Travelers arriving on Hurghada International Airport Those arriving in Egypt are confronted with a multitude of systematic scams that can spoil their vacation shortly after landing. The airport, a major gateway for tourists to the Red Sea resort, appears to be a hotspot for dubious practices tolerated by local authorities and the airport operator.
One of the most common scams involves the "helpful" man outside the restrooms who claims to be a cleaner and expects tips for cleaning the facilities, when in reality he's a café employee. The tactics are even more brazen at the visa application center: In a designated hall, men lurk claiming to be employees of major tour operators like Alltours , Coral Travel , or Schauinsland Reisen . They demand US$35 for the visa, even though the official price is only US$25 and the actual visa counter is discreetly located. These tactics are designed to deceive exhausted tourists who are eager to get to their accommodations as quickly as possible.
Even a VIP service offered for faster passport control turns out to be a trap; it doesn't speed up the wait for luggage. Reports in online forums from travelers also describe pushy vendors, faulty SIM cards, distraction tactics by uniformed personnel to search hand luggage and steal valuables, and fraudulent taxi drivers who deliberately drop passengers off at the wrong terminal or collect fictitious airport fares. German tour operators are criticized for not adequately warning their guests about these practices.
Despite the problems at the airport, Hurghada remains an extremely popular destination, attracting over a million vacationers a year. This is primarily due to the numerous all-inclusive resorts that stretch along the coast. Within these hotel complexes, guests are generally safe from scams and can enjoy amenities such as spectacular house reefs for snorkeling and diving. The resort staff are predominantly described as friendly and helpful. Direct flights to Hurghada are available from numerous German cities, including Berlin, Munich, Cologne, Hamburg, and Frankfurt am Main.