Sharm el-Sheikh Hurghada ferry

Hurghada Ferry Port

Found along the sub-tropical eastern shores of Egypt, on a hump of land that curves into the crystalline waters of the Red Sea, is the resort city of Hurghada. Before the 1980s, Hurghada was little more than a modest fishing village. It soon caught the eye of local and foreign investors who, having been spellbound by the area’s tranquil beauty, decided to transform the humble colony into a premier holiday destination. Today the city stretches for over 20-miles across a coast of golden beaches and swaying palms, almost every inch blessed with breath-taking views across the surf towards the distant shores of the Giftun Islands. The Sekalla old town district is a centre for watersports too, with snorkelling and scuba-diving between the vibrant, underwater coral reefs a vastly popular activity. As night falls, revellers flock downtown to the clubs, bars and restaurants that illuminate the streets and an excited hubbub soon fills the warm evening air. The port of Hurghada is located near the Sekalla district at the southern end of the city. It’s a relatively large facility consisting of a modern ferry terminal and a docking bay that skirts along the edge of the sea. The terminal’s glazed, central rotunda is a striking feature of the coastal cityscape and is home to a number of passenger amenities. These include two departure halls spread over multiple floors, a selection of cafes selling hot food and drink and a cutting-edge customs office that makes checking in and out a smooth and painless experience. The city and port are supported by a multitude of transport links. The recently renovated Hurghada International Airport is just over a 10-minute drive from the harbour-side along the El-Nasr road that cuts through the city centre, and most of the hotels along the beachfront are within walking distance too. Although there is no recognisable public transport system in the city, mini buses (known as micro buses) are a common sight amidst the local flow of traffic as they whisk passengers to all corners of the city. Longer-haul buses and coaches also travel to the settlements that line the world-famous River Nile, including the cities of Luxor and Aswan as well as the more distant capital of Cairo. A single ferry route leaves from the port a few times throughout the week. A High Jet service sails the short distance north to the Egyptian resort town of Sharm El Sheikh, a journey that passes by the smattering of islands off the coast before skimming over the calm waters of the Red Sea.