Sharm El Sheikh Tourist Trap Tips by mr.small Top 5 Page for this destination

New taxi con?

The taxi and mini bus prices in Sharm are fixed by the local government and they are fixed at a rate that is very generous in the drivers favour.The fixed rate tariff has to be displayed in the window of the taxi or mini bus(it is a round sticker with the vehicle description and common journey prices) and the rate varies depending on the vehicle,mini bus being the cheapest ,then white bonnet(local) taxis and finally the most expensive,the blue bonnet(peaugot,long distance) taxi.Not content with just lying to get more money from the passenger the mini bus and white bonnet taxi drivers have now resorted to putting a tariff sticker from the more expensive blue bonnet taxi on display in their windscreens.Take no notice of the tariff sticker if it is the wrong one.The mini bus sticker is green,the white bonnet taxi one is blue and the blue bonnet taxi one is red.

Unique Suggestions: Here is the official(prices correct june 07) tariff list,for journeys not specified just add the legs together.

http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/53487/1e93d1/9/

Fun Alternatives: The trick is to look and sound like you know what you are doing.If they think you are a tourist they will rip you off.

The visa you do NOT need!!!!!

Fact.If you enter egypt by landing at Sharm airport and do not go outside of the designated sharm area(does not include Ras Mohammed national park),you do not need to pay for a 30 day visa,you only need the free one.On arrival at Sharm airport you will be given an immigration form to fill in,on the reverse put "Sinai only".At passport control your passport will be stamped with a free 15 day,Sinai only visa. A lot of people will try to tell you that it means that you will not be able to dive or even go in the sea etc but it is all rubbish.You can go to St Catherines,Mt Sinai etc but not Cairo,Ras Mo etc.If you think you may want to travel outside of Sharm,get the visa on entry as it is difficult to get once you have entered the country.