Town in Red Sea, Egypt
El Gouna
Privately developed lagoon resort town 25 km north of Hurghada, with canals, kitesurfing, restaurants and a settled remote-work crowd. Tidy and calm, but expensive for Egypt and far from other sights.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$956–1,630Comfortable, one person · E£50,000–85,000Details
- Value for money64/100Better value than 63% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMar–May, Oct–NovWarmest: Aug, 35°CDetails
- Internet99 MbpsFixed broadband, Egypt medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledTap water is treated but salty; drink bottled or filtered water.Details
- LGBTQ+2/5HostileDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: widely spokenDetails
- Doctor's visit$10–29Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundTuk-tuk (El Gouna Transport)Walkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardMixed: cards and cashCards in hotels, restaurants and shops; cash for tuk-tuks, local eateries and tips.Details
Where to stay in El Gouna
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Downtown (Abu Tig Marina) | Restaurants, bars, shops and the marina; the social hub |
| West Golf | Quiet villas and apartments for long stays |
| Kafr El Gouna | Local-style market area and cheaper food |
| Mangroovy Beach area | Kitesurf schools and beach clubs |
Apps that work in El Gouna
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- Go Bus: Intercity and Red Sea bus tickets
- Taxis: Local tuk-tuks and hotel taxis are the norm. Use Uber from Hurghada if available and agree fares before leaving town.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Egypt.
- Mixed: cards and cash Cards in hotels, restaurants and shops; cash for tuk-tuks, local eateries and tips. ATMs are available in Downtown.
- Currency: Pound (EGP). US$1 ≈ E£52.28 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Common in cities and resorts; use machines at bank branches. ATMs at the Taba border often run dry.
- Tipping: Baksheesh is part of daily life: about 10% on top of restaurant service charges, small notes for guards, toilet attendants and guides.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay work at contactless terminals; InstaPay needs an Egyptian bank account.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Get an e-visa at visa2egypt.gov.eg at least 7 days ahead, or buy a visa on arrival at airport bank kiosks for US$30 cash.
- Since 1 August 2026 Cairo airport also sells digital visas on arrival by card (US$36) via kiosks or visaonarrival.gov.eg.
- Flying into Sharm el-Sheikh for under 15 days in South Sinai resorts? A free entry stamp replaces the visa.
Emergency numbers
Police 122 · Ambulance 123 · Fire 180 · Tourist police 126
Plugs
Type C, F · 220 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Vodafone, Orange and e& booths in Cairo airport arrivals and shops everywhere; passport required. Data is cheap. Long stays may require registering a foreign phone. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Egypt
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.