Luxor Day Trip from Hurghada – Valley of the Kings & Karnak
15 hours, shared group of up to 16, Egyptologist guide, entrance tickets and lunch included, hotel pickup from 04:30.
At a glance
- Departs
- Daily
The short answer
A 15-hour guided day trip by road from Hurghada to Luxor: about 4 hours each way, 4 main stops (Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon, Karnak) and lunch.
- New
- Small group
Snapshot
Good to know
- Destinations
- Hurghada · Luxor · Valley of the Kings · Temple of Hatshepsut · Colossi of Memnon · Karnak Temple
- Includes
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Hurghada, El Gouna, Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh and Soma Bay · Air-conditioned coach or minibus shared with other guests · Egyptologist guide (English) · Entrance tickets: Valley of the Kings (three tombs), Temple of Hatshepsut, Karnak Temple · Lunch at a local restaurant
- Guide languages
- English
Best time to go
October to April has the most comfortable temperatures for walking the sites. In summer the day is very hot, and the guide aims to keep outdoor time short.
- Egyptian tour operator working since 1988; our Hurghada office runs this trip
- ETAA Licence 718, Category A, and an IATA member
02Overview
A first look
This is a 15-hour day trip from Hurghada to Luxor by road. A shared coach or minibus collects you from your hotel at 04:30 and drives about four hours across the Eastern Desert. In Luxor an Egyptologist guide takes you through the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and Karnak Temple, with a photo stop at the Colossi of Memnon and lunch in between. Entrance tickets, lunch and water are included. It suits travelers who want to see ancient Thebes without changing hotels and can cope with a very early start and a late return.
Background
The facts
Luxor lies about 280 km west of Hurghada. The road crosses the Eastern Desert and takes about four hours each way, with one rest stop, before the sightseeing in Luxor.
Named in this entry
Luxor·Valley of the Kings·Temple of Hatshepsut·Colossi of Memnon·Karnak Temple·Eastern Desert
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- Travelers staying in Hurghada who want to see Luxor's tombs and temples in a single day and are fine with a 04:30 start.
Maybe not, if
- Not for small children, people with limited mobility or anyone who dislikes long coach journeys.
What lingers
- 01Three tombs in the Valley of the Kings on the standard ticket, explained by an Egyptologist
- 02Temple of Hatshepsut, built into the cliffs at Deir el-Bahari
- 03A photo stop at the two Colossi of Memnon, seated statues standing on the West Bank
- 04Karnak Temple, including the forest of columns in the Great Hypostyle Hall
- 05Lunch at a local restaurant in Luxor, with bottled water on the vehicle all day
Honest assessment
Real trade-offs from our experience managing this tour.
Highlights
- Covers both banks of Luxor in one day
- Guide, tickets and lunch are included
- No change of hotel
Things to Consider
- Roughly 8 hours of driving in total
- Starts at 04:30 and returns around 20:00
Stop by stop
Detailed itinerary
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Hurghada, El Gouna, Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh and Soma Bay
- Air-conditioned coach or minibus shared with other guests
- Egyptologist guide (English)
- Entrance tickets: Valley of the Kings (three tombs), Temple of Hatshepsut, Karnak Temple
- Lunch at a local restaurant
- Bottled water on the vehicle
Not included
- Gratuities
- Drinks with lunch
- Extra-ticket tombs (Tutankhamun, Seti I, Ramses V and VI)
- Electric cart at the Valley of the Kings
- Personal expenses
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Keep a charged phone for the desert views on the drive out
- 02
Carry small cash notes for the restroom attendants and the optional Tutankhamun ticket
Before you go
What to pack & wear
Children & families
Children under 2 travel free, ages 2 to 11 pay half the adult price, and guests 12 and over pay the adult price. There is no minimum age, but the drive is about eight hours in total, so we advise this trip mainly for older children who can sit still for long stretches.
Indicative rates only – pricing and departure fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.
On the ground
Your route
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01How does the price work for this Luxor day trip?
The price is per person and is set for a shared vehicle. It covers transport, the Egyptologist guide, the three entrance tickets listed and lunch. Children under 2 travel free, ages 2 to 11 pay half and 12 and over pay the adult price. Prices are provisional until our team confirms your request.02What time is pickup, and from where?
Pickup is at 04:30 from hotels in Hurghada, El Gouna, Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh and Soma Bay. Our Hurghada office confirms your exact time after you send a request, because the vehicle collects several hotels in turn. Be in the lobby ten minutes early. Ask your hotel the evening before about a breakfast box.03Is the drive too long for children?
It is a hard day for small children. The drive is about four hours each way and the sites involve walking in the sun. Many families with children over about 8 manage it. If yours are younger, the overnight option or a Red Sea boat trip is gentler.04What should I wear and bring for the temples and tombs?
Wear light clothing that covers shoulders and knees, closed comfortable shoes, a hat and sunscreen. Bring your passport or a copy, cash for drinks and optional tickets, and a light layer for the early start and the air-conditioned vehicle. A refillable water bottle is useful.05Can I cancel if my plans change?
More than 72 hours ahead, keep 100% as credit toward future travel or take a 100% refund, less bank charges. Between 72 and 24 hours, keep 100% as credit or take a 50% refund. Within 24 hours, or if you don't show up, there is no refund or credit. If we have to cancel, you lose nothing.06Is this a private tour or shared with other guests?
It is shared. The coach or minibus carries up to 16 guests, who may be picked up from different resorts. You travel and visit the sites with the same group and one guide. If you want your own vehicle and a flexible schedule, ask us about a private version.
If plans change
Cancellation and refunds
What you get back if you cancel depends on how far ahead of your trip you tell us and the type of trip you book. Read our current cancellation and refund policy
Continue reading
From the archives
Product ID: EXC-HRG-091096
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