All inclusive in Egypt from Almaty: prices

all inclusive in Egypt is a format of holiday in which the hotel covers accommodation, meals on schedule and local drinks, while the flight, transfer and insurance are included in the tour operator's package. From Almaty, direct charters fly to Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh, the flight takes about five hours. The resort fee, deposit and tips are paid separately. The season lasts all year round.

Visa, fees and money: what is paid separately from the package?

A holiday in Egypt on the all inclusive system does not cover several mandatory payments. Some of the expenses are borne by the tourist from Almaty on the spot, and they should be included in the budget in advance.

What is included in the package and what is not

The all inclusive in Egypt package covers accommodation, meals on schedule and local drinks, but several items remain outside it. The resort fee in the country's hotels is often not included in the package and is paid separately at reception. The amount depends on the hotel category and the number of nights, the exact amount is stated at check-in. A deposit at reception is not taken everywhere, but in Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh it is common. The money is returned at check-out after the room is inspected. Card payment is not accepted in all hotels, cash is more reliable.

Payments on the spot: pound, dollars and small notes

The Egyptian pound will be useful for payments outside the hotel grounds, while dollars and euros are not accepted everywhere. Keep small notes separate from large ones — they help with tips and purchases. Banknotes must be undamaged, otherwise they may not be accepted. Tips are expected for the transfer, room cleaning and luggage carrying. In resort areas prices are higher than in the city, and haggling is appropriate in markets. Keep part of the money in the hotel safe, not in the suitcase.

The journey from Almaty and transfers between resorts

Direct charters lead from Almaty to Egypt, but not to all cities on the coast. Some resorts are reached by ground transport, and this lengthens the first day of the holiday.

Direct flights and travel time

Direct charters from Almaty fly to Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh. The flight takes about five hours, the exact time depends on the route and weather. Departures are more often at night, so the first day in Egypt is spent on the road and check-in. The time difference with Almaty is small, acclimatization is easy. At Hurghada airport the transfer desks are right at the exit. In Sharm El Sheikh, separate buses take guests to the hotels of El Gouna and Safaga. Check with the meeting party for the bus number and gathering time.

How long it takes to get to Marsa Alam, Dahab and Taba

The road from Hurghada to Marsa Alam takes several hours along a desert highway. Dahab and Taba are more often accessible via Sharm El Sheikh with a ground transfer or ferry. The trip to Taba takes longer than to Dahab due to the distance and checks on the highway. To Marsa Alam guests are taken along a single highway without intermediate cities. On the way there are no proper stops with toilets, take water in advance. The road to Dahab runs along the coast and takes about two hours. Taba is reached longer, part of the route goes through the desert.

What does the all inclusive rate actually cover?

The all inclusive rate in Egypt covers the main meals and local drinks, but not everything. Let's figure out what is included in the package and what is paid separately.

Free alcohol, drinks and restaurant opening hours

In all inclusive hotels, locally produced alcohol is usually free. Imported alcohol and cocktails based on it almost always come at an extra charge. Local brand beer and wine are poured in bars without restrictions during working hours. Some hotels limit the time of free meals and drinks, check the restaurant schedule. The main restaurant works on schedule, and a la carte establishments require advance booking. Night bars often close earlier than the tourist would like. Between meals, snack bars with a limited menu operate. Free alcohol is not served in the room mini-bar.

Drinking water and meals outside the hotel

Tap water in Egypt is not suitable for drinking, even in hotels with a purification system. Bottled water is given out in bars or placed in the room daily. Check whether water is included in the package, otherwise it will have to be bought. Meals outside the hotel are paid separately, and prices in resort areas are higher than in the city. In Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh there are restaurants with European cuisine. Egyptian food is spicy, try unfamiliar dishes with caution. It is better not to take fresh fruits and salads from street stalls.

Insurance, safety and rules of conduct

A medical policy and rules of conduct at Egyptian resorts require special attention. Basic insurance does not cover everything a tourist plans to do on holiday.

Medical policy and diving coverage

Medical insurance for Egypt is mandatory, but many basic policies do not cover diving and extreme sports. If you plan dives in Dahab or Marsa Alam, arrange extended coverage in advance. In Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh there are decompression chambers, but treatment is expensive. Kitesurfing in Safaga and El Gouna also requires separate insurance. Check with the insurer whether water sports are included in the policy. Chronic diseases are often excluded from coverage. Keep the insurance company's number in your phone.

Safety at resorts and trips into the interior of the country

The resort areas of Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh are safe for tourists. In Dahab and Taba it is calm, but do not leave tourist areas alone. Independent trips into the interior of the country are best coordinated with the hotel guide. Excursions to the pyramids and to Luxor from Hurghada take a whole day and require an early departure. Take water, a head covering and cash for small expenses with you. In the evening, stick to lit streets and do not wear valuables openly. Leave a copy of your documents in the room, and the originals in the safe.

Visa and entry rules change: check the primary source — the electronic visa portal of the Arab Republic of Egypt, https://visa2egypt.gov.eg/eVisa/. The information on this page was verified on 12.09.2026.

When to go and how to choose a hotel for your holiday

The season in Egypt lasts all year round, but heat and wind greatly change the impression of a holiday. A hotel is chosen for the type of holiday, not just for the price.

Summer heat, cool evenings in winter and visibility for diving

In summer in Egypt there is extreme heat, many hotels offer discounts, but swimming in the sea can be uncomfortable due to the high water temperature. In winter the evenings are cool, it is worth taking warm clothes even with daytime heat. In Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh in winter it is warm during the day, but the wind from the sea is noticeable. Diving and snorkelling are available all year round, but the best visibility in the Red Sea is in spring and autumn. In Dahab and Marsa Alam the visibility is more stable than in the northern bays. In summer in El Gouna and Safaga the water warms up to the consistency of warm milk. In spring there can be windy days, inconvenient for kitesurfing.

Quiet El Gouna, budget Safaga and club centres

El Gouna is half an hour from Hurghada airport and is suitable for a quiet holiday without noisy clubs. Safaga is known as a budget option with good conditions for diving and kitesurfing. Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh are club centres with active nightlife. Marsa Alam is chosen for its seclusion and rich underwater world. Dahab is popular with windsurfers and young people. Taba is suitable for a quiet holiday near the border with Israel. Choose a hotel by its distance from the centre if you want silence.

In brief

• A holiday on the all inclusive system covers accommodation, meals and local drinks, but not all payments.
• Direct charters from Almaty fly only to Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh; other resorts are reached by land.
• Imported alcohol, excursions and meals outside the hotel are always paid for separately.
• Extended insurance is needed for diving, kitesurfing and water sports.
• The best visibility in the Red Sea is in spring and autumn; in summer there is extreme heat.