Quick answer: Sharm gives you 25°C in January, a house reef and all-inclusive from £500–£900 per person for a week, five and a half hours from Gatwick or Manchester.
Cite this page: Atravel.uk, “Sharm el-Sheikh from the UK”, updated 12 November 2026. https://atravel.uk/destinations/sharm-el-sheikh/
Sharm el-Sheikh is the winter sun option for people who want to snorkel: the reef starts at the end of the hotel jetty, the water is 22°C in January, and the sun is reliable in a way the Canaries cannot promise.
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When to go
- Best months: March to May, October and November
- Cheapest months: January and February, still 22–24°C
- Avoid: July and August, when it is 38°C and the reef is busiest
What it costs
| All-inclusive, 7 nights, per person | £500–£900 |
|---|---|
| Return flights only | £200–£400 |
| Two guided dives | £60–£90 |
| Visa on arrival | About £20 |
Typical ranges from our partner searches, 2026-11-12. Both the season and the booking window shift these figures.
Getting there
Direct flights from Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham and Stansted in about 5h 30m, with Edinburgh and Glasgow usually connecting. Resorts are 10 to 25 minutes from the airport.
Flights to Sharm el-Sheikh from the UK
4 UK airports have non-stop flights to Sharm el-Sheikh, landing at Sharm el-Sheikh (SSH). The full month-by-month fare bands are on the cheapest month page, and a two-night budget is on what a weekend costs.
| From | Flight time | Cheapest month | Returns from |
|---|---|---|---|
| London Gatwick | 5h 30m | February | £160 |
| London Stansted | 5h 30m | February | £160 |
| Birmingham | 5h 45m | February | £170 |
| Manchester | 5h 45m | February | £170 |
Indicative return bands from our partner searches, city airport to arrival. The full month-by-month table is on each route page.
All 149 UK flight routes we cover
What to see
- Ras Mohammed National Park, by boat, for the best reef in the region
- The house reef at your hotel, which is often just as good
- Naama Bay in the evening, once, for the atmosphere
- A desert trip to the Bedouin camps, if you want a break from the water
Where to stay
Naama Bay for nightlife, Sharks Bay and Ras Um Sid for snorkelling from the shore, Nabq for quiet and wind.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sharm el-Sheikh safe?
The resort areas are heavily secured and the Foreign Office advice currently allows travel. Check it before booking, as it can change.
Do I need a visa?
Yes, about £20 on arrival or online in advance. Some Sinai-only stays are visa-free for 15 days — check the current rule.
Can you drink the tap water?
No. Bottled water only, including for brushing teeth, and avoid ice in small places.
Also worth a look
- Dubai: Seven hours to guaranteed sun in February.
- Antalya: All-inclusive value with a Roman old town attached.
- Lanzarote: Volcanic, windy and unlike the other Canaries.