Hurghada in Jan - any ideas/tips?

simpywimpy

Im off to Hurghada for a week with my hubby on 22nd. Anyone already been who can offer tips on what and what not to do whilst there?

Ive also heard that we are better taking euros and us dollars than egyptian pounds, is that right?
Many thanks

shykins

we were in el gouna (half hour from hurghada) and to be honest they are quite happy to take any money tho the pool guys seemed to prefer egyptian pounds as its not so easy for thenm to change them up... we used pound coins for most of our tips and in the shops they were again quite happy to take any currency or even a mixture of a couple and would work out the rates for u

remember it can get cool in the evening in jan/feb so take a cardi or something with u to wear

always use bottled water to wash yr teeth and wash yr hands often if u are using egyptian money as its filthy!!!!

feel free to ask any other things u want to know and have a good holiday.. oh and we will be there 11th to 18th jan ourselvezs

simpywimpy

thats for the advice on a cardi.. hadnt thought of that one. We are looking at perhaps buying an apartment out there but havent been before. I believe El Gouna is much nicer, is that the case?
Have you done the trip to the pyramids? What about the ferry to sharm el sheik?

We went to Tunisia a couple of years ago and hated it so my biggest worry is that Egypt will be the same. I dont mind the trying to coax you into the shops but in Tunisia they became quite aggressive and insulting if you said no.

shykins

the apartments in hurghada are very cheap (from about £15k) but i have to say i prefer el gouna its much quieter but its also more expensive..they are doing an amazing amount of bulding in and around hurghada

in el gouna they arent allowed to hassle the tourists so u have no bother, we didnt actually wander around hurghada so i dont know if its the same there but they are quiet pushy at the airport so i assume they would be in the shops so just be on yr guard... i assume uknow about the visa u have to buy??

we havent been to the pyramids yet as its a hell of a long trip but we are considering this time taking the plane trip to cairo as the bus one is about an 18hr day!!!

sharm doesnt really appeal to me so as its very built up and i prefer quieter places and i believe they are VERY pushy in the shops but maybe someone else can confirm that

which hotel are u staying at?

HTH

boufje

Have been to egypt a few times.

My tips - use a antiseptic gel to clean your hands after handling the money - this should really help avoid tummy bugs.

Obvious but arrange trips locallyi n town rather than with the tour operator, and haggle.

Karnak temple (near luxor) was so much more impressive than the pyramids, although we did really enjoy visiting the souk in cairo.

Yes, the egyptians can be very pushy, but you just need to ignore them.

shykins

u know i was wondering whether to go to cairo or luxor (we only want to do one big trip) so its interesting to see u say luxor was more impressive.. trouble is my little boy did the pyramids at school lol

if u do get an upset tummy go to the chemist and ask for antinal (think thats how its spelt)...its in a yellow and blue box and is brilliant

HTH

DKLS

If the local salespersons, are causing you hassle, a word or two in Arabic goes a long way start with "imshi" which means go away.