If you’re looking for affordable beach getaways from Russia, charter flights to Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt represent one of the best travel bargains available today. With prices starting as low as 4,000 RUB for last-minute deals, these charter flights offer incredible value – but they require a specific booking strategy. In this guide, I’ll share exactly how to find and book these discounted charter flights using AviaSales.

Why Charter Flights to Sharm El Sheikh?

Charter flights between Russia and Egyptian resort destinations like Sharm El Sheikh operate on a unique model:

• Exclusive routes not served by regular scheduled airlines
• Bulk seat purchasing by tour operators at discounted rates
• Last-minute sales to fill remaining seats
• Significant savings compared to scheduled flights

These flights are particularly popular among Russian tourists seeking winter sun escapes, making the competition for the best deals quite fierce.

The Secret Timing: When to Check AviaSales

The golden rule: Check AviaSales daily in the afternoon.

Why Afternoon Matters:

• Tour operator updates: Agencies typically update their unsold charter inventory between 12:00 and 16:00 Moscow time
• Cancellation windows: Previous bookings that aren’t confirmed or paid for are released back into inventory
• Capacity management: Operators assess remaining seats and adjust prices accordingly
• Best visibility: Afternoon searches show the most accurate availability for upcoming departures

Daily Checking Routine:

1. Set a daily reminder for 14:00-15:00 Moscow time
2. Be consistent – prices and availability change daily
3. Weekdays vs weekends: More inventory tends to appear on Mondays-Thursdays as weekend travel plans firm up

Understanding the Pricing Structure

Starting from 4,000 RUB – What This Means:

• Base price range: 4,000-8,000 RUB for one-way flights
• Factors affecting price:
• Departure airport (Moscow typically cheapest)
• Travel season (winter highest, summer lower)
• Advance booking time (last-minute cheapest)
• Day of week (midweek cheaper than weekends)
• Special promotions and sales

Price Breakdown Example:

One-way Moscow (VKO/DME) to Sharm El Sheikh (SSH)
- Ultra-last-minute (1-2 days): 4,000-5,500 RUB
- Last-minute (3-7 days): 5,500-7,000 RUB
- Standard (8-14 days): 7,000-9,000 RUB
- Advance (15+ days): 9,000+ RUB

How to Search Effectively on AviaSales

Step 1: Configure Your Search Settings

1. Enable all Moscow airports: VKO, DME, SVO, ZIA
2. Select Sharm El Sheikh (SSH) as destination
3. Use flexible dates – search ±3 days from your desired travel date
4. Enable “Charter flights” filter if available in settings

Step 2: Optimize Your Search Strategy

• Search one-way tickets – charter flights are often sold one-way
• Try different city pairs: Sometimes searching from regional airports (like St. Petersburg or Yekaterinburg) shows connecting options through Moscow
• Use the calendar view to see price patterns across different dates

Step 3: Identify Charter Flight Listings

Charter flights on AviaSales are typically marked by:

• Unusually low prices compared to scheduled flights
• Limited flight times (often early morning or late night)
• Specific tour operator names in the listing
• “Charter” mention in flight details
• Limited baggage allowances (sometimes only hand luggage included)

The Immediate Departure Reality: Be Prepared to Travel Same/Next Day

Critical Consideration:

Many of these ultra-cheap charter flights depart within 24-48 hours of booking. This isn’t a choice – it’s how the charter model works.

What “Immediate Departure” Means:

• Booking today, flying tomorrow (most common)
• Booking today, flying today (less common, requires airport proximity)
• No advance planning luxury – you must be ready to travel

Essential Pre-Booking Checklist:

✓ Passport valid for 6+ months
✓ Egyptian visa requirements checked (visa on arrival available for Russians)
✓ Packing essentials ready
✓ Accommodation in Sharm El Sheikh arranged or flexible
✓ Airport transportation planned
✓ Work/commitments cleared
✓ Emergency contacts notified
✓ Travel insurance purchased (crucial for last-minute trips)
✓ Finances prepared for immediate payment

Step-by-Step Booking Process

Phase 1: Daily Monitoring (Preparation Phase)

1. Day 1-7: Check AviaSales daily in the afternoon
2. Note patterns: Which days have most availability? Which operators offer best prices?
3. Create alerts: Set up price alerts for your route
4. Prepare documents: Scan passport, prepare payment method

Phase 2: Spotting the Deal (Action Phase)

1. Recognize the sweet spot: Prices around 4,000-5,500 RUB for next-day departure
2. Verify details:

• Departure airport and time
• Baggage allowance
• Operator reputation
• Cancellation policy

1. Act immediately: Good deals disappear in minutes

Phase 3: Booking Execution (Immediate Action)

1. Click “Book” as soon as you confirm the deal fits your readiness
2. Complete payment – have card ready (Russian cards preferred)
3. Save confirmation – screenshot everything
4. Check email for e-ticket (check spam folder)
5. Contact operator if ticket doesn’t arrive within 30 minutes

What to Check About Operators:

• Customer reviews on Russian travel forums
• Contact responsiveness – test with a question
• Baggage policies – varies significantly
• Change/cancellation flexibility – usually minimal

Regional Airport Options

From Moscow Area:

• Vnukovo (VKO) – Most common for charters
• Domodedovo (DME) – Second most frequent
• Sheremetyevo (SVO) – Less common but possible
• Zhukovsky (ZIA) – Occasionally used

From Other Russian Cities:

• St. Petersburg (LED) – Regular but pricier
• Yekaterinburg (SVX) – Seasonal availability
• Kazan (KZN) – Less frequent
• Novosibirsk (OVB) – Occasional promotions

Practical Tips for Success

Timing Strategies:

1. Off-season advantage: April-May and September-October offer more availability
2. Avoid Russian holidays: Prices surge during school breaks and national holidays
3. Midweek magic: Tuesday-Wednesday departures often cheapest
4. Weather consideration: Sharm’s peak is winter (Nov-Feb), affecting prices

Booking Day Strategy:

1. Morning preparation: Have everything ready before afternoon search
2. Multiple devices: Check on phone and computer simultaneously
3. Quick decision criteria: Pre-determine your maximum price and earliest departure time
4. Backup plans: Have 2-3 acceptable date ranges in mind

Payment Considerations:

• Russian payment methods preferred (МИР, SBP, ЮMoney)
• Instant payment required – no holds or reservations
• Confirmation numbers – save immediately
• Receipts – keep for potential disputes

What to Do After Booking

Immediate Actions (First Hour):

1. Verify e-ticket details: Names, dates, times exactly match passport
2. Check-in information: Some charters have specific check-in requirements
3. Airport transfer: Arrange transportation to departure airport
4. Accommodation: Book hotel if not already arranged

Pre-Departure Checklist (Before Leaving for Airport):

✓ Passport with 6+ months validity
✓ Printed e-ticket and booking confirmation
✓ Hotel reservation confirmation
✓ Travel insurance documents
✓ Egyptian visa fee in USD (if required)
✓ Local currency (Egyptian pounds) for arrival
✓ Appropriate clothing for desert climate
✓ Essential medications
✓ Chargers and adapters
✓ Emergency contacts list

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

1. Ignoring baggage limits

• Charter flights often have strict baggage policies
• Excess baggage fees at airport can exceed ticket price
• Verify allowance before booking

2. Assuming flexibility

• Charter tickets typically non-refundable
• Date changes usually impossible
• Name changes never allowed

3. Underestimating airport transfer time

• Charter flights often use less convenient departure times
• Airport location matters – VKO is closer to central Moscow than DME
• Factor in Moscow traffic when calculating arrival time

4. Overlooking visa requirements

• Russians get visa on arrival
• But must have passport valid 6+ months
• Other nationalities need to check requirements

Final Success Formula

To consistently book 4,000 RUB charter flights to Sharm El Sheikh:

Daily Discipline + Afternoon Checking + Travel Readiness = Success

Your Action Plan:

1. Commit to daily checks at 14:00-16:00 Moscow time
2. Maintain constant travel readiness – passport, packing, flexibility
3. Set clear criteria – maximum price, acceptable dates
4. Act decisively – good deals last minutes, not hours
5. Learn from each search – note patterns, adjust strategy

The Reward

Following this strategy consistently can result in:

• Regular 4,000-6,000 RUB flights to a premium beach destination
• Spontaneous winter sun escapes with minimal planning
• Significant savings compared to scheduled flights (often 50-70% less)
• Flexible travel lifestyle without advance commitment

Remember: The charter flight model thrives on filling seats that would otherwise fly empty. By being the flexible, ready-to-travel customer, you benefit from incredible prices that make last-minute Sharm El Sheikh getaways not just possible, but remarkably affordable.

Pro tip: Once you master the Russia-Sharm El Sheikh route, apply the same principles to other popular charter destinations from Russia like Antalya (Turkey), Goa (India), or Phuket (Thailand). The strategies are remarkably similar!

Happy (spontaneous) travels to the Red Sea!