Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport (IATA: SSH,ICAO), formerly known as
Ophira International Airport, is an international airport located in Sharm el-Sheikh, just at 20 min. drive from Naama bay.
Opened on May 14, 1968, the airport was originally an Israeli Air Force base and also served the small settlement of Ofira, before the territory was returned to Egypt following the Camp David Accords.
On May 23rd 2007, the airport's second terminal was inaugurated with a capacity for 8 million passengers per year. The two-level 43,000 m2 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'. 'The boat' serves as a passenger transit hub housing passport control, duty free, and VIP areas as well as cafes/restaurants. The halls, in stark textural contrast to the solid mass of 'the boat', feature airy, billowing tent-like roofs inspired by the indigenous Beduin culture. (source
Wikipedia)
The new terminal is "Terminal 1" and the old one is "Terminal 2".
From Terminal 1 are departing and landing all the scheduled flight, while Terminal 2 accomodate all the charter flights.
To enter the Airport, either for terminal 1 or 2, there is a charge of L.E.5 that is paid at the exit gate.
At terminal 1 is located the duty free where alcoholic beverages can be purchased up to 48 hours upon arrival. The quantity allowed is 1 crate of beer and 2 bottles of any items available.
VISANon-Egyptian visitors arriving in Egypt are required to be in possession of a minimum 6 month valid passport. Italian and German citizen are allowed to enter the country with a valid ID card. The ID card must be valid for travelling abroad and have a minimum validity of 6 month.
In this case visitors need to have:
- 2 recent passport pictures,
- 1 copy of the ID card.
An Entry Visa is required to enter the country of Egypt and can be obtain at any of the Major Ports of Entry.
Citizens of the following countries are required to be in possession of a pre-arrival visa: Afghanistan, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Chechnya, Croatia,Georgia, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Iran, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kirghizia, Lebanon, Macau, Macedonia, Malaysia, Moldavia, Morocco, Pakistan, Palestine, The Philippines,Russia, Serbia and Montenegro, Sri-Lanka, Tadzhikistan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and all African countries. There are 2 kind of Visas: the Full Egyptian Visa and the Visa for South Sinai only.

With the Full Egyptian Visa is possible to travel all over the country and the cost is 15$. The Visa is valid for 28 days and can be renewed in the Visa office in El Tour, at 100 km. from Sharm.
Visa stamp is normally provided by the tour operator included in the holiday's package or can be purchased on the arrival Hall before proceding to custom.
The South Sinai Visa is free of charge and is valid for 15 days only and can not be renewed. This Visa is valid for South Sinai only and is possible to travel to Dahab, Taba, Sinai Mountan, St. Cathrine, Tiran Island. To visit the National Park of Ras Mohamed is possible only with the Full Visa.