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Plan your trip

Hurghada, in plain English.

Flights, visas, weather, money, food, transport, what else to do — written by people who actually live here.

4–5 hrs
EU flight time
$25
Visa on arrival
330+
Sunny days/yr
21–29°C
Water temp
The basics

What you'll want to know.

Getting there

Hurghada International Airport (HRG) has direct flights from across Europe and the UK. Most travel time from EU capitals is 4-5 hours. Visa on arrival for most nationalities ($25, paid at the airport before passport control).

Weather & water

Air temperatures range from 22°C in winter to 38°C in summer. Water 21-29°C. It almost never rains. Bring serious sun protection in summer; a light jumper for winter evenings.

Money

The Egyptian Pound (EGP) is the local currency, but EUR and USD are widely accepted at hotels, dive shops, and tourist restaurants. ATMs available at the marina and in the city. Tip in cash where possible.

Food & drink

All-inclusive resorts dominate the hotel scene, but the marina area has excellent independent restaurants — try grilled fish at El Halaka, Lebanese mezze at Abou Ashraf, and any of the marina seafood places. Tap water: don’t.

Getting around

Taxis are cheap (about €5-10 across town). Uber/Careem apps work in Hurghada. We pick you up from your hotel for every dive day, anywhere from El Gouna in the north to Sahl Hasheesh in the south.

Beyond diving

Quad biking in the desert, snorkeling at Mahmya Island, the Hurghada Grand Aquarium, day trips to Luxor (4-hour drive), and the surreal underwater observatory at Sindbad. Most can be done as a half-day on a non-diving day.

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