Taxi or private transfer at a glance
Many visitors who land at Hurghada International Airport do not stay in Hurghada town at all, but in one of the resort areas along the Red Sea coast: El Gouna to the north, or Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi Bay, Soma Bay and Safaga to the south. These resorts are spread out along the coast road, so the ride from the airport is longer than a hop into town. The two usual ways to get there are a taxi from the airport or a private transfer booked before you travel.
| Taxi from the airport | Private transfer | |
|---|---|---|
| Booking | Found on arrival outside the terminal | Requested before you travel, with your flight number |
| Price | Agreed with the driver on the spot | Quoted for your trip on WhatsApp before you book |
| Timing | Depends on which cars are waiting when you land | Planned around your landing time |
| Vehicle | Whatever car is available | Sedan, SUV, minivan or Coaster bus, chosen for your group and luggage |
| Drop-off | You explain the resort and hotel to the driver | Your hotel name is in the booking |
| Return to the airport | Arrange another car for departure day | Can be booked at the same time |
Drive times from Hurghada Airport
These are the usual times by car. They depend on traffic and the exact hotel, and they are the same whether you take a taxi or a private car.
- Hurghada town (Sakkala, Dahar, Village Road): 5–15 km, 10–20 minutes.
- Sahl Hasheesh: about 18 km, 15–20 minutes.
- El Gouna: about 30 km, 25–30 minutes.
- Makadi Bay: about 30 km, 25–30 minutes.
- Soma Bay: about 45 km, 35–40 minutes.
- Safaga: about 55–60 km, 45–50 minutes.
- Luxor (hotel or Nile cruise): about 280–290 km, about 4 hours.
El Gouna: north of the airport
El Gouna is the resort town north of Hurghada, on the road towards Cairo. From the airport the car drives through or around Hurghada town and then north along the coast, about 30 km in all, so plan on 25–30 minutes.
El Gouna is spread over lagoons and small islands, with hotels, villas and a marina. Give the full name of your hotel or the address of your villa in the request, so the driver can take you to the right door. If you go on to Cairo later, the road from El Gouna heads the same way: see the Cairo to Hurghada transfer.
Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi Bay and Soma Bay: south along the coast
The other resorts lie south of the airport, one after another along the coast road. Sahl Hasheesh comes first, about 18 km and 15–20 minutes away. Makadi Bay follows, about 30 km and 25–30 minutes from the airport. Soma Bay, on its own peninsula, is about 45 km and 35–40 minutes away, and the town of Safaga is about 55–60 km and 45–50 minutes away.
Many hotels here sit off the main coast road, so the resort and hotel name is what the driver needs, so use it as your drop-off, the same way you would an address.
Taking a taxi from Hurghada Airport
Taxis wait outside the arrivals area. For a short ride into Hurghada town they are a reasonable choice if you travel light and are happy to sort it out on arrival. For El Gouna, Makadi Bay, Soma Bay or Safaga the ride is longer, so agree the price and the exact hotel with the driver before you get in, and have the hotel’s name and location ready on your phone.
A taxi is less convenient when you land late after a long flight, travel with children or a lot of luggage, or are a group that will not fit in one car. In those cases it helps to have the ride arranged before you arrive.
Booking a private transfer
With a private transfer the ride is only for you and your group, with no other passengers, and every vehicle is air-conditioned. You send your flight number, landing time, resort and hotel, passengers and luggage, and we reply on WhatsApp with availability and the price. Nothing is paid on this website, and the transfer is booked once we confirm it in writing.
Choose the vehicle by group size: a sedan takes up to 3 passengers and 3 bags, an SUV 5 and 5, a minivan 7 and 7, and the Coaster bus 22 and 22. If your flight is delayed, message us in the same WhatsApp chat so the pickup can be moved. You can also add a stop on the way, for example to buy water or a SIM card, in the notes of your request.
See the Hurghada Airport transfer page for the full route table and the departure transfer back to the airport.
Which option should you choose?
- Solo travellers or couples with light luggage going into Hurghada town: a taxi works, as long as you agree the price first.
- El Gouna, Makadi Bay, Soma Bay or Safaga: a private transfer, so the driver already has your hotel’s name and the price is settled before the longer ride.
- Families and travellers with a lot of luggage or diving gear: an SUV or minivan, so everyone and every bag fits in one vehicle.
- Groups: a minivan for up to 7, or the Coaster bus for up to 22, so the group travels together.
- Going straight on to Luxor: book it as one transfer from the airport instead of two rides. See the Hurghada to Luxor transfer.
Tips for your arrival
- Send your flight number with the request, so the pickup matches your landing time.
- Save your hotel’s name and location on your phone before you fly, and check which resort area it is in.
- Book the return to the airport at the same time: choose “Return trip” in the form and add the pickup time for your departure.
- Planning a day out? Hurghada day tours include snorkeling trips, a desert quad safari and day trips to Cairo by plane.