Dear travelers,
Planning Hurghada Without a Travel Agency
One thing I’m particularly proud of is that this wasn’t a package holiday. No travel agency. No pre-arranged itinerary.
Just us, Google, Booking.com, and a healthy amount of travel optimism.
The flights were straightforward. We flew from Budapest to Hurghada and planned to continue to Cairo afterward, returning home from there.
One of my biggest concerns was arriving in Egypt and immediately getting overwhelmed by transportation offers at the airport. If you’ve traveled to certain destinations before, you know exactly what I mean.
To avoid that situation, I booked an airport transfer through Booking.com.
Best decision ever.
As soon as we walked out of arrivals, our driver was already waiting with a sign displaying our name. No negotiating, no confusion, no stress. After a long travel day, that’s exactly the kind of welcome you want.
Buy a SIM Card at Hurghada Airport
If there’s one practical tip I would give every traveler visiting Hurghada, it’s this:
Buy a local SIM card immediately at the airport.
Many hotels advertise Wi-Fi, but the reality is that the connection can be slow and inconsistent, especially when lots of guests are online.
The SIM card setup took only a few minutes, and having reliable internet throughout the trip made everything easier, from checking excursion details to uploading photos of the ridiculously blue sea that we couldn’t stop taking.
Can Unmarried Couples Stay Together in Hurghada?
Before traveling, this was probably the question I searched the most.
If you’re reading this because you’re wondering the same thing, here’s the answer:
Yes, unmarried foreign couples can generally stay together in hotels and resorts in Hurghada.
This restriction usually applies to Egyptian citizens, not foreign tourists.
We checked into our hotel without any issues whatsoever.
It’s one of those things that people worry about before traveling, but in reality, it wasn’t even a topic during our stay.
Our Stay at Pickalbatros Resort
For this trip, we stayed at a recently renovated Pickalbatros resort, and honestly, the hotel itself became the destination. Usually, we spend most of our trips outside exploring.
Here?
We barely wanted to leave.
The room was spacious, modern, and incredibly comfortable. We booked a sea-view room, which meant waking up every morning and immediately seeing the Red Sea stretching toward the horizon.
Not a bad way to start the day.
What We Loved Most
The resort felt like a small village.
It had:
- Around 6–7 swimming pools
- Multiple restaurants
- Direct beach access
- Several bars
- Beautiful walking paths
- Free bicycles for guests
The bicycles were actually one of my favorite little surprises.
The resort was large enough that hopping on a bike became the quickest and most fun way to get around.
I felt a little bit like I was living inside a tropical version of a movie set.
The Food: A Dream for Picky Eaters
I always worry a little about all-inclusive food. Sometimes “all-inclusive” means lots of quantity but not much variety.
That definitely wasn’t the case here. The food selection was enormous.
Every restaurant focused on different cuisines, giving guests plenty of choices throughout the stay.
Whether you’re into:
- Pasta
- Grilled meats
- Seafood
- Fresh salads
- Pizza
- International dishes
- Desserts
You’ll find something. Actually, you’ll probably find too many things.
One of the biggest dangers of all-inclusive resorts isn’t going hungry. It’s convincing yourself that you need “just one more plate.”
Snacks Everywhere
Another thing we loved? Food wasn’t limited to breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There were snack stations available throughout the day.
So even if you somehow managed to miss a meal, which would honestly require some effort, you’d still find something to eat.
Let’s just say nobody returned from this trip thinner.
Orange Bay and Hula Hula: The Bluest Water We’ve Ever Seen
Despite our commitment to relaxation, there was one excursion we absolutely had to do.
Orange Bay. Actually, Orange Bay and Hula Hula.
The tour guides inside the hotel organized everything.
Transportation from the resort to the port was included, which made the whole experience incredibly easy.
A Day on the Red Sea
The excursion lasted most of the day.
We boarded a boat and headed out into the Red Sea.
The water quickly transformed from beautiful to almost unbelievable.
Every shade of blue seemed to exist at once.
Turquoise.
Aqua.
Deep sapphire.
Colors that looked heavily edited in photos but somehow existed in real life.
Snorkeling Stops
Along the route, the boat stopped multiple times for swimming and snorkeling. If you don’t have snorkeling equipment, don’t worry.
They provide everything. Mask. Snorkel. Fins.
All included.
Even beginners can enjoy it.
Orange Bay
Orange Bay is probably one of the most photographed spots near Hurghada.
And after visiting, I completely understand why.
The shallow turquoise water looked like something straight out of the Maldives.
Or one of those impossibly beautiful travel posters that make you immediately start searching for flights.
Every direction looked like a postcard.
Hula Hula
Depending on your tour operator, you may stop at different islands around the area. We visited Hula Hula, and it was stunning.
Soft sand. Clear water.
Relaxed atmosphere.
And yes, those famous Instagram photos you’ve probably seen?
Many of them are taken right here.
Traveling from Hurghada to Cairo
After our time in Hurghada, we continued to Cairo. Instead of flying, we arranged a private driver through local contacts we met during our stay.
Everything went smoothly. The driver was professional.
The journey was safe. But would I do it again?
Probably not. The drive took approximately 5–6 hours.
And while seeing parts of Egypt most tourists never experience was interesting, it’s a very long travel day.
If you’re planning to combine Hurghada and Cairo, I would strongly recommend booking a domestic flight instead.
You’ll save valuable vacation time and arrive with much more energy. Trust me.
Future you will appreciate it.
Is Hurghada Worth Visiting?
Absolutely.
If you’re looking for ancient temples and busy city life, Hurghada probably isn’t the star of the show.
But if you’re searching for:
- Year-round sunshine
- Beautiful resorts
- Incredible snorkeling
- Crystal-clear water
- Great value for money
- A genuinely relaxing holiday
Then Hurghada delivers.
For us, it became something we didn’t even realize we needed—a chance to pause.
To slow down.
To spend days watching fish swim through coral reefs while debating whether another cocktail was a good idea.
(Spoiler: it usually was.)
And although Cairo would bring an entirely different side of Egypt, Hurghada gave us exactly what we came for.
A week of sunshine, turquoise water, endless food, and the kind of relaxation that makes you forget what day it is.
Honestly, that’s a pretty wonderful souvenir to bring home.
Truly yours,
The Creation of Us
P.S.: Some of the links are affiliate links, meaning if you click through and make a purchase, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!
