Ahlan wa sahlan, my friend! I’m Salem — been working in Hurghada’s tourism scene for over 15 years now. And look, I’ve seen it all. The good, the bad, the “why did that tourist just pay 500 pounds for a 50-pound taxi ride” kind of moments. Breaks my heart every time, honestly.
So here’s the deal. I’m gonna share everything I know about dealing with locals here. Not the sugar-coated tourism board version — the real stuff. The kind of knowledge that’ll save you money, stress, and maybe a few awkward situations.
Why This Guide Exists (And Why You Need It)
Look, Hurghada is… complicated. Beautiful? Absolutely. Amazing people? Most of them, yes. But there’s also a system here that — how do I put this nicely — doesn’t always work in the tourist’s favor. And I say this as an Egyptian who loves his country.
Thing is, many locals see European tourists as walking ATMs. Not all of them! But enough that you need to know how to navigate it. My German friend Klaus (been coming here since 2008) put it best: “Salem, I love Egypt, but the first two trips I felt like everyone was trying to empty my wallet.”
He wasn’t wrong. But here’s the good news — once you understand how things work, Hurghada becomes one of the most affordable and enjoyable destinations in the world. Seriously. You just need the cheat codes.
Hotel Staff: Your First Allies (Usually)
Right, so you’ve landed and you’re at your resort. The reception staff? Generally lovely. Housekeeping? Absolute legends — seriously, I’ve seen rooms transformed in 20 minutes flat. But here’s where it gets interesting…
The Concierge Situation: Nice people, genuinely helpful, but — and this is important — they often get commission from tour operators. So when Ahmed at the desk recommends “the best desert safari company,” it might actually be “the company that pays me the best kickback.”
Not saying ignore their advice! Just… maybe Google the company first. Compare prices. The same quad bike safari might be €45 through the hotel concierge or €25 if you book directly. That’s half your drinks budget right there.
Tipping Culture: Okay, this one confuses everyone. Here’s the honest breakdown:
- Housekeeping: 20-50 Egyptian pounds per day (roughly €1-2) left on the pillow
- Bellboy: 20-30 pounds per bag (they’ll remember you if you’re generous)
- Pool/beach towel guy: 10-20 pounds and suddenly you’ll always have the best lounger reserved
- Restaurant staff: Round up the bill or 10% if service was good
Pro tip from years of observation: The staff talk to each other. Be nice to one, and word spreads. Suddenly your room service arrives faster, your special requests get handled, and someone “accidentally” leaves extra toiletries. Works both ways though — be rude and… well.
Taxi Drivers: The Most Important Read of This Guide
Oh boy. Where do I even start. This is probably the area where tourists get — there’s no nice way to say it — absolutely ripped off the most. And it drives me mental because it gives Hurghada a bad reputation.
The Classic Scam: You walk out of the airport, exhausted from your flight, some guy approaches: “Taxi? Where you going? Makadi Bay? 500 pounds only!” Seems reasonable when you don’t know local prices, right?
Actual fair price: Around 150-200 pounds. Maybe 250 at night.
I’ve literally watched tourists pay 800 pounds for a ride that should cost 200. The driver knew exactly what he was doing. Infuriating.
The Solution That Changed Everything: Honestly? Book your transfer before you land. I always recommend KiwiTaxi to all my European friends now. And no, this isn’t just me throwing links around — I’ve personally seen the difference.
Here’s why it works:
- You book online, pay in euros/pounds beforehand — no cash hassle at midnight
- Driver waits with your name on a sign — proper professional service
- Fixed price — no “oh the meter is broken” or “this is high season price”
- For families, you can book child seats in advance (try asking a random taxi for that…)
- Groups? They have minivans for like 8 people — works out cheaper than multiple taxis
My friend Martina from Vienna — family of 5 including 2 little kids — booked through KiwiTaxi for their airport transfer. Driver was waiting, car had AC blasting (essential in Egyptian heat), and the kids’ car seats were already installed. Compare that to the chaos of negotiating with 3 different taxi drivers outside the airport while your kids are melting…
For Trips Around Hurghada: Same principle applies. Want to visit El Gouna for dinner? Sahl Hasheesh for the day? Book through KiwiTaxi and avoid the “I don’t have change” routine. Trust me on this one.
Bazaar Sellers: A Love-Hate Relationship
OKAY SO. The bazaars. Senzo Mall area, the Marina souvenir shops, the old market… I have feelings about this.
First thing first: bargaining is expected. If you pay the first price offered, the seller will literally be disappointed. Not joking. It’s a cultural thing — the negotiation IS the experience. Some of them actually enjoy the back-and-forth more than the sale.
The Golden Rules:
- Start at 30% of their asking price. They’ll act horrified. This is theater. Keep going.
- Walking away is your most powerful tool. “Okay okay, my friend, what is YOUR price?” — that’s when real negotiating starts
- Never show you really want something. Casual interest only. The moment they see “I NEED that pharaoh statue” in your eyes, price doubles.
- “Very special Egyptian alabaster” is probably factory-made in China. Real alabaster is cold to the touch and you can see light through it.
- Papyrus? If it cracks when you bend it gently, it’s banana leaf painted to look like papyrus. Real papyrus is flexible.
And look — the constant “come look, just looking, no buy, my friend!” can get exhausting. I know. But most of these guys are just trying to feed their families. A simple “la shukran” (no thanks) with a smile usually works. Engaging in conversation when you don’t want to buy just makes it harder to leave.
Diving & Snorkeling Operators: Worth Every Penny (Mostly)
Right, the Red Sea. This is why you came here, probably. And good news — the diving and snorkeling companies are generally pretty legit. Competition keeps them honest.
But there ARE differences…
What to Look For:
- PADI or SSI certification for diving — non-negotiable
- Small group sizes (max 8 divers per instructor is ideal)
- Check their equipment — if masks are scratched and fins are cracked, standards are probably low elsewhere too
- Ask about the boat. Old fishing boat converted = bumpy ride and basic facilities. Purpose-built dive boat = smoother experience
Price-wise, expect around €30-40 for a snorkeling day trip, €50-70 for discovery dives, €250-350 for PADI Open Water certification (3-4 days). Anything significantly cheaper? Question why.
Personal recommendation: book your diving spots and tours through reputable platforms. Planning your whole trip ahead? Check this comparison tool for flights — sometimes the flight + diving package timing makes a big difference in what you catch underwater. Manta season, turtle breeding… timing matters!
Safari & Excursion Operators: The Wild West
Oh man. This is… inconsistent. Very inconsistent.
Desert safari, quad biking, stargazing trips, Bedouin dinners — the quality varies MASSIVELY. I’ve seen brilliant operators and absolute cowboys operating the same route.
Red Flags to Watch For:
- “Cheapest price guaranteed!” — usually means corners cut on safety
- No insurance mentioned — you want to know you’re covered if that quad bike flips
- Pickup times that stretch (“between 2pm and 4pm” means 4:30 realistically)
- Pushy upselling during the trip — “special bonus camel ride only €50!” that should’ve been included
The Good Ones Do This:
- Helmets provided and REQUIRED for quad bikes (some places let you ride without — insane)
- Clear itinerary with actual times
- Water and snacks included as stated
- Drivers/guides speak reasonable English or German
- Trip actually goes to the desert, not just 20 minutes outside town (yes, that happens)
Restaurant Workers: A Mixed Bag of Gems
Right, so food. Eating in Hurghada is… an experience.
Marina Restaurants: Beautiful setting, inflated prices, food quality varies wildly. Some are genuinely excellent (the fish restaurants especially), others are overpriced tourist traps surviving on location alone.
My test: Check if locals are eating there. Not Egyptians working there — locals choosing to eat there. That tells you more than any TripAdvisor review.
Local Spots in El Dahar (Downtown): WAY cheaper, often better food, zero tourist markup. The foul and ta’meya (Egyptian falafel) for breakfast costs like 30 pounds and is incredible. Same meal in a Marina café? 150 pounds and worse quality because it’s been sitting under heat lamps.
Waiters will often push the expensive menu items. “Fresh lobster today, very special!” Check the price first. That lobster might be €80 and honestly, the €15 grilled fish platter is just as good.
Café Culture: Shisha and Stories
Egyptian cafés (ahwas) are where the magic happens, honestly. Men playing backgammon, shisha smoke curling up, endless tea and Arabic coffee…
If you venture outside the resort bubble — and you absolutely should — sitting in a local ahwa for an hour will teach you more about Egyptian culture than any guidebook.
Useful Phrases:
- “Shay, min fadlak” — Tea, please
- “Ahwa sada” — Coffee without sugar (it’s strong, you’ve been warned)
- “Ahwa mazboot” — Coffee with medium sugar
- “Shisha tufah” — Apple shisha (most popular flavor)
Prices are hilarious compared to European standards. Shisha: 30-50 pounds (€1-2). Tea: 10-15 pounds. Coffee: 15-20 pounds. You can sit for hours and nobody cares — that’s the culture.
Boat Trip Crews: The Unsung Heroes
The guys working the snorkeling boats, the glass-bottom boats, the fishing trips — they work HARD. Like, sunrise to sunset in the sun kind of hard.
Most boat crews are genuinely helpful. They’ll spot dolphins miles away, know exactly where the turtles hang out, and will go out of their way to make your trip memorable.
Tipping Protocol: A group tip at the end is normal. Around 50-100 pounds per person for a full day trip is generous and appreciated. They split it among the crew.
The photographers on the boats — they’ll snap photos all day and try to sell you a USB or printed album at the end. Quality varies. If you don’t want photos, just say no at the start to avoid awkwardness later.
Hospital & Medical Staff: Hopefully You Won’t Need This Section
But if you do… Hurghada has decent medical facilities. El Gouna hospital is probably the best equipped, with German management (go figure).
Important Stuff:
- Always have travel insurance. Always. This is not negotiable.
- Pharmacies (saydaleya) are everywhere and many medications are available without prescription
- For minor issues, hotel doctors are usually fine
- Dehydration is the #1 tourist health issue — drink more water than you think you need
Medical staff here are generally professional and many speak English. Costs are much lower than Europe but can still add up without insurance.
Car Rental Companies: Proceed With Caution
Renting a car in Hurghada is… an adventure. And I don’t mean that positively.
Egyptian driving is chaotic. Rules exist but are treated as suggestions. Lanes are decorative. Honking is used for everything from “hello” to “I’m passing you on the right at 120km/h.”
If you DO rent, some tips:
- Document every scratch before you leave the lot — VIDEO it
- International driving permit is officially required
- Book through international brands (Hertz, Sixt) for better insurance and recourse if something goes wrong
- Honestly? For airport transfers and day trips, just use KiwiTaxi. Driver included, no navigation stress, no parking hassle, no risk of traffic accidents on unfamiliar roads
Workers You’ll Meet Everywhere: The Beach Sellers
Ah, the beach vendors. You’re lying on your sunbed, trying to read, and here comes someone with bracelets/sunglasses/massage offers/henna tattoos/camel rides…
They’re persistent. Very persistent. It can be annoying after the fifth approach in an hour.
But perspective: these guys are trying to make maybe €5-10 in profit from a full day of walking in 40°C heat carrying merchandise. Most of them are nice people in tough economic situations.
How to Handle It:
- A firm but friendly “la shukran” (no thanks) works
- Don’t make eye contact if you really don’t want to engage (sounds harsh but saves everyone time)
- Resorts are supposed to restrict access but enforcement varies
- If you DO want something, bargain! Starting price is always 3-4x the expected final price
Money Exchange: Where Tourists Get Burned
Quick section but important. Exchange money at banks or official exchange offices. The dudes on the street offering “best rate, my friend” are either illegal, scammers, or both.
Airport exchange rates are terrible — change just enough to get to your hotel. ATMs in town give better rates. Notify your bank you’re traveling so your card doesn’t get blocked.
Planning Your Hurghada Trip Right
Look, I know this guide has been long. Probably too long. But I’d rather you know too much than get caught out by stuff that’s easily avoidable.
My Genuine Recommendations:
- Flights: Compare options on this flight comparison tool — prices vary massively between airlines and dates. Midweek flights are often €50-100 cheaper.
- Airport Transfers: Book through KiwiTaxi before you arrive. Seriously. This single decision will save you stress and money.
- Accommodation: The all-inclusive resorts give the best value if you’re beach-focused. Check ratings carefully — there’s a big difference between 4-star and 4-star in Hurghada.
- Excursions: Book the must-dos (Luxor day trip, major diving) in advance. Leave some days flexible for spontaneous discoveries.
Final Thoughts From Salem
Listen. I love Hurghada. I’ve built my life here. And I get genuinely sad when tourists leave with bad impressions because of a few bad experiences that were totally preventable.
Most Egyptians you’ll meet are warm, funny, hospitable people who genuinely want you to enjoy their country. The tourism industry has some issues — I won’t pretend otherwise — but the underlying culture is wonderful.
Come prepared. Know the rough prices. Use the tips in this guide. And then relax and enjoy one of the most beautiful places on Earth — the Red Sea is genuinely special, and Hurghada can be the holiday of a lifetime if you approach it right.
Any questions? Honestly, drop them in the comments. I check regularly and I’m always happy to help fellow travelers navigate my hometown.
Ma’a salama (goodbye) and hopefully see you on the beach soon!
— Salem, your local friend in Hurghada