Getting around Hurghada
Hurghada stretches for dozens of kilometres along the Red Sea, from the old El Dahar district in the north to the resorts in the south. To get around, Uber and Careem work well in town, taxis are agreed before you get in, a water taxi runs to the islands, and coaches link Luxor and Cairo. For the airport and day trips, a booked driver is the easy option.
Uber and Careem in Hurghada
Yes, Uber and Careem both work in Hurghada: the price shows before the ride, the trip is tracked by GPS, and you pay by card or cash, often for noticeably less than a taxi hailed in the street (routri price test, 2026).
inDrive is available too. Two good habits: check the number plate before getting in, and share your trip with someone from the app. At the airport, app pick-ups are less regular, so for your arrival a booked driver waits for you.
Taxis: agree the fare before you get in
Hurghada taxis are hailed in the street or outside hotels, and the fare is set before you get in, not on arrival: ask the amount, repeat it out loud, then take a seat in the back.
Have small Egyptian pound notes ready, as drivers don't always carry change. And if the fare doesn't suit you, a smile and the next taxi sort it out. There's always another one.
City minibuses
Shared minibuses run along Hurghada's main roads, especially between El Dahar, Sakkala and Sheraton Road: you flag one down with a wave, pay a few pounds and hop off wherever you like along the route.
It's how locals get about. Very cheap, a bit puzzling the first time. Fancy trying? Keep small change handy and ask the driver if he's passing your stop before you climb in.
The Boxi water taxi, for the islands
Boxi is a public water taxi from Hurghada to the islands (Orange Bay, Paradise, Eden Island, Magawish and a few more), with an advertised fare from €25 including hotel pick-up, the boat and island entry, and three departures a day at 9am, 11am and 1pm.
It's the free-range version of a day at sea: the boat drops you on the island, you stay several hours at your own pace, then head back. Book it through our WhatsApp and we'll set the pick-up at your hotel.
Buses to Luxor, Cairo and Marsa Alam
Companies such as Go Bus and Upper Egypt run coaches from Hurghada to Luxor (about 4 hours) and Cairo, with tickets bookable online or at the station; for a day trip, an organised departure with the partner is simpler.
Why? A scheduled coach to Luxor gets you there late morning, with no guide and no entry tickets sorted, and brings you back on the coach's timetable. The organised trip leaves at 4am, handles entries and lunch, and drops you back at your hotel. For a trip of several days, though, the scheduled coach is a genuine option.
Hiring a car
You can, with several hire firms at the airport and in town, but for a stay in Hurghada itself you'll barely need one: between the apps, transfers and trips with hotel pick-up, a hire car mostly sits in the car park.
Hiring anyway? Check on GOV.UK which driving licence Egypt asks for, drive in daylight on the roads between towns, and bring patience to the town roundabouts, where everyone has their own idea of who goes first.
From the airport
The airport is about 13 km from the centre and 10 km from the Marina: to leave without waiting, a booked driver meets you at the exit, price agreed beforehand.
When a private driver is worth it
For arriving and leaving, for the long roads (Luxor, Cairo, Marsa Alam), for evenings in El Gouna, and whenever you're four or more: the price per person quickly matches taxis, with the comfort on top.
At a glance
| What you need | Easiest option |
|---|---|
| Getting from the airport | Booked transfer |
| Trips around town | Uber, Careem, inDrive |
| A short hop, no app | Taxi, fare agreed first |
| Tiny budget, curiosity | City minibus |
| An island without a full-day trip | Boxi water taxi, 9am, 11am or 1pm |
| Luxor or Cairo over several days | Scheduled coach |
| A day trip | Pick-up by the partner |
| An evening in El Gouna | Driver there and back |
Sources: routri.com (Uber, Careem and taxi price test, 2026) · welcomepickups.com (airport to centre) · checkmybus.com and rome2rio.com (Hurghada to Luxor coaches) · boximarine.com (Boxi fares and departures, read 23/09/2026)