What to do if you get sick in Hurghada — travel insurance, hospital, medical evacuation?

Real case: a tourist developed pancreatitis and leg thrombosis, racking up a $5,000 bill in three days. The insurer initially refused to pay, offering only a 5% refund. It was only resolved after involving the city governor, the embassy, lawyers, and journalists — the bill was then fully covered, accommodation was extended until the flight, and airport escort was arranged. Takeaway: if an insurer stalls or denies a claim, escalate publicly via the embassy, lawyers, or media.

Without insurance, prices in Hurghada can be shocking — for example, a single IV drip can cost around $800.

Never self-medicate in your hotel room if you feel unwell. Call your insurer and go to a hospital immediately, even if symptoms seem mild. Delays in seeking care have proven fatal in documented cases in Hurghada.

A basic travel insurance policy with $15,000 coverage is often insufficient to cover a medical evacuation flight home. In one documented case, the shortfall was approximately $15,000 USD to cover an air ambulance from Egypt. Hurghada locals have repeatedly crowdfunded money for underinsured tourists.

Many tourists travel to Egypt without any travel insurance at all, including families with children. This is extremely risky — medical care and especially evacuation are very expensive. Travel insurance is essential, and the coverage limit must be high enough to include medical evacuation.

In a medical emergency, call your insurer's hotline immediately — the number is on your policy document. The insurer arranges hospitalization and evacuation directly. Acting through the insurer from the start ensures costs are covered within your policy limits.