Published 13 November 2024 | Updated 15 October 2026 by Jane Robinson
Hurghada is one of the cheapest winter sun breaks from the UK. Seven-night all-inclusive packages are cheapest outside the school holidays, and direct flights from around ten UK airports take about five and a half hours. With £1 now buying roughly 70 Egyptian pounds (EGP), your money goes further than it has in years. A taxi ride across town costs around £4 to £7. A meal at a local restaurant, £2 to £4.
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You will find more destinations covered in Flight Tribe’s destination guides, each built around verified prices for UK travellers.
This money-saving guide to Hurghada covers everything UK travellers need for a budget trip: when to go, how to get there, what to do, and what things cost.
When to go
Hurghada sits on the Red Sea coast and has reliable warm weather year-round. Most UK visitors travel between October and April. January and February are the most popular months: temperatures average 22 to 23°C, there is almost no rain, and the sea is warm enough to swim in comfortably. Package prices are highest over school holidays in December and February half-term.
Summer brings extreme heat. August averages 37°C. Prices drop sharply, and the resorts are quieter. The Red Sea stays between 22°C and 30°C all year. For a winter break, see our guides to January sun destinations and February sun holidays for more options at similar price points.
| MONTHS | AIR TEMP | SEA TEMP | PACKAGE PRICES | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct to Nov | 28 to 32°C | 27-28°C | Mid-range | Warm, quieter, good value |
| December | 24°C | 24°C | High | Christmas school holidays, busy |
| Jan to Feb | 22-23°C | 22°C | Highest | Peak winter sun season |
| Mar to Apr | 26 to 30°C | 23-25°C | Mid-range | Spring, quieter, good value |
| May to Jun | 34 to 36°C | 26-28°C | Low | Getting hot, fewer UK visitors |
| Jul to Aug | 37°C | 28-30°C | Lowest | Very hot, cheapest packages |
| September | 35°C | 29°C | Low | Shoulder season, sea still warm |
Getting there
Around ten UK airports have direct flights to Hurghada International Airport (HRG), including Gatwick, Luton, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Newcastle, Liverpool, Belfast, Glasgow and Edinburgh. Edinburgh flights operate seasonally, roughly October to March. Flight time is about five and a half hours. Browse cheap flights from the UK to compare current fares across all routes.
The main operators are easyJet and TUI. Jet2 starts flights and holidays to Hurghada in February 2027. Charter fares through TUI or Jet2 Holidays are often cheaper when booked as part of a package. EasyJet is the main option for flight-only bookings.
Visas
British passport holders need a visa. The most convenient option is the Egypt e-visa, which costs $30 (about £23) per person for a single entry and is available at visa2egypt.gov.eg. Apply at least seven days before you fly. You can also buy a visa on arrival at the airport, from kiosks before passport control, for $30 in cash. Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the date you arrive and have at least one blank page.
| AIRPORT | AIRLINES | RETURN FARES | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| London Gatwick (LGW) | easyJet, TUI | Varies by season | Year-round |
| Manchester (MAN) | easyJet, TUI (Jet2 from Feb 2027) | Varies by season | Year-round |
| Birmingham (BHX) | easyJet, TUI (Jet2 from Feb 2027) | Varies by season | Year-round |
| Bristol (BRS) | easyJet, TUI | Varies by season | Year-round |
| Edinburgh (EDI) | easyJet | Varies by season | Oct to Mar only |
What to do
The Red Sea around Hurghada has excellent coral reefs, clear water, and warm temperatures year-round. It is one of the most accessible dive destinations in the world. Beginners can take a try-dive for around €30 to €40. The full PADI Open Water course starts at around $328 (roughly £260) and takes three to four days. A guided day’s diving with two dives and equipment runs €50 to €80.
Non-divers can join snorkelling trips to Giftun Island, a protected national park about 30 minutes from shore by boat. A group boat trip with a local operator usually costs about $25 to $45 (£19 to £34) per person, plus a national park fee of about $5 to $10. Quad-bike tours and desert safaris depart from most hotels. Hurghada Marina is worth a visit in the evening for restaurants and a walk along the waterfront.
| ACTIVITY | APPROX COST | NOTES |
|---|---|---|
| Giftun Island boat trip | $25 to $45 (£19 to £34) | Book via local operator, not hotel |
| Snorkelling gear + trip | EGP 300-500 (£4-7) | Often included with Giftun trip |
| Try-dive (no experience) | €30-40 (£25-33) | Supervised in shallow water |
| PADI Open Water course | From $328 (£260) | International cert, 3-4 days |
| Guided day diving | €50-80 (£42-67) | 2 dives, guide and equipment |
| Glass-bottom boat | EGP 200-350 (£3-5) | Good for non-swimmers |
| Quad-biking (2 hours) | EGP 1,200-1,500 (£17-21) | Desert excursion from most hotels |
| Camel ride | EGP 200-400 (£3-6) | Short ride in the desert |
Eating and drinking
The cheapest food is in Dahar, the old town district, away from the resort strip. Koshary, Egypt’s national dish of rice, lentils, pasta, and fried onions, costs EGP 80 to 120 (£1.15 to £1.70) at a local shop. A sit-down meal at a mid-range restaurant in the resort area runs EGP 300 to 500 (£4 to £7) per head. Most all-inclusive hotels include local beer and house spirits.
Alcohol is available in resort restaurants and shops but is more expensive than in southern European destinations. Bottled water costs around EGP 15 to 20 per 1.5 litres (20p to 30p). Egyptian mangoes from street stalls, available June to September, cost around EGP 30 to 50 per kilo (45p to 70p).
| ITEM | PRICE (EGP) | PRICE (£) |
|---|---|---|
| Koshary (large) | 80-120 | £1.15-1.70 |
| Falafel wrap | 60-100 | £0.85-1.40 |
| Mid-range restaurant (per head) | 300-500 | £4-7 |
| Fresh juice | 80-150 | £1.15-2 |
| Beer (hotel bar) | 150-250 | £2.15-3.55 |
| Coffee (tourist café) | 100-200 | £1.40-2.85 |
| Water 1.5L | 15-20 | 20-30p |
| Mangoes (per kilo, seasonal) | 30-50 | 45-70p |
Getting around
Taxis are the main way to travel between the resort strip, Dahar, and the Marina. Agree the price before getting in. A journey between the resort area and Dahar typically costs EGP 300 to 500 (£4 to £7). Careem, the Middle Eastern equivalent of Uber, operates in Hurghada and is better value than street taxis. A Careem ride across town costs EGP 100 to 200 (£1.50 to £3). Download the app before you travel. Minibuses run along the main coastal road for EGP 10 to 20 (15p to 30p) per journey.
| TRANSPORT | TYPICAL JOURNEY | APPROX COST | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi (negotiated) | Resort to Dahar | EGP 300-500 (£4-7) | Agree price before getting in |
| Careem | Anywhere in city | EGP 100-200 (£1.50-3) | Better value than street taxis |
| Minibus | Along coast road | EGP 10-20 (15-30p) | Very cheap, routes unclear for newcomers |
| Airport transfer | Airport to hotel | Often included | Check your package booking |
| Car hire | Full day | From EGP 500 (£7) | 1949 international driving permit plus UK licence |
Day trips
The most popular day trip from Hurghada is Luxor, three to four hours by road. Most operators offer guided tours covering the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, and Luxor Temple in a single day. Prices run from around EGP 2,000 to 3,500 per person (£29 to £50), with entry fees extra. Entry to the Valley of the Kings costs EGP 750 (about £11) for adults, which covers three tombs.
Safaga, about 50 minutes’ drive south, has some of the Red Sea’s best dive sites and suits experienced divers wanting more challenging reefs. El Gouna, 20 minutes north, is a quieter, upmarket resort town worth visiting for an evening out.
Where to stay
Almost all Hurghada hotels operate on an all-inclusive basis and are clustered along the resort strip between Sakkala and El Dahar. All-inclusive is usually better value than room-only: you pay more upfront but food and drinks are covered. A week at a three- or four-star hotel, with flights, costs least outside Christmas and February half-term. Browse all-inclusive holiday deals to compare current packages, or search Hurghada hotel deals to book accommodation separately.
Newer five-star hotels cost noticeably more, especially in peak season. Package deals from TUI or Jet2 Holidays typically come in cheaper than booking the same property via Booking.com.
Is Hurghada safe?
The Red Sea tourist resorts, including Hurghada, are not subject to FCDO travel restrictions. The FCDO advises against travel to North Sinai and the area near the Libyan border, but these are not relevant to a standard Hurghada holiday. The FCDO says terrorist attacks could happen anywhere in Egypt, including places foreign visitors go. Most sexual assaults reported to the British Embassy took place in Red Sea resorts. Take standard precautions: avoid taking taxis alone at night, stay in well-lit areas after dark, and keep drinks in your possession at all times. Book diving and boat trips with reputable operators, as safety standards vary. Check gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt for the latest guidance before you travel.
Budget breakdown
The table below shows typical spend per person per day, including your all-inclusive package, with the visa as a one-off cost.
| CATEGORY | DAILY COST | NOTES |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel + flights | £50-100pp/day | Seven-night all-inclusive, three-star to five-star |
| Transport (Careem) | £3-6 | Trips to Dahar or the Marina |
| Day trip or activity | £20 to £50 | Boat trip to Luxor tour |
| Extras | £5-15 | Souvenirs, premium drinks, tips |
| Visa (one-off) | $30 (about £23)pp | Egypt e-visa, per person, once per trip |
Frequently asked questions
| QUESTION | ANSWER |
|---|---|
| Is Hurghada safe for UK tourists? | The Red Sea resorts are not subject to FCDO travel restrictions. Check gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt before you travel. |
| Do British visitors need a visa? | Yes. The Egypt e-visa costs $30 (about £23) per person for a single entry and is available at visa2egypt.gov.eg. Visas on arrival are also sold at the airport for $30, cash only. |
| What currency does Egypt use? | Egyptian pounds (EGP). £1 buys roughly 70 EGP. Cards work at hotels and larger restaurants; cash is useful in Dahar and local markets. |
| Is Hurghada good for non-swimmers? | Yes. Glass-bottom boat trips let non-swimmers see the reefs. Most all-inclusive hotels have large pool areas. |
| How far is Luxor from Hurghada? | Three to four hours by road. Guided day trips covering the Valley of the Kings and Karnak Temple are available from most local operators. |
| What is the best way to get around? | Careem is cheapest and easiest. A ride across town costs EGP 100 to 200 (£1.50 to £3). Agree taxi fares before getting in if using street taxis. |
Jane Robinson is Senior Editor at Flight Tribe. She has a Master’s in English and Journalism, and writes about flight deals, holiday offers and practical ways UK travellers can spend less without wasting time on weak promotions. Jane has spent time living and working across Asia and New Zealand, which gave her a lasting interest in how people travel, eat, move around and spend their free time in different places.
At Flight Tribe, her work focuses on verified prices, realistic travel dates, booking terms and whether a deal is actually worth attention.
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