Travel tips · Hurghada · Egypt
Hurghada travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Michael Botros, CC BY 4.0
Quick answer
Hurghada grew from a small fishing village into Egypt's largest Red Sea resort from the 1980s, and most residents come from across Egypt to work in tourism. The resort strips are international, while El Dahar keeps a conservative, everyday Egyptian character.
Key facts
- Language
- Arabic (Egyptian) and English
- Currency
- EGP
- Plugs
- Type C and F sockets, 220 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Do not drink tap water; bottled water is sold everywhere and supplied by hotels.
- Emergency
- 122 police, 123 ambulance, 126 tourist police
Things to know
- Swimwear is fine at hotel beaches and pools; cover up in El Dahar, taxis and town.
- Dress modestly at mosques; women should cover their hair and everyone removes shoes.
- Never touch, stand on or remove coral or shells; it damages the reef and is illegal in protected areas.
- Ask before photographing local people, especially women.
- Use a polite 'la, shukran' (no, thank you) for persistent vendors.
- Book excursions through reputable dive centres or agencies rather than street touts, and check exactly what is included.
Tipping
Small tips are expected for boat crews, dive guides, drivers, porters and housekeeping, and about 10% in restaurants if service is not already added.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Salam alaikum | Hello (peace be upon you) |
| Shukran | Thank you |
| La, shukran | No, thank you |
| Bikam? | How much? |
| Ma'a salama | Goodbye |
What to wear
Light, loose clothes for the day, with a warmer layer for winter evenings and boat trips, when wind on deck can feel cold.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type C and F sockets, 220 V, 50 Hz
- Drinking water
- Do not drink tap water; bottled water is sold everywhere and supplied by hotels.
- Emergency number
- 122 police, 123 ambulance, 126 tourist police
- Phone and internet
- Local SIM cards and eSIMs are easy to buy and give good coverage across the resort strip; hotel Wi-Fi quality varies.
- Time zone
- Africa/Cairo
Check your own government's travel advice before travel. The main issues are persistent touts and unagreed taxi fares, strong sun and heat, and sea urchins, coral cuts and wind-driven currents on boat trips; listen to crew briefings and use buoyancy vests if unsure.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check Egypt's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Hurghada?
Small tips are expected for boat crews, dive guides, drivers, porters and housekeeping, and about 10% in restaurants if service is not already added.
+Can you drink the tap water in Hurghada?
Do not drink tap water; bottled water is sold everywhere and supplied by hotels.
+What plugs are used in Hurghada?
Type C and F sockets, 220 V, 50 Hz
+What language is spoken in Hurghada?
Arabic (Egyptian) and English.