Egypt vs Turkey for beach holiday — what are the real differences?
Based on 1 discussions with 3 participants · Last activity: 3 days ago
TL;DR
Egypt wins on snorkeling and diving, but loses on service quality — staff constantly chase tips and tap water is not drinkable. Turkey is generally more comfortable for all-inclusive resort stays.
What the community said
Egypt's main advantage over Turkey is the underwater world — snorkeling and diving are exceptional — but not every hotel has good reef access. Otherwise, service falls short: staff frequently hover around guests expecting tips, which many travelers find off-putting. This is not typical in Turkish resorts.
5 days ago Seagull Beach Resort area, Sharm el-Sheikh — 14-night stay
Travelers coming from UAE or Turkey are often surprised that tap water in Egypt is not safe to drink — bottled water is a must. This is standard across Egyptian resorts and adds a small but noticeable inconvenience compared to Turkey.
7 days ago Tap water not drinkable — buy bottled
The Papillon Belvil resort in Turkey is highly rated but prices have risen sharply in recent years. Egypt remains more budget-friendly by comparison, though many travelers who've tried both say they'd pay the premium for Turkey's superior service and comfort.
5 days ago Papillon Belvil, Turkey — significantly pricier in 2026