Logistics · Destination Guide
Protected islands, wreck legends, and easy Red Sea day-boat range
Use this travel brief to set arrival flow, local transit, and gear movement before you lock your itinerary.
Most travelers arrive through Hurghada International Airport and transfer directly to their hotel or liveaboard boarding point. Hurghada is one of Egypt's main Red Sea gateways, so seasonal charters and scheduled flights are common from Europe and the Middle East. Once in town, Giftun trips are straightforward day-boat outings, while Abu Nuhas is the longer northbound objective and may be done either as a long day boat or as part of a Northern Red Sea liveaboard route.
Hurghada International Airport
HRG • HEGN
12 km • 12 km airport transfer, usually about 20 minutes by road
Hurghada's main international gateway. Current airport references describe two passenger terminals, with international scheduled and charter traffic making it the obvious arrival point for Giftun and Abu Nuhas itineraries.
Transport: Pre-booked hotel transfer, Private driver, Airport taxi, Car rental
Hurghada is stretched along the coast, so hotel location matters more than it first appears. Marina-area and central Hurghada stays are easiest for standard day-boat pickups. Resort areas farther north or south can be quieter but add transfer time. For everyday movement, pre-arranged hotel cars, trusted taxis, and private drivers are the simplest options. If you plan repeated independent dinners or shopping runs, ask the hotel how far it really is from Sekalla, El Dahar, or the marina before you book.
Entry rules depend on passport nationality, so always confirm on Egypt's official visa portal before booking. Egypt's official eVisa site lists a single-entry tourist visa at USD $25 and a multiple-entry tourist visa at USD $60, and it advises applying at least 7 days before departure. The Experience Egypt tourism portal also notes that many nationalities can obtain an eVisa or visa on arrival, subject to eligibility. For Hurghada, you are entering mainland Egypt, so do not rely on South Sinai-specific assumptions. Carry a passport with at least 6 months validity and keep digital and printed confirmations accessible.
Hurghada has mature rental infrastructure, so full scuba kits are easy to source and many operators can arrange computers, SMBs, torches, and larger cylinders on request. Freedivers should check in advance for long-fin, lanyard, and buoy-line availability because rental depth-training equipment is less universal than scuba gear. For Abu Nuhas, bring your own torch if wrecks matter to you. Pre-book sports baggage with your airline if you are carrying cameras, long fins, or a full personal dive kit, and verify whether Nitrox is bundled or charged separately.
Egyptian Pound (EGP)
The official currency is the Egyptian Pound. Cards are common in resorts, larger restaurants, and many dive businesses, but cash is still useful for tips, small shops, marina purchases, and some taxis.
Experience Egypt notes that ATMs are available through commercial banks 24/7 and are also found in cities, airports, and major hotels. You should not struggle to withdraw cash in Hurghada itself, but it is smart to carry small notes before long boat days.
220V • 50Hz • C, F
Egypt uses type C and F plugs. If you are coming from the UK, US, or Australia, bring an adapter and make sure chargers are dual-voltage before plugging them in.
Communications
Egypt's official tourism information highlights temporary tourist SIM options from WE, Orange, Vodafone, and Etisalat. Hotel Wi-Fi is common, but offshore coverage can weaken quickly once the boat heads toward outer reefs or farther north toward Abu Nuhas.
Language
Arabic is the official language. In Hurghada's tourism economy, English is widely used, and official tourism information also notes that French, Russian, Ukrainian, Spanish, and Italian are common enough to be useful in resort settings.
Insurance
Carry dive accident cover that explicitly includes Red Sea scuba, medical evacuation, and hyperbaric treatment. If you plan wreck penetration, deeper profiles, or freediving, verify those are covered rather than assumed. CDWS has published lists of approved insurance providers in Egypt, including DAN Egypt partnerships, but policy wording matters more than brand familiarity.
Packing list
External Booking Partner
Compare liveaboard routes, boats and dates with LiveAboard.com. Boarding points vary by itinerary.