City in Red Sea, Egypt
Hurghada
Long, sprawling Red Sea resort city good for cheap diving, snorkeling trips and winter sun, with kitesurf lessons nearby. Mostly package hotels; touts, scams on boat trips and heavy dive tourism are trade-offs.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$612–1,050Comfortable, one person · E£32,000–55,000Details
- Value for money88/100Better value than 87% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMar–May, Oct–NovWarmest: Aug, 35°CDetails
- Internet99 MbpsFixed broadband, Egypt medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDrink bottled or filtered water; resort water is desalinated and tastes salty.Details
- LGBTQ+2/5HostileDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: common in tourist areasDetails
- Doctor's visit$8–23Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundUberYou'll need transportDetails
- Cash or cardMixed: cards and cashCards in hotels, malls and larger restaurants; cash for taxis, microbuses, local eateries, markets and tips.Details
Where to stay in Hurghada
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Sakala | Restaurants, bars and the marina; central for first-timers |
| Dahar (Old Town) | Budget stays, local markets and cheap food |
| El Kawther | Long stays: apartments, supermarkets and local life |
| Sahl Hasheesh | Quiet upscale resort area south of the airport |
Apps that work in Hurghada
Ride-hailing
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Uber | Works across town, fewer cars late at night |
Food delivery
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Talabat | Main restaurant delivery in Sakala and El Kawther |
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- Go Bus: Intercity and Red Sea bus tickets
- Taxis: Taxis rarely use meters; agree prices before getting in. Hotels can book fixed-price transfers for the airport and tours.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Egypt.
- Mixed: cards and cash Cards in hotels, malls and larger restaurants; cash for taxis, microbuses, local eateries, markets and tips.
- 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
Going to Hurghada solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Hurghada meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
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.