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Hurghada

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Red Sea Bliss and Adventure

Hurghada is a coastal city on Egypt’s Red Sea, known for clear waters and vibrant coral reefs. It attracts divers and snorkelers eager to see marine life up close. The area has many resorts with beach access and water sports facilities. Local markets sell spices, textiles and handmade crafts. Fishing boats line the shore at sunrise while fishermen return with fresh catches. Sunset views over the sea draw crowds to open-air cafes where people share stories about daily life along this stretch of desert coastline.

City in Egypt
Climate zone: Hot desert

Hot desert: Extremely arid climates with very high temperatures, minimal rainfall, strong evaporation and sparse vegetation, typical of subtropical deserts.

See climate table
Price level: $$$
$Cheap
$$Medium
$$$Expensive, upscale
$$$+Very expensive, luxury
See price details
Safety: 5.9
General Safety:6
Health & medical:6
Accessibility:5
Tap water:6
Read details
Tourist English: 4/5
English is widely spoken, especially in hotels, resorts, and tourist areas. Most service staff and tour operators are fluent, making communication easy for tourists.
Last update: 12 Oct 2026
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Hurghada Summary

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‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

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‘Suited for’ badges:
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Excellent for diving and Red Sea beaches. Snorkel coral reefs, relax at seaside resorts, take boat trips and explore desert landscapes.
Place score
7.0
Best at:
Sea
9
Diving
9
Beaches
7
Natural sites
7
Kayak & SUP
7
Personal score
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Suited for
👶 8
Families
🧓 6
Seniors
🛡️ 8
Travel Beginners
❤️ 8
Couples
Egypt – Quick facts
Power Grid: 220 V, 50 Hz
Plug: Type C , Type F
Type C:
Diagram of a Type C power plug
Type F:
Diagram of a Type F power plug

Read about power adapters
Currency: Egyptian Pound (EGP)
£1 ≈ EGP 74.69
Cashless info: Rating 4/5
Cashless payments are becoming more common in Egypt, especially in tourist areas. Credit cards are accepted in larger hotels and businesses, but cash is still preferred in many places.

Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers: Best value: Saily
Flexibility: Airalo
Read our in-depth comparison
Tipping: Tipping is common in Egypt, with a 10-15% tip in restaurants being standard. Taxi drivers, hotel staff, and tour guides also appreciate small tips.
Public drinking: Public drinking is generally not allowed in Egypt, and alcohol consumption is limited to licensed establishments like hotels, restaurants, and bars.
Public smoking: Smoking is permitted in outdoor public spaces and licensed indoor venues such as cafes and bars, but it is prohibited in public transport and closed areas.
Revolution Day
(25 January)
National holiday celebrating the 2011 revolution
Eid al-Fitr
(dates vary)
Islamic festival marking the end of Ramadan
Emergency contact: Emergency Numbers: 122 (Police), 123 (Ambulance), 180 (Fire)
Taxi apps: Uber
Other: Egypt is known for its ancient history, including the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, and numerous archaeological sites. It offers a rich cultural experience combined with desert landscapes and the Nile River.
Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Hurghada, Egypt
☀️
Jan
☀️
Feb
☀️
Mar
🔥
Apr
🔥
May
🔥
Jun
🔥
Jul
🔥
Aug
🔥
Sep
🔥
Oct
☀️
Nov
☀️
Dec
High season: Jan. - April, June, Sep. - Dec.
Shoulder season: May, July - Aug.
Crowdedness: 8 (Very crowded)
Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info
Diving and snorkelling are possible year-round, with the warmest water from June to October
Strong wind from March to May makes sea conditions rough, great for kitesurfing but less so for boat trips
Ramadan: daytime food options limited, many restaurants closed until sunset, resorts largely unaffected

Why travel to Hurghada?

Hurghada offers some of the best diving and snorkeling in the world, with vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life. Its sandy beaches and calm waters are ideal for families, while nightlife and desert adventures keep things exciting. Be mindful of strong sun and keep hydrated.

🏯Places worth seeing
  • 1 Marina
  • 2 El Sawaki Camp
  • 3 Hurgada Grand Aquarium
  • 4 Al Mina Mosque
  • 5 Jungle Aqua Park Hotel
🎡Places for activities
  • 1 Diving center
🏞️Natural landmarks
  • 1 Soma Bay
  • 2 Makadi Bay
  • 3 Giftun Island
  • 4 Fanadir Lagoons
🛍️Shopping
  • 1 Senzo Mall
🎈Events
  • Hurghada International Diving Festival
  • Red Sea Windsurfing Competition
  • El Gouna Film Festival
  • Hurghada Fish Festival
  • Desert Safari Challenge

Knowledge before you go

  • Bring sunscreen and a hat; sun is intense year-round.
  • Book diving or snorkeling trips in advance for the best reef access.
  • Explore El Dahar for authentic markets, food and local culture.
  • Take a desert safari for stunning sunsets and Bedouin hospitality.

How to travel to Hurghada

Hurghada International Airport (HRG) offers direct flights from Europe and the Middle East. Buses connect to Cairo and other Egyptian cities. The port offers ferry connections to Sharm El Sheikh.

Access summary

  • From Hurghada Airport (HRG): Taxi or shuttle to resorts, about 20–30 minutes.
  • From Cairo: Direct domestic flights to Hurghada, roughly 1 hour flying.
  • From Luxor: Desert highway bus or private transfer, usually around 4–5 hours.

Where to stay in Hurghada

Hurghada has a wide range of accommodations, from all-inclusive resorts to budget hotels. Many resorts have private beaches and great amenities, making it a popular choice for package holidays.

How to get around Hurghada

Taxis and minibuses are the main transport. Negotiate taxi fares beforehand. Many hotels offer shuttle services. El Gouna has its own tuk‑tuk network. Walking is also great along the marina.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-70 %
Daily expenses in Hurghada are around 70% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-55 %
Your exchange rate (GBP to EGP) is 55% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is a lot cheaper compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

Backpacker Mid-range Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation
£25
£62
£161
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person
£15
£38
£90
🍝 Food per day
£10
£23
£67
🚕 Transportation per day
£1
£1
£4
Food & Drink
🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person
£11.50
🍛 Lunch Set, per person
£2.80
🍟 Fast food combo
£3.70
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day
£3.20
☕ Cappuccino
£1.20
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l
£1.30
Transportation
🚌 Public transport ticket
£0.12
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi
£2.50
⛽ Petrol, 1 l
£0.24
Other
🎞️ Cinema ticket
£2.10
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult
£6
🤧 Cold medication
£0.80
💇 Basic haircut
£1.90

Safety information overview

General safety
6
Hurghada is generally safe for tourists. Stick to well-known tourist areas and avoid isolated places at night. Be cautious when using taxis and agree on prices beforehand.
Health & Medical
6
Healthcare is decent, with clinics and hospitals available. Most resorts have on-site medical services. Be careful with food hygiene and drink bottled water to avoid stomach issues.
Accessi­bility
5
Resorts and main tourist areas are accessible, but older parts of the city may be challenging for those with mobility issues. Public transport lacks full accessibility features.
Tap water
6
Tap water is not recommended for drinking. Stick to bottled water, which is widely available and inexpensive. Many hotels provide bottled water in rooms.

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