Is Hurghada Safe in 2026? A Traveller's Guide to Safety, Scams & Local Advice
Originally published
Safety and practical advice reviewed: 13 October 2026. Our visits described below took place earlier.
Planning Cairo, Luxor or a Nile journey too? Read our Egypt safety advice by region before choosing the rest of your itinerary.
Author's Note
We've visited Hurghada multiple times since our first trip to Egypt in 2018 and have spent several weeks exploring both Hurghada and El Gouna.
This guide is based on our personal experiences combined with current travel information available at the time of writing.
View of Hurghada Marina and mosque on Egypt's Red Sea coast
Quick Answer
We felt comfortable during our visits to Hurghada and El Gouna, including outside the resorts. That is our experience, not a guarantee of safety for another traveller or a future trip.
Check current government advice before booking. Australia’s Smartraveller advises a high degree of caution in Egypt overall, with higher warnings for some regions. Terrorism, harassment and excursion safety need consideration alongside the scams and taxi overcharging discussed below.
Your route, activities and personal circumstances matter. Check your insurance covers the places and activities you choose.
Our Experience in Hurghada
Our first visit to Hurghada was during a six-week trip through Egypt in 2018.
Like many travellers, we weren't entirely sure what to expect. Egypt often appears in international headlines, and before booking we found ourselves asking the same question many people search today:
Is Hurghada actually safe?
After arriving late at night, finding transport, and settling into our accommodation, our concerns quickly faded.
What stood out most was how normal everyday life felt.
Families were out enjoying the evening, restaurants were busy, tourists filled the marinas, and locals were welcoming and friendly.
Since that first trip we've returned multiple times, particularly for kitesurfing safaris. We've walked around after dark, used taxis and Uber, shopped in local stores, booked excursions, and spent plenty of time outside the resort bubble.
Our experience has consistently been positive.
We spent one week on a Luxury Kite Safari on the Red Sea - Hurgada
Government Travel Advice
Review the FCDO’s Egypt advice and regional map or your own government’s advice before booking and again before departure. A stay in Hurghada and a desert excursion can involve different regional warnings.
Advice checked on 13 October 2026 is linked here so you can see subsequent changes. Follow local instructions and avoid demonstrations.
Is Hurghada Safe for Tourists?
Our visits were positive, but we cannot give Hurghada a reliable safety ranking against other destinations.
Tourism is the lifeblood of the local economy and the city has been built around international visitors. Hotels, resorts, excursion operators, restaurants, and local businesses all rely heavily on tourism.
Crime
The FCDO’s safety guidance describes crime rates as generally low, while also warning about sexual assault and harassment.
Issues to watch for include:
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Taxi overcharging
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Inflated tourist pricing
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Aggressive sales tactics
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Misleading excursion offers
If a situation feels threatening, leave and seek help rather than continuing the negotiation.
Basic travel precautions apply:
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Keep valuables secure.
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Avoid displaying large amounts of cash.
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Use hotel safes when available.
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Book tours through reputable operators.
Walking Around at Night
During our visits we regularly walked around Hurghada and El Gouna after dark without feeling unsafe.
Popular tourist areas remain active well into the evening, particularly around marinas, restaurants, and resort districts.
As with any destination, avoid isolated areas late at night and use common sense.
Security Presence
Many first-time visitors notice the visible security presence around airports, resorts, and tourist attractions.
While this can feel unusual compared to some Western countries, these measures are largely designed to protect tourism and provide reassurance to visitors.
Common Tourist Scams in Hurghada
Taxi Pricing
Taxi pricing is one of the most common frustrations for visitors.
On our first trip, taxi drivers quoted prices several times higher than local rates.
When we first arrived in Hurghada, several taxi drivers offered to take us to our accommodation for around €15. Out of curiosity, we checked Uber and found the exact same journey was closer to €4. Those were prices from our first trip in 2018, not current fare estimates.
That moment taught us one of the most valuable lessons in Egypt: always check local pricing before agreeing to a fare.
Our advice:
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Use Uber when available.
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Agree on prices before entering a taxi.
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Carry smaller notes.
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Don't assume a meter will be used.
Tourist Shops
Haggling is part of everyday life.
The first price is often not the final price.
If you're buying souvenirs or gifts:
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Compare prices.
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Negotiate politely.
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Be willing to walk away.
Excursions
Hurghada is packed with diving trips, snorkelling tours, desert safaris, and boat cruises.
Book through:
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Reputable operators
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Trusted hotel providers
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Businesses with strong reviews
Avoid anyone pressuring you into an immediate decision.
Is Hurghada Safe for Women?
Our experience travelling together does not establish how safe solo travel will feel. FCDO guidance warns that women travelling alone should take particular care and that assaults have occurred in resorts and taxis. Do not dismiss unwanted attention as harmless or assume clothing prevents harassment.
Is Hurghada Safe for Families?
Resort facilities can make planning easier, but check childcare, pool supervision and excursion arrangements yourself. Smartraveller advises keeping children with trusted companions and checking tour operators’ safety equipment and standards.
Entry Requirements and Visas
Do You Need a Visa for Egypt?
Requirements depend on your nationality, passport and itinerary. Check the official Egyptian eVisa portal and your Egyptian consulate before departure. British passport holders can consult the FCDO entry requirements; Australians should consult Smartraveller’s entry guidance. Do not assume a Sinai-only entry permission covers Hurghada.
Getting To and From Hurghada
Located on Egypt's Red Sea coast, Hurghada is famous for its crystal-clear waters, year-round sunshine, world-class diving, and kitesurfing conditions.
The city is served by Hurghada International Airport (HRG).
Flights
Check your airline’s current timetable for your travel dates, including any connection within Egypt. Routes, prices and flight times change, so confirm them directly before booking.
Airport Transfers
Most hotels and resorts can arrange airport transfers in advance.
Alternatively, visitors can use:
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Uber
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Private transfers
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Traditional taxis
As always, confirm the fare before starting a journey if you're using a traditional taxi.
Finding Flights
We recommend using Google Flights, Skyscanner, or FlightConnections to compare routes and check which airlines currently fly directly to Hurghada from your departure airport.
Getting Around Hurghada
Uber and Taxis
Uber lists service in Hurghada. Check the app for availability and fares at your location, including airport pickup instructions. A city listing does not guarantee a car for every journey.
We used Uber on earlier visits. With a traditional taxi, agree the fare before setting off. Check the vehicle and driver details for an app booking and keep your journey information available.
What Should You Wear in Hurghada?
Hurghada is more relaxed than many parts of Egypt.
At resorts and beaches:
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Swimwear is normal.
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Shorts and summer clothing are common.
In public areas:
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Dress more conservatively.
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Cover shoulders and knees where appropriate.
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Respect local customs.
Women do not generally need to cover their hair.
Weather and Best Time to Visit
One of Hurghada's biggest attractions is its weather.
Winter (November–March)
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Pleasant temperatures
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Popular with European visitors
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Ideal for outdoor activities
Spring and Autumn
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Warm and comfortable
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Check local wind and sea conditions before booking watersports
Summer (June–August)
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Very hot
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Temperatures frequently exceed 35°C
If you're escaping winter in Europe, Hurghada is hard to beat.
Check a weather forecast and local sea conditions close to your trip. Seasonal patterns do not guarantee suitable conditions for diving or kitesurfing.
Where to Stay
El Gouna
Our personal favourite.
Benefits:
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Clean and modern
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Family-friendly
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Excellent restaurants
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Great kitesurfing
Our Airbnb accommodation in a gated estate in El Gouna
Hurghada Marina
Perfect for:
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Restaurants
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Nightlife
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Walking access
Resort Areas
Ideal for travellers seeking an all-inclusive experience.
Is Hurghada Worth Visiting?
Absolutely.
What we love:
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Reliable sunshine
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Warm Red Sea waters
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Diving and snorkelling
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Kitesurfing
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Affordable prices
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Friendly locals
Potential downsides:
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Persistent sales culture
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Dusty desert environment
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Limited historical attractions compared to Luxor or Cairo
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hurghada Safe Right Now?
Check the latest government advice. Our earlier trips cannot answer what conditions will be like on your departure date.
Is Hurghada Safe for Solo Female Travellers?
Solo women should read the harassment and assault advice linked above. Our experience travelling as a couple cannot substitute for that assessment.
Is Hurghada Safer Than Cairo or Sharm El Sheikh?
We do not have evidence for a comparative safety ranking. Review the current advice for each destination and the journey between them.
Do I Need a Visa for Egypt?
Check the requirements for your passport and itinerary using the official sources in the visa section above.
Can You Drink Alcohol in Hurghada?
Alcohol is available at licensed venues. FCDO guidance warns that drinking outside permitted settings can lead to arrest. Check a venue’s rules.
Can I Use Uber in Hurghada?
Yes. Uber operates in Hurghada and is one of the easiest ways to avoid fare negotiations.
What Currency Should I Bring to Egypt?
The local currency is the Egyptian Pound (EGP). We recommend carrying a combination of card and cash.
How Much Cash Should I Carry in Hurghada?
Only enough for the day. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash.
Is El Gouna Safer Than Hurghada?
We enjoyed staying in El Gouna, but a relaxed atmosphere is not evidence that it is safer. The same government advice and precautions apply.
Final Verdict
After multiple visits, Hurghada remains one of our favourite destinations in Egypt. We enjoyed the Red Sea, kitesurfing and everyday life beyond the resorts.
Use those experiences as one part of planning, alongside current travel advice, your insurance and careful choices about transport and excursions.