Is Hurghada expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Hurghada is cheap for local food, taxis and simple hotels, and good value compared with Mediterranean resorts. The costs come from boat trips, diving, the Luxor excursion and resort extras, which are often priced in US dollars or euros. A budget day is about E£2,450 per person, mid-range about E£6,400 and comfort about E£15,500.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | E£900 | E£2,500 | E£7,000 |
| Food & drink | E£600 | E£1,500 | E£3,500 |
| Sights & tickets | E£800 | E£2,000 | E£4,000 |
| Local transport | E£150 | E£400 | E£1,000 |
| Per person, per day | E£2,450 | E£6,400 | E£15,500 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Hurghada day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Ful, ta'ameya or koshari breakfast in a local place | about E£30–80 |
| Koshari dinner | about E£80–150 |
| Grilled fish dinner, chosen by weight | about E£500–1,000 per person |
| Taxi or ride-app trip in town | about E£50–200 |
| Local minibus ride | a few pounds |
| Hurghada Museum, foreigner ticket | about E£300–500 (check current price) |
| Giftun Island boat trip with lunch | about US$25–45 per person, park fee may be extra |
| Desert safari with Bedouin dinner | about US$25–50 per person |
| Luxor guided day trip | about US$60–120 per person |
| Kitesurfing lesson in El Gouna | about €50–80 an hour |
| Simple town hotel in El Dahar or Sakkala | roughly E£1,500–3,000 a room |
| Mid-range beach hotel | roughly E£3,500–7,000 a room |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
A bed costs about E£900 per person sharing in a simple town hotel, E£2,500 in a beach hotel and E£7,000 in El Gouna or a luxury resort. Food is about E£600 a day on koshari, ful and ta'ameya, or E£1,500 with grilled fish and hotel restaurants. Sights and trips are the big variable: about E£800 a day on a budget, but a Giftun boat, a dive day or the Luxor trip, with its Valley of the Kings and Karnak tickets, costs far more on that day. Taxis and ride apps keep transport at about E£150–400. Restaurants expect a tip (baksheesh) of about 10%.
When it is cheaper
June to September, when highs reach 33–35°C, is usually the cheapest period for European visitors, outside Egyptian holiday peaks. Prices are highest over Christmas and New Year and around Easter, when winter-sun holidays from Europe peak.
How to spend less
- Compare all-inclusive and room-only rates: all-inclusive saves money only if you will eat and drink most meals at the hotel; check what drinks are included.
- Eat breakfast and lunch in local places in El Dahar, where ful, ta'ameya and koshari cost a fraction of hotel prices.
- Use Uber or Careem in town, or agree taxi fares before getting in.
- Book Giftun boat trips through a dive centre or the marina and ask exactly what is included (lunch, equipment, park fee).
- Choose a hotel with a house reef in Makadi Bay or Sahl Hasheesh if you plan to snorkel every day, to save on boat trips.
- Stay a night in Luxor instead of a day trip if you can: you travel less, see more and avoid paying for two long transfers in one day.
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Common questions
How much money do I need per day in Hurghada?
About E£2,450 per person on a budget, about E£6,400 mid-range and about E£15,500 for comfort, including a share of a double room, food, trips and transport.
Is all-inclusive worth it in Hurghada?
Only if you plan to eat and drink most meals at the hotel. Local food outside is very cheap, so if you will explore, room-only or half board may be better value.
Should I tip in Hurghada?
Yes. Tips (baksheesh) of about 10% are expected in restaurants, and small tips for boat crews, drivers and guides are normal.