We are going to Egypt (Marsa Alam) for a week at Christmas and I am a bit confused reading the information about needing a visa because it seems to imply that if you don't want to travel about out of your hotel you can do without a visa.  Has anyone been and did they need a visa?  Also did you buy it before you went from the Egyptian Consulate or get it on arrival at the airport?  Thanks.  I have tried the consulate website and it gives instruction on how to get a visa, not if you need one.

See http://tinyurl.com/343q9 for allsorts of information

Daisy

hi my son and his girl friend have just come back from sharm in egypt, they never had to have visa, nor did i when i went to tarba in egypt 4 years ago,   sue

I am going to Sharm next week, landing at the airport there you can tick the visa box as Sinai only but it will restrict you to remaining within the Sharm to Taba strip, to even travel as far as the Ras Mahammed reserve you need a visa but this can be bought at the airport and only costs $18 so probably worth it for the freedom it gives.  As far as I am aware all other areas you will need the visa.

Thanks for the replies, relief to know it can all be done at the arrival airport, we are going to Marsa Alam which is south of Sharm - obviously all one needs to get this visa at the airport is a passport, not a photo or anything.

That is the case at Sharm airport, although I tend to always take a couple of photos with me wherever I go.  Where do you fly into because you are across the Gulf of Suez from Sharm aren't you?  If its Hurghada I'm sure you can get your visa there but I think there may be a nearer domestic airport, if they are transferring you via that I'm not so sure.  Have you booked it yourself or have you got a operator you can check with?
I'm so looking forward to a bit of sun :) I bet you will be too come December?

Yes Isabel apparently Marsa Alam have a small airport now and I telephoned tour operator (Portland Direct) and asked about it and he just said Oh you fill in an entry form on the plane, and called to his colleague to confirm, so I'm not over confident!  We certainly are looking forward to some sun in December and we will be there for Christmas and my 50th birthday (eeek) on Boxing Day, so it will all be very different!

Isabel have a wonderful holiday and please let me know how you get on, what to look out for, etc.  My husband loves diving and I am into snorkelling, our daughter just wants a nice hotel!