Hurghada in Egypt is known for its luxury resorts. However, it’s still possible to travel cheaply around the city. I’ve tried both itineraries there, from the most luxurious to the cheapest. And I can say that you can enjoy the sea and the city in both. In this post, you can find tips on how to travel in an affordable way in Hurghada.
Want to know more about resorts in Hurghada? Check out more about my experience here.
Where is the city of Hurghada located?
Hurghada is a coastal city located on the Red Sea. It’s about a 6-hour drive from Cairo, the capital of Egypt. For those traveling from Luxor to Hurghada, it’s about 4 hours by car. If you are flying until it, is possible to make the journey in an hour.
Hurghada city is divided into 4 municipalities: Hurghada (the downtown center of Hurghada, with mosques, a greater variety of restaurants and nightclubs), El Gouna (composed of several houses compounds), Makadi Bay and Sahl Hasheesh (regions with several luxurious resorts).
When to travel to Hurghada
Hurghada is very popular with tourists in spring and autumn. The weather there at this time is pleasant, neither too hot nor too cold. During the summer the public is more Egyptian, after all, schools and universities are in recess. El Gouna is very busy at this time, as families go spend summer vacations there.
During summer temperatures reach up to 40 degrees in Egypt easily. During spring and autumn, the temperature during the day is around 30 C. In winter, it’s around 20 C. For many tourists, especially Europeans and Russians are very pleasant weather and ok to enjoy the beach.
The winter (from November to February) is the city’s low season. For this reason, it’s possible to find good prices at this time of year. If you’re traveling through several cities in Egypt and not just the beaches, avoid the summer. At this time it’s very difficult to take tours in the desert because of the hot weather.
How to get to Hurghada?
The most affordable option to get to Hurghada is definitely to go by bus. Tickets cost about 240 EGP (about 70 reais) to go from Cairo, capital of Egypt, to Hurghada. This price was updated in 2022. You can check schedules, prices and ticket categories directly on the GoBus website.
We always choose to travel with GoBus as they offer a reasonable service. Friends have also traveled with Blue Bus and said the buses were good. You can purchase your ticket online or at one of the physical points. Check out this post to learn more about how to buy your ticket and other tips on transport in Egypt.
Are there cheaper tickets?
Yes, however I don’t recommend to risk a trip of six hours in any vehicle. The companies I listed above already provide a very basic service. Sometimes even in the best companies the buses are not very clean or new. In addition, there is the issue of security. A vehicle in good condition and good drivers are key details for a smooth trip.
Accommodation in Hurghada
If you are planning a more economical trip around the city, avoid the resorts. To travel cheaply around Hurghada, look for Aparthotels and AIRBNB. Prices range from 300 to 700 EGP per night for the couple. Prices will vary depending on the distance from the beach and the city center, number of people, breakfast…
Positives and negatives of the Aparthotel
In addition to having a mini-kitchen or mini-bar, most of the Aparthotels I found on Booking in Hurghada include breakfast. For example, aparthotels like Lilly Apartments and Redcon Panorama are highly rated. However, they are a little far from the city center, which means extra expenses with transport.
Check out the best apps to find accommodation here!
Usually, it’s more difficult to find apartments for rent with access to the beach than hotels in Egypt. For those who don’t know, most Egyptian beaches are exclusive to hotels or compounds. So, be aware when making your reservation if the hotel mentions free beach access.
Airbnb positives and negatives points
If you have little time in the city and want to enjoy a bit of everything the area has to offer, I believe that an AIRBNB in the city center is a great option. However, sometimes it’s difficult to find the building and communicate with the owner. But the platform has great apartment options, especially for those who are going to share with a group.
Is it possible to find AIRBNB with beach access?
Yes, some rare apartments have access to the beach. However, most of the time it’s not worth paying extra for the location. Beach public access areas are generally more used by locals. Nothing compared to the beaches you have access to in resorts.
There are several options for tours if you don’t have access to the beach in your accommodation. I even recommend paying less for accommodation to offset spending on private tours. Since they are usually unmissable for those who travel in the region.
Best tours in Hurghada
Visitors cannot miss some of the tours offered by tourist agencies. I don’t usually hire agencies when I travel, as I research and do the activities on my own. However, in Hurghada most attractions require hiring a guide.
Two activities worth booking are the Yacht tour and ATV tour in the desert. To guarantee the best price, ask at the hotel and research in different agencies. Don’t forget to check what is included in the activity. Other activities that can be done in the city are scuba diving, Bedouin dinner in the desert…
In doubt about hiring an agency for your trip? Check out this post about the advantages and disadvantages of guided tours.
Two days itinerary in Hurghada
First day: ATV ride, dinner and show
On our first day in the city, we arrived by bus around 9 AM. We dropped the bags at the apartment and headed towards the camp where we would take the ATV to ride in the desert. Once there, we were instructed to put on a scarf to cover our mouth and nose because of the sand (take your own so you don’t have to buy one). They also offer safety helmet.
The tour lasts about 3 hours and it’s possible to ride with two types of car. At the end, we were served a buffet with grilled chicken, Egyptian rice and other traditional dishes. But the main attraction is the belly dance and tanoura show, traditional dances in Egypt. The tour with dinner and show included cost around 400 EGP (2019 prices).
Day Two in Hurghada: Yacht Tour and City Center
On the second day we woke up early for the yacht tour. Leaving at nine in the morning, the boat took us to spend the day diving in the blue waters of the Red Sea. In addition to the included lunch, they provided snorkel gear.
We made two stops throughout the day: one to admire the corals and another on in an island off the coast of Hurghada. On this island, the beach had fine white sand. One of the best spots I’ve ever bathed in the region. We returned around 4 PM, showered and organized our things, as we would leave that night.
Eat and drink in Hurghada:
We had dinner in the center of Hurghada. The town has a good variety of restaurants and bars. For those who want to enjoy the night, I suggest going to the Hard Rock Café or Little Buddha. And for those who want to save money, GAD restaurant is always a good choice. With units in several Egyptian cities, the restaurant has a varied menu, affordable and well served.
Another cool option is to go to Hurghada Marina. The place has several restaurants, as well as a playground for children and a nightclub. I consider it a very nice option to go with the family. In this other post there are some pictures of the place.
Have a question about Hurghada? Check out our FAQ below.
FAQ About Hurghada
Hurghada is very popular with tourists in spring and autumn. The weather there at this time is pleasant, neither too hot nor too cold. In summer, temperatures are around 40°C and in winter, around 20°C.
You will find several resorts in Makadi Bay and Sahl Hasheesh. If you are looking for more affordable accommodation, there are aparthotels and AIRBNB in the central region of Hurghada and in El Gouna.
In addition to having a mini-kitchen or mini-bar, most of the Aparthotels I found on Booking in Hurghada include breakfast. For example, aparthotels like Lilly Apartments and Redcon Panorama are highly rated on the platform.
The platform has great apartment options, especially for those who are going to divide into groups. Daily rates are around R$700 in the El Gouna region, for luxury apartments with 3 bedrooms in a condominium with a pool and facing the sea.
The cheapest way to travel to Hurghada is by bus. Tickets cost about 240 EGP (about 70 reais) to go from Cairo to Hurghada with the company GoBus.
Two activities worth booking are the Yacht tour and ATV tour in the desert. Other activities that can be done in the city are scuba diving, Bedouin dinner in the desert. Check more about Hurghada itinerary here.
For those who want to extend the night, I suggest going to the Hard Rock Café or Little Buddha. Little Buddha is, in my opinion, the best nightclub in the area and a good option for New Year’s parties.
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