Family Vacation in Egypt Review: Safaga Trip That Went Completely Wrong

Planning a family vacation in Egypt sounded like a perfect idea. Warm weather, Red Sea beaches, and relaxing resort days with our baby.

Unfortunately, our trip to Safaga turned into something completely different.

From overpriced visas and bad food to serious health issues and a chaotic airport experience, this is our honest Egypt travel review.

If you are considering a trip to Safaga or Hurghada, this post might help you avoid the same mistakes.

We had a family vacation in Egypt, in Safaga. If you want to learn more about the hotel we stayed in, check out this post:
Shams Lodge Hotel Egypt, Safaga Review 2026 with Baby

Vacation Day 1

This vacation wasn’t really a vacation for us. It started going downhill literally from the airport in Hurghada.

We booked everything through a travel agency. Everywhere it was written that we needed visas for Egypt costing 25€ per person. However, at the travel agency booth, we had to pay 35€ per person, even though a large sign showed $30.

It was a simple situation. Pay or do not enter the country.

At luggage pickup, we realized we forgot our jackets on the airplane. Luckily, we got them back, but it cost us time.

We were already hungry when we finally reached the hotel after about 45 minutes. Check in was smooth and we quickly changed for the beach.

On the way, we stopped for snacks. The only options were sweets, cakes, and waffles.

Our baby does not eat sweets. She prefers fruits, vegetables, and real food. After asking, we got buns with cheese.

More about food and restaurants here:
Shams Lodge Hotel Egypt, Safaga Review 2026 with Baby

At the beach, we immediately faced another problem. The sea was full of jellyfish.

Luckily, we brought a small pool for our baby, filled it with seawater, and let her play. It was her first time at the sea and she enjoyed it.

Dinner was a major disappointment. Food was either too salty, too spicy, or clearly reheated multiple times. Even our baby, who usually eats everything, barely ate.

Vacation Day 2

Breakfast was another disappointment.

This was supposed to be an English breakfast, but eggs were undercooked, sausages were low quality, beans looked old, and croissants were cold.

Fresh vegetables were limited, which is common due to water safety concerns in Egypt.

At the beach, jellyfish were still there.

Lunch at the beach restaurant was slightly better. We found pasta we could eat and finally relaxed a bit.

Later, we went into the sea with our baby. She was scared at first but quickly started enjoying it.

Dinner was almost identical to lunch.

Vacation Day 3

Breakfast stayed the same.

The sea was finally clear of jellyfish, so we could actually enjoy swimming.

Dinner was advertised as fish night, but it was disappointing. The baby only ate fruit, my wife did not enjoy the fish, and I went back to pasta again.

Vacation Day 4

We woke up with stomach pain, diarrhea, and exhaustion.

At this point, we started counting days until going home.

Then came the wind. Strong wind made the beach uncomfortable, and flying sand felt like tiny needles on the skin. For a baby, it was even worse.

Vacation Days 5 and 6

We visited the resort doctor.

We received electrolytes, medication for diarrhea, and antibiotics. Our baby received electrolytes only.

Mornings were manageable, but afternoons were spent hiding from wind.

Vacation Day 7

The last day finally arrived.

I felt so sick I could barely eat. Even coffee made me feel worse.

We checked out at noon and got one positive surprise. We were given a room to shower before leaving.

Hurghada Airport Experience

The Hurghada airport experience deserves its own section.

Security checks started immediately at the entrance. Bags, stroller, everything scanned.

Men and women were separated. My wife was pulled aside for additional checks and had to write down personal details.

After passport control, we faced another round of checks. Then another.

At one point, I had to remove shoes, unpack everything, and go through additional testing.

Security suspected something in the baby bag. After a full search, nothing was found.

Communication was difficult due to language barriers.

Finally, we reached the gate, only to find our flight delayed by another hour.

Our baby was exhausted, but luckily she slept during the flight.

First Day Home

We went to the hospital since it was Sunday.

We only received medication for the baby and electrolytes.

Tuesday Doctor Visit

We gave samples and waited for results.

Two days later, we got confirmation:

Our baby had E. coli.
We had salmonella.

Final Thoughts on Our Egypt Vacation

This family vacation in Egypt turned into a stressful experience filled with bad food, health issues, and constant disappointment.

If you are planning a trip to Safaga or Hurghada, be careful with food safety and expectations.

For us, this was a lesson learned the hard way.

FAQ About Egypt Travel

Is Egypt safe for a family vacation?

Egypt can be safe, but food hygiene and resort quality vary a lot. It is important to choose hotels carefully and read recent reviews (still be careful, in our case it was completely opposite from reviews).

Is food poisoning common in Egypt resorts?

Unfortunately, it can happen, especially in all inclusive resorts where food may be reheated or not stored properly.

What should you avoid eating in Egypt?

Avoid tap water, uncooked vegetables, Ice cubes and food that looks reheated. Stick to freshly cooked meals when possible.

Is Hurghada airport stressful?

Based on our experience, yes. Expect multiple security checks and delays.

Would we visit Egypt again?

Based on this experience, no. However, others may have different experiences depending on the resort and travel style.

Written in Germany