How Much Does Hurghada Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Hurghada serves as a gateway to the Red Sea, offering a diverse price spectrum that caters to both backpackers and luxury seekers. With daily budgets ranging from $32 / E£1,517 for budget-conscious solo travelers to $447 / E£21,239 for those seeking premium luxury, it remains significantly more affordable than Mediterranean alternatives like the French Riviera. Costs are heavily influenced by the resort culture, where all-inclusive stays often provide the best value for money compared to a-la-carte dining. Outside the resorts, local life in districts like El Dahar offers extremely low costs for food and transport. Travelers should prepare for a dual-pricing reality where tourist-centric activities carry a premium, yet basic necessities remain inexpensive.
Is Hurghada expensive to visit?
Hurghada is an exceptionally high-value beach destination, with daily costs ranging from $32 / E£1,517 to $447 / E£21,239 depending on whether one stays in a local guesthouse or a high-end luxury resort.
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Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Hurghada
$32
per person /day
$111
per person /day
$447
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $95 | $332 | $1,339 |
| 5-Day Trip | $160 | $553 | $2,233 |
| 7-Day Trip | $224 | $774 | $3,126 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
It is wise to maintain a 15% budget buffer to account for the mandatory 26% combined service charge and VAT often added to restaurant and hotel bills. Additionally, ensure you have $27 / E£1,299 in cash for the entry visa upon arrival if it was not pre-purchased online.
How Does It Compare?
See how Hurghada stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Hurghada
Food & Drink (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Mid-range Restaurant Dinner A 3-course meal for one person averages ~$12 / E£560. | $12 E£556 |
| Local Beer (0.5L Stella) in Bar Imported beers are significantly more expensive (~$2.94 / E£140 for local). | $2.98 E£142 |
| Street Food Meal (Koshary) Hearty traditional meal for ~$1.71 / E£81. | $1.71 E£81 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Official Airport Taxi to City Center Flat rate for standard sedan. Negotiate if the driver asks for more than ~$3.18 / E£151. | $3.19 E£152 |
| Uber/Careem Ride (Local City Trip) Fixed pricing in the app avoids haggling. A 5km trip costs ~$2.53 / E£120. | $2.55 E£121 |
| Public Minibus (Microbus) Fare Flag them down on the main road. Pay ~$0.21 / E£10 upon entry. | $0.21 E£10 |
| Airport Taxi to El Gouna Fixed rate for the 25km trip to the northern resort town, roughly ~$7.42 / E£353. | $7.44 E£354 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Serry Beach Resort (Luxury) Premium luxury resort. Price is per night for two adults. | $293 E£13,945 |
| AJIRA Boutique Hotel (Mid-range) Located in the Marina area. | $52 E£2,482 |
| Canary Hotel (Budget) Basic budget hotel in El Dahar. | $26 E£1,213 |
Activities (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Hurghada Museum Ticket (International) Non-resident adult rate. Students with ID pay ~$2.12 / E£101. | $4.25 E£202 |
| Grand Aquarium Ticket (Non-Resident) Includes the rainforest and shark tunnel. | $35 E£1,669 |
| PADI Open Water Diver Course Includes equipment and certification. Professional instruction for ~$394 / E£18,750 total. | $393 E£18,711 |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Vodafone Tourist SIM (30GB) Purchase at the airport arrival hall for ~$12 / E£554. Requires passport. | $12 E£556 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
Dining in Hurghada is a tale of two price points, with street food staples like Koshary costing just $1.71 / E£81 at local spots like Koshary El Zaem. A mid-range three-course dinner at a restaurant averages $12 / E£556, while local Stella beer in a bar typically costs $2.98 / E£142. For the best seafood value, Al-Halaka Fish Market allows visitors to buy fresh catches and have them prepared nearby for a fraction of resort prices.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Gad Hurghada
$2.55–$5.32 / E£121–E£253Sakkala · Local chain
The fiteer (Egyptian pizza) is huge and easily shares for ~$5.3 / E£252.
Al-Halaka Fish Market
$6.38–$13 / E£303–E£607Marina/El Mina Mosque · Street market
Incredible value for fresh Red Sea seafood; expect to pay ~$11 / E£504 per kg.
Koshary El Zaem
$1.27–$2.13 / E£60–E£101El Dahar · Local chain
The most authentic and cheapest meal in the city for ~$1.65 / E£78.
Star Fish Restaurant
$8.51–$18 / E£405–E£860Sheraton Road · Street food area
The seafood soup is legendary and can be a full meal for ~$4.71 / E£224.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Getting around is highly affordable, especially when using ride-hailing apps like Uber or Careem, which cost approximately $2.55 / E£121 for a 5km city trip and avoid the need for haggling. For those on a strict budget, public microbuses are available for a mere $0.21 / E£10 per ride. An official airport taxi to the city center is fixed at $3.19 / E£152, though negotiation skills are often required if the meter is not used.
Accommodation Overview
Lodging ranges from the budget-friendly Canary Hotel in El Dahar at $26 / E£1,213 per night to luxury options like Serry Beach Resort at $293 / E£13,945. Mid-range boutique hotels near the Marina, such as AJIRA Boutique Hotel, offer a sweet spot at around $52 / E£2,482 per night. All-inclusive resorts are the standard here, often including all meals and drinks which can significantly lower the daily food budget.
Accommodation Budget in Hurghada
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Use the Uber or Careem apps for all city travel to ensure a fixed price of roughly $2.55 / E£121 instead of negotiating with street taxis.
- 2 Eat at Gad Hurghada on Sheraton Road for affordable local Egyptian sandwiches and grilled meats.
- 3 Purchase a Vodafone Tourist SIM at the airport arrival hall for $12 / E£556 to get 30GB of data, as hotel Wi-Fi is often slow and expensive.
- 4 Visit Koshary El Zaem in El Dahar for a filling meal of Koshary for only $1.71 / E£81.
- 5 Book diving packages in multi-day bundles; while a PADI Open Water course is $393 / E£18,711, fun dives are cheaper when booking 5–10 at once.
- 6 Shop for snacks and water at Senzo Mall's Spinneys or Carrefour rather than buying from resort mini-marts.
- 7 Bring your own snorkeling gear to avoid the daily rental fees which can add up during boat trips.
- 8 Stay in El Dahar or Sakkala instead of Sahl Hasheesh to access local prices for groceries and dining.
- 9 Verify if your resort includes the 12% service charge and 14% VAT; if not, add roughly 26% to your expected checkout bill.
- 10 Drink local Stella or Sakara beer ($2.98 / E£142) rather than imported brands, which are taxed heavily and can cost triple the price.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Dec, Jan, Feb, Apr
+30-50%
Jul, Aug
-40%
Oct, Nov, Mar, May
Winter is peak for weather but prices spike. July and August are scorching hot (40°C+/104°F+), making resorts very cheap but outdoor activities difficult.
Events to Watch
- ● Christmas/New Year (late Dec): +100% hotel rates
- ● Easter Holiday: +30% resort prices
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Visit the El Mina Mosque to admire the stunning architecture and marble work (free entry outside of prayer times).
- 2 Stroll through the Hurghada Marina to view luxury yachts and enjoy the sea breeze.
- 3 Explore the Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Shenouda in El Dahar for its beautiful religious icons.
- 4 Walk along the Mamsha Promenade, a 5km pedestrian walkway lined with statues and shops.
- 5 Browse the vibrant El Dahar Souk to experience local life and aromas without an entry fee.
- 6 Watch the sunset from the public beach area near the Old Sheraton Road.
- 7 Visit the Al-Halaka Fish Market to see the morning catch being traded by local fishermen.
- 8 Explore the abandoned pier area near the Sheraton Hotel for unique photography opportunities.
- 9 Walk the coastline north of the city center to spot local birdlife and enjoy quieter sea views.
- 10 Window shop at the Senzo Mall, which offers air-conditioned walking paths and a look at modern Egyptian retail.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Private Speedboat to Orange Bay
Avoid the crowded 'party boats' for a private experience on the turquoise waters. Costs ~$174 / E£8,284 for 4 hours.
Overnight Trip to Luxor by Private Van
Luxor is 4 hours away; doing it in one day is exhausting. An overnight allows for sunrise hot air balloons. Total ~$351 / E£16,679.
Sindbad Submarine Dive
The only actual submarine in the Middle East. Goes 22 meters deep. Great for non-swimmers (~$55 / E£2,631).
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Hurghada
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Hurghada and what they cost
Luxor (The Valley of the Kings)
$96 / E£4,551 by bus/van
$13 / E£607
$138 / E£6,574
Giftun Island (Mahmya/Paradise)
$38 / E£1,821 by boat
$6.38 / E£303
$53 / E£2,529
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Egyptian Pound (EGP)
1 $ ≈ 48 E£
Yes
Widely accepted in resorts and malls; cash mandatory for local markets, small taxis, and tips.
Baksheesh is central to culture. Tip ~$0.59–$1.18 / E£28–E£56 for small services, $5.89–$12 / E£280–E£560 for dive guides per day.
ATMs are plentiful in Sakkala and Mamsha. Avoid exchange bureaus; use bank ATMs for the best rate. Max withdrawal is often ~$82–$106 / E£3,918–E£5,037 (4000-5000 EGP).
Essential in El Dahar markets. Start at 40% of the first price and aim for 60%.
Connectivity
eSIM: $24–$50 for 5GB-20GB (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $12 / E£554 (approx 550 EGP) for 30GB
WiFi: Limited and slow outside of luxury resort lobbies.
Buy a local Vodafone or Orange physical SIM at the airport arrival hall for the best speed and value (under $14 / E£672).
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Hurghada.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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