Hurghada is straightforward to visit and there are perhaps ten things that would have been useful to know before arriving. Here they are.
When to come
October to April is the comfortable season — warm days, cool evenings, sea temperature still swimmable. May, June and September are hot but manageable. July and August are genuinely severe inland, though the sea and a well-shaded pool make it workable. Winter evenings surprise people: pack a jacket, because December nights drop further than the brochure suggests.
Money
The currency is the Egyptian pound. Cards work in hotels, malls and larger restaurants, but the markets, taxis and small cafes are cash only. Change large notes when you can — nobody has change for a 200 note at a juice stand. Take some small notes specifically for tips.
Tipping
Tipping is a normal part of the economy here, not an imposition. Small amounts are expected for hotel staff, drivers, boat crews and restaurant service. It is not a scam and it is not optional in spirit — wages are built around it.
What to wear
Swimwear on the beach and at the pool, normal summer clothes at your hotel. Outside the resorts — markets, El Dahar, mosques and churches — shoulders and knees covered for everyone. It is not a legal requirement, it is simple courtesy, and you will be treated noticeably better for it.
Water
Drink bottled water and check the seal. It is inexpensive and everywhere. Use it for brushing your teeth too for the first few days. Ice in reputable hotels and restaurants is made from filtered water and is fine.
The sun is stronger than you think
The single most common way to lose a day here is sunburn on day one. High-factor sunscreen, a hat, and a rash vest if you plan to snorkel — your back faces the sun for hours while you are face down in the water. Reapply after swimming.
Booking trips
You will be approached in the street and in hotel lobbies. Some of those operators are fine and some are not. Whoever you book with, get three things in writing: what is included, what is not, and what the total is per person. Ask specifically about entry fees, national park fees and transfer supplements from your area — those are where surprise costs live.
Getting around
Taxis do not use meters. Agree the fare before you get in, or ask your hotel reception what it should be. Hurghada is long — a trip from the southern resorts to El Dahar is not a short hop.
Do not fly within 24 hours of diving
If you are diving, schedule it for early in your stay rather than the last day. This is a safety rule, not a guideline.
Bargaining
Expected in the markets, not in shops with price labels. Start around a third of the asking price, stay friendly, and walk away if the number is wrong. Once you agree a price you have bought it.
Ramadan
If your trip falls during Ramadan, expect different opening hours and quieter days. Hotels operate normally. Eating and drinking in public during daylight is impolite even though nobody will confront you.
If anything here is unclear for your dates, message us on WhatsApp before you travel — we would far rather answer a question in advance than have you find out the hard way.
