Its not too bad. On arrival we bought our visas from a kiosk (unlike Sharm el Sheik they are required for Hurghada)and joined queue to go through to baggage reclaim.This was a bit chaotic, waited ages for my luggage only to find it had been taken off already and put with a pile of others. But hey, this is Egypt!

For the return journey remember to keep an eye out on the departure screens as only 'final calls' are made over the tannoy. We had been drinking coffee and didn't realise that most people had boarded the plane already!

The good thing about Hurghada airport is the short transfer times - only about 5/10 minutes to our hotel (Grand Resort).

Thanks for the information, glad you told me about the final calls, we are staying in the Grand Siva Beach, not too far away from your hotel so transfer time should be about the same. We are arriving in the early hours of the morning? What time did you arrive? Is that right that you get armed convoy to your resort?

Gull

its like a large circus tent (yes canvas)

There are loads of bazaar-type shops in the departure lounge (largely selling the same things) - but prices aren't too bad. A small duty-free shop and a cafe area. Everytime we've been there there have been TV screens showing a movie in English with Arabic subtitles (Great Escape in Feb this year, Titanic before that).

There is a departure lounge beyond the departure lounge effectively , as you have to go through a further security screening at a large boarding area (I'd say boarding gate, but it appears to serve all the departing flights) . The queues for this always seem pretty bad, so don't hang around in the area where the shops are for too long!!!

I was pleasantly surprised by Hurghada Airport . Actually prefer it to Cairo!!!

Thanks for the warning about the queues, I do like to shop, so my husband will be glad to hear that there is no time for messing about in shops

Gull
We arrived late afternoon which as it was early March was just before dusk. Its a pity that you are flying at night as if you have a window seat on the plane the views over the sand dunes and bay as you come in are absolutely fabulous - maybe you'll get the views on the way back. Despite being near the airport aircraft noise never seems a problem at the hotels.

There isn't an armed convoy to the hotels but there is if you take a coach to Luxor. All the coaches meet up at what appears to be an overgrown car park at a certain time (think it was 7am) and go off in convoy of up to 100 coaches together with military escorts. This is not only because of risk of terroism but general safety. Would you want to break down on a lonely desert road by yourself?

Your hotel is part of a chain - have you seen their website? http://www.redseahotels.com
If you want to see the movies you need to access them through the opening page and they are in German!

Caro

Hi there, does anyone know if I can get a taxi from Makadi Bay to Hurghada as early as 5 in the morning? Thanks so much

Hello all,

This may have been covered elsewhere but I cant find it. Whats Hurghada airport like these days? last time i was there (2001 i think) it was a bit of a state!! am I going to have to wait a year and a day for my luggage? (of course I am....silly question!!). how about departures? is there somewhere to grab a drink from or is that wishful thinking?

Thanks in advance!

I got from landing to the car park in 45mins last week - actually taken longer at Manchester on occasions!! It's very amusing that you have to wait for a bus to take you all of 100 yards from the plane to the arrivals hall though!!

There was mass confusion in the arrivals hall as some EUK passengers from Bristol and Birmingham on Air Malta aircraft had either been given no landing cards or the wrong ones - they should have a pink border to them so beware. You ARE supposed to be given these on the plane - it helps to be able to fill them in in advance - if not, ASK !!!

As for on the way home, There is a new cafe at the far end of the departures hall that's not too bad - but they were charging £2.30 for a kitkat chunky. Canned drinks are also outrageous so you may want to pop something in your handbaggage!!! You go through a second security point to the gates AFTER the main departures lounge where the shops and cafes are - as before, the queues here are often lengthy, so allow time post the retail therapy. At the far end of this final lounge is a kids play area with toy cars, slides, a big trampoline and large train ride etc - think it was about 10LE a child - but the staff seemed to be quite interactive with the kids who were having a whale of a time in there!!

All in all Hurghada is not a bad airport at all !!!!

Can anyone give me some guidance regards resort transfers from Hurghada Airport.
We're arriving to stay at the Grand Resort Hotel on 9th Feb. and intend getting a taxi from the airport.
I understand prices can vary and Rip Offs abound for the unprepared, so what price should I be looking to pay?
Looking at maps, The Grand resort looks very close to the airport so I'm guessing the price souldn't be to high. BTW there are 2 adults and 2 kids traveling.

Does anyone know the transfer time to Sol Y Mar Makadi Marine? We have been told 40 mins but going by this thread hotels seem to be closer then this..??

Hi there,

Off to Hurghada in April and as this is our first time to Egypt I have little knowledge of duty free available (usually go to Tenerife in April and know just about every shop in Los Cristianos!).

I wondered if they have a duty free shop in Hurghada and if so, does it just sell alcohol and ciggies or does it do perfume/make up etc like other duty free shops?

Also what about the airport. Does anyone know what Duty free is available there?

Many thanks

Can anyone tell me if there is a duty free shop in arrivals at Hurghada airport....if so will this be your last opportunity to buy spirits or is there anywhere else in the resort.....after our stay we are going on a nile cruise and I just want to make sure we are well stocked up

Are you flying out of Hurghada and on to your nile cruise destination Tangobunny ?

If so there is a duty free when you leave Hurghada Airport, can't remember one in arrivals but in fairness I wasn't looking for it so doesn't mean there isn't one.

Hopefully someone who uses Hurghada a lot will know.

Yes there is a duty free in arrivals.

doe wrote:

Are you flying out of Hurghada and on to your nile cruise destination Tangobunny ?

If so there is a duty free when you leave Hurghada Airport, can't remember one in arrivals but in fairness I wasn't looking for it so doesn't mean there isn't one.

Hopefully someone who uses Hurghada a lot will know.

:sun2

No we are Flying into Hurghada airport then staying 9 days at the Sunrise holiday resort....then transferring to Luxor for our Nile cruise and flying home via Luxor airport

Thank Denny........do you know if you can buy spirits in the resort as well??

I guess you can but they would be very expensive due to import tax !

do they have wheelchairs at the hurghada