Is Dahab expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Dahab is one of the cheapest beach and dive destinations around the Red Sea, popular with backpackers and long-stay divers. A budget day is about E£1,400 per person, mid-range about E£4,100 and comfort about E£9,300; diving, often quoted in euros, is the biggest cost.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | E£500 | E£1,300 | E£3,500 |
| Food & drink | E£500 | E£1,000 | E£2,000 |
| Sights & tickets | E£300 | E£1,500 | E£3,000 |
| Local transport | E£100 | E£300 | E£800 |
| Per person, per day | E£1,400 | E£4,100 | E£9,300 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Dahab day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Street food (ful, taameya, koshari) | E£50–150 |
| Mint tea at a seafront café | about E£50–100 |
| Seafront fish dinner | about E£600–1,200 per person |
| Snorkel gear rental | about E£150–300 a day |
| Fun dive | about €30–45 |
| Taxi in town | about E£50–150 |
| Taxi to the Blue Hole, return | about E£300–500 |
| Mount Sinai night trip | about E£1,500–3,000 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Diving and excursions take the largest share: fun dives and courses are quoted in euros, and the Mount Sinai trip is a separate cost. Accommodation is cheap, from camps and hostels to Lagoon resorts. Food is inexpensive for Egyptian classics and moderate for seafront fish dinners. Transport in town is cheap, but the transfer from Sharm el-Sheikh airport (about E£1,500–2,500 per car) is worth sharing.
When it is cheaper
Prices for rooms are usually lower in the hottest summer months, June to September, and outside European holidays; Christmas, New Year and Egyptian holidays are the busiest periods.
How to spend less
- Book a dive package rather than single dives.
- Share the airport transfer from Sharm el-Sheikh.
- Eat ful, taameya and koshari at local places instead of seafront restaurants.
- Snorkel from the shore at the Lighthouse and Eel Garden for free.
- Agree taxi prices before getting in.
- Stay in Masbat or Assala camps for the lowest room prices.
Some links on this page are partner links. If you book through them TonyPlan earns a small commission — the price you pay is exactly the same.
Common questions
Is Dahab expensive?
No, it is one of the cheapest Red Sea destinations, except for diving and excursions.
How much does a day in Dahab cost?
About E£1,400 per person on a budget, E£4,100 mid-range and E£9,300 in comfort.
How much is a dive?
About €30–45 for a fun dive, usually quoted in euros, with package discounts.