So, I finally got around to writing about my trip through Sharm El Sheikh International Airport, SSH as they call it. Getting there was the usual holiday taxi vibe, pulling up to the terminal.
First impression? Looked pretty modern from the outside, which was decent enough. Stepped inside, and it felt quite spacious. Finding the check-in desk for my flight wasn’t a hassle, which is always a good start, right? The queues were there, naturally, but they seemed to move along at a reasonable pace. Got my boarding pass, dropped off the bag, simple stuff.
Security Checks – Be Prepared
Okay, let me tell you about security. They really mean business here. It wasn’t just one quick scan. Felt like I went through multiple stages. First, there was an initial check, then the main one with the X-ray machines – shoes off, belts off, laptops out, the whole routine. Then even closer to the gate area, sometimes another quick passport and boarding pass check. It definitely takes time, so don’t cut it fine getting to the airport. Seriously, allow extra time for this part.
Inside the Departure Area
Once you’re through all that, you land in the departure lounge. It’s pretty big and bright, lots of glass. And shops, oh boy, the shops.
- Loads of duty-free places selling perfumes, cigarettes, alcohol, and all those souvenirs you suddenly think you need.
- Some cafés and places to grab a bite. But honestly, the prices were sky-high. A simple bottle of water cost a fortune. My advice? Eat before you come or bring your own snacks if you can.
- Plenty of seating around, which was good. Found a spot to wait without too much trouble.
- Didn’t really check the Wi-Fi, was too busy watching people and trying not to buy overpriced chocolate.
The vibe was generally busy, lots of tourists coming and going, as you’d expect. Seemed clean enough, staff were around doing their thing.
Boarding and Taking Off
Finding the gate was easy, signs were clear enough. When boarding started, it was reasonably organized. For my flight, we ended up taking a bus out to the plane, which is pretty common. Got onto the bus, short ride across the tarmac, then up the stairs onto the aircraft. No major dramas, pretty standard procedure.
Overall? Sharm El Sheikh airport does the job. It looks the part, feels relatively modern, and gets you on your plane. The security is very thorough, which is reassuring I guess, but it does add time to your journey. Just be ready for that, and maybe bring your own water unless you don’t mind paying top dollar. It’s a busy place handling lots of holidaymakers, so keep expectations realistic. It wasn’t the smoothest airport experience ever, but far from the worst either. Just another part of the travel adventure, really.
