boarding card. Make sure you complete this prior to joining the queue at passport control. There is a cafe area upstairs if desired. If the airport is busy it may be advisable to eat here as the food court in the departure lounge is small with a limited seating area which quickly becomes overcrowded.
Once you have gone through emigration/passport control you will join the queue for security screening, security staff will ask you to remove belts and any metal objects before going through the metal detector. You will then enter the departure lounge for your duty free shopping and a small amount of shops (expensive). You may find that your choice of perfume (similar price as the U.K) limited. Also the choice of cigarettes are limited. Although 400 B&H special filter were available for $40 (June 2008).
There are nine departure gates with seating areas, smokers are catered for with their own area alongside Gate 9. Keep an eye on the many screens for your flight information and listen out for any announcements which are sometimes made. The information on the screens are not always updated and you may find that your flight is boarding without the screen informing you of this!
