Hurghada Airport serves the Red Sea coast. Most visitors are heading to resorts clustered along the coastline, ranging from 5 to 30 km away. There are only two transport options: taxis and pre-booked transfers. Here is what each costs.
Cost by destination
| Destination | Distance |
|---|---|
| Hurghada center | 5 km |
| Hurghada Marina | 8 km |
| Sahl Hasheesh | 20 km |
| Makadi Bay | 25 km |
| El Gouna | 25 km |
| Soma Bay | 35 km |
| Safaga | 55 km |
| Marsa Alam | 200 km |
Fixed-price private transfer
HRG Hurghada City Center
From€12for 2 passengers
Other destinations
There are no prices in that table any more, and that is deliberate. Hurghada taxis are not metered - every fare is negotiated - so there is no tariff for anyone to publish or verify. The Egyptian pound has also moved a great deal in recent years. Any range we printed would rot silently and anchor your negotiation before you started. Distance is the honest guide to what a ride is worth; the rest is up to you and the driver, or fixed in advance by booking a transfer.
Why the taxi ranges are so wide
Hurghada taxis do not have meters. Every fare is negotiated. The range reflects the difference between what a confident negotiator pays and what someone accepting the first offer pays.
A driver at the airport will typically open well above what a local would pay for the same trip. After negotiation, a tourist price usually lands somewhere in between - which is why the opening number tells you nothing and the third driver's number tells you a lot. The gap between them can be several times the honest fare. The skill gap is real and directly affects your cost.
Currency context
The Egyptian pound (EGP) has fluctuated significantly in recent years - which is precisely why we are not printing conversions. A EGP-to-USD rate written into a web page is wrong within months and every figure derived from it is wrong with it. Check a live rate before you travel and convert yourself; it takes ten seconds and it will be right.
In absolute terms, transport from Hurghada Airport is inexpensive by European or American standards. The frustration with taxis is less about money and more about the negotiation process.
The negotiation dynamic
Knowing the approximate fair price is essential. Here are some negotiation basics:
- The first quote is almost always 2-3x the fair price.
- Counter at about half their opening offer.
- Be willing to walk to the next car in line. This is your strongest tool.
- Agree on the total fare before getting in. Confirm whether it is per person or per car.
- Pay in EGP, not USD or EUR. Drivers set their own exchange rates.
Transfer pricing
Transfer prices are slightly higher than a well-negotiated taxi fare, but they include guaranteed availability, a named driver, and a fixed price. During peak times or at night, transfer pricing often works out similarly to what you would realistically pay for a taxi.
What affects the price
Time of day. Night arrivals push taxi quotes higher because fewer drivers are available. Transfers maintain fixed pricing.
Season. High tourist season (October-April for Hurghada) means more competition at the airport and slightly higher quotes.
Hotel shuttles. If your resort offers a shuttle, it is usually free or included in your package. Check before arranging anything else.
Tipping
Tipping is customary in Egypt. For taxi drivers, rounding up is appropriate. For transfer drivers, a similar tip is a welcome gesture.
The bottom line on cost
Transport from Hurghada Airport is cheap in absolute terms. The real question is not how much you will pay but how you want to pay it. Negotiating with a taxi driver after a long flight is the budget option. A pre-booked transfer at a fixed price is the convenience option. The difference in cost is often modest; the difference in experience is significant.