The short distances in Sharm mean transport is cheap by Western standards. But tourist pricing is real — here's what you should actually pay.
The complete price breakdown
| Transport | Cost | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel shuttle | Free (if included) | 15-25 min | Package tourists |
| Negotiated taxi | 150-300 EGP (~€3-6) | 15-20 min | Budget/experienced travelers |
| Pre-booked transfer | $15-25 USD (~€14-23) | 15-20 min | First-timers, families |
| Microbus (public) | 10-20 EGP (~€0.50) | 30-45 min | Adventurous backpackers |
The tourist tax — let's be real
Sharm El Sheikh runs on tourism, and pricing reflects this. A local Egyptian will pay 50-100 EGP for the same taxi ride you'll be quoted 300-500 EGP for. This is just reality.
What's actually fair to pay as a tourist:
- Naama Bay: 150-200 EGP (~€3-4)
- Old Market / Sharm El Maya: 200-250 EGP (~€4-5)
- Sharks Bay / Hadaba: 100-200 EGP (~€2-4)
Anything above these ranges means you're overpaying. Anything below means you've got solid negotiation skills.
How to negotiate taxi prices
1. Know your price before you walk out. Decide what you're willing to pay 2. Don't engage with the first driver who approaches you inside arrivals 3. Walk outside, past the initial crowd of touts 4. State your destination and price firmly: "Naama Bay, 150 pounds" 5. If they counter-offer, hold firm or walk to the next driver 6. Never get in before agreeing on price — this is the golden rule
Paying in EGP always gets a better rate than offering USD or EUR.
Pre-booked transfer — is it worth the premium?
A pre-booked transfer to Naama Bay costs $15-20 USD (~€14-18). That's 4-5x what you'd pay with a well-negotiated taxi.
So why would you pay it?
- Zero haggling after a long flight
- Air-conditioned vehicle (not guaranteed in taxis)
- Driver waiting inside with your name
- Fixed price — no surprises, no arguments
- Better vehicles — newer, cleaner, more comfortable
For the Dahab run (100km), a transfer at $45-70 USD is absolutely worth it vs. negotiating a long-distance taxi price after midnight.
Cost to all resort areas
| Destination | Distance | Fair taxi price | Transfer price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naama Bay | 10 km | 150-200 EGP / ~€3-4 | $15-20 / ~€14-18 |
| Sharks Bay | 8 km | 100-150 EGP / ~€2-3 | $15-18 / ~€14-16 |
| Hadaba | 12 km | 150-200 EGP / ~€3-4 | $15-20 / ~€14-18 |
| Old Market | 15 km | 200-250 EGP / ~€4-5 | $18-22 / ~€16-20 |
| Ras Nasrani | 5 km | 80-120 EGP / ~€2-3 | $12-18 / ~€11-16 |
| Dahab | 100 km | 600-1000 EGP / ~€12-20 | $45-70 / ~€41-64 |
| Taba | 230 km | Not practical by taxi | $120-180 / ~€110-165 |
Currency tips
- ATMs are available at the airport — withdraw EGP for better taxi negotiation
- Exchange rate fluctuates — check current rates before you fly
- USD and EUR are accepted everywhere in Sharm, but at worse rates
- Small bills are your friend — having 50 and 100 EGP notes makes paying easier and avoids "no change" situations