How Much Did I Spend On My 7-Day Trip To Egypt?
And why I probably won't go back anytime soon.
This wasn’t the trip I’d originally planned.
I had originally booked these tickets as a trip to Israel, but due to the horrible war that broke out, I ended up rebooking my tickets to another Transavia destination.
As I went through the list of available destinations with Transavia, I had a few requirements:
the destination had to be new for me
and the weather couldn’t be too cold (we have enough cold weather already in the Netherlands in November 🙃).
The outcome? Hurghada, Egypt.
The biggest reason for this was so I could dive in the Red Sea since it’s seen as one of the best destinations for Europeans to dive. This is because it’s both affordable and not too far from home. And after reading some reviews of the diving companies in the area, I decided to try out Red Sea Life.
But what else did I get up to and how much did everything cost?
Let’s find out in this Egypt recap and review!
🛫 Flight
Before you can explore a new country, you have to physically get yourself there.
It’s kind of an important part of the trip, and usually also an expensive one 💸
I flew from Amsterdam directly to Hurghada with Transavia. And I didn’t opt for the cheapest tickets, but splurged a bit for Transavia's Max tariff.
Why, you might wonder?
Because it gives you additional Flying Blue miles (which a regular ticket doesn’t), checked-in baggage, and cheaper seat selection. Although I secured a great seat in the second row, I didn't end up checking in any luggage.
So, was this upgrade worth it?
I’m honestly not so sure.
Total costs:
Roundtrip Amsterdam - Hurghada with Transavia: €431.53
🐬 Diving in Hurghada
Aka the reason I traveled here: to see some pretty fish.
For three whole days, I was going to explore the beautiful marine life in the Red Sea. And the setup by the diving company, Red Sea Life, was great.
They've got 2 boats that take water enthusiasts out for dives and snorkeling activities. They arrange everything for you, from hotel transfers to food and drinks on the boat. They even help you put on your heavy gear before you get into the water.
And that was a luxury I didn’t know I needed.
As you might have read in my previous post about Egypt, on the first day I was mostly by myself, but on the second and third day I found some other people to hang out with, and this made the whole diving experience even more fun.
In those three days, spread over six dives, I encountered some amazing underwater life – lionfish, blue spotted rays, clownfish chilling in anemones (Nemo's real, folks!), and even the elusive crocodile fish.
Now how much did these dives cost me?
🤿 3 days of diving, including taxes, equipment rental, and food & drinks: 231.5 euros
💁🏼♂️ Tips to the diving instructor & boat crew: 15 euros
For 6 dives in three days and the additional services, I’m very happy with what I paid. Curious about other prices in the same area? Check them out here!
🕶️ 3 Days in Luxor
From diving in the Red Sea to diving into Egypt’s rich history.
Like most, when I think of Egypt, the iconic Pyramids immediately come to mind. But when I looked into visiting them, I found out that they’re a hefty 500 kilometers away from Hurghada.
A typical bus journey?
A whopping 7 hours.
Sure, flying to Cairo was an option, but it just didn't sit right with me. I didn’t want to fly in to see the Pyramids and leave straight afterward again. Plus, a big rule after diving is that you’re not allowed to fly within 24 hours, so that made it even trickier.
So, I made a tough call – to pass on the Pyramids (at least this time around).
However, a great second option is Luxor, where you have the Valley of the Kings. This is where more than 60 tombs are found from the royal pharaohs that lived between the 18th and the 20th dynasties (we're talking 16th - 11th century BC here!). Additionally, there are some beautiful temples where you can see some amazing parts of Egyptian history.
And the best part? It’s only 4 hours from Hurghada by bus.
I really enjoyed the tours that I went on and found it fascinating to see the history of the Egyptian Kingdoms. It truly feels like you’re stepping into your history textbook from high school when you see the reliefs in the tombs or the statues.
It’s quite surreal.
The city of Luxor itself wasn’t my favorite, however.
The tourist attractions in the area are what drive people there and you don’t really see people (tourists and locals) truly relaxing or hanging out in cafés or restaurants for example. Either you’re a tourist in Luxor, or you’re someone who wants business from a tourist.
Don’t get me wrong, the area of Luxor has some amazing sights to offer, but during the time I was there, I saw little to do else than the four main attractions.
Costs:
🚶🏼 Full-Day Tour to Luxor West and East Banks: €35.91 (this tour included pick-up, drop-off, and lunch)
💁🏼♂️ Tip for the tour guide: €5.10
🛻 2 buggies that took us to our location during the tour: €1.18
🎟️ 4 times admission for the tour stops: €53.66 (students get 50% off everywhere!)
🏩 Accommodation
During my 7 days in Egypt, I stayed at three different accommodations in two different places. My first 4 nights were spent in the Sunrise Aqua Joy Resort in Hurghada, my 2 nights in Luxor were spent in an Airbnb on the West Bank of the Nile, and my last night in Hurghada was also spent in an Airbnb.
The hotel in Hurghada, which was all-inclusive, cost me €280 for 4 nights. Not amazingly cheap, but also not super expensive considering you can get all your meals at the resort.
The first Airbnb in Luxor was the cheapest accommodation (€54.16 for two nights). This really brought the total accommodation price down. The Airbnb itself was fine, there was a pool present, but I didn’t see anybody swim in it during my stay. The only disadvantage is that it’s on the West Bank of the Nile, whilst everything else in Luxor is on the East Bank. This means you have to get a boat taxi (and of course haggle for the price) to the other side anytime you want to do something or go somewhere.
The last night was also spent in an Airbnb. This Airbnb had a pool and spa facilities, which convinced me to stay here for my last night. Unfortunately, the pool didn’t seem to be heated and in the shade. That didn’t stop me from enjoying it, however. I now treated it more as a cold plunge than a nice pool to swim laps in.
Costs:
🏨 Hurghada, first day, 4 nights in an all-inclusive hotel: €280
🏠 Luxor, 2 nights, Airbnb: €54.16
🏠 Hurghada, 1 nights, Airbnb: €59.42
🚘 Mobility
As previously mentioned, I took the bus from Hurghada to Luxor and back. This set me back 14.19 euros in total. This didn’t include the “mandatory” tip I had to give the person handling the baggage to get my bag on the bus. The tips translate to almost nothing in euros, but it’s still funny how every person in Egypt tries to earn their small share of tips.
For the rest of the week, I took Ubers when I had to move longer distances within the city, such as going to the Airport and back, or the trip to the diving school on the first day (something went wrong with my deposit and it was too late for them to pick me up).
There are also plenty of normal taxis in Hurghada and Luxor, but I still preferred using Uber (any other app would also work fine). This way you don’t have to haggle for a fair price and you’re more certain that you’re not taken advantage of.
Costs:
🚌 Bus tickets between Luxor & Hurghada: €14.19
💁🏼♂️ 2x mandatory tip to get my bag on the bus (although it’s ‘included’ in the price): €0.59
🚖 5 Ubers throughout the week, including tips: €16.15
🚣🏼 2 short boat trips across the Nile to get to and from my Airbnb, including tips: €3.55
🥣 Food
Normally, food is a bigger share of my holiday expenses, but in Egypt, it was actually one of the smallest portions. This had a few reasons:
The first three days I had lunch on the boat in between the dives, which was included in the price.
The first four days I had breakfast and dinner in the resort, which was also included in the price.
And finally, lunch was included during the Luxor tour.
This only leaves a few breakfasts and dinners in Luxor and the last day in Hurghada.
I had dinner and breakfast twice in Luxor, all four times I opted to eat at restaurants close to the Airbnb, which had a nice view of the Nile. And on the bus from Luxor to Hurghada, I opted for some snacks at the bus stop.
On my final night in Hurghada, I was low on cash and couldn’t find a restaurant that would accept cards. I ended up finding a sports cafe type of situation and I had a margarita and the most average pizza I’ve ever had. This averageness was also reflected in the price: €3.70.
The day after, I had breakfast at the Airbnb, which was included in the price, I had one more lunch outside, and then one of the worst meals I ever had, the Burger King at Hurghada airport (if you ever find yourself here, just skip it, trust me).
Great way to end this trip! 😉
Costs:
✅ All food during the first 4 days in Hurghada - included in the hotel price
🍽️ 2x Dinner in Luxor, including tip: €16.61
☕ 2x Breakfast in Luxor, including tip: €8.58
🍫 Snacks during the bus ride to Luxor: €2.96
🥪 1x Lunch in Hurghada: €4.10
🍔 2x Dinner in Hurghada: €17.51
Final items
To round it all off, I treated myself to a massage in Hurghada. I must admit that the massage turned out to be quite a strange experience. I probably will not share this story here, but this is something I will probably not forget anytime soon.
💆🏼♂️ Massage on the last day & access to their sauna: €35.41
General Thoughts
My Egyptian journey was a mix of highs and lows, a blend of unique experiences and sometimes slightly challenging encounters.
I genuinely enjoyed my solo travels in Egypt. The hosts at my accommodations were welcoming, my diving adventures were nothing short of spectacular, and my Luxor guide was very friendly and a great storyteller.
But, there were some elements of the trip that I didn’t always enjoy.
While many locals were friendly, there were times when their pushiness overshadowed their kindness. A simple, polite refusal often wasn't enough to fend off taxi drivers who seemed to pop up everywhere, continuously honking or shouting at me to get in their taxi. Being followed and harassed by them wasn’t only annoying, but it honestly made me feel uncomfortable and unsafe at times.
And that’s something that’s crucial whilst traveling, especially when you’re on your own.
I now realize that service and hospitality were most easily given as part of something I had already booked, like the hotel, dives, or tours in Luxor.
Another thing that’s not really my cup of tea, is an all-inclusive resort. Whilst other travelers might love the all-inclusive, hassle-free environment of Egypt’s beach resorts, I personally love to explore, to encounter local cultures, and to make spontaneous memories.
Hearing other travelers' mixed stories about Egypt, and considering my own experiences, a return visit isn't high on my list.
That said, the allure of Egypt's underwater world is undeniable. Diving in the Red Sea was exceptional, and that might just be the one thing that draws me back in the future.
Total Costs
Now the moment you all have been waiting for, how much does it cost to fly to Egypt, stay there for 7 nights, do 6 dives in 3 days, and see some amazing ancient history?
Let's add it all up:
💸 €183.82 per day
💸 €1286.75 in total
Of course, the total costs would be lower if I didn’t go diving or treat myself to a massage on the last day.
But hey.
Isn’t that the fun of going on holiday? Doing things you love doing?
In my case, it definitely is.
What do you think?
Is €1286 a lot for a 7-day trip including diving? Would you say that’s worth it?
Let me know in the comments below!
We’ll see you next week with a very special blog.
Curious to know what it’s about? There’s a hint in the comment section 👀
See you there!
🤫 Hint about next week’s post: you can only admire this natural wonder in certain parts of the world and it needs to be pitch black to see it 👀