Major city · Egypt
Hurghadaالغردقة
Give Hurghada 3–5 nights as a Red Sea dive-and-beach block: reefs sit offshore, so every good day starts with a boat, not a walk.
Hurghada is Egypt's main Red Sea resort: a long strip of hotels and dive shops rather than a sightseeing city. The coral is several kilometres offshore, so snorkelling and diving mean a boat trip. Come for warm winter sun, cheap diving and easy flights; skip it if you want monuments. Most people pair it with a Nile Valley block or use it as a base for El Gouna, Soma Bay and Safaga.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EGP
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jun–Aug (37 °C (99 °F) days), late Mar windavoid Jun–Aug (99 °F (37 °C) days), late Mar wind
- 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.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Hurghada122 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Hurghada, 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
- SafetyResort areas are calm and heavily policed; the real friction is taxi pricing, pushy excursion sellers and heat.
Show all 12 answers
- 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 (About 8 km (5 mi) west of the resort strip and 10 km (6.2 mi) from Sigala; no bus from the terminal…HRG Hurghada International (About 5 mi (8 km) west of the resort strip and 6.2 mi (10 km) from Sigala; no bus from the terminal…
- Getting aroundWhite micro-buses run the coastal strip for a few pounds; Uber and Careem work in town but are patchy at the airport and resort gates.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Short taxi ride in townNegotiated; agree the total for the car before you get in.EGP 100–300
- Metro or bus rideMicro-bus ride along the stripEGP 2–3
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekEGP 300–600
- Museum or sight ticketBeach day entry (El Sakia, El Sawaky)EGP 50
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per personEGP 400
- Mid-range bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomEGP 2,500
- High-end bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomEGP 5,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget EGP 1,200 · Mid EGP 3,000 · High EGP 6,000
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 →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
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 (About 8 km (5 mi) west of the resort strip and 10 km (6.2 mi) from Sigala; no bus from the terminal, so pre-book a transfer or take a taxi/Uber.)HRG Hurghada International (About 5 mi (8 km) west of the resort strip and 6.2 mi (10 km) from Sigala; no bus from the terminal, so pre-book a transfer or take a taxi/Uber.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Feb
not flagged
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Mar
Care*
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Apr
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
May
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Jun
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Jul
Avoid
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
Aug
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Sep
Best
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Oct
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Dec
not flagged
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Best: Apr–May, Sep–Nov. Mixed: Mar. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)), coolest Jan (12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C) low), wettest Oct (2 rain days), driest Apr (0). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Hurghada: 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
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1 rd
Feb
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1 rd
Mar
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
1 rd
Apr
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
0 rd
May
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
0 rd
Jun
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
0 rd
Jul
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
0 rd
Aug
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
0 rd
Sep
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
0 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Nov
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
2 rd
Dec
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
White micro-buses run the coastal strip for a few pounds; Uber and Careem work in town but are patchy at the airport and resort gates. Taxis have no meter — agree the total for the car, not per person, before you get in. For El Gouna, Soma Bay, Makadi or Safaga, book a fixed-price transfer.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
El Gouna
goDoor to door: About 30–40 min
Taxi or transfer north along the coast road
Lagoon resort town; good for a dinner or a calm beach day.
Soma Bay
goDoor to door: About 45–60 min
Pre-booked transfer south on the Safaga highway
House-reef resorts and kitesurfing; day access usually needs a booking.
Port Safaga
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Transfer or micro-bus south
Working port and ferry terminal; limited sightseeing.
Door to door: 4–5 h
Go Bus or a private long-distance taxi
Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep one or two nights.
Door to door: 1 h by air, 7 h by road
Fly from HRG, or bus about 7 h
Fly and stay at least two nights.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Sigala (downtown)
Main strip with restaurants, marina and dive operators; most buzz, walkable evenings.
Ad-Dahar
Older, more Egyptian north end; cheaper beds, fewer resort facilities.
Village Road / resort strip
Hotel compounds south along Sheraton Road; own beaches, but you need a taxi for everything.
El Gouna
Purpose-built resort town 20 km (12 mi) north; quiet, pricier, still uses HRG airport.Purpose-built resort town 12 mi (20 km) north; quiet, pricier, still uses HRG airport.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- EGP 1,200–2,200 excl. bed
- Mid
- EGP 2,500–4,500 excl. bed
- High
- EGP 5,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range double room1 × 4 nights × EGP 2,500 | EGP 10,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 4 days × EGP 3,000 | EGP 24,000 |
| Airport transfer, both ways1 × EGP 900 · Fixed price per car; confirm at booking. | EGP 900 |
| Two-tank dive day with gear and lunch2 × EGP 1,800 | EGP 3,600 |
| Snorkelling boat day2 × EGP 900 | EGP 1,800 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × EGP 400 | EGP 800 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | EGP 4,110 |
| Trip total≈ EGP 5,650 per person per day, bed included | EGP 45,210 |
2026 estimate in Egyptian pounds; flights and dive courses excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Micro-bus ride along the strip | EGP 2–3 |
| Beach day entry (El Sakia, El Sawaky) | EGP 50 |
| Beach day entry (Orange Beach) | EGP 100 |
| Short taxi ride in townNegotiated; agree the total for the car before you get in. | EGP 100–300 |
| Bus Hurghada–Cairo | EGP 380–750 |
| Bus Hurghada–Luxor | from EGP 90 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | EGP 300–600 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Agree taxi fares in total, per car, before entering; have small notes ready.
- Reefs are offshore: a beach swim shows sand, not coral — book a boat.
- No free beaches in town; day access is paid.
- Shamal wind in late March can cool the beach and cancel boats.
- Check your visa and entry rules before flying; visa-on-arrival queues vary by flight.
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.
Hurghadaالغردقة
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
لهذا العنوان، لو سمحتTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police122
- Ambulance123
- Tourist police126
- Fire180
Embassy
Most embassies are in Cairo; several countries keep honorary consulates in Hurghada — check before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- HRG airport → Sigala, taxi: negotiate the total for the car before the ride; short-hop fares run to a few hundred EGP
- Micro-bus along the coast strip: EGP 2–3 flat
- Hurghada → El Gouna, transfer: fixed price per car; confirm at booking
Say or show
- أهلاً — Hello (ahlan)
- شكراً — Thank you (shukran)
- بكام؟ — How much is it? (bekam)
- غالي أوي — Too expensive (ghali awi)
- السعر للعربية، مش للفرد — The price for the car, not per person (el-se'r lel-arabeya, mesh lel-fard)
- فين المركب؟ — Where is the boat? (fein el-markab)
Tipping (baksheesh) is expected for small services: EGP 20–50, and 10–15% in restaurants.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
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 Hurghada. 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, Sep–Nov · avoid Jun–Aug (37 °C days), late Mar wind · 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
- 5 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: fixed transfer bands, taxi fallback, late-arrival rung.
- Four sleep clusters with walking anchors: Sigala, Ad-Dahar, Village Road, El Gouna.
- Dive and boat pages with verified departure times, reef names and gear-included rules.
- Beach and day-access pages with current entry prices and wind-season notes.
Sources
- officialHurghada official site
- officialHurghada International Airport
- officialGo Bus
- secondaryWikivoyage: Hurghada, revision 5340297 (CC BY-SA 4.0)