Hurghada

See also: Egypt#Climate

The climate is very dry and rainfall is very rare. The weather is very hot in summer days and quite hot in summer nights. In winter the weather is generally warm by day but cool by night. Hurghada can be downright cold when the Shamal wind blows down from the northeast.

Miles and miles and miles of concrete, much of it abandoned developments, mar the shoreline. The oldest, most Egyptian part of the city is 🌍 Ad-Dahar to the north, with relatively limited tourist facilities. This is separated by a low dusty ridge from 🌍 Sigala 4 km south. Sigala is the main downtown strip, with western and traditional restaurants, hotels and general facilities, and has the most buzz about it. Several boat and dive operators run from the marina here. The main drag of Sheraton Road continues south along the coast for 4 km to the disused Sheraton Hotel, a circular 1970s concrete hulk. The road now enters the Village Resort strip, with another rash of hotels.

The coral reefs around Hurghada are several miles offshore, unlike the Sinai resorts and Jordan where they hug the coast, so divers and snorkelers will need to take a boat trip to enjoy them. Arid islands dot the sea. The largest is Big Giftun, which has a beach club and (better still) cellphone towers - so mobile reception is good out on the water, to the benefit of skippers and trippers.

Modern developers have kind of given up on Hurghada, and have built glossy new resorts further away, notably El Gouna 20 km north, Makadi Bay 30 km south, and Safaga 50 km south. These all use Hurghada airport as their entry point.

Hurghada has frequent direct international flights from Europe including Russia, Turkey, the Gulf states, and the Far East, e.g. Bangkok. Most of these travellers are on package tours of Egypt - but not all, as the operators also sell flight-only tickets, a cheap and convenient way to get in. Coming from Rome or Budapest there are ultra low-cost flights operated by the airline WizzAir.

Domestic flights link Hurghada frequently to Cairo, and daily to Alexandria and Sharm el-Sheikh. These are a good way to travel as Hurghada is backed by an awful lot of desert, and road transport to other cities is lengthy, hot, dusty, bumpy and not entirely safe. The main domestic operator is Egyptair, but Nile Air and Al Masria compete on the Cairo route and keep fares low.

The package operators (e.g. TUI) also fly domestic legs, but these are to move their own clients around Egypt and are not available to book point-to-point.

• 🌍 Hurghada International Airport (HRG  ^IATA). Egyptair flights use Terminal 2, everyone else uses Terminal 1. It's a decent airport - Egypt enjoys good flying weather, so the usual problem will be bad weather across Europe and long-delayed turnaround flights. The check-in hall will then become a surly scrummage of outbound passengers sitting on their luggage and the toilets overflowing. (updated Jan 2018)

There is free Wifi for 15 min. After that duration you need to pay to continue.

In the arrivals area you can buy a SIM card with lots of mobile data for good prices. More details about the mobile network providers in the Egypt article.

There is no local bus or microbus departing from the airport. Package tourist arrivals will have their own bus awaiting, everyone else uses an Uber/Careem, taxi or walks out of the airport. The walking distance to the highway is 1.3 km or 15 min and it's barely shaded. At the highway you can stop a microbus and ask, if it heads to your direction.

The airport is about 8 km west of the Hurghada resort strip and 10 km to the Hurghada district Sigala. Taxi fares are high for these short distances. You could easily be paying LE200. In December 2022 a taxi driver haggled himself down to LE100 to the marina of Hurghada. Careem to Soma Bay is LE220 (Oct 2018). The regular fare towards the airport is much cheaper. Drivers pay LE35 to enter and wait within the airport: naturally they seek to recover this from both the inbound and the outbound traveller. Otherwise, just walk to the highway and catch a taxi there. There is an LE50 toll on the highway south to Safaga (Oct 2018) that is included in fares.

Getting back to the airport is possible by Uber/Careem, taxi or walking. For the latter take a microbus that goes to the Total gas station near the airport. At the police checkpoint you may need to show your passport, flight reservation and may need to undertake a small security check. The departure hall of the airport is upstairs.

The bus operators have different bus stations:

• 🌍 Go Bus Station (about 1 km north of High Jet). Many destinations—check their website. The GoBus website allows you to purchase return tickets on all routes direct to your mobile phone as an e-ticket which is very convenient - you just need to set up an account to do this and foreign tourists are welcome on all services provided you are not travelling on restricted roads. Between Cairo, Luxor and Hurghada is perfectly fine. (updated Dec 2022)
• 🌍 Super Jet Bus Station. The buses have a golden color with red stripes. 'Super Jet' is written in small letters on the bus. (updated Dec 2022)
• 🌍 High Jet Bus Station (to/from Cairo). It covers travel to/from Cairo (6-7 hr). Reserving tickets is barely necessary, considering the frequency of the buses. The buses are not that comfortable, and they have loud and annoying soap operas running in the bus during the whole journey. So, it is probably not a good idea to take a night bus. From Cairo: every 2-3 hr between 8AM-2:30AM. To Cairo: every 2-3 hr between 7AM-3AM. About LE210 (updated Dec 2022)

Cairo – The trip usually takes approximately 7 hr depending on the operator. Known operators include the Super Jet (ph. 16108), Go Bus (ph. 19567) and HighJet. There are a number of stations which include one behind Cairo railway station Ahmed Helmy. There are many price options starting from LE210 and rising to LE320, every hour you can find bus to Hurghada (avoid MCV Co). In Medan El Giza in northwestern Cairo often extremely crowded, or Almaza Station in the Heliopolis district in northeastern Cairo. Bus schedules often change, but if you go to the bus station without booking you'll find many options. (updated Dec 2022)

Alexandria – There are 2 buses from Alexandria to Hurghada. The first one, Upper Egypt Bus Co., leaves at 6:30PM from the new bus station, and costs LE90. It arrives at Hurghada about 4:30AM. It is not recommended because you'll find all the city in deep sleep and seems like ghost city. The second bus, Super Jet Co., leaves the new bus station at 8:30PM and costs LE95. It arrives in the morning so you can find public transport and the taxis. (February 2012)

Qena and Luxor – About 4-5 hr by bus. Go Bus has two daily buses at 8:15AM and 3:30PM to and from Luxor from LE90. If you're looking at the GoBus site on a mobile device, you may not be able to find listings for Luxor—try a laptop or desktop view.

Upper Egypt Bus Co. runs between Hurghada, Safagah, Luxor and Aswan.

Aswan – There's one transport company to the Red Sea, Upper Egypt Bus Co. The buses are new, the ticket costs LE50 (maybe you pay extra LE5 as a foreigner). There are 2 buses: 3:30PM and 5:30PM. The trip takes 8 hours or more, which means you'll arrive in Hurghada after midnight. (February 2012)

Long-distance "servees" taxis run from Hurghada bus station in El Hegaz Street (which you can reach by bus 4 or 7, or by local taxi). These run to all major cities in Egypt, but consider them especially for the run to Luxor, where the time saved by flying is less compelling.

With 2 or 3 of you, you could negotiate a private long-distance taxi; again, the journey to Luxor works well this way. And unlike a "servees", the driver will pause at antiquities and photo opportunities on the way.

Ferry services between Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh, on the Sinai peninsula, were suspended in 2010, and no resumption is in sight.

A fast-cat ferry runs between Safaga, 50 km south of Hurghada, to Diba (or Duba) in Saudi Arabia. As this route carries a lot of pilgrims and trucking, it's not been hit by the tourist downtown. You'll need to have sorted your Saudi visa well in advance.

A swarm of white minibuses (Toyota Hiace) called micro bus serve the area, with a flat fare of LE2–3 (Dec 2022). They run fixed routes, mostly along the coastal strip, picking up and dropping off anywhere along the way. Ask around for your destination before getting in - if it's not this bus, it's probably the next one already pulling up. They're cramped and crowded, and young women may have to ward off pests.

Slightly larger minibuses or small regular buses run frequently along the coastal highway to El Gouna and Safaga.

Uber and Careem operate in Hurghada. They are reasonably priced and convenient, sparing you the incessant haggling required for taxi rides. 4km of driving cost about LE20 (Dec 2022).

Some locations (e.g. the bus station and some hotels) within Hurghada have been "blocked" on Uber. You will see a message that Uber "does not operate in this location". Simply walk about 2-3 blocks/5 minutes away from the building (avoiding the taxi touts along the way), and you will be able to use Uber again.

Taxi drivers in Hurghada have astonishing talent for spotting tourists from far, far away; look at the approaching car and it will stop for you - at a price.

Before stepping in, find out if driver speaks any English, and show the wanted destination on the map. There are only few streets with names, so the destination is specified with nearby places, a hotel for example. Discuss and agree the total price (not per person) with the driver. Do not travel with the meter on, driver can control it. After the driver agrees on a price, jump in. Get out in front of the hotel.

To avoid confrontation with the drivers ensure you have the correct amount of money you agreed at first, hand over the money on at destination, get out and walk away.

If you pay with a LE5 or LE50 notes drivers may try to switch it for a 50-piastre note, and then they request the original note that you have already paid. Piastres notes are smaller than pounds. Sometimes the driver agrees on LE15 fare, and when you arrive tells you he said LE50 and his accent worsens.

• ABC Taxi, ☏ +20 100 222 82 94. ABC provides a professional service with agreed fares in advance. Call them from a local mobile phone to make a booking. The call will drop straight away and they call you back immediately, saving your credit. The details of the car will be sent by SMS, with the rate being confirmed by SMS too. A ride between Makadi Bay and Hurghada Marina (about 30 km) cost LE126 in August 2019. (updated Aug 2019)

It might be windy in late March (or not). You may want to check if your beach resort hotel provides windscreens on the beach.

If your accommodation does not have its own beach: There are no beaches in Hurghada that are for free. You can use for example these ones:

• 🌍 El Sakia Beach (Near the marina). Entry: LE50. (updated Oct 2022)
• 🌍 Orange Beach (Somewhat more south of the marina). Entry: LE100. (updated Dec 2022)
• 🌍 El Sawaky Beach (In Northern Hurghada). A lot of space and just a few tourists. Entry: LE50. (updated Nov 2022)

The main reason to visit Hurghada is the Red Sea, which is excellent for diving or snorkeling. See incredible coral reefs and hundreds of varieties of tropical fish just 10 m from the beach or with boat trips. Either your hotel will have dive escorts on site, or it can arrange a scuba diving expedition with guides. The divers are locals and generally excellent in handling beginners. You don't need to know how to swim to scuba dive. In late March, the water may be a bit cold, so a wet suit might be necessary. Most budget hotels have dives tours (2 regular dives) for €50 on offer, but if you are staying at one of the more posh accommodations, you will end up paying up to US$65. So better to step out of your comfort zone (aka hotel) and ask around for prices.

• Ashraf Divers (Ashraf Asheaf), ☏ +20 1223848445, ashrafdiver1@gmail.com. Reliable, relaxed and friendly dive master. His dives include everything; travel, boat, equipment, food, drinks. Though, do not rely on him for booking your accommodation—read Egypt#Cope. WhatsApp: see phone number. WeChat: ashraf diver. See also: Ashraf Abat. As inexpensive as other good deals— $35 for 2 dives inkling full rental equipment (as of Okt.2022), depending on number of people and season. (updated Sep 2018)

The whole Red Sea coast has superb conditions for kitesurfing. Hurghada is no exception. Here you can find a lot of kite-spots with kite-schools and kite-stations. Here some of them:

• PlayKite, in the next bay from Nubia hotel. This kite spot has a lot of space for beginning and advanced riders
• Kite4Fun, near AMC Azur and Hawaii Le Jardin hotels. This place has shallow lagoon with flat water.
• Masters Surf School, in Panorama Bungalows Aqua Park Hurghada hotel. Small area of shallow water, so it is a good spot for intermediate riders
• Aeros School, near Play Kite station. There is also a shallow lagoon where any level rider can ride.

• 🌍 China Town Restaurant, 36 Sheraton Rd, Hurghada 1. Chinese restaurant, which may be a welcome change. (updated Sep 2022)
• 🌍 Restaurant مطعم اسماك. Seafood in an unfussy environment. (updated Sep 2022)
• 🌍 Syrian Bakery. (updated Sep 2022)
• 🌍 Isra Restaurant. (updated Sep 2022)
• 🌍 Abo Omar pizza restaurant, Elantony Building, Sheraton Rd. (updated Sep 2022)
• 🌍 Abo Adam. (updated Sep 2022)
• 🌍 andy foul restaurant مطعم عندى فول. (updated Sep 2022)
• 🌍 Acropolis Greek Taverna, Sheraton Rd. (updated Sep 2022)

• 🌍 Al Mustafa Fish Restaurant. Delicious meals, variety of fish, low prices, welcoming host. LE30-80 (March 2018). (updated Sep 2022)
• 🌍 Om Ammar, ☏ +201093946226. Small restaurant next to the street, sitting on couches, staff speaks hardly English, many local dishes available including BBQ, very local experience and prices. LE20-60. (updated Mar 2018)

• 🌍 Oriental Dish (in the northern part of the city). Arabic, grill, shawarma, falafel. Has delicious and inexpensive falafel sandwiches. Falafel sandwich LE2.50. (updated Jan 2018)

• 🌍 Charly’s Hot Stone Steak Hurghada, Kornesh road - old sheraton. (updated Sep 2022)
• 🌍 Kahramana. (updated Sep 2022)
• 🌍 Cheguevara Hurghada Marina, 50 S Marina Dr. (updated Sep 2022)
• 🌍 Bordiehns Restaurant Arabia - Arabella, Arabia Azur. (updated Sep 2022)
• 🌍 Caribbean Bar. (updated Sep 2022)

A little internet searching will throw up some private self-catering accommodation that is usually owned by Europeans as a holiday home, which gives much more independence than staying in a resort hotel and is potentially much cheaper. Budget hotels catering to Egyptians with rooms at LE50 can be found near the Upper Egypt bus station.

• 🌍 Golden Rose Hotel, Qesm Hurghada, ☏ +20 653440876. Good value. Includes access to a beach (200 m) – not great but free chairs and towels. There is a dog that continuously barks and fights with other dogs or various by-passers, even during the night. Single from LE177. (updated Dec 2017)
• 🌍 Snafer Hotel (in the northern part of the city), ☏ +20 653540260. Almost even better value than Golden Rose but without free beach access. But there is Sea Sand Resort around the corner, which charges LE50 for a whole day of beach access. However, it is in the northern part of the city, where not much is happening due to the low occupation of the local resorts. Single from LE100. (updated Jan 2018)

• 🌍 Sunrise Holidays Resort, Corniche Road. Adults only. (updated Dec 2017)
• 🌍 Sunrise Crystal Bay Resort, Km 19 Village Road, P.O. Box 20. 
• 🌍 Sea Star Beau Rivage, Al Hilal, Military Hospital Street. 
• 🌍 Giftun Azur Beach Resort, Village Road. 

• 🌍 Marriott Beach Resort, El Corniche Road, P.O.Box 38 (just south of disused Sheraton), ☏ +20 65-340 44 20. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: Noon. On Resort strip. Small beach but good water-sports facilities, Aquarius Diving is based here. (updated Feb 2018)
• 🌍 Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh, The Oberoi Beach Resort, Sahl Hasheesh (Sahl Hasheesh is 15 km S of downtown Hurghada), ☏ +20 65 346 1040. Opulent Moorish-style hotel (updated Feb 2018)

• Italy, Mastaba Red Sea - Hurgada, ☏ +20 65 3449 366.