Is Sharm El Sheikh Safe in December 2026?

Taxi drivers between Naama Bay, the Old Market, and resort areas refuse to use meters and demand fixed rates that are three to five times higher for obvious tourists compared to what Egyptian nationals pay for the same journey.

How to avoid: Agree on a price before entering any taxi. Ask your hotel reception what the going rate is for your specific journey. For the airport, book through your hotel for a fixed, known price.

Similar to Giza, handlers at desert excursion areas and near tourist sites help tourists onto a camel or horse at an agreed price, then demand much more at the end of the ride, claiming the original price was a deposit or was per minute rather than for the full ride.

How to avoid: Agree on the exact total price for the complete round trip in writing or with a witness before mounting any animal. Bring only the agreed amount to hand over and make clear you have no more money available.

Souvenir shops near tourist areas sell papyrus, alabaster, and other supposed traditional crafts accompanied by fake certificates of authenticity and inflated claimed valuations. The items are mass-produced in factories and worth a fraction of the asking price.

How to avoid: Buy souvenirs at fixed-price government souvenir shops where prices are marked and non-negotiable. If bargaining in markets, treat all certificates of authenticity with skepticism and negotiate prices down to 20–30% of the initial asking price.

Touts at Sharm El Sheikh Airport arrivals and near hotels sell overpriced excursion packages claiming official affiliations with the resort. The same trips are available through your hotel rep or a reputable agency at half the price.

How to avoid: Compare excursion prices at your hotel, through a reputable agency in Na'ama Bay, and with online reviews. Never buy from anyone who approaches you at the airport. Book diving only with PADI-certified centers.

Quad bike rental operators in the desert tour areas take a deposit or credit card imprint before rental. Upon return, they claim pre-existing scratches or mechanical faults are damage caused by the renter and refuse to return the deposit, or charge significant repair fees.

How to avoid: Photograph and video the quad bike thoroughly from all angles before accepting it, making sure to capture existing damage with a timestamp. Get a written condition report signed by the operator. Use a credit card rather than cash for deposits.