| Period | Egypt | Central Europe (France, Germany, Italy) | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter (late October to late March) | UTC+2 | UTC+1 | +1 h |
| Late March to late April 2027 | UTC+2 | UTC+2 | 0 h |
| Egyptian summer time (late April to late October) | UTC+3 | UTC+2 | +1 h |
| 25 to 29 October 2026 | UTC+3 | UTC+1 | +2 h |
The summer time rule
Egypt reinstated summer time in 2023: it starts on the last Friday of April and ends on the last Thursday of October. Friday was chosen because it is a public holiday. Under that rule the next period would run from 30 April to 28 October 2027; since dates have varied before, check before you travel. Because Europe changes its clocks on the last Sunday of March and October, there are two offset windows: late October (+2 h) and April (0 h). For the UK the gap is two hours in winter and summer, with small variations in the same windows.
What it changes for your trip
Set your watch to local time on landing; most phones do it alone. Double-check return flight and excursion times on a clock-change day, especially for dawn departures. The flight from central Europe takes roughly 4.5 to 5.5 hours. For paperwork see the Egypt visa and public holidays; for a bed, Hurghada hotels on Booking.
FAQ
What time is it in Hurghada when it is noon in Paris? 1 pm normally, 2 pm from 25 to 29 October 2026 and noon in April.
Does Egypt change its clocks? Yes, since 2023, from the last Friday of April to the last Thursday of October.
Are Cairo and Hurghada on the same time? Yes, the whole country shares one time zone.
The Hurghada Authority editorial team, 30 October 2026.
