Hurghada in 3 Days — 3-Day Guide

Hurghada in 3 days: Egypt's mass-tourism Red Sea coast with the most accessible world-class coral reef in the world — sea turtles and blacktip reef sharks in 30-metre visibility water — combined with a Bedouin desert dawn that most package tourists never experience.

Also explore Hurghada for:

📋 General guide ⭐ Highlights

Day 1 — Giftun Island Reef Snorkelling & El Dahar Old Town

Day 2 — Scuba Diving or Mahmya Island

Day 3 — Dawn Desert Safari & Sahl Hasheesh Beach

📋 General 3-day guide ⭐ Highlights

Book tours, tickets and experiences via GetYourGuide — free cancellation on most activities.

Browse all activities →

Language	Arabic (Egyptian Arabic dialect — the most widely understood Arabic dialect in the Arab world due to Egyptian cinema and television). English, Russian, and German are very widely spoken in the tourist resort zone (the entire economy runs on these three tourist markets). El Dahar: primarily Arabic, with some English. The dive centres operate entirely in English and German.
Currency	Egyptian Pound (EGP). Current rate approximately EGP 50 = €1 (the EGP has depreciated significantly since 2022). USD and Euros are widely accepted in the resort zone at fair rates. ATMs at all major banks. Most resort hotels, restaurants, and dive centres accept cards. El Dahar market: cash only.
Transport	Taxis (no meters — negotiate before getting in; typical fares: El Dahar to Sekalla ¥EGP 30–50 ($0.60–1.00), marina to Sahl Hasheesh EGP 150–250 ($3–5)). Minibuses (microbus — the local public transport, EGP 5–10, very cheap but crowded; the route from El Dahar to the resort strip runs the full length of the city). Boat transfers to Giftun and Mahmya: arranged through the dive centre or marina kiosk. No Uber in Hurghada.
Best time	October–April (the optimal diving and snorkelling season: water temperature 24–28°C (wetsuit optional), air temperature 20–28°C, minimal wind, excellent visibility); the Red Sea has some of the most stable conditions in the world — even in the 'off season' (May–September, 30–35°C air, 30°C water) diving is possible, just uncomfortably hot above water. Avoid July–August if heat is a concern.
Getting in	Hurghada International Airport (HRG): 5km from Sekalla. Taxi to resort strip: EGP 100–200 ($2–4) — negotiate before entering the taxi. Most visitors arrive on charter packages (Hurghada is Europe's single most popular mass-market beach destination on the Red Sea); independent arrivals fly via Cairo on EgyptAir or directly from major European cities.
Tipping	10–15% at resort restaurants (often already included — check the bill). Dive guides: $5–10/person/day, expected and important (they are responsible for your safety). Boat crew: $3–5/person. Hotel staff: EGP 50–100/day ($1–2). El Dahar restaurants: no expectation, but appreciated.
Safety	Hurghada's resort zone (Sekalla, the marina, Sahl Hasheesh) is extremely safe. El Dahar is safe in daylight. Solo women: the resort zone is fine; El Dahar requires modest dress (shoulders and knees covered). Water safety: follow dive guide instructions, do not touch coral or marine life, know your snorkelling limits in open water. Jellyfish are seasonal (October–November). Lionfish (venomous spines) — do not touch any reef fish you cannot identify.
Budget tips	Giftun snorkelling day trip: $25–40. Scuba: $35–100. Mahmya beach: $45–65. Desert safari: $40–60. El Dahar foul meal: EGP 50 ($1). Marina restaurant dinner: $8–16. Budget $50–120 (€46–110)/day depending on dive programme.