Getting from Hurghada Airport to your resort

Hurghada International Airport is about 5 km southwest of the city center, but most visitors are heading to resorts strung along the Red Sea coast. Hurghada taxis are not metered, so the fare is whatever you agree before you get in. Resort destinations like El Gouna (25 km north) or Makadi Bay (25 km south) cost more than the town centre (5 km). Many package tourists have transfers included. If yours is not included, a pre-booked transfer is the simplest solution.

Hurghada Airport has two terminals. Terminal 1 handles domestic flights and some charters. Terminal 2 is the international terminal where most visitors arrive. The terminals are functional but not modern.

Visa on arrival is available for many nationalities. You buy a visa sticker at the bank counters before passport control. The fee is set by the Egyptian government and was increased in 2026, so check the current amount on Egypt's official visa portal (visa2egypt.gov.eg) before you fly and bring the exact sum in USD cash. This process is straightforward but can be slow when multiple charter flights land simultaneously. Baggage reclaim works, but bags can take time.

Once through customs, the arrivals hall has a few exchange counters, SIM card vendors, and tour operator desks. Outside, you will be immediately approached by taxi drivers and touts. This is where Hurghada's transport experience differs from more organized airports. The level of solicitation can be intense, especially for first-time visitors.

Taxis are the default option, but Hurghada taxis are not metered. You negotiate the fare before getting in. Drivers at the airport often start with inflated prices aimed at tourists, and first offers are frequently several times what the ride is worth - sometimes quoted in USD or EUR to make comparison harder. There is no meter and no published tariff, so the only real price discovery is asking several drivers and being willing to walk to the next car.

Hotel shuttles are common. Many resorts operate their own buses, especially for package tourists. Check with your hotel before arrival. If your resort offers a shuttle, it is usually the easiest option.

Pre-booked transfers are popular for Hurghada because the taxi negotiation process can be stressful, especially after a long flight. A driver meets you with a name sign, the price is fixed, and you avoid the arrivals hall chaos. For El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, or Makadi Bay, this is often the most practical choice.

There is no public bus service from the airport. No Uber or ride-hailing apps operate reliably in Hurghada.

Hurghada taxis are not metered. Every fare is negotiated before you get in, which means there is no tariff to cite and no authority publishing a rate. On top of that, the Egyptian pound has moved a great deal in recent years.

That combination is why this page no longer prints fare ranges. A number here would do two harmful things at once: go stale without telling you, and anchor your negotiation before you have even started.

Distances are the thing worth knowing:

How to get a real number:

• Ask several drivers. The spread between the first offer and the third is the whole story.
• Be willing to walk to the next car. This is your strongest tool.
• Agree the total before getting in. Confirm whether it is per person or per car, and in which currency.
• Pay in EGP, not USD or EUR. Drivers set their own exchange rates, and they do not set them in your favour.
• Or pre-book a transfer, which fixes the price before you land and removes the negotiation entirely.

Hotel shuttles are common - many resorts operate them, and if yours does it is usually free or included in your package. Check before arranging anything else.

Charter flights to Hurghada commonly arrive between 22:00 and 03:00, especially from European departure points. The airport stays open for these arrivals.

Taxis are available at night, but the negotiation dynamic gets tougher. Fewer drivers means less competition, and quotes go up. There is no public transport alternative.

If you arrive after midnight, a pre-booked transfer eliminates the negotiation entirely. Your driver waits regardless of your landing time. The roads between the airport and the coastal resorts are mostly empty at night, so the drive is quick.

Hurghada taxis are a mix of older sedans and newer vehicles. Luggage space varies. For a family with multiple suitcases, strollers, and dive equipment, you may need a larger vehicle or two taxis.

Child seats are not available in regular taxis. If child safety is a concern, arrange a transfer with a child seat in advance.

The drive from the airport to most resorts is on a good highway. The roads are decent but driving style in Egypt is more assertive than what most European visitors are used to.

Taxis congregate outside the arrivals exit. Expect drivers to approach you immediately. Pick one, agree on a price, and go. Do not feel pressured to accept the first offer.

For pre-booked transfers, drivers typically wait inside the arrivals hall with a name sign. The terminal is small enough that you will find each other. If not, step outside and call the number provided in your booking confirmation. Phone signal at the airport is reliable.

Take a taxi if you are comfortable negotiating, heading to Hurghada center, and speak enough Arabic or are confident with firm bargaining.

Use a hotel shuttle if your resort offers one. Check when you book your accommodation.

Book a transfer if you want a fixed price, are heading to El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, or Makadi Bay, arriving late, or traveling with family. It removes the negotiation stress entirely.

Avoid accepting rides from anyone who approaches you aggressively in the terminal. Use the established taxi area or a pre-booked service.