Hurghada International Airport

Hurghada International Airport sits on the Red Sea coast of Egypt, approximately 15 kilometres northwest of the city centre of Hurghada. It is the primary air gateway for the Red Sea resort region, handling both domestic flights from Cairo and international charter traffic from Europe, Russia, and the Middle East. The airport operates as a single-terminal facility, processing millions of passengers each year who come for the coral reefs, desert landscapes, and winter sun. Despite its relatively compact size, the terminal sees concentrated waves of activity around scheduled flight arrivals and departures, particularly during peak holiday seasons.

Getting There

Hurghada International Airport is connected to the city centre via two main routes: the coastal road (Corniche) and the inland highway. By taxi, the journey takes approximately 20–30 minutes depending on traffic. Official airport taxis are available outside the arrivals hall, with fixed fares posted at the booth — expect to pay around 150–200 Egyptian pounds (as of early 2025) to central Hurghada. Ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Careem operate in the city and can be used for airport transfers, though pick-up is limited to designated areas. For budget-conscious travellers, public minibuses run along the main road from the airport turn-off, but they do not enter the terminal forecourt; you would need to walk to the highway junction. Most visitors opt for pre-booked hotel shuttles or private transfers, which many resorts arrange at no extra cost. Car rental desks are present in the arrivals hall, with major international and local agencies available. The road from the airport is well lit and in good condition, but drivers should watch for speed bumps and occasional camel crossings on the inland route.

Inside the Terminal

The terminal building at Hurghada International Airport is a single, two-level structure: arrivals on the ground floor, departures on the upper level. On arrival, passengers walk from the aircraft to a passport control hall with roughly a dozen counters, which can process queues quickly when multiple flights arrive at once — though wait times sometimes stretch to 30 minutes during the busiest periods (Monday and Tuesday evenings around 9–10 pm). After immigration, baggage claim has two carousels, and the area is generally clean and air-conditioned. The airport provides wheelchair-accessible entrances, a wheelchair-accessible car park, and wheelchair-accessible toilets throughout the terminal. There are changing tables in the accessible restrooms, which is helpful for families. Baggage storage is available near the arrivals hall for a daily fee — useful for passengers with long layovers or those arriving before hotel check-in. On-site services include a currency exchange counter, ATMs, and a small duty-free shop for last-minute souvenirs. The departures area has a modest food court with a coffee shop and a snack bar serving sandwiches and pastries. Security screening is efficient, though the narrow corridor can feel crowded during peak times. Toilets are located near the gates and in the main concourse, and they are kept reasonably tidy. Overall, the terminal is functional and adequate for its traffic; it is not a place you would spend extra time, but it covers the basics without major hassle.

Hurghada International Airport and Hurghada 1

Hurghada 1 — as the central district of Hurghada is sometimes called — is a stretch of coastline that blends Red Sea tourism with everyday Egyptian life. The area is dominated by a long promenade, the Corniche, lined with hotels, restaurants, and dive shops. The climate is arid and warm for most of the year, with winter temperatures rarely dropping below 15°C and summer highs reaching 40°C. Water sports are the main draw: the Red Sea’s coral reefs are among the world’s most accessible, with snorkelling and diving trips departing daily from the marina near the city centre. The famous Giftun Islands lie a short boat ride offshore, offering protected marine parks and white sand beaches. On land, the Hurghada Museum opened in 2020, displaying artefacts from across Egypt with a focus on the Red Sea region’s history — including pieces from the Graeco-Roman period and a well-presented collection of mummies and sarcophagi. For a sense of local culture, the old town (El Dahar) provides a contrast to the resort strip: narrow streets, a spice market, and traditional coffee shops where backgammon games continue late into the night. The area’s growth as a tourist destination began in the 1980s, but it retains a working port and fishing fleet at the southern end of the Corniche. What makes Hurghada 1 worth visiting is the direct access to world-class marine environments without the exclusivity of higher-end Red Sea resorts like El Gouna or Marsa Alam. It is a place where you can swim with dolphins in the morning, eat grilled fish at a beachside restaurant at noon, and watch the sunset over the desert from a rooftop bar — all within a few kilometres of the airport. Travellers also use the airport as a starting point for excursions to Luxor and the Valley of the Kings, which lie about four hours by road to the north, or for desert safaris into the Eastern Desert’s wadis and mountain ranges.

Practical Information

Hurghada International Airport is open daily, though some facilities may have reduced hours during overnight periods (the busiest times are Monday–Thursday evenings, peaking around 9–10 pm). The visitor information desk inside the arrivals hall operates only when flights are scheduled. Contact the airport by phone at +20 65 3414213 or visit the unofficial website hurghada-airport.co.uk for flight updates and terminal maps. Currency exchange is available inside and outside the terminal, but rates are better in the city — exchange only what you need for taxis upon arrival. If you have a layover of more than four hours, consider storing your bags at the baggage storage counter (daily fee around 100 EGP) and taking a taxi into central Hurghada for a quick meal on the Corniche. One concrete piece of advice: bring a pen for immigration forms — the airline may not provide one, and the queue for the pen-sharing station can slow you down.