Sharm El Sheikh International Airport: A Comprehensive Guide

Nov 06, 2025 0

Sharm El Sheikh International Airport (SSH) serves as the primary gateway to the popular resort town of Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt. It is an international airport located in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. Known in Arabic as مطار شرم الشيخ الدولي (Maṭār Sharm El Sheikh El Dawli), it holds the IATA code SSH and ICAO code HESH. It is the third-busiest airport in Egypt after Cairo International Airport and Hurghada International Airport and one of the busiest airports in the Middle East.

Sharm El Sheikh International Airport is just a few kilometers from Sharm El Sheikh city center. There are many tourist attractions in the vicinity of the airport. From the airport, it is a short drive to Ras Mohammed National Park, famous diving spots and vibrant resorts such as Naama Bay. You can also drive a few hours from the airport to the tranquil beaches of Dahab, the coral reefs of Tiran Island and the historic St. Catherine’s Monastery.

Sharm El Sheikh is one of the most important tourist destinations in Egypt. Sharm El Sheikh International Airport is a critical transportation point for domestic and international tourists traveling to this city. Sharm El Sheikh International Airport is an important transportation hub, especially for tourists coming from regions such as Europe, the Middle East and Russia.

Sharm el-Sheikh attracts millions of tourists every year with its warm climate, unique sea and natural beauty. Sharm el-Sheikh is a favorite destination for divers and underwater explorers. In the crystal clear waters of the Red Sea, you can discover a world of colorful coral reefs and exotic sea creatures. Popular diving spots such as Naama Bay and Ras Mohammed National Park attract thousands of tourists every year.

History of Sharm El Sheikh International Airport

Sharm Airport was constructed by Israel in 1968 as its main airport for its effort in the Sinai war against Egypt and Jordan. After the peace treaty was signed and the Sinai peninsula returned to Egypt, Sharm El Sheik airport was taken over Egypt Airport Holding company.

Read also: Detailed Review: Jaz Belvedere

Airport Terminals

The airport in Sharm El Sheikh features two main passenger terminals that handle both domestic and international flights. Although known as Terminal 2, this is actually the airport's original terminal building. It underwent a complete modernisation programme in 2004 and has a passenger handling capacity of 2.5 million passengers per year.

Terminal 1

This modern terminal primarily handles international flights. It features spacious check-in areas, a variety of shops, restaurants and lounges. On 23 May 2007, the airport's second terminal, the new Terminal 1, was inaugurated with a capacity for 5 million passengers per year. The two-level, 43,000-square-metre (460,000 sq ft) terminal features 40 check-in counters and is designed to cater to a large number of international and chartered flights. It has two domestic and six international gates, all of which exit to remote stands.

The terminal comprises three building components: two circular-shaped halls fused together by a wedge-shaped intermediate space dubbed 'the boat'. This serves as a passenger transit hub housing passport control, duty-free, and VIP areas as well as cafes/restaurants.

Terminal 2

Primarily used for domestic flights and some regional international flights. In December 2016, Egyptian Airports Company announced plans to extend Terminal 2. EAC plans to expand the terminal and increase its capacity by two million passengers per year, thus taking the total capacity of the airport to 9.5 million. In November 2019, it was announced part of the expansion of Terminal 2 had been completed increasing the airports annual capacity, from 7 million, to 9 million a year. For now, the number of gates was raised to 12 from 8.

Terminal 3 (Proposed)

Terminal 3 was proposed in 2008 to increase the airport's passenger handling capacity by 10 million. The airport would be expected to cater to 18 million passengers annually by 2025. The new terminal and runway were planned to be constructed adjacent to the el Salam road. Terminal three and its contact stands would occupy an area of about 183,000m² featuring a departure hall and an arrival hall, serving both international and domestic passengers.

The terminal three was to face a new airfield to the north of the existing airport. Its origami shaped roof folds provide shades over the departure area, protect the facades from direct sunlight and provide natural lighting throughout the building. Taxiways and aprons were also to be constructed as part of the project. Other associated infrastructure were to include an electrical or mechanical plant, sheds for security services, a mosque, a car parking area and a wastewater treatment facility.

Baggage Handling

At Sharm El Sheikh Airport, the baggage handling process is tailored to accommodate different ticketing and travel arrangements. For passengers traveling on a single ticket, baggage is typically checked through to the final destination.

Security Procedures

The security routine at the airport is quite similar no matter if your flight is international or domestic. When it comes to international flights all passengers must go through security screening, which includes a walk-through metal detector and baggage X-ray examination. Additional random checks, including pat-downs and secondary screenings, may occur.

Dining Options

The airport offers a variety of dining options to cater to different tastes and preferences. Below we list some popular options that are all found in Terminal 1.

Airport Lounges

SSH provides lounge possibilities where travelers can take it easy before boarding their flight. In Terminal 1 you find the Pearl Lounge which is accessible to all passengers for a fee.

Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program.

Pearl Lounge (Terminal 1) - Location: Terminal 1, Airside. Hours: open 24 hours. Lounge Access: Pay at the door • Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs.
Pearl Lounge (Terminal 2) - Two locations: Terminal 2, Landside and Airside. Hours: open 24 hours. Lounge Access: Pay at the door • Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs.

Transportation Options

There are several transportation options for reaching Sharm El Sheikh and other parts of the region from the airport.

Taxi: Taxis are readily available at the airport, with fares to the city center typically costing around EGP 100-150.
Car Rental: Several car rental companies operate at the airport, with daily rates starting at around EGP 300, depending on the vehicle and season.
Bus There are regular bus services from Sharm El Sheikh International Airport to the city center. Buses are generally much cheaper than other means of transportation. The journey to the city center is between 30-40 minutes by bus.
Minibus: Minibuses are vehicles that serve small passenger groups. Usually 5-10 people can travel in minibuses. It takes 20-30 minutes to reach the city center by minibus.
Private Shuttle Services: Many hotels and resorts have private shuttle services for their passengers.

Get from Sharm El Sheikh International Airport to the city center by taxi, private transfer, minibus, or bus. Taxis are the fastest option, taking around 15-20 minutes. Private transfers offer pre-booked convenience.

Parking Facilities

Sharm El Sheikh International Airport has both indoor and outdoor parking areas. These parking areas are close to the terminal building. The short-term parking area is ideal for passengers who want to park their vehicles for just a few hours. Short-term parking lots are located close to the terminal. Long-term parking lots are located further away from the terminal.

The parking lots at Sharm El Sheikh International Airport are monitored by 24-hour security cameras. The parking lots are also integrated with car rental services. There are also special parking areas for disabled passengers in the parking lots at the airport.

Additional Airport Information

Wi-Fi: Sharm El Sheikh International Airport offers Wi-Fi services, but connectivity quality can vary. Some areas provide free access, while others may require payment.
Duty-Free Shopping: Sharm El Sheikh International Airport has duty-free shops located in both the arrival and departure areas. Travelers can purchase alcohol, tobacco, perfumes, cosmetics, and souvenirs.
Currency Exchange and ATMs: Yes, Sharm El Sheikh International Airport has currency exchange offices and ATMs.
Restaurants and Cafes: Yes, Sharm El Sheikh Airport has restaurants and cafes offering local and international food.
Lost Luggage: If your luggage is lost at Sharm El Sheikh International Airport, report it immediately to the airport’s lost and found office.

Airlines Serving Sharm El Sheikh International Airport

A handful of airlines fly into Sharm El Sheikh International airport Including Egypt Air, Egypt Air Express and TUI.

Airlines Sharm El Sheikh Airport is served by the following airlines: Aeroflot • AirBaltic • Air Italy Polska • Air Mediterranee • Air Serbia • AMC Airlines • Arkefly • Astraeus • Austrian Airlines • Belair • Bulgaria Air • Condor • Corsairfly • Donavia • EasyJet • Edelweiss • Egyptair • IFly • Jazeera Airways • Jetairfly • Koral Blue Airlines • Lotus Air • Luxair • Neos • NIKI • Nordwind Airlines • Orenair • Rossiya Airlines • S7 Airlines • SmartLynx • TAROM • Thomson Airways • Transavia • TUIfly • Ukraine International • VIM Airlines.

Safety and Security

Sharm el-Sheikh maintains strong security in tourist areas, with resorts providing personnel, checkpoints, and surveillance.

Sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:

Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight.

Historical Incidents

On January 3, 2004, Flash Airlines Flight 604, en route to Cairo and then Paris as its final destination, crashed in the Red Sea shortly after taking off from Sharm El Sheikh, killing all 148 people on board.

On August 23, 2015, Thomson Airways Flight 476, approaching Sharm El Sheikh at the end of a flight from London Stansted Airport with 189 passengers aboard, took evasive action to avoid a missile traveling toward it; the missile missed the airliner by about 1,000 feet (300 meters), and the plane landed safely.

On October 31, 2015, Metrojet Flight 9268, en route from Sharm El Sheikh to St. Petersburg, Russia, crashed in the Sinai Peninsula between Nekhel and Housna, killing all 224 people on board, most of them Russian tourists.

In November 2015, passenger numbers significantly decreased due to the downing of Metrojet Flight 9268 on 31 October 2015. This led to airlines cancelling flights from the airport and operating rescue flights for stranded passengers. Governments from Russia and European countries such as the United Kingdom banned airlines from operating to the airport, citing safety concerns that were highlighted following the crash.

Future Developments

The plan aims to increase the capacity to 20 million passengers per annum as the number of tourists visiting the resort city is rising, during winter in particular.

The Egyptian airport is expected to handle 18 million passengers per year by 2025. A new terminal (terminal three) and a runway are being constructed to increase the airport’s passenger handling capacity by 10 million. The new terminal and the 3,600m-long runway construction project is estimated to generate 2,500 construction jobs and will require about 500 trained staff to operate the new facilities. The new development works are expected to be completed by 2015.

Terminal one became operational in 2007 and was constructed to enable the airport to handle seven million passengers annually. Terminal one of the Egyptian airport has a passenger handling capacity of 4.5 million per year. The construction of the facility was carried out with funds provided by The World Bank.

The lower floor of the departure hall will house shops, duty free area and baggage handling facilities, while offices, mechanical area, cafe and corridors will be located in the central area of the floor. The lower floor of the arrival hall will feature baggage handling facilities and provide other support services, while the ground floor will comprise of a public arrival hall, a visa processing room, international and domestic baggage claim facility, custom area and offices.

The airport is currently equipped with administration and airline offices, a control tower, a power station, a car park outside the two existing terminals, and two runways.

The new terminal and runway will be constructed adjacent to the el Salam road. The terminal three will face a new airfield to the north of the existing airport.

Taxiways and aprons will also be constructed as part of the project. Other associated infrastructure will include an electrical or mechanical plant, sheds for security services, a mosque, a car parking area and a wastewater treatment facility.

Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Sharm El Sheikh Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport - including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.

To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Sharm El-Sheikh International Airport.

Sharm El-Sheikh Airport (code: SSH) has two terminals: the recently built Terminal 1 handles most traffic, and the older Terminal 2, serving domestic routes, may be undergoing an expansion. A third terminal is in the planning stages, but construction may be delayed. Amenities include several restaurants and cafes offering local and Western cuisine and duty-free and retail shops.

WiFi is available, but we cannot confirm if it’s free or paid. Economy class passengers can pay to enter an airport lounge at each terminal.

We do not yet have any sleep-related airport reviews. For uninterrupted sleep, nearby hotels offer shuttle service for a fee. See our Airport Hotels section below for more info.

As of this update, we could not confirm airport hours of operation. We recommend reading a few reviews before deciding to sleep in the airport overnight. If you know the airport hours, click here to update this airport guide, and we will update it.

There are no dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones.

The airport does not provide cots to stranded travellers. If this has changed, click here to update the guide.

If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Sharm el Sheikh Airport:

Hilton Sharks Bay Resort - Airport shuttle is available for a fee. » Check Rates
Jaz Sharks Bay - No shuttle airport. » Check Rates

For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels in Sharm el Sheik, search for deals and read traveller reviews.

Information is unavailable. Does the airport have water fountains or water bottle refill stations? Click here to update this guide.

The airport has several restaurants, cafes and fast food options. Both National and European dishes are available.

A cloakroom is available in the Arrivals Area to store luggage.

We had no information about mobile charging availability at the time of this update. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.

Unavailable. If this is incorrect, click here to update this guide.

WiFi is available at Sharm El Sheikh Airport. Rates and access information are currently unknown. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.