The short distances in Sharm mean transport is cheap by Western standards. But tourist pricing is real — here's what you should actually know before you pay.
The complete price breakdown
| Transport | Cost | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel shuttle | Free (if included) | 15-25 min | Package tourists |
| Negotiated taxi | No fixed fare — agree the price before getting in | 15-20 min | Budget/experienced travelers |
| Pre-booked transfer | Fixed, quoted at booking | 15-20 min | First-timers, families |
| Microbus (public) | A few Egyptian pounds — ask locally, it's not aimed at tourists | 30-45 min | Adventurous backpackers |
Fixed-price private transfer
SSH Sharm El Sheikh City Center
From€16for 2 passengers
Other destinations
The tourist tax — let's be real
Sharm El Sheikh runs on tourism, and pricing reflects this. Local Egyptians pay noticeably less than tourists are typically quoted for the same ride. This is just reality — and it's exactly why there's no fixed number we can print here: taxis have no meter, no official fare board, and Egypt's currency has been losing value for years, so any figure would be stale within months.
What actually keeps you from overpaying:
- Ask your hotel reception or resort rep what a fair local price looks like right now, in Egyptian pounds
- Compare notes with other travelers who've just arrived
- If a driver's opening price feels wildly out of line with what you've heard, that's your signal to negotiate hard or walk to the next driver
How to negotiate taxi prices
1. Know roughly what a fair price is before you walk out — ask your hotel or check with a booking service 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, in Egyptian 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) — several times what a well-negotiated taxi runs, though taxis have no fixed price to compare against directly.
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 | Taxi | Transfer price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naama Bay | 10 km | Negotiated, no fixed fare | Fixed, quoted at booking |
| Sharks Bay | 8 km | Negotiated, no fixed fare | Fixed, quoted at booking |
| Hadaba | 12 km | Negotiated, no fixed fare | Fixed, quoted at booking |
| Old Market | 15 km | Negotiated, no fixed fare | Fixed, quoted at booking |
| Ras Nasrani | 5 km | Negotiated, no fixed fare | Fixed, quoted at booking |
| Dahab | 100 km | Negotiated, no fixed fare | Fixed, quoted at booking |
| Taba | 230 km | Not practical by taxi | Fixed, quoted at booking |
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