Thanks Pat. I will do my best to avoid the Thomas Cook reps as dont really want to pay over the odds, not so much the money though as the principal.

I wonder how you can pay £11 as presumably they will not take the £1 as a coin as it is not a tradeable currency like a note. I will stick with dollars or am bound to get in a fix especially if I have to fend off the TC reps as well.

I expect Minione will need one for Makadi Bay, I hope she realises and sees the psot so that she doesn't get sidelined by the TC reps, if that is who she is going with.

Doe

Hi Doe,

The first time we went to Hurghada we used the TC booth and paid in Sterling. My husband handed over $15 (same price as the Bank Kiosks) but they literally demanded the $18. My husband argued the odds with them, but they would have none of it ..... money for old rope if you ask me!!! We have heard (on many occasions) where people who paid in Sterling were ripped off with their change!!

On our second trips (a bit wiser) we had to barge our way through the supposedly TC staff, and paid our $15 each to them.

Regards,
Pat

It's not my first time flying in to Hurghada Doe,I know the drill with the visa and the reps
Thanks for the information Pat,we will probably do the boat trip.

Sorry mini I didn't know you had been before, im looking forward to seeing El Gouna, glad I'm now clued up about the Hurghada Visa, if we go away later in the year will definatly give Makadi Bay serious consideration.
I think you are right Pat probably find the other $3 finds it's way to the TC reps somehow.

I will do a hotel and resort review when I get back. We don't go until June though. I went to the Hurghada are a couple of years ago but never ventured in to Hurghada as there were shops etc; outside our hotel.
I don't know how the airport compares to Sharm as I have never been but I found it quite scary to be honest.The locals all jostled to get hold of our suitcases so they could put them on the coach and then demand money.You have to stand your ground with the reps too. We paid in dollars last time.

Hi minione ...... The first time we went to Sharm we had the transfer with our tour operator, and like yourself found the guys with their hands out looking for money when then put the luggage on the coach. On our second trip we decided to opt for a taxi outside the airport terminal (big mistake) It nearly come to blows between two drivers haggling for our business, and to top it all we ended up being ripped off!! Since then, when going to Sharm or Hurghada we have booked a taxi direct with our hotel ..... couldn't be doing with the hassle from the taxi drivers, albeit more expensive but IMO was worth it.

Doe ....... Although the staff are in TC uniforms at the airport, I'm led to believe that they aren't actually TC staff, as they are not allowed into the airport terminal.

Regards,
Pat

I would imagine that Hurghada airport is similar to Sharm minione, sort of organised chaos, outside the terminal building they all try to give you a trolly & relieve you of a £1 for the honour of handing it to you. Cuts no ice with us as our cases have wheels & I know the coach is only 2 mins walk away.

Sharm varies depending on how many flights arrive at the similar times. There is a new terminal that Easyjet & the Russian planes use, but I have only flown to the old one, that Monarch, Thomson, TC use.

I wonder if the reps at Hurghada airport are transcare (? might be slightly the wrong name) reps Pat? I seem to remember that name mentioned at Sharm, it's something to do with Egypt airports being militay & foreign tour reps aren't allowed in only Egyptian employees who represent all the travel agencies.

Doe ... our cases DID have wheels, but upon arriving at Gatwick one of the cases was minus one wheel ..... at least it didn't land at Hurghada with one wheel!!

Regarding the tour reps (transcare) I'm afraid I can't help your there. I've never really taken much notice as we were always in too much of a hurry to get out of the airport!!

Regards,
Pat

Me too, cant wait to get out of there !

The only reason it stuck in my mind is the last two times I have travelled with Cosmos on Monarch flights & the flight attendant makes an anouncement to say that Cosmos reps are not allowed in Sharm airport but if we need assistance look out for those with transcare (?) badges. They wear uniforms, but it sound like they are less pushy than the ones at Hurghada as if you say Sinai Only they seem to leave you alone.

Have no idea how I've missed this and nothing useful to add here but so excited you have booked Chris .

me to lol hopefully will make it to makadi bay at some point as well, like minione & Pat