Travelling to Hurghada with peace of mind
Hurghada is a beach resort built for relaxed holidays. Hurghada and its neighbouring resorts, from El Gouna to Marsa Alam, are not among the areas the FCDO advises against in its Egypt travel advice (updated 4 August 2026). Day to day, a few good habits are all you need: sun protection, plenty of water, fares agreed up front and the crew's briefing at sea.
What the FCDO says
Hurghada, El Gouna, Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, Soma Bay and Marsa Alam sit outside the parts of Egypt covered by the FCDO's area-specific advice, so you travel there with the usual care of any trip abroad.
Read the FCDO's Egypt page before you leave, it's updated regularly, and sign up for its email alerts to get any change straight to your inbox. And take out travel insurance that covers medical costs abroad and the activities you plan, diving included.
In the sun: drink plenty
Your best ally for a great week in Hurghada is good sun protection: the north wind cools the air and makes you forget the sun is strong, so sun cream, a UV rash vest, a cap and a bottle of water always within reach.
Reapply after every swim, and keep the rash vest on while snorkelling. Drink before you're thirsty: dry air takes water from you without you sweating buckets. At the table, the classics: sealed bottled water, food cooked through and served hot, and a small travel first-aid kit.
At sea: enjoy the reefs, follow the crew
The Red Sea is one of the finest seas in the world for snorkelling, and trips go to sites the captains know by heart: listen to the briefing, follow the crew and swim in pairs.
On the beach, swim in the marked areas and follow the flags. On the boat, put the life jacket on when the crew offers it, and come back aboard when they ask. Around the reef, wear water shoes near the edge and admire without touching: some corals sting, and all of them are fragile.
For divers, two habits: insurance that covers diving, and at least 24 hours between your last dive and your flight home.
In town and at the souk: the art of haggling
At the souk and in small shops, prices are there to be discussed, and it's real fun once you know the rules: make an offer, smile, and walk on if you don't agree, you'll often be called back.
- Agree the price of a taxi or a service before, never after.
- At the market, haggling is part of the game: start low, take your time.
- In shops, follow your own wishes rather than every invitation to step inside.
- At the airport, buy your visa at the official booths.
- Take the day's cash with you and leave the rest at the hotel.
Evenings at the Marina
The Marina is the heart of Hurghada's nights, with lit quays, terraces and moored yachts: dinner is late, strolls last past midnight, and you head home by app or by taxi at a fare agreed before you get in.
Sit in the back of the car and head home together. For an evening in El Gouna, book the return before you set off.
Travelling as a group of women, or solo
Hurghada works really well for girls' trips, and plenty of women travel there solo: covering clothes in town, rides by app or booked driver, group returns at night and trips booked with a named partner keep the stay easy.
On the beach, at beach clubs and on boats, swimwear is the norm. In town and at the souk, covered shoulders and knees let you wander at ease. With a keen seller, a smiling "no thanks" while you keep walking does the job.
Our habits on the ground
Eight simple habits that make the week even lighter.
- We listen to the crews' and guides' briefings, in the water and in the desert.
- In the desert, we stay in the guide's tracks.
- We swim in the marked areas.
- We drink water all day and protect ourselves from the sun, even when it's windy.
- We agree a taxi fare before getting in, or use an app.
- We head home together at night.
- We keep our phone charged and the All To Hurghada WhatsApp number saved.
- We carry travel insurance that covers medical costs abroad.
Sources: GOV.UK, FCDO "Egypt travel advice" (updated 4 August 2026, read 25/09/2026)