Hurghada airport is the worst airport that I ever visited. After arriving at Hurghada airport we had to purchase a visa. As our plane was delayed we had a separate Tui queue. We were prepared and had $50. But the guy requested £50 because we are coming form UK. We tried to discuss it with him but he said that we can pay in £ or we can go the other queue where we can purchase visa in $. The other queue was huge at that point so we just paid £50. Before we picked our luggage we used the toilets and the cleaner waiting outside the toilets wanted a tip! A tip for what? Toilets were not even clean.
When we arrived back to the airport we discovered that there is separate queue for females and males for the first security check. I had to lift my heavy 20kg suitcase on my own and put it on the conveyor belt which was a task of it’s own. There should be someone helping all of the tourists both female and male. Finally a lovely lady helped me and I helped her with her suitcase. Next we were waiting in another long and very slowly moving queue for our passports to be checked, boarding passed to be approved and luggage to be weighted. At least this time we were waiting together. After that we had to fill in some additional documents, which wasn’t such a problem.
Next we had another security check. Please don’t understand me wrong I don’t have anything against security checks, I had a problem with the way how all of those checks have been handled. Next check next female/male queue. The queue that I got stuck in was soooooooo long. We were asked to remove our shoes, even that most of the ladies were wearing flip flops. At least I had socks on because the floor was filthy with spilled drinks and bits of snacks. I asked few times for a plastic tray to put all my items in but I never got one. So my hand luggage, my passport, my boarding pass, my shoes and whatever was removed from my hand luggage arrived mixed with other ladies items after the scan. This was quite annoying but I was hoping that this is the last check, I didn’t know how wrong I was. After purchasing very expensive water and pepsi we went into direction of our gate. As you expect there was another check and another queue for ladies and gents. Again ladies queue was much longer than gents queue and ladies were asked to put our names, flight number, initials and passport numbers on some random list. When we asked what is this list and why do we need to sign it we were told that it is a random check. Sure, very random check, all of the ladies from the queue had to sign it. In a meantime we went past few smoking areas. All smoking areas had doors opened and you could smell the cigarette smoke all over the airport. Awful, just awful. When we finally arrived at our gate I had to visit the toilet. Toilet was so dirty, full of spilled water, used towels on the floor and there was no toilet paper in even one of the available cubicles. It was almost time to board our plane. Last check and we can finally go home. This is quite important check to make sure that right people are boarding the right plane. The guy checking our passports and boarding passes didn’t even look at our documents which allowed a lost passenger to almost board a wrong plane. This guy realised that he is boarding the wrong plane just by chatting with other passengers.He almost missed his plane and no one noticed it.
I really wanted to eat something at the airport before our flight home and maybe buy some souvenirs but based on our experience we only had enough time to get though all checks and board the plane. What about people who went to buy souvenirs and eat something?
This airport looks quite new and quite modern but employees aren’t happy and helpful. Male employees are very unhappy to interact with female tourists and there aren’t enough female employees available. During one of the checks I’ve seen staff members eating and opening tourist snacks like chocolate bars, mints, crisps, biscuits, etc. This was very weird and very uncomfortable to watch.
It is the first airport that I’ve visited with female and male security checks and queues. Very bizarre and uncomfortable experience.
I really enjoyed the stay in our Jaz Aquamarine hotel but I really hated Hurghada airport. It spoiled our holiday.
