Hurghada

Uber / Careem — big-city Egypt only — here it’s taxis and hotel shuttles

Carrefour / Spinneys — big western-style stores

Kazyon — discount chain

Souks — produce + spice — haggle

Best: Mar – May & Oct – Nov · Wet: —

Fees: Most bank ATMs add little or nothing; the constraint is per-pull limits (3,000–4,000 E£ typically).

Limits: 3,000–4,000 E£ per pull is the norm; do several pulls on separate days for big spends.

Best machines: CIBBanque MisrNational Bank of Egypt

Vaccines: Routine, Hepatitis A, Typhoid.

Health: Bottled water only, and give your stomach two gentle days before the buffet victory lap. The Red Sea repays respect: reef shoes, no touching coral, and dive only with CDWS-listed shops. Sun is desert-serious — hydrate beyond thirst.

Tap water: ❌ Don't drink the tap, and skip loose ice outside good hotels. Bottled water only — check the seal.

Safety: Hurghada's resort coast is one of the most heavily protected tourist zones anywhere — petty crime is notably rare. The advisories you'll read concern North Sinai, a full country-width away from the Red Sea resorts. Haggling theatrics are the local sport; play or smile-decline, both work.

Plant-based: Accidentally vegan national dishes: koshary, ful medames, ta'ameya (fava falafel) — the cheapest food is the plant-based food.

Gluten-free: Koshary is pasta-based (wheat); ful, rice dishes and grills are safe; baladi bread is everywhere but skippable.

For most short tourist trips, citizens of the US, UK, EU/Schengen, Canada, Australia and New Zealand either enter visa-free or get a simple online authorisation (an eVisa or eTA) before flying. Typical visa-free stays run 30–90 days. Some countries want a visa arranged in advance, and a growing number ask you to fill an online arrival or eVisa form even when 'visa-free' — so always check the official portal for your exact nationality before you book.