Egypt

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Hurghada

Beaches, reefs and desert on the Red Sea

Visa & entry checker Plan a trip to Hurghada Plan a trip around Egypt

Best time to visit: Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov
Currency: EGP
Time zone: UTC+3
Country: Egypt

Photo: Marc Ryckaert, CC BY 3.0

The Red Sea's biggest resort city, with long beaches, reef trips to the Giftun Islands, desert safaris and Luxor within a day's drive.

Largest cities

Cairo
Alexandria
Giza
Luxor
Aswan

Quick facts

Figures are rounded recent official estimates.

Country: Egypt
Capital: Cairo
City population: 250,000
Population of Egypt: 107M
Country area: 1,001,450 km²
Official language: Arabic
Currency: Egyptian Pound (EGP) · 1 USD ≈ 52.38 EGP
Time zone: UTC+3
Calling code: +20
Drives on the: Right
Elevation: 15 m
Plugs: C / F · 220V
Emergency numbers: 122 · 123
Best time to visit: Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov

Temperatures through the year

Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.

Temperatures through the year

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High	21°	22°	24°	28°	31°	34°	35°	35°	33°	30°	26°	22°
Low	11°	11°	14°	18°	22°	25°	26°	26°	25°	21°	16°	13°

Best time to visitOther months

Approximate daily cost

Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.

ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$39
HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$90
LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$260

Plan a trip to Hurghada

Top things to do

≈ $35
Day trip: Giftun Islands
A boat to white-sand islands and reefs in a protected area, with two or three snorkel stops.
- Full day
- Giftun Islands
- Good for kids
Free
Hurghada Marina promenade
Yachts, cafés and restaurants along the waterfront; lively in the evening.
- Half day
- Hurghada Marina and El Dahar
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
≈ $30
Desert safari and Bedouin dinner
Quad bikes or jeeps into the Eastern Desert, a camel ride and dinner under the stars.
- Half day
- Eastern Desert
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
≈ $10
El Gouna lagoon town
A car-free resort town of lagoons, a marina and boutique shops, 30 minutes north.
- Half day
- El Gouna
≈ $80
Day trip: Luxor
A long day by road (about 4 hours each way) to Karnak and the Valley of the Kings; better as an overnight.
- Full day
- Eastern Desert

Before you go

Entry and visas

Most visitors to Egypt need a visa. You can apply in advance for an e-Visa on the official portal, visa2egypt.gov.eg, or buy a visa on arrival at approved airports for 30 US dollars in cash (valid up to 30 days). Since 1 August 2026, travellers arriving at Cairo International Airport can also buy a digital visa on arrival by card at self-service machines or through the Visa on Arrival portal for 36 US dollars, which includes a 6 US dollar service fee. Check the rules for your nationality before booking, and use only official government websites.

Official website

From the airport

Hurghada International Airport has flights from Cairo, the Gulf and Europe; most hotels are 10 to 30 minutes away.

Getting around

Taxis, minibuses and hotel shuttles; ride-hailing apps work in parts of the city.

Local tips

Many hotels are all-inclusive; compare with room-only plus local restaurants.
Choose licensed boat operators and check the life jackets.
Protect yourself from the sun, even on windy days.
Winter water is around 22°C: a wetsuit helps for long snorkels.

Areas worth knowing

El Gouna
Eastern Desert
Hurghada Marina and El Dahar
Giftun Islands

Official travel advice

The UK Foreign Office last updated its advice for this country on August 4, 2026. The advice includes warnings against travel to some areas. Read it before booking.

Read the advice on GOV.UK