Holidays in Sharm El Sheikh are year-round sea, corals and a flight from Almaty of about 5–6 hours. High season lasts from October to April: air +25…+28 °C, water +22…+24 °C. In summer the temperature reaches +40 °C, and it is more comfortable to swim in the morning. Tours to Sharm El Sheikh are usually booked for 7–14 nights, and on site people spend cash dollars and pounds.
Visa, documents and entry rules for Kazakhstanis: what do you need to know?
Preparation for a trip to this Egyptian resort begins with simple steps. Tourists from Kazakhstan can get here without unnecessary formalities.
Visa-free regime and passport validity
Citizens of Kazakhstan enter Egypt with a foreign passport. A trip to Sharm El Sheikh does not require a visa in advance; the stamp is placed on arrival. The document's validity must cover the journey with a margin. Tours here are usually booked for 7–14 nights. Check that the passport does not expire in the coming months. At the border they may ask for a return ticket and hotel booking. Keep these papers at hand to pass control calmly. Sharm El Sheikh receives flights around the clock, so the stamp is also placed at night. Check the exact document requirements with official authorities before departure.
Medical insurance: when it is really needed
Insurance for entry is not mandatory, but for diving it is arranged separately. Sharm El Sheikh is a center of underwater tourism, and going under water involves risk. A regular policy does not cover such cases. Tours to Sharm El Sheikh with activities should be supplemented with extended insurance. It will be useful for snorkeling, trips to the desert and sea excursions. Egyptian medicine for a tourist is paid, and calling a doctor to the hotel is expensive. Arrange the policy before departure from Almaty. Without it, the trip may turn into extra expenses.
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 checked on 10.09.2026.
Money, tips and expenses on site: how much to take with you?
Money at the resort is needed every day. This Egypt lives on cash, and local holidays are no exception.
Egyptian pound, dollars and exchange rate
The main currency is the Egyptian pound, but dollars are accepted in hotels. Sharm El Sheikh lives on tourists, so there are many exchangers here. The rate at the hotel is always worse than in the city. Exchange money in small amounts so as not to be left with extra notes. Change in tourist places is often given in pounds at an unfavorable rate. ATMs at the resort are found everywhere, but the commission from Kazakhstani cards can be high. The Egyptian side does not always accept Visa and Mastercard cards. Take cash dollars with you and exchange them as needed. Tours to Sharm El Sheikh are convenient to pay for in advance, and spend little by little on site.
Baksheesh: to whom and how much is it customary to leave
Tips in Egypt are part of the culture, not a sign of generosity. Sharm El Sheikh lives on baksheesh, and almost everyone expects it. A waiter, maid, driver and guide are left 1–2 dollars each. A porter receives the same for each suitcase. For an excursion it is customary to thank the guide separately. Keep small notes in your pocket; breaking large sums is inconvenient. The Egyptian habit of tipping is not related to the quality of service. A vacation here without baksheesh turns into a series of awkward pauses. Set aside a sum for tips in advance so as not to count small change on the go.
How to get to the resort and move around the city
The road from Almaty takes several hours. On site, the holiday there continues with trips around the city.
Direct flights from Almaty and travel time
Direct charters from Almaty fly in high season. Sharm El Sheikh receives such flights several times a week. Travel time is about 5–6 hours. 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. The Egyptian side switches to summer time, so the clocks will have to be changed. The return flight is usually at night, which is convenient for saving the day. Tours to Sharm El Sheikh include the flight, transfer and accommodation. In the shoulder season there are fewer direct flights, and connections are possible. Check the schedule with the tour operator before booking.
Taxi, minibuses and trips to the Old Town
Uber does not work at the resort, so bargain with taxi drivers in advance. Sharm El Sheikh is divided into districts, and prices for trips differ. Local minibuses run along the main streets and cost less than a taxi. The Old Town is a center of craft shops and cafes; people go there for the atmosphere. The road from Naama Bay hotels takes about 15–20 minutes. The Egyptian driving style requires attention, especially at night. Agree on the price before getting into the car. A vacation here is more convenient to plan taking these distances into account.
What to do on the water and beyond the beach
The sea is the main reason to go here. A holiday here is not limited to a sun lounger by the pool.
Diving and snorkeling in Ras Mohammed
Ras Mohammed is a reserve with corals and rich fauna. Sharm El Sheikh keeps the best dive sites there. Diving requires advance booking and a certificate for deep descents. Snorkeling is available to beginners; a mask and snorkel are provided on site. The Egyptian side charges an environmental fee for visiting the reserve. The water warms up to +22…+24 °C in winter, so long swimming is comfortable in a wetsuit. In summer the air temperature reaches +40 °C, and it is better to dive in the morning. Tours to Sharm El Sheikh often include one sea excursion. Sign up in advance; places in high season are taken quickly.
Excursions to the pyramids and to Cairo: how many days it will take
A trip to the Giza pyramids and Cairo takes a full day. Sharm El Sheikh stands on the other side of Sinai, so the journey is long. The Egyptian side offers two options: a flight or a bus. The plane saves time, the bus is cheaper, but the road takes many hours. From Cairo, tourists bring back impressions of the museum and the pyramids. They return to the hotel late in the evening. Rest at the resort after such a trip requires a day to recover. Plan the excursion in the middle of your holiday, not before departure.
What to consider before booking a tour
Small things decide what your vacation will be like. A trip here depends on the hotel and the season.
Dress code, alcohol and rules of conduct at the hotel
Dinner at the hotel restaurant does not allow swimsuits and shorts. Sharm El Sheikh follows Egyptian norms, even in the tourist area. Bring closed clothing for evening outings. Alcohol is sold in licensed shops and hotel bars. The Egyptian side restricts the export of spirits from the country. The all inclusive system covers drinks at the hotel, but outside it the bill is separate. Tours to Sharm El Sheikh with all inclusive meals are more profitable for families. Check the hotel rules in advance so as not to argue at the reception.
Souvenirs, haggling in markets and local cuisine
Haggling in markets here is expected, and is not considered impolite. Sharm El Sheikh sells papyrus, oils, spices, hookahs and cotton. Egyptian cuisine is built on falafel, koshari and seafood. In tourist areas there are restaurants with a European menu. Start haggling at half the named price and stay calm. Souvenirs are more convenient to buy in the Old Town, there the choice is wider. A holiday here will leave an impression from the food too, if you try the local. Do not take excursions from random people on the street.
In short
- The resort receives charters from Almaty in high season, the journey takes about 5–6 hours.
- Money is spent on site in cash: dollars are exchanged for Egyptian pounds as needed.
- Ras Mohammed gives the best impressions of corals, snorkeling and diving.
- A trip to the pyramids and Cairo takes a full day, it is placed in the middle of the holiday.