Practical Info for Hurghada

🛂 Visa & Entry — Simpler Than You Think

Look, I'm not going to bore you with every bureaucratic detail. Here's what actually matters:

Tourist Visa On Arrival

If you're from the EU or UK, you just buy a visa when you land. That's it. Walk to the bank booth before immigration, pay $25 USD (CASH ONLY — super important), stick the visa in your passport, get stamped, done. For the full lowdown on flights, transfers, and visa details, I've got a whole guide.

• Cost: $25 USD cash. Bring exact change if possible.
• Valid for: 30 days, single entry
• Passport requirement: 6+ months validity
• Time: Maybe 5-10 minutes at the booth

E-Visa Alternative

Prefer to skip the queue? Apply online at the official Egyptian e-visa portal before you travel. Same $25, takes 5-7 business days, and you get to walk past everyone buying stickers at the airport looking smug. Worth it if you're organized.

💰 Money Stuff

Egypt uses the Egyptian Pound (EGP). The exchange rate's been... interesting... lately. Egypt got a LOT more affordable for Europeans over the past few years. When I first came here, €1 got you maybe 8 EGP. Now it's 50-something. Your budget stretches way further. Got more questions about handling cash here? My money and safety guide covers everything.

What You Actually Need to Know

• Exchange rate: Around 1 EUR = 50-55 EGP (changes constantly, check xe.com)
• Best rates: Banks, official exchange offices. NOT the airport.
• Cards: Work at hotels and big shops. Cash everywhere else.
• ATMs: Available, but fees add up. I use a Wise card.

Tipping (Baksheesh)

Tipping is way more of a thing here than in Europe. It's not rude — it's expected. And honestly? These are often low-wage jobs where tips make a real difference.

📱 Staying Connected

EU roaming DOESN'T work here (Egypt's not in the EU, obviously). So unless you want surprise phone bills, get a local SIM or sort out international roaming before you fly.

SIM Cards

• Where: Vodafone, Orange, and Etisalat have booths at the airport
• Cost: €5-15 for 10-20GB data
• Activation: Bring your passport (Egyptian law requires registration)
• Coverage: Good in Hurghada and tourist areas, patchy in deep desert

📸 Photography Tips

Hurghada is stupidly photogenic. The colors here — the turquoise sea, the golden desert, the coral... your Instagram's going to have a field day.

Best Photo Ops

• Golden hour: Sunrise (5:30-6:30am) and sunset (5-6pm) are INCREDIBLE for beach shots
• Marina at night: The reflections and café atmosphere are beautiful — check out my nightlife guide for the best spots
• Desert sunrise: Book a quad bike tour for dawn photos. Worth the early alarm.
• Underwater: Most dive centers rent GoPros for €15-25/day

Underwater Photography

Best visibility is morning dives (8-10am) before the afternoon wind kicks up. Bring a red filter for natural colors at depth. Or just stick with snorkeling photos — honestly a phone in a waterproof case gets surprisingly good shots in shallow water. My diving guide has more on the best sites for underwater photography.

🛍️ Shopping & Souvenirs

You're gonna get approached by shopkeepers. A lot. It's not personal — it's just how markets work here. A friendly but firm "la shukran" (no thanks) does the job.

What's Actually Worth Buying

• Egyptian cotton: World-famous quality. Towels, bedding, t-shirts — genuinely great stuff.
• Spices: Cumin, hibiscus tea, saffron — way cheaper than Europe
• Papyrus art: Real pieces make nice gifts (€10-50). Beware fakes made from banana leaf.
• Perfume oils: Traditional scents without alcohol. Long-lasting.
• Cartouche jewelry: Your name in hieroglyphics. Cheesy? Maybe. Cool gift? Definitely.

Where to Shop

• El Dahar Bazaar: Authentic local market. Best prices but you MUST bargain.
• Senzo Mall: Air-conditioned, fixed prices, normal shopping experience.
• Marina Boulevard: More upscale, nice evening atmosphere, tourist prices.
• Hotel shops: Convenient but 20-40% more expensive.

🌟 Don't Miss These

Anyone can lie on a beach. Here's the stuff that makes Hurghada actually memorable:

• Shisha at the marina: Traditional water pipe with mint tea. Find a café, watch the sunset, pretend you live here. More in my nightlife guide.
• Fish market dinner: You pick your fish, they cook it while you wait. Incredibly fresh, very cheap. Check out my food and restaurants guide for the best spots.
• Bedouin dinner: Desert BBQ under stars with traditional music. Touristy? Sure. But also genuinely fun.
• Felucca sailing: Traditional boat at sunset. Romantic, peaceful, no motor noise. See my things to do guide for booking options.

Best Times for Things

🚕 Getting Around

From the Airport

• Hotel transfer: Most hotels offer pickup (often free) — confirm when booking
• Private transfer: €20-40 depending on where you're going — see my transport guide for options
• Taxi: €15-25 — negotiate fare BEFORE getting in

Around Town

• Uber: Works perfectly here. Fixed prices, no negotiation. My go-to.
• Hotel taxis: Reliable, slightly pricier
• Local taxis: Cheap but negotiate price first
• Microbus: 5-10 EGP, very local, very cramped — adventure mode

🌡️ Weather & Packing

Hurghada has maybe 300+ sunny days a year. Rain? Basically never. The only question is: how hot? My complete weather guide has month-by-month breakdowns if you're deciding when to visit.

• Summer (June-Aug): Hot hot hot. 35-40°C. Stay by the pool midday.
• Winter (Dec-Feb): Warm days (20-25°C), cooler evenings. Might want a light jacket.
• Spring/Fall: Perfect. 25-30°C. The sweet spot.
• Sea temperature: 21-28°C year-round. Always swimmable.

Actually Pack This

• High SPF sunscreen (reef-safe if diving/snorkeling)
• Lightweight breathable clothes
• Something modest for mosque visits (shoulders/knees covered)
• Swim shoes (some beaches are rocky)
• Light jacket for AC spaces and winter evenings
• Power adapter (European 2-pin plugs)
• Motion sickness tablets if you get seasick

🤝 Cultural Stuff

Egypt's a Muslim country with a massive tourist industry. In resort areas you can wear basically whatever. Outside resorts, a bit more modesty is appreciated (cover shoulders and knees). It's about respect, not rules.

• Learn "shukran" (thank you) — locals genuinely appreciate the effort. Check my Arabic language guide for more phrases
• Ask before photographing people — some don't want to be in your holiday snaps
• Bargaining is expected in markets — enjoy the game
• If offered tea in a shop, it's hospitality not a scam. Accept it!
• Be patient. "Egyptian time" is more relaxed than German punctuality. My first visit guide has more on what to expect