Mumsnet Talk

Hi,

We are planning a trip to Sharm in March. At this point we don't think we'll be doing any excursions, we just fancy lounging by the pool/sea all week, so are thinking we will not purchase visas on arrival.

If, however, we did decide to do an excursion that required a visa later on in the holiday, can we still purchase one at that time? Would we need to go back to the airport for this? Or can you only get one on arrival?

Also, which excursions require visas?

Thanks.

i think from my memory you only need a visa if your planing to leave the sinai area
when i went with my niece last year and at all other time we didn't get visa and we still did snorkel trips and day trips

if you think your going to need one its much easier to get at the airport than have to get one later

copied this from trip advisor for you

everyone must complete a landing card, whether they are applying for a visa or not. These are often given out on the plane but one can obtain them in the Arrivals Hall; this is what they look like: http://www.allievanaltena.nl/preznt.n...
If you don’t want a visa, then simply fill in the card & write “SINAI ONLY” on the back (anywhere). Please read on to see if you will need a visa:

Because Sharm as well as some other tourist resorts such as Taba and Dahab are on the Sinai Peninsula, a Visa is required in order to:

a) Travel out of Sinai - to Cairo, Luxor, The Ras Mohammed trip by boat, quad (taking in the blue lagoon & BBQ lunch), car or bus.
b) to leave the immediate beach area and go further out to sea. The latter means that if you want to go to some dive sites - you will need a visa.
One can buy a single entry visa on arrival in Sinai or Egypt. It's valid for 30 days. One can obtain multi-entry visas from the Consulate in London, prior to travel. They are valid for 6m & allow a maximum single stay of 90 days. This is usually done by post (allow 7 days) or in person (allow 2 days)

That's really helpful, thanks very much!

They're optional?! i never realised!

Yes they are optional but most people don't realise this its only if your leaving the Sinai area that you need a visa