GENERAL TRAVEL INFORMATION
ARRIVAL:
Flights to Hurghada are offered from most European airports. The prices vary depending on the season and whether the flights are charter or scheduled.
Many airlines allow diving equipment (up to 30 kg) besides the normal luggage.
The passport has to be valid at least another six months on arrival. A visa is necessary for traveling in Egypt. It can be bought directly at the airport if it is not arranged by the travel agent in advance.
Please check with your travel agent for further information.
HOTELS:
Hurghada offers a big variety of Hotels in all categories. The prices start at 15 Euro per night in small hotels and between 40 to 80 Euro in higher class hotels.
Normally it is best to book the journey as a complete package at home. One week in a 3 to 4 star hotel in a double room with half board costs about 400 Euro per person.
LANGUAGE:
The official langue in Egypt is Arabic but English is spoken almost everywhere too. At the diving center we speak mainly German and English, but also some other languages.
MONEY:
The local currency is the Egyptian Pound. In the internet information is offered about the exchange rates, for example at:
Meanwhile it is possible to pay with credit cards in most of the hotels and in many shops (for sure also in our diving center). Egyptian Pounds can be withdrawn from most cash disposers with the EC-Maestro card.
ELECTRICITY:
The amperage is 220 Volt.
FOOD AND DRINKS:
Most hotels serve international dishes in an open buffet. The city offers a great variety of restaurants for the ones who do not like to eat in the hotel. Starting from Fast Food like McDonald’s and Kentucky Fried Chicken, international cuisine (Italian, Chinese, Indian) up to very good local restaurants. The Egyptian cuisine is very tasty and should be tried at least once.
Some of the most famous dishes are Falafel (vegetarian burgers made of peas), Foul (mashed beans with spices), Tahina (sesame sauce) and Babaghanough (eggplant and sesame sauce with garlic). A visit to the local fish restaurants is also highly recommended. Gambaro, Calamari, Lobster and Co taste best fresh from the sea.
After the meal Tschai (very sweet black tea) and Shischa (water pipe with apple or honey taste) are served.
On our boats many of the Egyptian dishes are served as an open buffet.
HEALTH:
At the moment no vaccinations are necessary for traveling in Egypt. Nevertheless it is recommended to have vaccinations against Hepatitis A and B, Polio and Tetanus.
To prevent dehydration it is important to drink three to four liters a day.
In case of diarrhea it is best to buy the local medicine in the pharmacies here in Egypt (most European products do not help!).
A deco chamber by the name of "Hypermed" is not far from the diving center. The doctors operating this chamber are very experienced in treating cases of decompression sickness as well as other health problems. A limited deco insurance is available at the diving center.
WEATHER AND CLIMATE:
Due to the mild climate Hurghada is a dive destination all year around. Because of the dry desert climate along the cost of the Red Sea temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius are still comfortable. During the winter it can be quite cold on windy days. The water temperatures range from 20 degrees Celsius in the winter up to 29 degrees Celsius in the summer.
WHICH SUIT TO BRING FOR DIVING:
Since the water temperatures are never below 20 degrees Celsius in the winter a semidry 5mm to 7mm suit is recommended. For the summer a 3mm to 5mm wetsuit will be fine. Make sure to bring some warm clothes (sweatshirt, long pants) during the winter time because of the cold wind.
SHOPPING:
In most hotels shops offer souvenirs like T-shirts, books, postcards and typical Egyptian things like papyrus, water pipes, spices and handicrafts. A shopping tour through the different districts and bazaars of Hurghada will leave no shopping wish unfulfilled. As in all oriental countries it is recommended to bargain about the prices in the souvenir shops. With some skill the price can be reduced quite far.
