Rental car, taxi or driver: which one?
| Option | Best for | Constraint | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rental car | staying in El Gouna, Soma Bay, Makadi; free daytime outings | driving yourself, deposit, insurance, checkpoints | average shown in October 2026: €25 to €30 a day depending on the category |
| Taxi or Uber | town trips, evenings, the airport | taxi price to agree before getting in | negotiable; see transport |
| Private driver or transfer | Luxor, Cairo, long trips, late arrivals | book in advance | depends on the offer; no single reliable rate |
Rental companies and prices
On the Booking Cars page for Hurghada airport, the companies shown are Avis, Greenmotion, Alamo, Budget, Autounion, Sixt, Enterprise, Europcar and Hertz. In October 2026 the page listed 2-day totals from €53.10 to €219.86, and daily averages of about €25 (small car), €27 (medium) and €30 (large). Avis and Alamo were cheapest for a medium car (about €24 a day). These figures change with the date and availability. For a city pick-up, see also the Booking Cars Hurghada city page.
Licence, age and deposit
- Licence: bring your national licence. The Belgian foreign ministry's site says an international licence is recognised for up to 6 months; some rental guides call it mandatory, while other companies accept a foreign licence. Sources differ: ask the company what it requires and carry both licences to be safe.
- Minimum age and deposit: the airport's Booking Cars page does not show them. Read the conditions of the offer you choose (age, years of licence, deposit amount) before paying.
- Bank card: the deposit is usually blocked on a credit card in the driver's name; check this in the offer's conditions.
Insurance, excess and the car's condition
Check what the offer covers (theft, damage) and the excess, then decide whether to add extra insurance. At pick-up, photograph and film the car from every angle (scratches, windscreen, tyres, spare wheel), have each flaw noted on the contract and keep the receipt for the fuel level and the return.
Driving in Hurghada
- Traffic: Belgian diplomacy describes a network with a very high number of fatal accidents and chaotic traffic in towns; it advises being driven if you are not used to it.
- Night: France strongly advises against driving at night outside cities. Be back before sunset.
- Restricted areas: some zones, mainly in the desert, are poorly signposted; France asks travellers to strictly respect the red zones on its map. Do not leave the roads without a guide.
- Tolls and fines: we found no reliable rates; ask the company how tolls and fines are handled before leaving.
Checkpoints: keep your papers handy
The British Foreign Office (FCDO) says security forces carry out routine vehicle checks around resorts such as Hurghada. Keep your passport (or a legible copy if the company advises it), licence and rental contract within reach. Stay polite, slow down and follow instructions. For the general rules, see before you go to Hurghada and scams and safety.
Hurghada – El Gouna: easy in daylight
El Gouna is about 20 km away, 30 to 40 minutes by road (details in El Gouna from Hurghada). A car suits a full day or a stay in the resort; to sleep there, see where to stay in El Gouna. From the airport, the airport article compares other ways to arrive.
Hurghada – Luxor: better with a driver
Luxor is far and the road has checkpoints; in a single day you would drive back at night, which France advises against. Choose a Luxor excursion or a private driver instead, and check the current official advice before leaving.
If you have an accident
On the spot: get to safety, switch on the hazard lights, check for injuries and call emergency services (122 (police), 123 (ambulance)). Get a written police report on the spot: without it, the rental company and the insurer may refuse to pay. Photograph the vehicles, the plate, the road and the damage, note the other driver's details, and call the rental company before any repair.
Who pays what: damage to the car is covered by the rental company's protection (CDW), subject to its excess (deductible), or by an excess cover bought with the rental; injuries and medical costs fall under your travel insurance. Travel insurance does not pay for the rental car or for damage to third parties.
SafetyWing covers medical costs after an accident abroad; check the policy's conditions for driving (a licence valid in the country, a helmet on a scooter).
FAQ
Do I need an international licence to rent in Hurghada? Sources differ: Belgian diplomacy says it is recognised for 6 months, and some companies accept a national licence alone. Ask the company and carry both.
How much does a rental cost? About €25 to €30 a day on average on the airport's Booking Cars page in October 2026, depending on the category. Add fuel, the blocked deposit and any extra insurance; see the Hurghada travel budget.
Can I drive at night? No, avoid it: France strongly advises against it outside cities.
Can I drive to Luxor in a rental car? Technically yes, but we advise against it in a single day; prefer a driver or an excursion.
Which papers should I carry? Passport, licence and rental contract, for checks.
Sources: France Diplomatie (Egypt, travel advice), Belgian diplomacy, FCDO, Booking Cars page for Hurghada airport (October 2026). This page contains partner links: if you book, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
La rédaction Hurghada Authority
