Comparison · Cairo vs Hurghada · Egypt
Cairo vs Hurghada
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Wael El Sisi, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Quick answer
Choose Cairo for Pyramids of Giza, Great Sphinx, lower day-to-day costs and a short break; choose Hurghada for Red Sea diving, Giftun Islands and beaches. Cairo is generally less expensive, and the two are about 399 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 399 km
- Less expensive
- Cairo
- Best time for Cairo
- October–March
- Best time for Hurghada
- March–May and October–November
Side by side
| Cairo | Hurghada | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Egypt | Egypt |
| Known for | Pyramids of Giza, Great Sphinx and Tutankhamun's treasures | Red Sea diving, Giftun Islands and All-inclusive resorts |
| Best time to visit | October–March | March–May and October–November |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 7 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $70–$150 | $90–$180 |
| Cost level | Very affordable | Affordable |
| Warmest month | July, 35°C (95°F) | July, 36°C (97°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 19°C (66°F) | January, 22°C (72°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 2 | 4 |
| Day trips in our guide | 5 | 4 |
| Beaches | — | Mahmya, Giftun Kebir |
| Airports | CAI, SPX | HRG |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Cairo for…
Pyramids of Giza, Great Sphinx, lower day-to-day costs and a short break. Cairo is one of Africa's largest cities, sprawling along the Nile where the river valley meets the delta. On its western edge the Pyramids of Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum hold the legacy of the pharaohs, while east of the river Islamic Cairo's mosques…
Choose Hurghada for…
Red Sea diving, Giftun Islands and beaches. Hurghada stretches for some 40 km along the Red Sea coast of mainland Egypt, from the lagoon town of El Gouna in the north through the old district of El Dahar and the marina at Sekalla to the resort bays of Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi and Soma Bay in the south…
Top sights compared
| # | Cairo | Hurghada |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pyramids of Giza | Giftun Islands |
| 2 | Great Sphinx | Dolphin House reef |
| 3 | Grand Egyptian Museum | Hurghada Marina |
| 4 | Egyptian Museum (Tahrir) | El Mina Mosque |
| 5 | National Museum of Egyptian Civilization | El Dahar souq |
Food compared
| Cairo | Hurghada |
|---|---|
| Koshari | Grilled Red Sea fish |
| Ful medames | Sayadeya |
| Ta'ameya | Koshari |
| Molokhia | Ful and ta'ameya |
Which is cheaper?
Cairo is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $70–$150 per person there, against $90–$180 in Hurghada (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Cairo on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Cairo and Hurghada are about 399 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Cairo and 7 in Hurghada.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Cairo or Hurghada cheaper?
Cairo is usually less expensive: about $70–$150 a day mid-range against $90–$180 (estimates).
+Is Cairo or Hurghada better for a first trip?
Pick Cairo for Pyramids of Giza, Great Sphinx, lower day-to-day costs and a short break, or Hurghada for Red Sea diving, Giftun Islands and beaches.
+How far is Cairo from Hurghada?
About 399 km in a straight line.