Budget — Dahab

Dahab is one of the world's most affordable beach destinations. A budget of €45 per person per day is largely sufficient for a comfortable stay: seafront guesthouse, meals in local restaurants, 1 dive per day, occasional snorkeling or windsurf gear rental. Economy travellers can drop to €25-35/day; intensive divers climb to €80-100/day with 2 daily dives included.

Accommodation covers every band (but little high-end). A bed in a simple hostel or guesthouse (Penguin Hotel, Dahab Hostel) costs €8-15/night. A double room in a well-rated 3-star hotel facing the sea (Daniela Diving Hotel, Tropitel, Bedouin Moon) runs €25-50/night. Dahab's best hotels (3-4+ star like Le Méridien Dahab, Swiss Inn Resort, Mövenpick) sit around €70-120/night. All-inclusive diving resorts with accommodation + 2 daily dives: €70-130/person/night.

Diving activities add up. Individual dive (1 dive): €30-45. 6-dive pack: €150-220. Complete PADI Open Water course (4 days, certification): €280-380. Advanced Open Water: €250-320. Night dive: €40-55. Ras Abu Galum boat excursion (2 dives + Bedouin lunch): €80-120. Snorkeling gear rental: €5-10/day. Live-aboard cruise from Dahab to southern wrecks: €600-1,200 for 5-7 nights.

Water sports: 1-hour beginner windsurf lesson: €30-45. 6-hour course pack: €180-280. Windsurf gear rental: €30-50/day. Beginner kitesurf lesson: €50-80/hour, €350-500 the complete pack. Stand-up paddle: €10-15/hour.

Land excursions are a separate budget line. Mount Sinai and Saint Catherine: €40-70. Coloured Canyon: €40-60 half-day. Bedouin dinner under tent: €30-50. Quad bike desert: €30-50 half-day. 2-day desert trek with Bedouin guide: €80-150 all-inclusive.

Food is very affordable. A promenade breakfast: €4-8. A grilled fish lunch in a local restaurant (Eel Garden, Ralph's German Bakery, Lakhbatita): €7-15. A barefoot beachfront dinner with starter + main + drink: €12-25. A beer (only sold at licensed bars): €3-6. Fruit, fresh juices and chichas are available everywhere for €2-5.

Transport is cheap: local taxi €2-5 in town, Sharm el-Sheikh airport transfer €60-80 by taxi or €5-10 by East Delta bus, scooter rental €10-15/day.