Are you planning a trip from Dahab to Hurghada? Despite the two cities being fairly close to each other on a map, transferring between the two can be a pain in the butt – especially since the Sharm Hurghada ferry service has been suspended.
In this transportation guide, we will line out three options for how to get from Dahab to Hurghada: by plane via Sharm El-Sheikh, directly by car and by bus via Cairo.
After reading this article, you will be able to choose between the fastest, most convenient and cheapest option by the end of this article and plan your Egypt itinerary as you like it.
Key Takeaways
- The ferry service between Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada stopped in 2020 and is not running anymore, so you can’t use it to travel between Dahab and Hurghada.
- Flying is the fastest way: take a taxi or shared transfer from Dahab to Sharm El-Sheikh airport, then a direct flight to Hurghada, and finally a short ride to your hotel.
- Private transfers by car take about 12 hours and cover a long route through the Egyptian mainland, but they are comfortable and drop you right at your hotel.
- Taking the bus is the cheapest option but takes the longest time, usually traveling from Dahab to Cairo first, then from Cairo to Hurghada.
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3 Hurghada Hotels at 3 Different Price Points
Complete your itinerary by booking your hotel stay for Hurghada. As compared to Dahab, Hurghada host the larger resorts and better nightlife. Make it count by selecting a centrally located resort hotel.
These are 3 Hurghada hotels at 3 drastically different price points:
Budget | Bedcoin Hostel | from $ 16 per night | |
Comfort | Redcon Suites | from $ 56 per night | |
Luxury | Pickalbatros Blue Spa Resort | from $ 233 per night |
How to Get from Dahab to Hurghada: The 3 Best Travel Routes
Until 2020, getting from Dahab to Hurgahda was easy. One simply took a taxi or bus from Dahab to Sharm El-Sheikh and hopped on the Hurghada ferry from there.
Unfortunately, the ferry service between Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada was suspended in 2020 and has not returned since. This is still true as per our updated information from July 2026.
Therefore, we compiled the 3 best travel routes between Dahab and Hurgahda:
By Plane via Sharm El-Sheikh: The Fastest Option
Since the suspension of the ferry service between Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada, the airplane route has taken its place as the most popular route for transfers between Dahab and Hurghada. Luckily for you, flying to Hurghada is also the fastest option.
First, head to Sharm El-Sheikh International Airport (SSH). You can either hire a private taxi on the spot in Dahab or through the ride-sharing app InDrive or join a shared transfer to the airport. These shared transfers are organised through Dahab Facebook groups and dedicated WhatsApp groups. Getting to the airport from Dahab takes around one hour and costs between 800 EGP and 1,400 EGP.
From Sharm El-Sheikh International Airport (SSH) you can catch a direct domestic flight to Hurghada with AirCairo. On this route, AirCairo is the only carrier operating direct flights each Thursday and Sunday taking just 50 minutes. AirCairo has fairly affordable rates starting from $ 97 (or 85 €) per person with luggage already included.
Once you land at Hurghada International Airport (HRG), you are within arm’s reach of Downtown Hurghada. Leave the terminal, order an Uber or InDrive to the domestic arrivals and get to your hotel in Hurghada with 10 to 15 minutes. Without a doubt, this flying is the best way to get to Hurghada from Dahab, taking just 3 hours in total.
The Fastest Option at a Glance
- Hire a private transfer or group transfer to Sharm El-Sheikh Airport (SSH).
- Take a direct flight to Hurghada each Thursday and Sunday, starting from $ 97.
- Take an InDrive or Uber from Hurghada Airport (HRG) to your hotel in Hurghada.
By Private Transfer: The Most Convenient Option
If you do not want to fly to Hurghada, there are also two overland travel routes for you to consider. The faster and more convenient options of the two is hiring a private transfer from Dahab to Hurhgada.
Getting from Dahab to Hurghada by car requires you to first head north to the Suez Canal, cross it and then head down south again along the Egyptian mainland’s Red Sea coast until you reach Hurgahda. This overland route covers around 800 kilometres and takes 12 hours accounting for breaks. While the overland trip to Hurghada is much longer than the flight, it is certainly doable in a comfortable car.
At the lower end, you can find sedans from Dahab to Hurghada through the InDrive app for as little as 3,000 EGP. For a more comfortable transfer, you can book an air-conditioned mini bus with an official provider for closer to 10,000 EGP. Share your private transfer with fellow travellers or friends to save on your individual fare, since private transfer are usually charged per vehicle, not per person.
Another clear advantage of the private transfer is that fact that you will be dropped off right at the doorstep of your hotel in Hurghada. This comes in even more handy, if you are not planning to stay in Hurghada proper, but rather El Gouna or Makadi Bay. Overall, a private transfer is the most convenient overland option to get to Hurgahda from Dahab, taking around 12 hours with no transfers along the way.
The Most Convenient Option at a Glance
- Driving from Dahab to Hurghada takes around 12 hours, covering a total of 800 kilometres.
- For the cheapest transfers, negotiate with private drivers on InDrive.
- For more comfortable transfer, book with reputable travel companies.
By Bus via Cairo: The Cheapest Option
Getting from Dahab to Hurghada by bus is possible on two routes: Dahab-Ismailia-Hurghada and Dahab-Cairo-Hurghada. While the Ismailia route is the shorter one, we generally recommend transferring in Cairo, as it offers more flexibility for your Egypt adventure. Not only can you find more buses from Cairo to Hurghada, but it also serves as a great pitstop on your Egypt itinerary, if you haven’t visited Cairo yet.
First, book the first leg of your trip from Dahab to Cairo. Some bus companies operating this route are GoBus, Blue Bus, WeBus and East Delta Travel. Personally, we have made the best experiences with GoBus. You can book bus tickets right on their website and collect discounts on future trips. The cheapest trip from Dahab to Cairo costs just 650 EGP and takes 10 to 12 hours.
From Cairo, you can either immediately book your connecting bus to Hurghada or take a break and spend a few days in Cairo first. From Cairo’s Tahrir Station, you are within walking distance of many hotels in Downtown Cairo. Once you head on towards Hurgahda, you can simply take another GoBus. The bus from Cairo to Hurghada costs just 550 EGP and takes around 8 hours.
While this trip will either take you a full day ore several days, if you decide to stay in Cairo in between. While this might not be a great option, if you need to get to Hurghada fast, it is actually a very convenient option for those travelling Egypt on a budget. The bus journey allows you to hit both Cairo and Hurghada for combined cost of just $ 24 (or 21 €). It doesn’t get much better than that, does it?
Spending a few days in Cairo along the way? Check out our ideal Cairo itinerary for 3 days, before heading on to Hurghada.
The Cheapest Option at a Glance
- First, take a bus from Dahab to Cairo for 650 EGP, taking 10 to 12 hours.
- Then, take a bus from Cairo to Hurghada for 550 EGP, taking around 8 hours.
- To make the trip easier, stay in Cairo for a few days before heading to Hurghada.
About to Arrive? Where to Stay in Hurghada
Leave nothing up to chance and get your hotel in Hurghada sorted, before getting underway. Since Hurghada is a popular holiday destination, the best deals often sell out months in advance.
These are three hotel picks in three drastically different price classes you should be keeping an eye out for:
- Budget Hotel: While Hurghada is best known for its luxury resorts and all-inclusive packages, it does support budget travelers as well. One such haven for budget travelers is the Bedcoin Hostel. This cozy hostel in the south of Hurghada offers bunk beds for as little as $ 16 (or 14 €), even including breakfast in some offers.
- Boutique Hotel: For a comfortable and undisturbed stay in Hurghada, aim for a boutique Hoel instead of a resort. The Redcon Suites offer a great mix of privacy, high-speed internet and beach access, making them a great option for digital nomads looking to balance working time and dive time. Nightly rates at this hotel start from $ 56 (or 49 €), not including breakfast.
- All-Inclusive Resort: Hurghada hits it out of the park when it comes to all-inclusive resorts, with dozens of great options. This time, we limited ourselves to resorts within 15 minutes of the airport and the bus station. In this area, the Pickalbatros Blue Spa Resort stands out as an ultra all-inclusive option including alcoholic beverages and spa visits from $ 233 (or 205 €) per night.
Budget | Bedcoin Hostel | from $ 16 per night | |
Boutique | Redcon Suites | from $ 56 per night | |
All-Inclusive | Pickalbatros Blue Spa Resort | from $ 233 per night |
The Bottom Line
Heading from Dahab to Hurghada directly? Take a plane. Direct flights depart from Sharm El-Sheikh on Thursday and Sunday. Do you have time to spare and a budget to follow? Take a bus to Cairo first, spend a few days there and head to Hurghada after. It will cost you less than $ 25.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is nicer, Sharm or Hurghada?
Both Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada are very popular destinations on the Egyptian Red Sea. Generally, we can recommend both Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada, if you plan to snorkel or dive, as both of them host its of coral reefs and marine life. For easier access to mainland attractions such as Luxor and Cairo, we recommend Hurghada over Sharm El-Sheikh.
Is there a ferry from Sharm to Hurghada?
No, there is no ferry between Sharm and Hurghada anymore. While there used to be a regular passenger ferry services between Sharm and Hurghada, it was suspended in 2020 and has not returned to service since. Currently, there is no information on the ferry service returning anytime soon.
Is Uber active in Hurghada?
Yes, Uber is active in Hurghada. Currently, Uber operates in the following Egyptian cities: Alexandria, Cairo, Damietta, Hurghada, Mansoura, Canal Cities, Tanta and Zagazig. Additionally, you can use other ridesharing apps such as InDrive.
Is Dahab near Hurghada?
No, Dahab is not near Hurghada. While Dahab is located on the Red Sea coast of the Sinai Peninsula, Hurghada sits on the Red Sea coast of the Egyptian mainland. From Dahab you can reach Hurghada by plane (40 mins), car (12 hours) or bus (24 hours).
Hey! We are glad you are curious about travelling the Middle East.
We are Nancy & Elias.
Over four years of backpacking and digital nomading made us fall in love with the Middle East. We have lived on the Red Sea coast in Egypt, lived in a Bedouin Camp in Jordan and travelled 6+ Middle Eastern countries overland.
As we continue to travel, we share our battle-tested travels advice on this blog, from travel reports and transfer guides to accommodation recs and saving hacks.
