Tour & Activity Scams in Hurghada, Egypt
Unlicensed guides, fake tickets, bait-and-switch excursions, and ticket scalping. Below are the tour & activities scams reported in Hurghada — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Luxor, Casablanca, and Chefchaouen.
Last updated: April 2, 2026
4
Tour & Activities Scams
11
Total in Hurghada
How it works
Camel handlers near desert excursion sites and the outskirts of Hurghada assist tourists onto camels at a low initial price, then walk the camel far from the drop-off point and demand a much higher fee to return, with the tourist unable to safely dismount.
How it works
Quad bike rental operators in the desert areas near Hurghada rent out damaged vehicles, then claim tourists caused the damage on return, demanding large sums. Operators may hold passports until paid.
How it works
Excursion desks inside all-inclusive resorts sell tours at two to three times the price of the same trips offered by local operators in town. Tourists who do not leave the resort are a captive market and often do not realize cheaper options exist nearby.
How it works
Boat operators selling glass-bottom boat trips on the beach charge premium prices for what turns out to be a painted glass panel in the floor with poor visibility, visiting areas with minimal marine life. Some boats are not seaworthy and lack required safety equipment.
See all scams in Hurghada
11 total warnings across all categories