F.A.Q | HURGHADA EGYPT INFORMATION

Here you find the answers for the most common and frequently asked questions about Hurghada Egypt.

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1. WHAT IS HURGHADA?

Hurghada is a city in Egypt (in Arabic Al-Ghurdaqah, الغردقة ). It is the capital of the Red Sea governorate of Egypt. Hurghada is the most popular holiday destination in the Red Sea area. Tourists all over the world come to Hurghada to enjoy the Egyptian sun and sea.

Other Red Sea Resorts close to Hurghada are El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh and Makadi Bay.

• Name: Hurghada, Al-Ghurdaqah, الغردقة
• Population: 260 000 (No recent information)
• Location: Egypt 27.26 latitudes and 33.81 longitudes
  

MORE TO READ:

THE CITY OF HURGHADA-THE MAIN AREAS IN HURGHADA

EL GOUNA IN ONE DAY

SAHL HASHEESH-A GE OF THE RED SEA RIVIERA

2. WHERE IS HURGHADA?

Hurghada is a city located on the western coast of Egypt’s Red Sea (27.26 latitudes and 33.81 longitudes) 11 metres above sea level. It’s surrounded by the desert and the Red Sea. The Red Sea Governorate is bordered by Governorates of Ras Ghareb in the North, Safaga in the South, the Red Sea coast in the East and from West both Sohag and Assiut.

The distance between:

• HURGHADA and CAIRO is about 450 kilometres (279 miles)
• HURGHADA and LUXOR is 300 kilometres (186 miles)
• HURGHADA and ALEXANDRIA is 680 kilometres (422 miles)
• HURGHADA and EL GOUNA is about 35 kilometres (21.7 miles)
• HURGHADA and SAHL HASHEESH is 25 kilometres (15.5 miles)
• HURGHADA and MAKADI BAY is about 35 kilometres (21.7 miles)
• HURGHADA and SAFAGA is about 60 kilometres (37.2 miles)
• HURGHADA and SHARM-EL NAGA is 55 kilometres (34.1 miles)
• HURGHADA and MARSA ALAM is 289 kilometres (179 miles)

3. WHAT IS THE LANGUAGE SPOKEN IN HURGHADA EGYPT?

The official language spoken in Hurghada Egypt is Egyptian Arabic. You don’t need to speak Arabic and you get along with English, German or Russian. Most of the people working with tourists speak at least decent English, though it may take a while to get used to the Egyptian accent. Also German and Russian are widely spoken.

4. HOW TO GET TO THERE?

BY PLANE to HURGHADA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (HRG). Hurghada Aiport is just ten minutes away from the city centre of Hurghada. The airport is the second busiest in Egypt. Aircraft from all around the world operates to Hurghada Airport. There are 119 different routes from Hurghada International Airport to 119 different cities in 39 countries.

READ MORE ABOUT HURGHADA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT FROM THIS POST: 

HURGHADA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT-ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

BY CAR a road between Cairo and Hurghada is good, but in case you haven’t been driving in Egypt before: Rent a car with a driver or take a bus or fly to Hurghada. The traffic in Egypt is crazy.

BY BUS Bus connections between Hurghada-Cairo-Luxor are good. A bus from Cairo Hurghada takes about 6-8 hours. From Luxor to Hurghada it’s about 4-5 hours. The companies with good buses operating in Egypt are GO-BUS and BLUE BUS. There are tens of daily departures. 

MORE INFORMATION, SCHEDULES, TIMETABLES & RESERVATIONS: GO-BUS BLUE BUS (OPENS IN NEW WINDOW).

5. IS THERE A FERRY OPERATING BETWEEN HURGHADA AND SHARM-EL SHEIKH?

Yes, the ferry between Hurghada and Sharm should be operating now. Contact the company (contact details below) before a trip, there may be some changes.

The trip between Hurghada and Sharm El Sheik takes only about 2,5 hours. The route is operated by AB Maritime Company. Don’t forget to bring your passport.

The ferry operating between Sharm El-Sheik and Hurghada is called Queen Nefertiti. It has 580 seats and can accommodate 130 cars and 6 buses. More information and pictures of the ferry from this link: https://www.abmaritime.com.jo/en/node/51

Hurghada-Sharm El Sheikh ferry ticket prices:

These prices and schedules below are from January 2020 (they may change). The prices are different for Egyptian citizens and Non-Egyptians. Infants under two years old get a discount, but children older than 2 pay full price. There are discounts available until 31/1/2020. *Promotional price until 31/1/2020.

More information and contact details: https://www.abmaritime.com.jo/en/content/sharm-el-sheikh-hurghada

ONE WAY HURGHADA SHARM EL-SHEIKH OR SHARM EL-SHEIKH HURGHADA

TWO WAYS HURGHADA SHARM EL-SHEIKH HURGHADA OR SHARM-EL SHEIKH HURGHADA SHARM EL-SHEIKH

TIME-TABLE | FERRY SCHEDULE HURGHADA-SHARM EL-SHEIKH

TIME-TABLE | FERRY SCHEDULE SHARM EL-SHEIKH-HURGHADA

OLD INFO ABOUT THE FERRY BELOW!

UPDATE! The ferry was supposed to start operating again in November 2019, but it was postponed. The ferry hasn’t been operating for years now. Even if someone says it will start operating soon, it’s not necessarily true! Rumours about the ferry operating between Sharm and Hurghada go around once in a while. 

Actually, at the moment it’s said that the ferry has been tested lately and it should be operating soon (again, we’ll see, fingers crossed.). 

I BELIEVE IT WHEN YOU HEAR SOMEONE HAS ACTUALLY BEEN ON THE FERRY FROM SHARM EL-SHEIKH TO HURGHADA OR FROM HURGHADA TO SHARM EL-SHEIKH. OTHERWISE, BE PREPARED TO TRAVEL BY PLANE OR BUS.

At the moment you can travel between Hurghada and Sharm El-Sheikh by bus, car or plane. If you travel by bus, you need to take a bus to Cairo and then another one to Sharm El-Sheikh. Going with a car is more expensive than the bus, but faster. 

The easiest and fastest way to travel from Hurghada to Sharm El-Sheik or Sharm El-Sheikh to Hurghada is flying. Egypt air operates directly between Hurghada and Sharm El-Sheikh three times a week, otherwise, there is one stop in Cairo. 

6. WHERE TO STAY IN HURGHADA?

There are hundreds of hotels in Hurghada from good to excellent. You find hundreds of hotel with different facilities. Most of the hotels have obviously pools, beach access, restaurants and bar. But you’ll also find a sports hotel, waterparks, themed hotels and things you can’t even imagine existing.

​The best hotels are located in Sahl Hasheesh, which is a luxury resort 25 kilometres away from Hurghada. If you don’t like to accommodate in the big hotel resort, there are also smaller hotels, Air-BnB and private rentals available in Hurghada. Whatever you want, you’ll find it from Hurghada.

THIS POST WILL HELP YOU TO CHOOSE THE BEST HOTEL IN HURGHADA: HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST HOTEL IN HURGHADA?

7. WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE IN HURGHADA EGYPT?

The weather in Hurghada is always good or excellent. The climate in Egypt is Subtropical-desert climate. The winters are mild, and summers are extremely hot in Hurghada. It’s year-round sunshine and wind in Hurghada. 

During the summertime from June till September, the weather is always hot. 

In the wintertime, it’s warm in the daytime and cold during the night. Raining is rare. 

Read more about the weather in Hurghada Egypt from this post: HURGHADA WEATHER-WHAT’S THE WEATHER LIKE IN HURGHADA EGYPT?

8. IS HURGHADA SAFE? IS IT SAFE TO TRAVEL TO HURGHADA EGYPT?

To be honest, this question is a little annoying. But I totally understand where it comes from. The media has made it look like Egypt is the most dangerous countries to visit. Obviously, this isn’t true. I don’t think Egypt is more dangerous than any other countries. Use your common sense and you’ll be fine.

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS ABOUT THE SAFETY IN HURGHADA: IS HURGHADA SAFE? IS IT SAFE TO TRAVEL TO HURGHADA EGYPT?

But unfortunately, no-one can’t predict what happens, where and when. Before travelling anywhere, check your governments’ travel advice.

More information: the UK travel advice for Egypt the US government travel advisory for Egypt (OPENS IN THE NEW WINDOW)

9. WHERE CAN I GO IN HURGHADA?

There are many places to visit for FREE in Hurghada Egypt. First of all, take a tour around the city and get to know the different neighbourhoods, districts and areas in Hurghada. 

Visit El Dahar Vegetable & Fruit Market, stroll down El Mamsha, have a drink in HURGHADA MARINA and check what El Kawther has to offer for you.

To read more about the city of Hurghada check this post: THE CITY OF HURGHADA

10. WHAT THERE IS TO DO IN HURGHADA? THINGS TO DO IN HURGHADA

There are millions of things to do in Hurghada. You can do anything from Quad biking to Scuba-Diving. And everything from between them.

The most popular things to do in Hurghada are obviously water-related activities; Scuba-Diving, Snorkeling, Kite-Surfing, Parasailing, Wake-boarding and so on. If you aren’t interested in water-sports you can still enjoy the Red Sea. 

Visit Giftun Island and it’s beaches (Mahmya, Orange bay, Paradise) by boat, jump into the submarine or go to explore underwater life in Hurghada Grand Aquarium. For the ones interested in Ancient Egypt there is obviously a good chance to visit Cairo and Luxor from Hurghada. 

If you are on a holiday with kids and can’t visit the pyramids go to see Mini Egypt Park or Sand City Hurghada. They both are filled with beautiful sand sculptures.

POSTS TO READ: TOP THINGS TO DO IN HURGHADA FROM A-Z

11. WHAT IS THE BEST CURRENCY TO TAKE TO HURGHADA EGYPT?

The currency used in Hurghada is Egyptian pound LE, E£. The best currency to take to Egypt and Hurghada is USD $, GBP £ or EUR €. But it’s better to use Egyptian pounds LE. while being in Egypt. The exchange rate is better in Egypt, this is why you should exchange the money after arriving in Egypt. After you arrive at Hurghada, exchange the money to Egyptian pounds LE.

You can exchange the money at the airport from bank kiosk while buying a visa on arrival. You also need to pay your visa on arrival with the U.S. Dollars, Sterling Pounds or Euros. Even if you don’t need to buy a visa, you can exchange the money from airport bank kiosk. There are also ATM machines at the airport and around the city where you can exchange USD $, GBP £ and EUR € to Egyptian pounds LE.

More about the currency in Egypt from this post: CURRENCY IN EGYPT-AN EGYPTIAN POUND LE. F.A.Q 

12. DO I NEED TRAVEL VACCINATIONS/INJECTIONS FOR EGYPT HURGHADA?

Before travelling anywhere, be sure your routine vaccination is up-to-date. Some countries recommend Hepatitis A & B and Typhoid vaccination for Egypt travellers.

Contact the health authorities in your country to get more details about the travel vaccinations in Egypt.

More health information for Egypt travellers: https://www.worldtravelguide.net/guides/africa/egypt/health/ (opens in a new window)

13. WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT HURGHADA EGYPT?

The best seasons to visit Egypt are definitely Autumn and Spring. Hurghada weather is perfect on October, November, March and April. The second best time to visit Egypt is winter. Summers are very hot in Egypt, but suitable for sunbathing and relaxation.

14. WHAT IS HURGHADA FAMOUS FOR?

Hurghada is famous for its’ year-round sunshine and the Red Sea, that offers countless different water-related activities. Hurghada is a popular holiday destination especially among scuba-divers all around the world.

The Red Sea has been chosen to be one of the best scuba diving destinations in the world. Hurghada is also a very popular holiday destination among British, German and other European tourists. Most of all Hurghada is famous for its year-round sun and crystal clear waters.

15. DO I NEED A VISA TO HURGHADA?

Yes, you do. You can get a touristic visa on arrival, online or through the embassy of Egypt in your country depending on your nationality.

Citizens of the European Union, the United States of America and Canada can purchase a touristic visa to Egypt on arrival or online (e-visa).

​If your reason to travel is other than tourism, contact the embassy or consulate of Egypt in your country.

More information about Visa to Egypt from this post: A VISA TO EGYPT-EGYPT VISA REQUIREMENTS F.A.Q.

16. CAN I VISIT PYRAMIDS FROM HURGHADA?

Yes, you can! Most of the tourists visiting Hurghada want to see the pyramids while being in the country. The most popular excursions to Cairo from Hurghada are one-day trips. 

You leave Hurghada early in the night and come back next night. It’s a long time to sit on the bus (distance between Hurghada and Cairo is about 450 kilometres, but it’s totally worth it). You can also visit Cairo by plane, bus or car. If you visit Cairo independently, book a local guide to make your visit easier.

17. WHY SHOULD I VISIT EGYPT?

Everyone should visit Egypt at least once in a lifetime.

If you need more reasons, check this post: 8-REASONS WHY TO TRAVEL TO HURGHADA EGYPT?

ENJOY YOUR HOLIDAY TO EGYPT! GO BACK TO THE FRONT PAGE TO SEE WHAT ELSE I’VE BEEN WRITING ABOUT EGYPT.