- DurationApprox. 14–15 hours
- Tour typePrivate tour
- StartsPickup from your Hurghada-area hotel, about 05:00
- PriceFrom $115 per person based on 6+ travellers
OverviewItineraryWhat’s includedPricesFAQ
Tour Overview
A Luxor day trip from Hurghada is the easiest way to swap the beach for the pharaohs for a day. The drive runs west from the Red Sea through the mountains of the Eastern Desert and along the Nile Valley to Luxor, taking around four hours each way. Travelling privately means you set off when you like, stop when you need to, and spend more of your time at the temples rather than waiting for a coach to fill.
In Luxor you meet your Egyptologist guide and visit the highlights of both banks: Karnak on the East Bank, then the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon on the West Bank. Lunch is at a local restaurant, and if time allows you can add a short felucca sail on the Nile before the drive home.
It is a long day, typically leaving Hurghada around 05:00 and returning in the evening. The road is good and the vehicle comfortable, but if you would rather not rush, ask us about turning it into an overnight trip with a Luxor hotel and a sunrise balloon flight. Passports or ID are needed on the road, as police checkpoints are routine on this route.
Highlights
- Private vehicle and driver from your Hurghada hotel, leaving early to beat the heat
- Explore Karnak Temple and its Great Hypostyle Hall
- Enter three royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings
- Visit the Temple of Hatshepsut and stop at the Colossi of Memnon
- Lunch at a local restaurant in Luxor
- Private Egyptologist guide in Luxor, with the option of a felucca sail
Itinerary
05:00 – Pickup in Hurghada
Your driver collects you from your hotel in Hurghada, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh or Makadi Bay in a private air-conditioned vehicle; pickup time varies slightly with your hotel’s location. Bring a packed breakfast from the hotel if available, then relax as you head west on the desert road through the Red Sea Mountains, with a short comfort stop along the way.
09:00 – Karnak Temple
Arrive in Luxor and meet your Egyptologist guide. Begin at Karnak, the vast temple complex of the god Amun, built over some 2,000 years. Walk the avenue of ram-headed sphinxes, stand among the 134 columns of the Great Hypostyle Hall and see the obelisk of Hatshepsut and the sacred lake. Your guide explains how each pharaoh added to the temple to show his devotion and power.
11:00 – Valley of the Kings
Cross to the West Bank and enter the Valley of the Kings, the hidden burial ground of New Kingdom pharaohs. Your ticket covers three tombs from those open on the day, decorated with vivid scenes of the afterlife. Tickets for Tutankhamun’s tomb or the tomb of Seti I can be bought on site if you wish to add them.
12:45 – Temple of Hatshepsut and Colossi of Memnon
Visit the striking terraced temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, set against the cliffs of the Theban Hills, and hear the story of the woman who ruled as pharaoh. On the way back, stop to photograph the Colossi of Memnon, the giant seated statues of Amenhotep III that once guarded his memorial temple.
14:00 – Lunch and optional felucca
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant with traditional Egyptian dishes. If time allows, you can add an optional felucca sail of about an hour on the Nile, a relaxing way to see the river and the West Bank hills before the journey home. Your guide says goodbye in the mid-afternoon.
Meals: Lunch
15:30 – Return to Hurghada
Set off on the road back to the Red Sea coast, with a comfort stop on the way. You arrive at your Hurghada hotel at around 19:30 to 20:00, depending on traffic and your hotel’s location, tired but with a full day of ancient Egypt behind you.
Good to know: This is a long day of about 14–15 hours with roughly 8 hours on the road. Carry your passport, as police checkpoints on the Hurghada–Luxor road are routine.
What’s Included
Included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with driver from your Hurghada-area hotel and back
- Private Egyptologist guide in Luxor
- Entry fees to Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings (3 tombs) and the Temple of Hatshepsut
- Lunch at a local restaurant in Luxor
- Bottled water in the vehicle
- All road taxes, fuel and parking
Not included
- Extra tickets for the tombs of Tutankhamun, Seti I or Ramesses VI
- Optional felucca sail
- Drinks with lunch
- Tips for the guide and driver
Prices
| Group size | Price per person |
|---|---|
| Single traveller | $295 |
| 2 travellers | $185 |
| 3–5 travellers | $150 |
| 6+ travellers | $115 |
Per person in USD for a private tour. Child prices depend on age and the services included – ask us for a child price before you book. Prices can be higher over Christmas, New Year and Easter; we confirm the exact price in writing before you pay.
Not sure if a day trip is right for you? Read is a Luxor day trip from Hurghada worth it?
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the drive from Hurghada to Luxor?
The drive is about 300 km and normally takes around four hours each way, including a short comfort stop. Times vary a little with traffic, checkpoints and the location of your hotel. Because the vehicle is private, you can stop for photos, toilets or snacks whenever you need.
Is a Luxor day trip from Hurghada worth it, or should I stay overnight?
The day trip works well if your time is limited and you are happy with an early start and a long day. If you prefer a slower pace, an overnight stay lets you add Luxor Temple, the West Bank in more depth or a sunrise balloon flight. We can quote either option.
Can I join from El Gouna, Makadi Bay or Sahl Hasheesh?
Yes. We collect from hotels in Hurghada, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi Bay and Soma Bay. Pickup from El Gouna is slightly earlier, while Makadi and Soma Bay are a little closer to the Luxor road. We confirm the exact time when you book.
Is this tour suitable for children?
Children are welcome, and many enjoy the tombs and giant statues. It is a long day with many hours in the car, so it suits older children best. With a private vehicle we can stop more often, and we can provide child seats on request when you book.
What should I bring?
Bring comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, a light layer for the air-conditioned car and Egyptian pounds or small change for extras and tips. Clothing that covers shoulders and knees is respectful at the temples. Remember your passport or ID, which may be checked on the road.
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Want to combine tours or change anything? Contact us or message us on WhatsApp and we will tailor it for you.
