Arriving at Hurghada Airport: visa, SIM and the ride to your hotel
At Hurghada Airport you buy the visa at the bank window before passport control (or arrive with an e-visa), then collect bags and walk out to the arrivals hall. Taxis at the exit negotiate the price; a pre-booked private car costs $20 to Hurghada hotels and $30 to El Gouna per car, with a name sign. Prices checked .
A short checklist for the first hour in Egypt — what to have ready and how to get to the hotel without haggling.
Visa and passport control
Russian, EU and many other passports can get a visa on arrival or an e-visa in advance on the official portal visa2egypt.gov.eg. On arrival the visa is bought at the bank windows before passport control; have the exact amount in cash. Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months. Rules change — check the official sources before you fly.
Cash and SIM cards
ATMs and exchange counters are in the arrivals hall. Mobile operators (Vodafone, Orange, Etisalat, WE) sell tourist SIM cards at the airport; you need your passport.
Getting to the hotel
There is no public bus from the terminal to the hotels. The options are: the tour operator’s group transfer if it is in your package, a taxi at the exit (price by negotiation) or a pre-booked private car with a fixed price.
Hurghada Airport to Hurghada hotels: every way compared (2026)
| Option | Price | Time | Door to door | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi at the airport exit | not verified | approx. 10–25 min | Yes | No booking; price by negotiation |
| Shared shuttle (online booking) | approx. sedan from €17 to El Gouna or Makadi | not verified | Partly | Budget travellers |
| Private car (RideEG) | $20 per car (sedan), ≈ $7 per person for 3 | 20 min | Yes | Families, luggage, night arrivals, photo stops |
Public transport fares are approximate; check locally. Sources: airporttransferportal.com, Hurghada Airport → El Gouna / Makadi Bay (read 20 Oct 2026) (2026-10-20).
Questions
How much is the visa on arrival?
The amount is set by the authorities and changes; check visa2egypt.gov.eg or the FCDO page before you fly and carry cash in US dollars.
Is there a night surcharge for transfers?
Not with RideEG: the price is the same at 3 a.m.