The honest guide to taxis, apps, and not getting ripped off
Hurghada is LONG. Like, 40km along the coast. Walking between areas isn't really a thing. The good news? Transport is cheap. The less good news? Taxi drivers absolutely know you're a tourist. Here's how to handle it. More survival tips in my first visit guide.
The classic option
These are everywhere. None use meters. They WILL quote you tourist prices first. This isn't personal — it's just how it works. ALWAYS agree on the price before getting in. Start negotiating at about 50% of what they say. It's expected.
The stress-free option
Honestly? These are your friends. Price shows up BEFORE you book. No haggling, no games, no "you want tour?" conversations. Often cheaper than taxis. Pay by app or cash. I use these almost exclusively now.
Fixed prices, GPS tracking, no awkward haggling, air-conditioned cars
Wait 5-15 min sometimes, surge pricing during peak hours
International car rental agencies available (Budget, Europcar, local companies). Requires international driving permit + passport + credit card. Manual transmission common, automatic costs more.
Budget option for locals. White minibuses run along main roads. Routes not clearly marked and drivers speak minimal English. Adventure for experienced travelers only!
So you're staying in Hurghada but want to check out the posh neighbors? Or maybe you booked a hotel in El Gouna and realized it's... kinda far? Here's the deal on getting between these spots.
Distance: About 25km (30-40 mins).
Uber: Works great to El Gouna. Coming back? Sometimes tricky to find a car. El Gouna has its own tuk-tuks (blue/yellow ones) for getting around inside, but for the trip back to Hurghada, you might need to book a private taxi or use the "Sixt" limo service there.
Pro tip: Go Bus has a stop in El Gouna if you're on a tight budget (~50 EGP), but the schedule is... loose.
Distance: About 20km (25 mins).
Uber: Almost always available both ways. Sahl Hasheesh has a gate fee for non-residents sometimes (like 50 EGP), depends on the driver and the moon phase.
Distance: About 30-35km (35-45 mins).
Makadi is huge. Make sure you know which hotel. "Makadi Hotel" narrows it down to about 20 resorts. Uber works, but drivers might ask for cash extra because they drive back empty. Negotiate this before you start.
Distance: About 45-50km (50-60 mins).
This is a proper trip. Uber is unreliable for pickup from Soma Bay. Highly recommend booking a round-trip driver or a KiwiTaxi transfer. You don't want to be stuck there at midnight with 3% battery and no ride.
Your driver waiting with your name on a sign. Stress-free. Every time.
Okay so — real talk. After landing from a 4-hour flight, standing in customs for another hour, maybe dealing with screaming kids or jet lag or both... the LAST thing anyone wants is to haggle with taxi drivers at 2 AM. Been there. Multiple times. It's not fun.
KiwiTaxi is basically the opposite of that chaos. Book online before you even pack your bags, price is locked in, driver's there with your name when you walk out. Done. No drama. No "you want tour my friend?" conversations at midnight.
Look — you're on holiday. Why start it stressed? Comfortable sedans, AC that actually works (trust me, this matters in Egypt), and someone who knows where your hotel actually is. No getting "lost" on purpose. No surprise detours to their cousin's perfume shop.
Child seats? Request them. Like, actually proper ones. Minivans for all the luggage plus strollers plus whatever chaos you're traveling with. Kids melting down after a flight is bad enough — don't add "random taxi negotiation" to that mix. Just... don't.
Eight people, twelve suitcases, and everyone's arguing about where we're going? Classic. Book a minibus, everyone gets picked up together, no fighting over three separate taxis. Price per head works out cheaper too usually. Math. It works.
Flight landing at 3 AM? Driver's there. Flight leaving at 5 AM? They'll be at your hotel at 3 AM sharp. No "maybe Uber won't be available at dawn" anxiety. No begging the hotel reception to call someone. Just... sorted.
Best: 24-48 hours before arrival — prices are stable, availability is good.
Good: As soon as you book flights — lock in the rate, peace of mind.
Risky: Day of arrival — might work, might not. Why gamble?
Peak season (Dec-Feb)? Book at least a week ahead. Seriously. Everyone's coming to escape European winter.
Fixed prices • Free cancellation up to 24h • Flight tracking included
Taxis are generally safe. Just use common sense — agree on price first, don't flash cash, keep valuables out of sight. Most drivers are honest; they're just trying to make a living. The few bad ones are rare.
Keep small bills (20, 50 EGP notes). Drivers never have change for big notes. Like, never. Download Uber/Careem and set up card payment to avoid this entirely. More on money management here.
Screenshot your hotel address in Arabic from Google Maps. Show it to drivers. Saves 10 minutes of confusion every single time. More useful phrases in my Arabic guide.
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