Plan your trip to El Gouna: when to go, getting there, where to stay

Everything you need to plan a trip to El Gouna, in the order you'll need it: when to go, how to get here, where to stay, how to get around and what to do. Each step links to the full guide.

As you go, tap 📍 Add to trip on the places you like: they collect in My trip, on one map you can share.

• Spring (March to May) and autumn (October and November): warm days and a sea of 21 to 25°C, without the summer heat. What most people come for.
• Summer (June to September): hot, 35 to 37°C, with the warmest sea and the steadiest wind for kitesurfing.
• Winter (December to February): 21 to 23°C by day, cool evenings and a fresh sea.

Christmas, Easter and the summer school holidays are the busiest weeks, so book early. See the weather month by month and what's on.

• Fly to Hurghada (HRG), 30 km south of El Gouna: direct flights from much of Europe, or an hour from Cairo.
• The visa: many nationalities, including EU, UK and US citizens, buy it on arrival at Hurghada airport (US$30, in cash), or online before they travel at visa2egypt.gov.eg.
• From the airport: 30 to 40 minutes by car. A pre-booked transfer is easiest; taxis have no meter, so agree the fare first.
• From Cairo: Go Bus, about seven hours.

Flights, the visa, transfers and buses in full.

Where you stay shapes the trip. El Gouna's hotels are of two kinds:

• In town, in Downtown or by Abu Tig Marina and Fanadir Marina: restaurants, bars and shops within a short walk. Hotels you can walk out of.
• Resorts on the sea or a lagoon, a short tuk tuk ride out: more space and their own beach, but a ride in for dinner. Hotels with their own beach.

Then narrow it down: adults only, families, all inclusive, a kite centre on site. Or see all hotels on one map, and our pick of the best.

You don't need a car. Downtown and the marinas are one to three kilometres apart.

• Tuk tuks are the taxis: wave one down, or call Toktok (01282000401, 7am to 4am), Solectra (01206189599, 8am to 1am) or Alternative (01129999110, 8am to 3am). Agree the fare first.
• The shuttle boat crosses the lagoon between Downtown and Zaytouna Island.
• Bikes: the roads are flat and quiet, and many hotels lend them.
• A car is only worth it for trips out of town: Sixt rents them here.

Getting around in full.

• Things to do: water sports, beaches, golf, the desert and nights out.
• Excursions and day trips: reefs by boat, the desert, Luxor.
• Kitesurfing, diving and boats, the best beaches.
• Where to eat, bars and nightlife, open late.
• What's on while you're here.
• Trip ideas: a family holiday, a couples' escape, a kitesurfing holiday, a diving holiday.

• Money: the Egyptian pound (EGP). Hotels and most restaurants take cards; keep some cash for tuk tuks and tips, and US dollars for the visa.
• Plugs: European two-pin (types C and F), 220 volts.