Hurghada is one of the cheapest winter sun breaks from the UK. A seven-night all-inclusive package costs from around £350 per person in January, and direct flights from five UK airports take just over five 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 £4–7. A meal at a local restaurant, £2–4.
This guide covers everything UK travellers need for a budget trip to Hurghada: when to go, how to get there, what to do, and what things cost. Prices checked May 2026.
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 22–23°C, there is virtually 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 FROM | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct–Nov | 27–30°C | 27–28°C | £280pp | Warm, quieter, good value |
| December | 24°C | 24°C | £320pp | Christmas school holidays, busy |
| Jan–Feb | 22–23°C | 22°C | £350pp | Peak winter sun season |
| Mar–Apr | 26–28°C | 23–25°C | £280pp | Spring, quieter, good value |
| May–Jun | 31–35°C | 26–28°C | £220pp | Getting hot, fewer UK visitors |
| Jul–Aug | 37°C | 28–30°C | £200pp | Very hot, cheapest packages |
| September | 33°C | 29°C | £240pp | Shoulder season, sea still warm |
Getting there
Five UK airports have direct flights to Hurghada International Airport (HRG): Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, and Edinburgh. Edinburgh flights operate seasonally, roughly October to March. Flight time is around 5 hours 25 minutes. Browse cheap flights from the UK to compare current fares across all routes.
The main operators are easyJet, TUI, and Jet2. 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 $25 (around £20) per person and is available at visa2egypt.gov.eg. Processing takes up to seven working days. You can also buy a visa on arrival at Hurghada airport at the same price. Your passport must have at least six months’ validity from your arrival date.
| AIRPORT | AIRLINES | RETURN FROM | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| London Gatwick (LGW) | easyJet, TUI | £150pp | Year-round |
| Manchester (MAN) | easyJet, TUI, Jet2 | £160pp | Year-round |
| Birmingham (BHX) | TUI, Jet2 | £160pp | Year-round |
| Bristol (BRS) | TUI | £180pp | Year-round |
| Edinburgh (EDI) | TUI | £200pp | Oct–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 €30–40. 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 €50–80.
Non-divers can join snorkelling trips to Giftun Island, a protected national park about 30 minutes from shore by boat. A boat trip with a local operator costs EGP 400–700 (£6–10) per person. 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 | EGP 400–700 (£6–10) | 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 80–120 (£1.15–1.70) at a local shop. A sit-down meal at a mid-range restaurant in the resort area runs EGP 300–500 (£4–7) 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 15–20 per 1.5 litres (20–30p). Egyptian mangoes from street stalls, available June to September, cost around EGP 30–50 per kilo (45–70p).
| 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 300–500 (£4–7). Careem, the Middle Eastern equivalent of Uber, operates in Hurghada and is better value than street taxis. A Careem ride across town costs EGP 100–200 (£1.50–3). Download the app before you travel. Minibuses run along the main coastal road for EGP 10–20 (15–30p) 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) | International licence required |
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 start at around EGP 2,000–3,500 per person (£29–50), with entry fees extra. Entry to the Valley of the Kings costs EGP 720 (£10) for three tombs.
Safaga, 30 minutes 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. Three- and four-star properties cost from around £350 per person for seven nights in winter (flights included). Browse all-inclusive holiday deals to compare current packages, or search Hurghada hotel deals to book accommodation separately.
Newer five-star properties command higher prices, from around £700 per person for seven nights 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 notes that terrorist attacks can occur anywhere in Egypt, and the British Embassy has recorded sexual assaults in tourist resort areas. Take standard precautions: avoid travelling alone at night, stay in well-lit areas after dark, and keep drinks in your possession at all times. Check gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt for the latest guidance before you travel.
Budget breakdown
The table below shows typical additional spend on top of your all-inclusive package, per person per day.
| CATEGORY | DAILY COST | NOTES |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel + flights | £50–100pp/day | 7-night all-inclusive from £350–700pp total |
| Transport (Careem) | £3–6 | Trips to Dahar or the Marina |
| Day trip or activity | £6–50 | Boat trip to Luxor tour |
| Extras | £5–15 | Souvenirs, premium drinks, tips |
| Visa (one-off) | £20pp | 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 $25 (around £20) per person and is available at visa2egypt.gov.eg. On-arrival visas are also available at Hurghada airport. |
| What currency does Egypt use? | Egyptian pounds (EGP). £1 buys roughly 70 EGP as of May 2026. 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 100–200 (£1.50–3). 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.
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