EgyptRed SeaWinter sunChecked Oct 2026

Manchester to Hurghada for Winter Sun

Hurghada on Egypt's Red Sea coast gives you warm, dry winter days, a sea that's still around 22–23°C and some of the easiest snorkelling you can get to from the UK. This guide covers direct flights from Manchester, visas, transfers to the resorts and day trips.

20–22°CTypical January daytime highs
Hurghada (HRG)Direct from Manchester
~5h 35mDirect flight time

The short answer

Fly direct from Manchester to Hurghada (HRG) with easyJet or TUI, about 5h 35m–5h 50m; Jet2 also starts flying the route from February 2027. Buy a $30 visa on arrival (cash) or an e-visa before you go, then take a pre-booked transfer or taxi to your resort, usually 20–45 minutes. Check GOV.UK before travel.

Winter sun essentials

What to know before you book a winter week on the Red Sea.

Weather

From December to February, daytime highs are usually around 20–22°C with plenty of sunshine and almost no rain. Nights are much cooler, around 10–12°C, so pack a jumper. Wind off the sea can make it feel fresher than the numbers suggest.

Visa

British passport holders normally need a visa for Hurghada. GOV.UK says you can buy one on arrival for $30 (cash only), valid for up to 30 days, or get a tourist e-visa in advance from Egypt's official portal (visa2egypt.gov.eg), which can save queuing. Your passport needs at least 6 months left from the date you arrive. Rules and fees change, so check GOV.UK before travel.

Snorkelling and diving

The Red Sea is the big draw. Boat trips run daily to the Giftun Islands, part of a protected national park, about 45–60 minutes from Hurghada's harbour. The sea is usually around 22–23°C in winter, so many people wear a shorty wetsuit for longer swims or dives. El Gouna, Makadi Bay and Sahl Hasheesh all have dive centres.

Good to know

Egypt is 2 hours ahead of the UK in winter and uses the Egyptian pound; carry some cash (US dollars or pounds sterling are handy for the visa and tips). Most visitors stay all-inclusive, often on a package that includes the airport transfer.

Every way to get there

From Manchester to Hurghada, best options first. Times are typical door to door; check live schedules for your dates.

1

Fly direct from Manchester, then transfer to your resort

Best for most
Door to door7–8h
£ Cost££
Best forMost trips
  1. Manchester (MAN) to Hurghada (HRG)About 5h 35m–5h 50m; the flight home is longer, about 6h–6h 20m. easyJet flies daily through the winter (except Christmas Day) from late October to March, and TUI also flies the route several times a week. Jet2 is due to start flights on Wednesdays and Sundays from 14 February 2027. Typical return fares are around £180–£450, more at Christmas and February half-term. Check current schedules.
  2. Visa and passport controlBuy your $30 visa on arrival with cash, or show your e-visa. Allow extra time when several flights land together.
  3. Transfer to your resortPre-booked shared shuttles start from roughly £12–£30 per person and take about 40–45 minutes with drop-offs; a private car is quicker. Sahl Hasheesh and Makadi Bay are south of the airport, El Gouna is north. Airport taxis are available too: agree the fare before you set off.
Compare MAN–HRG flightsTransfer options: Hurghada Airport → El Gouna

Bring the visa cash in US dollars before you leave the UK to avoid poor rates at the airport.

2

Book a package holiday with transfers included

Families
Door to door7–8h
£ Cost££
Best forAll-inclusive stays and families
  1. Manchester (MAN) to Hurghada (HRG)TUI and easyJet holidays both sell Hurghada packages from Manchester, and Jet2holidays is adding Egypt from February 2027. Packages usually include flights, hotel, luggage and a resort transfer.
  2. Coach transfer to your hotelYour rep or transfer desk meets you after passport control. Shared coaches stop at several hotels, so allow up to an hour.
Compare MAN–HRG flightsTransfer options: Hurghada Airport → Makadi Bay

Packages give you ATOL protection and a rep on the ground, which many people value for a first trip to Egypt.

3

Fly from another northern airport

Door to door7–9h
£ Cost££
Best forLiving nearer Leeds, Newcastle or Liverpool
  1. Newcastle, Leeds Bradford or Liverpool to HurghadaeasyJet starts Newcastle–Hurghada flights on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 27 October 2026, and TUI also flies from Newcastle. Jet2 plans a weekly Sunday flight from Leeds Bradford from 14 February 2027. easyJet has flown from Liverpool too. Flight times are similar to Manchester. Check current schedules.
  2. Transfer to your resortAs from Manchester: pre-booked shuttle, private car or taxi, about 20–45 minutes.
Compare NCL–HRG flightsCompare LBA–HRG flights

Worth comparing if Manchester has no seats on your dates, especially at Christmas.

4

Fly from London for more dates and times

Door to door10–12h
£ Cost£££
Best forAwkward dates or short trips
  1. Manchester to London by trainAbout 2h 10m to London Euston, then onward to Gatwick or Luton. Allow plenty of time before your flight.
  2. London Gatwick or Luton to Hurghada (HRG)About 5h 30m. easyJet flies from Gatwick and Luton, often daily in winter; TUI flies from Gatwick, and Wizz Air has winter flights from Luton. Check current schedules.
Train times: Manchester → LondonCompare LGW–HRG flights

Only worth it if the fare saving or flight time beats the cost of the train and the extra travelling.

Where to stay in Makadi Bay

Compare hotels and apartments, many with free cancellation. Book early for December weekends.

See hotels in Makadi Bay

All options compared

Typical times and relative costs. £ is cheapest, £££ is priciest.

OptionDoor to doorCostBest for
Fly direct from Manchester, then transfer to your resort7–8h££Most trips
Book a package holiday with transfers included7–8h££All-inclusive stays and families
Fly from another northern airport7–9h££Living nearer Leeds, Newcastle or Liverpool
Fly from London for more dates and times10–12h£££Awkward dates or short trips

Where to stay

Hurghada is a long strip of coast, so pick a base by the feel you want.

Your base

Makadi Bay

A quiet bay south of Hurghada lined with large all-inclusive resorts and good house reefs for snorkelling. Around 30–45 minutes from the airport.

Hotels in Makadi Bay
North of the airport

El Gouna

A purpose-built lagoon town with a marina, restaurants you can walk between and a popular kitesurfing scene. Better if you want to get out of your hotel in the evenings.

Hotels in El Gouna
South of the airport

Sahl Hasheesh

A newer, upmarket resort area with a long promenade and calm, clear water. Usually around 30–45 minutes from the airport.

Hotels in Sahl Hasheesh
Closest to the airport

Hurghada town

Cheaper hotels, the marina and the harbour where most Giftun Islands boat trips leave. Busier and less polished than the bays.

Hotels in Hurghada

Local tip: A Luxor day trip is possible but long: about 4 hours each way by road. Check the FCDO travel advice for the latest on Luxor and the routes there before you book an excursion.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to what people ask most about this trip.

How long is the flight from Manchester to Hurghada?

About 5h 35m–5h 50m direct. Coming home takes a little longer, usually 6h–6h 20m.

Which airlines fly from Manchester to Hurghada?

easyJet and TUI fly direct, with easyJet running daily through most of the winter. Jet2 plans to start Manchester–Hurghada flights from 14 February 2027. Check current schedules.

Do I need a visa for Hurghada?

Yes, British passport holders normally need one. GOV.UK says you can buy a visa on arrival for $30 cash, valid for up to 30 days, or apply for an e-visa in advance on Egypt's official portal. The free Sinai stamp only covers Sharm el-Sheikh and nearby resorts, not Hurghada. Check GOV.UK before travel.

Is Hurghada warm enough in winter?

For most people, yes. Daytime highs are usually around 20–22°C from December to February with lots of sun, but evenings drop to around 10–12°C. The sea stays around 22–23°C.

Is it safe to travel to Hurghada?

The FCDO does not currently advise against travel to Hurghada or the Red Sea resorts, but advice can change. Read the GOV.UK Egypt travel advice before you book and again before you travel.

Can I do a day trip to Luxor from Hurghada?

Yes, many tour companies run them, but it's a long day of about 4 hours' driving each way to see Karnak and the Valley of the Kings. Check the FCDO advice for Luxor first, and consider an overnight stay if you can.

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Times and prices are typical estimates, checked Oct 2026. Always confirm with the operator before booking. Some links are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.