A holiday in Safaga is a quiet resort on the Red Sea, 20–30 minutes from Hurghada airport, where direct charters fly from Almaty in winter and spring. The season lasts all year round: the most comfortable time is from October to May, while summer is hot and windy. Tours to Safaga are taken for 7–10 nights, most often on an all inclusive basis. The resort is chosen for its reefs, diving and trips to Luxor.
Visa, money and communications: what to consider before the trip
A vacation here begins with simple everyday decisions: money, communications, documents. The resort is quiet and inexpensive, but it is worth preparing in advance.
Visa processing for citizens of Kazakhstan
A visa to Egypt for Kazakhstanis is issued on arrival. The stamp is placed right at the airport, and the procedure takes just a few minutes. Tours to Safaga usually include a transfer, and a representative meets the group already in the arrivals hall. Keep your return ticket and hotel booking at hand: the border officer has the right to ask for confirmation of accommodation. Leave money for fees in small notes; exchanging large banknotes here is inconvenient. Safaga is suitable both for a first visit to Egypt and for a calm repeat holiday. The Egyptian side rarely checks documents thoroughly, but it is better to complete the formalities in advance.
Currency exchange and ATMs
The rate in Safaga itself is unfavorable, so it is better to exchange money at banks in Hurghada. The Egyptian currency is called the pound, and the rate at the hotel is always worse than in the city. Bring dollars or euros in cash, and exchange them at a bank branch on the way from the airport. There are ATMs at the resort, but they do not always dispense large amounts. Cards are accepted in most hotels and shops, but cash is needed at the market. Safaga Egypt is remembered precisely for its unhurried rhythm, and unnecessary fuss with exchange is out of place here. Keep part of the money in small notes for tips and small purchases.
When to go and how to choose a hotel
The season in Safaga lasts all year round, but comfort depends on the month. The hotel is chosen by meal plan and distance from the sea.
High season and New Year holidays
Peak demand falls on the New Year holidays, and a holiday should be booked several months in advance. Egypt receives especially many tourists at this time, and there are almost no free rooms left. Tours to Safaga for December are snapped up back in autumn, so it is not worth delaying the decision. In spring and autumn the weather is mild, and prices are noticeably lower than during the holidays. In summer the heat intensifies, but the wind from the sea softens the swelter. Safaga remains a calm resort even in high season, without crowds on the beach. Plan your trip in advance if you want to catch the holiday dates.
All inclusive and alcohol restrictions
Almost all hotels in Safaga operate on an all inclusive basis, and this is convenient for families. Egypt restricts the sale of alcohol, so the choice of drinks in local bars is modest. Alcohol is served at set hours and not in all establishments. A holiday here is more often chosen for the sea and quiet rather than parties. There is almost no nightlife, and evening leisure is limited to the hotel grounds. Check when booking which drinks are included in the rate. Safaga will suit those who value peace and are not looking for noisy entertainment.
What to do at the resort and beyond?
Safaga is known for its coral reefs and proximity to ancient cities. Excursions and diving are at the center of the program here.
Diving and coral beaches
The diving season in Safaga lasts all year round, but underwater visibility is best from April to June. Egypt is famous for the reefs of the Red Sea, and the local dive sites are considered among the best. The coral bottom near the shore requires special swimming shoes, otherwise it is easy to get injured. A trip here is often chosen precisely for the underwater world. Beginners will suit the calm lagoons, while experienced divers will find the deep walls interesting. Equipment is provided at local dive centers, and instructors speak different languages. Safaga provides access to the reefs without long boat rides.
Trips to Luxor and Cairo
For trips to Luxor and Cairo from Safaga, it is more convenient to order a private transfer rather than a group bus. Egypt preserves monuments of antiquity, and the journey to them takes several hours. Luxor is closer; the road passes through the desert and takes about three hours. Cairo is farther, and seeing the pyramids takes a whole day. Tours to Safaga often include such an excursion as an add-on. It is better to leave early in the morning in order to return before dark. Safaga is convenient as a base for exploring the country's history.
How to prepare for the holiday?
Packing for the trip depends on the season and plans on site. Some things are easier to bring from Almaty.
First aid kit, insurance and sockets
Medical insurance for travel to Egypt is mandatory, and it is worth bringing a first aid kit with usual medicines from Almaty. A trip here rarely goes without sun, so burn remedies and painkillers will come in handy. Hotel sockets are European type, and an adapter for Kazakhstan plugs is needed in advance. The internet in hotels is weak, and a local SIM card solves the communication problem. Egypt sells SIM cards at the airport and in mobile phone shops. Safaga is small, but there are few pharmacies, and the needed medicine may not be available. Take a supply of medicines for the entire trip.
Clothing and rules of behavior outside the hotel
Outside the hotel grounds, women should stick to modest clothing, especially on trips to the city. Egypt is conservative, and covered shoulders and knees are more appropriate here than shorts and a top. A stay here assumes a swimsuit only on the beach or by the pool. In the hot months from May to September, a strong wind softens the swelter but increases sunburn. Safaga stands on the shore, and in the evening there is a cool breeze from the sea. Take a light cover-up for excursions and walks. Respect for local customs makes the holiday calmer.
Visa and entry rules change: check with the primary source — the portal of the electronic visa of the Arab Republic of Egypt, https://visa2egypt.gov.eg/eVisa/. The information on this page was verified on 10.09.2026.
Safety and Everyday Little Things
The resort is safe for tourists, but there are everyday little things. It is better to know about them in advance.
Tipping and on-site expenses
Tipping in Egypt is expected everywhere, and it is part of the local culture. Hotel staff, drivers and guides are given small bills in dollars. A holiday here costs less than in large resort cities. Safaga is compact, so taxi expenses inside the village are minimal. Keep small change at hand so you do not have to look for change. Egypt does not require mandatory tips, but without them the service becomes cooler. Set aside a small amount for such expenses in advance.
Food outside the hotel and water quality
Local cuisine in cafes outside hotels is cheaper, but requires caution with water and fresh salads. Egypt does not recommend drinking tap water, and this rule applies throughout the country. It is safer to build a trip here on bottled water. Safaga offers fresh fish and dishes made from rice with vegetables. Choose places where they cook in front of you, and avoid street salads. It is also better not to take ice in drinks. These simple measures will keep your holiday pleasant.
In short
- Departure from Almaty — direct charters to Hurghada, then transfer to Safaga.
- Exchange currency at banks in Hurghada, not at the resort itself.
- Take a socket adapter and a supply of medicines from Almaty.
- Book a hotel for New Year dates several months in advance.
- Drink only bottled water and wear swimming shoes.