Holidays in Sharm El Sheikh from Astana (Egypt): tours

Holidays in Sharm El Sheikh from Astana involve a flight through Almaty or with a stopover in a third country, and the journey takes almost a day. The best time to travel is from October to April: the air warms up to twenty-five degrees, the sea is warm, and the heat is easy to bear. In summer, the temperature rises above thirty-five, and it is better to plan sightseeing tours for the morning.

Preparing for the trip: money, communications and packing

A trip to Sharm El Sheikh from Astana begins long before departure: money, communications and local rules take more time than packing the suitcase itself. Here it is important to decide in advance how to pay and how to stay connected.

Currency, cards and tips at the resort

The main currency of Sharm El Sheikh is the Egyptian pound, and most payments outside the hotel are made in it. Dollars and euros are accepted in hotels and shops, but change is almost always given in pounds at an unfavorable rate. Visa and Mastercard cards do not work everywhere: cash is needed in markets, taxis and small cafes. Exchange money in small amounts and keep receipts. Tips are part of the local service culture. It is customary to leave hotel staff and guides one or two dollars, and a porter a small change. Without tips, the service does not deteriorate, but it becomes noticeably slower. Local operators sell tourist SIM cards, and internet in hotels is often paid or slow.

Packing and useful little things for the resort

The Egyptian side receives guests around the clock, so night arrivals do not create problems. Medical insurance is not formally required, but for diving and renting transport it is better to have a policy on hand. Keep your return ticket and hotel booking at hand: they are sometimes asked for at the desk. Put high-SPF cream, a light windproof cover-up and a supply of cash for the first days in your suitcase. Assemble a first-aid kit at home: familiar medicines take longer to find at the resort. Before departure, check the current requirements with the carrier.

When is the best time to go and how does acclimatization go?

The resort's climate is even, but heat and sun feel different depending on the month. The time difference with Kazakhstan is small, so the body adjusts almost imperceptibly.

Weather and sun by month

Holidays in Sharm El Sheikh are most comfortable from October to April, when the air warms up to twenty-five degrees and the sea remains warm. In summer, the temperature rises above thirty-five, and the heat is harder to bear because of the humidity. In winter, the water stays around twenty-two degrees, and swimming is comfortable even in the morning. The sun is active all year round, so high-SPF cream is needed even in January. Windy days occur in spring, and then a light cover-up will come in handy on the beach. For sightseeing tours deep into Egypt, choose the morning: after noon the heat intensifies.

Time difference and adaptation

The time difference with Almaty is 3 hours in winter and 2 hours in summer: Egypt changes its clocks (UTC+2 in winter, UTC+3 in summer), while Kazakhstan stays on UTC+5 all year round. A flight with a stopover is more tiring than a change of time zone. On the first day, do not plan diving or long trips: let your body rest after the journey. Drink more water, especially if you arrived in the heat. In the evening, go out to the Sharm El Sheikh promenade — the mild air helps you quickly get into the rhythm. By the morning of the second day, most tourists already wake up at local time without an alarm.

How to get there and arrange a transfer

There are no direct flights from Astana, so the route is built through Almaty or with a stopover in a third country. The journey takes almost a day, and the transfer is worth thinking through in advance.

Routes with a stopover from Astana

Ticket prices are noticeably lower in the off-season, outside school holidays.

Taxi, car rental and trips around the city

The transfer from the airport to the hotel takes from ten to thirty minutes depending on the accommodation area. Taxis in Sharm El Sheikh do not use meters, so agree on the price before the trip. Agreeing in advance is cheaper than arguing on the spot. Car rental is possible with an international license, but traffic in Egypt is chaotic, and parking at hotels is limited. For short trips, it is more convenient to call a car through the hotel. Minibuses run along the main streets, but there is no schedule, and for a tourist this is more of an exotic experience. In the evening, taxi prices are higher than during the day.

Egyptian cuisine and safety outside the hotel

Local cuisine is based on rice, legumes, vegetables and seafood, and it is filling. Outside the hotel, it is worth following simple hygiene rules.

What to try and how not to go wrong with water

Be sure to try koshari — a mixture of rice, pasta and lentils with tomato sauce. Seafood in Sharm El Sheikh is fresh, and it is grilled right by the promenade. Spicy Egyptian seasoning is found almost everywhere, so warn the waiter if you do not like spices. You cannot drink tap water, use bottled water even for brushing your teeth. It is better not to take ice in drinks outside the hotel: it is made from tap water. Wash fruit with bottled water and peel it. Freshly squeezed juices in crowded cafes are safe, while street ones are questionable.

Street food, markets and rules of behavior

Street food outside the hotel requires caution: choose places with high foot traffic and fresh cooking. If locals are standing at the counter and the food is prepared in front of you, the risk is minimal. At the Naama Bay market, haggling is appropriate almost everywhere, but behave in a friendly manner. When going out into the city outside the hotel, dress more modestly, especially for women: covered shoulders and knees are a sign of respect for local traditions. Taking photos of people without permission is not advisable. During Ramadan, do not eat or drink on the street demonstratively during the day. A swimsuit is appropriate only on the beach and by the pool.

Visa and entry rules change: check with the primary source — the electronic visa portal of the Arab Republic of Egypt, https://visa2egypt.gov.eg/eVisa/. The information on this page was verified on 18.09.2026.

What to bring home from shopping and souvenirs?

Shopping at the resort is concentrated in shopping malls and at the Naama Bay market. The assortment is predictable, but prices are flexible.

Shopping malls and the Naama Bay market

Large shopping malls in Sharm El Sheikh offer fixed prices and air conditioning, which matters in the heat. Here they sell clothes, cosmetics, and electronics with clear price tags. The Naama Bay market is the opposite: noise, haggling, and a lively atmosphere. Start at half the asking price and don't agree immediately. It's better to buy in the evening, when the heat subsides and sellers are more accommodating. For the purchase of a large item, ask for a receipt. The exchange rate at currency exchange offices near the market is usually better than at the hotel.

Papyrus, oils, and cotton: choosing gifts

Classic souvenirs from Egypt are papyrus, aromatic oils, cotton products, spices, and leather. Real papyrus is dense to the touch and doesn't tear from light stretching. Buy oils in glass bottles with a sealed cap. Egyptian cotton is soft and wears well, so T-shirts and towels are a practical gift. Buy spices in sealed packets, otherwise the smell will permeate the entire suitcase. Leather bags and belts are inexpensive, but check the seams. Haggling at the Sharm El Sheikh market is nothing to be ashamed of: it's part of the purchase.

In brief

• A holiday in Sharm El Sheikh from Astana requires a flight through Almaty or with a transfer in a third country.
• The best months for a trip are from October to April; in summer, the heat exceeds thirty-five degrees.
• Cash Egyptian pounds are needed for markets, taxis, and tips; cards are not accepted everywhere.
• Tips of one to two dollars are the norm for hotel staff and guides.
• Buy bottled drinking water; do not drink tap water even for brushing your teeth.