Shopping in Sharm el-Sheikh: where to find the best prices and how to avoid overpaying?

A recent report says Fix Price may accept cash US dollars; confirm at the checkout before paying. Check any change as well, as old US dollar notes were reportedly given out.

For a basic snorkelling mask, fixed-price shops such as Fix Price or Mango Market were quoted at roughly EGP 200–300. Markets and hotel shops are usually more expensive.

IKEA in Sharm el-Sheikh has a selection of small household items, but a recent visitor found it noticeably expensive compared with better-value shops.

When buying clothes at bazaars, start bargaining at around one-third of the asking price. If the seller refuses, walk away calmly; they may call you back if the amount works for them. For better-quality clothing, shops in the Soho area were recommended.

Nefertiti oils at tourist-stop shops may be priced at about three times their normal value, reportedly because of markup and tour-company commission; these outlets are best avoided.

Regarding payment at Fix Price: they accept Egyptian pounds and bank cards (no cash dollars). Some report that RSHB UP cards have recently started being accepted too.

In the largest Fix Price supermarket, every item has price tags and electronic price boards, making it easy to compare prices. In the smaller Fix Price branches, there are no price tags — you have to ask staff for prices.

You can order groceries/goods online for delivery — the minimum order is about $30. One traveller placed an order online, arranged a convenient delivery time, and received prompt, priority service with no queue.

Fixed-price shops are useful for checking a price benchmark first: nearby tourist shops may quote an initial price two times, and sometimes up to ten times, above the real value. If you do not know the usual price, bargain very firmly.

If offered a free introductory trip with shopping stops, avoid buying at those stores: the goods are aimed at tourists and sold at inflated prices.

Basic snorkelling masks can be found from about $5; travellers who need vision correction may prefer bringing a prescription mask.

There is a shop about 100–150 meters from the hotel with prices marked on all items; at checkout the cashier may knock off a couple of dollars.

There are two Fix Price stores of different sizes: the small one is for quick, specific purchases, while the large one is better for browsing and comparing prices, though it gets very crowded in the evenings.

Shops often give small change in candy; when paying in dollars, the candy change tends to be of higher value than when paying in Egyptian pounds.

For masks and fins, one tip is to walk left out of the hotel, past the Soho area, toward the Sunrise hotels: there is a decent shop on the left with reasonable prices. It is not pro-level gear, but suitable for holiday use, and the seller helps with fitting. One example given was children’s fins costing about half the price of Russian marketplaces.

A useful souvenir-shopping detail is the payment currency: at Fix Price, prices are typically marked in Egyptian pounds, and paying in EGP is better to avoid an unfavorable in-store dollar conversion. At Mango Market, prices are often shown in US dollars, so paying in dollars is more straightforward. Both stores can be found in Naama Bay.

For larger shopping runs, commenters report that Ghomla is cheaper than Cleopatra Bazaar; Cleopatra Bazaar is described as significantly more expensive.

Near the fountains there are two supermarkets, Best Way and Spinneys. Reports say prices there are reasonable without obvious tourist markup; one practical detail: Spinneys accepts only Egyptian pounds, while Best Way also takes US dollars.

For souvenir shopping, Mango Market and Fix Price have broadly similar selection and average prices. Fix Price may be slightly cheaper, but transport can wipe out the savings. Mango Market can be the better value if you can walk there or use a free shuttle, whereas a taxi to Fix Price may cost about $2 each way.

In tourist shops selling leather and similar goods, opening prices can be inflated by 3–4 times, so bargaining needs to be very aggressive. One example shared was a leather jacket first quoted at $1,200–1,500, with a fair target price closer to $300.

To avoid overpaying in tourist shopping areas, check the item before leaving: make sure the correct product is put in your bag and double-check any change given in US dollars.

Some shops and supermarkets have a price checker: if there is no shelf label, you can scan the item yourself and see the price before checkout.

Adidas stores in Sharm el-Sheikh have fixed prices, not duty-free pricing. It's worth checking the current stock before making a trip.