Moving to Hurghada

[Netyoda]

The purpose of this thread is to provide practical and useful advice for those of you considering a move to this wonderful city.

1. Legal requirements
2. Travel and luggage options
3. Searching for and renting accommodation
4. Furnishing an apartment
5. Where to buy food and basics
6. Getting Around
7. Pitfalls of living in Hurghada
8. Job Hunting
9. The different areas of Hurghada
10. Emergency Situations

Last edited by Netyoda on Mon 08 Mar, 2010, 5:55 am; edited 3 times in total

[Netyoda]

1. Legal requirements

Whilst you don't need a visa to enter the Sinai Peninsular (Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab etc), if you plan on visiting mainland Egypt then you will need to get yourself one.

Visitors from all countries, except nationals of the EU and the USA, must register with the police within one week of arrival in Egypt, although this service is normally undertaken by hotels.

The current price for an Entry visa is US$15 and can be obtained from the airport after you land. This visa will last you for 30 days, with a 10-day grace period once it expires.

For longer stays, three types of visa are available:

1. One year visa
   
2. Six months multiple entry visa.
   
3. Residency visa
   

1. The one year visa is single entry and will become void if you leave the country. It is therefore advisable to also get a

2. Six months multiple entry visa allows you to leave and re-enter the country as many times as you wish during the six months. This visa also prevents your one year visa becoming void when you travel outside Egypt.

3. The residency visa provides certain benefits, such as cheaper travel on the ferries. Those in possession of a residence permit in Egypt are not required to obtain an entry visa if they leave the country and return to it within the validity of their residence permit or within six months, whichever period is less.

1. Legal requirements

Whilst you don't need a visa to enter the Sinai Peninsular (Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab etc), if you plan on visiting mainland Egypt then you will need to get yourself one.

The current price for a visa is US$15 and can be obtained from the airport after you land. This visa will last you for 30 days, with a 10-day grace period once it expires.

For longer stays, three types of visa are available:

1. One year visa
   
2. Six months multiple entry visa.
   
3. Residency visa
   

a. The one year visa is single entry and will become void if you leave the country. It is therefore advisable to also get a

b. Six months multiple entry visa allows you to leave and re-enter the country as many times as you wish during the six months. This visa also prevents your one year visa becoming void when you travel outside Egypt.

c. The residency visa provides certain benefits, such as cheaper travel on the ferries. Those in possession of a residence permit in Egypt are not required to obtain an entry visa if they leave the country and return to it within the validity of their residence permit or within six months, whichever period is less.

Single- and multiple-entry visas are valid for six months from date of issue for a maximum stay of three months. Visas cannot be post-dated. Extensions are available from the ministry of foreign affairs in Egypt.

Visas can be obtained from the passport office in Dahar. You will need:

• Passport valid for at least six months from the date of travelling
  
• 2 photocopies each of your passport and visa stamp
  
• Two recent passport size photographs (colour against white background).
  
• Fee – cash only (12 months + 6 month re-entry was 152.50 LE, Feb 2010)
  

It's best to get to the office before noon as otherwise you may be told to come back tomorrow.

Last edited by Netyoda on Sat 13 Mar, 2010, 13:29 pm; edited 6 times in total

[Netyoda]

2. Travel and luggage options

Depending on where you are travelling from depends on the options available to you regarding airlines.

MAN - Thomas Cook
currently only Thomas Cook fly into Hurghada from Manchester
Baggage allowance is chargeable and gives you 20kg plus 5kg hand luggage.
Additional baggage is charged at £10/kg - and they do enforce this strictly

MAN - Air France
fly from MAN to Cairo via a change at Paris, you can then get an internal flight on to Hurghada.
The Air France flight is a scheduled flight and allows 43kg of luggage over 2 suitcases, plus 11kg of hand luggage.

MAN - JET2
Jet2 fly into Sharm El Sheikh from where you can get the afternoon ferry across to Hurghada (90 minutes usually, 250 LE).
The baggage allowance is 22kgs (£15.99) for each travelling customer (excluding infants) (providing the relevant per bag charge has been paid). When paying for additional bag(s) per person, the allowance increases to 30kgs (£36.9. No single bag should weigh more than 25kgs.
Hand luggage is 10kg and dimensions not in excess of 56x45x25cm.

LGW - EasyJet

LHR - Air France

Last edited by Netyoda on Mon 08 Mar, 2010, 6:34 am; edited 3 times in total

[Netyoda]

3. Searching for and renting accommodation

[Netyoda]

4. Furnishing an apartment

[Netyoda]

5. Where to buy food and basics

[Netyoda]

6. Getting Around

[Netyoda]

7. Pitfalls of living in Hurghada

[Netyoda]

8. Job Hunting

[Netyoda]

9. The different areas of Hurghada

El Dahar

El Sakalla

Villages Road

El Kawther

El Gouna

Last edited by Netyoda on Mon 08 Mar, 2010, 6:39 am; edited 1 time in total

[Netyoda]

10. Emergency Situations