Is tap water safe to drink in Hurghada and is street food safe to eat?
Based on 1 discussion with 4 participants · Last activity: 10 days ago
TL;DR
Don't drink tap water directly — stick to bottled water, though many long-term expats use tap water for brushing teeth without issues. Street food, iced drinks and salads are generally fine for locals/long-term residents, but first-time visitors should be more cautious to avoid stomach problems.
What the community said
One long-term resident shares their routine: drinks only bottled water but brushes teeth with tap water, and eats everywhere from restaurants to street stalls without issues.
12 days ago bottled water
Another expat confirms rinsing with tap water, drinking iced cocktails, and eating salads and fruit while ignoring common tourist warnings — with no issues after years of living there.
12 days ago
According to locals in the discussion, living in the region long-term reduces the need to strictly follow food and water precautions, since the body gradually adapts to the local microflora.
12 days ago
A chat participant's doctor explained that when the body first encounters an unfamiliar infection it fights hard, and some infections can become chronic. So unlike long-term residents, tourists are advised to avoid unnecessary risks — skip tap water and be cautious with street food, especially in the first days of a trip.
12 days ago