Major city · Egypt
El Gounaالجونة
Go for 3–5 nights if you want a walkable resort town with a marina, kitesurfing and diving; skip if you want Egyptian street life or cheap prices.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EGP
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (scorching), Dec–Feb (strong winds)
- Airport
- HRG
- Nights
- 3–5
Rules in force · 8Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- North Africa ↗Plan links between North African countries by air or by ferry via Europe; the only regularly usable land borders for visitors are Tunisia–Algeria and Morocco–Mauritania via Western Sahara.
- North Africa ↗Book Saharan nights (dunes, desert camps, oasis tours) between October and April; from May to September desert day temperatures regularly exceed 40 °C and many tours stop.
- Egypt ↗Check visa rules for your passport on the official Egypt e-visa portal before flying; visa on arrival availability depends on nationality and can change.
- Egypt ↗Drones need prior permission and are routinely confiscated on arrival; leave them at home.
- Egypt ↗Do not photograph military sites, police, bridges or government buildings; some museums and tombs charge for or ban photography.
- Egypt ↗During Ramadan, avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public in daylight; hotels and tourist restaurants still serve.
El Gouna is a purpose-built resort town on the Red Sea, 35 km north of Hurghada airport, built from 1989 as a real town rather than a strip of hotels: lagoons, islands, bridges, three marinas, an 18-hole golf course and over a hundred restaurants and bars. It is quiet, walkable and safe, and it is priced for European package tourism rather than for backpackers. Three to five nights covers diving or kitesurfing plus a day in Hurghada or the desert; one night is not worth the transfer.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about El Gouna, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Egyptian pound (EGP, also written LE or £E).Egypt-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckVodafone, Orange, Etisalat (e&) and WE sell tourist SIMs at Cairo airport with passport; about EGP 500–1,000 for 20–40 GB — check.Egypt-wide
- Tap waterTap water is chlorinated in cities but most visitors drink bottled; do not drink Nile water.Egypt-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 10% even when service is added (it rarely reaches staff).Egypt-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Egypt-wide
- SafetyEl Gouna is one of the safest places in Egypt: a gated, walkable resort town with a tourist police presence.
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels and restaurants; attendants at sites expect EGP 10–20.Egypt-wide
- Emergency numbers122 police · 123 ambulance · 126 tourist police (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysFriday is the weekend day (with Saturday for offices); sites open daily, some close earlier in Ramadan.Egypt-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportHRG Hurghada International (35 km south; taxi or pre-booked transfer, about 35–45 min).HRG Hurghada International (22 mi south; taxi or pre-booked transfer, about 35–45 min).
- Getting aroundShuttle buses link the main hotels and run until about 02:00; day and week tickets are sold at hotel receptions or from the driver.Shuttle buses link the main hotels and run until about 2:00 AM; day and week tickets are sold at hotel receptions or from the driver.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or tea at a marina caféEGP 60–120
- Sit-down mealMain course, mid-range restaurantEGP 250–500
- BeerBeer or glass of wineEGP 120–250
- Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi, about 3 miTuktuk across townFlat fare for up to three; agree before you get in.EGP 50–100
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekEGP 300–600
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per personEGP 700
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per roomEGP 4,500
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per roomEGP 12,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget EGP 1,800 · Mid EGP 4,000 · High EGP 8,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- HRG Hurghada International (35 km south; taxi or pre-booked transfer, about 35–45 min)HRG Hurghada International (22 mi south; taxi or pre-booked transfer, about 35–45 min)
Weather and climate
El Gouna: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
21°C70°F
9°C49°F
0 rd
Feb
23°C73°F
10°C50°F
0 rd
Mar
25°C77°F
13°C55°F
0 rd
Apr
29°C83°F
16°C61°F
0 rd
May
32°C89°F
20°C68°F
0 rd
Jun
34°C93°F
23°C74°F
0 rd
Jul
35°C95°F
24°C76°F
0 rd
Aug
35°C95°F
25°C76°F
0 rd
Sep
33°C91°F
23°C73°F
0 rd
Oct
30°C86°F
20°C67°F
0 rd
Nov
27°C80°F
15°C59°F
0 rd
Dec
23°C73°F
11°C52°F
1 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Shuttle buses link the main hotels and run until about 02:00; day and week tickets are sold at hotel receptions or from the driver. Tuktuks are flagged on the street and usually charge a flat fare for up to three passengers anywhere in town. Taxis can be booked through your hotel, cars can be rented with or without a driver, and water taxis cross the canals. Roads are quiet with pavements, so walking between the marina and Downtown is realistic.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Hurghada
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Taxi or shuttle south along the coast road
Old town, fish market and the marina; a half day is enough.
Desert Breath land art
cautionDoor to door: About 30 min
Taxi or rented 4x4 west of the resort
89 cone pits in a spiral, deliberately eroding; no facilities, go early and take water.
Tawila Island
goDoor to door: Full day
Dive or snorkel boat from the marina
Reefs and the Rosalie Moller wreck at about 50 m; advanced divers only for the wreck.
Door to door: 6 h by bus
Bus from the El Gouna stop west of town, or fly from Hurghada
Too far for a day return; sleep in Cairo.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Abu Tig Marina
North end; yachts, restaurants and bars on the doorstep, walkable to Mangroovy and Marina beaches. Best for a first visit.
Downtown / El Balad / Kafr el-Gouna
Town centre with shops, the aquarium and the mosque; cheaper rooms, 10–15 min by tuktuk from the marina.
Tamr Henna
Between the two, across a bridge; quiet, close to the tourist office and a short walk from Downtown.
Golf and lagoon resorts
South and inland; resort beaches, pools and dive centres, but you need the shuttle or a tuktuk for everything else.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- EGP 1,500–2,500 excl. bed
- Mid
- EGP 3,000–5,000 excl. bed
- High
- EGP 6,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel double room1 × 4 nights × EGP 4,500 | EGP 18,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 4 days × EGP 4,000 | EGP 32,000 |
| Airport transfer, both ways1 × EGP 1,200 · Pre-booked private transfers are confirmed per vehicle before booking; check current rates. | EGP 1,200 |
| Shuttle bus week ticket2 × EGP 500 · Check local timetables for buses that stop in front of your hotel; tickets sold at reception or from driver. | EGP 1,000 |
| Two-tank dive day with equipment2 × EGP 3,500 · Nine certified diving centres offer PADI courses; prices vary by operator. | EGP 7,000 |
| Beginner kitesurf course, 3 days2 × EGP 12,000 · Five kite centers provide facilities and training; IKO Pro Center available. | EGP 24,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × EGP 400 | EGP 800 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | EGP 8,400 |
| Trip total≈ EGP 11,550 per person per day, bed included | EGP 92,400 |
2026 estimate in Egyptian pounds; flights and dive or kite courses excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or tea at a marina café | EGP 60–120 |
| Main course, mid-range restaurant | EGP 250–500 |
| Beer or glass of wine | EGP 120–250 |
| Tuktuk across townFlat fare for up to three; agree before you get in. | EGP 50–100 |
| Shuttle bus day ticketCheck local timetables; tickets sold at reception or from driver. | EGP 100–150 |
| Two-tank dive dayNine certified diving centres offer PADI courses; prices vary by operator. | EGP 2,500–4,500 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | EGP 300–600 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer heat: July and August highs near 35 °C; plan diving, kitesurfing and walking before 10:00 or after 16:00.Summer heat: July and August highs near 35 °C; plan diving, kitesurfing and walking before 10:00 AM or after 4:00 PM.Summer heat: July and August highs near 95 °F; plan diving, kitesurfing and walking before 10:00 or after 16:00.Summer heat: July and August highs near 95 °F; plan diving, kitesurfing and walking before 10:00 AM or after 4:00 PM.
- Winter wind: December to February can be windy and cool enough for a jacket in the evening.
- Cash: bring Egyptian pounds for tuktuks, tips and small shops; cards work in hotels and marina restaurants.
- Baksheesh is expected for almost every service: EGP 20–50 small tips, 10–15% in restaurants.
- Diving and kitesurfing courses need a medical questionnaire; check certification and insurance before you pay.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 122
- Ambulance
- 123
- Tourist police
- 126
- Fire
- 180
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
El Gounaالجونة
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
لهذا العنوان لو سمحتTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police122
- Ambulance123
- Tourist police126
- Fire180
Embassy
No embassies in El Gouna; most countries have embassies in Cairo and consulates in Hurghada.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Hurghada airport → El Gouna, private transfer: about EGP 1,000–1,500 per vehicle, 35–45 min; pre-booked fares confirmed before booking.
- Tuktuk anywhere in town: EGP 50–100 flat for up to three; agree before you get in.
- GoBus Cairo → El Gouna: about 6 h; book ahead via GoBus.
Say or show
- أهلاً — Hello (ahlan)
- شكراً — Thank you (shukran)
- بكام؟ — How much is it? (bikam)
- الحساب لو سمحت — The bill, please (el-hesab law samaht)
- فين الشاطئ؟ — Where is the beach? (fein el-shati)
- لا شكراً — I don't need help, thank you (la shukran)
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for El Gouna. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (scorching), Dec–Feb (strong winds) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for HRG: transfer times, visa-on-arrival counter, taxi fallback and overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Abu Tig Marina, Downtown and El Balad, Tamr Henna, the lagoon beaches.
- Place pages with verified opening and last-order times for the marina and Downtown restaurants, plus dive and kite centres.
- Wind and heat fixtures so beach, dive and desert days can go green or be swapped.
Sources
- officialEl Gouna official site
- officialAbu Tig Marina
- officialGoBus Egypt
- secondaryWikivoyage: El Gouna, revision 5340299 (CC BY-SA 4.0)