Hurghada's position on the Red Sea makes it the launchpad for one of Egypt's most dramatic day trips: the Cairo and Pyramids run (roughly 12 hours by air or road). For shorter trips, the 5-hour run to Luxor's East Bank temples packs serious sightseeing into a half-day. Bedouin desert experiences take you into the Eastern Desert hills for a different kind of Egypt entirely.
Day tours departing from Hurghada
Hurghada Day Tours
Cairo & Pyramids (12 hr), Luxor temples (5 hr) or Bedouin desert
LengthFull & half day
From$45 / person
PickupHotel included
GuideEgyptologist
The best day tour in Hurghada is the one you don't have to organize yourself. We've been arranging them, in this country, since 1988.Discovery Tours Egypt · since 1988
What you'll see
Hurghada, in the order that makes sense
A full day comfortably covers two or three of the stops below – your guide tailors the mix to your pace, interests and the season.
01
Luxor in a day
Four hours south by road brings you to the world's greatest open-air museum: Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut's temple in a single full day with your own Egyptologist. Early start, unforgettable return – the headline day trip from the coast.
02
Cairo & the Pyramids
The big one, as a long day from the coast: the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum, by internal flight (easy) or overnight coach (cheaper). A private Egyptologist meets you on arrival so no time is wasted.
03
Orange Bay & Giftun Island
The Red Sea's postcard: a boat day to the white sandbars and turquoise shallows of Giftun and Orange Bay, with swimming, lunch aboard and time on the islands. The classic Hurghada day on the water.
04
Red Sea snorkelling cruise
A full day at sea on a traditional boat, with several snorkeling stops over coral gardens, reef fish and the odd turtle, and lunch cooked on board between swims. The easiest, laziest way to meet the reef.
05
Desert safari & Bedouin night
Quad bikes and 4x4s into the Eastern Desert at golden hour, a Bedouin camp for tea and dinner, and a sky with no light pollution at all. The land side of a Red Sea holiday.
Every Hurghada day tours
Ways to spend the day
Every private, fully-guided day tour we run here – hotel or Nile-cruise pickup included. The price you see is the all-in rate.
Orange Bay Snorkeling & Beach Escape – Giftun Island, Hurghada
A day trip from Hurghada to Giftun Island's Orange Bay for snorkeling, swimming, and relaxed beach time on the Red Sea. The boat ride to Orange Bay is approximately 40 minutes each way from Hurghada Marina. We arrange snorkel kit, life jackets, bottled water and a beach lunch; tell us in advance if you need child-size gear. Unlike shore snorkel sites, Giftun's reefs are reached by boat and typically have larger coral gardens and clearer visibility. We schedule morning snorkel slots to avoid the sunniest hours and reduce crowding at reef stops. Trade-offs: limited shade on the beach at midday, possible motion-sickness on choppy days, and higher visitor numbers in high season. Private-boat upgrades, early departures, or shaded-cabin requests are available on request. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and handle hotel pickup from Hurghada on request.
From $20
Luxor West Bank: Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut & Colossi of Memnon
This private West Bank day tour visits the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's Deir el‑Bahari, and the Colossi of Memnon. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator. Your driver meets you at your Luxor hotel; we arrange an air‑conditioned car, a short West Bank crossing, and our Egyptologist guides every visit. We don't run group bus tours; we set the pacing to avoid the midday heat and minimise queue time. Unlike typical cruise shore excursions, we allow longer time at tombs and the temple. Note: shade is limited on the West Bank and tombs have uneven steps; premium tomb tickets (Tutankhamun, Seti I) and gratuities are excluded.
From $104
More from our full collection
A few more Hurghada day tours.
Know before you go
The practical bits
What to wear
Cover shoulders and knees for mosques and churches. Closed, comfortable shoes – you'll cross uneven stone and sand.
Tipping
Around $2–4 a day for your guide is standard, and a little for the driver. Never obligatory – your day tour price is complete.
Heat & water
Carry 1.5L minimum. Sites are in full sun by 10am – the early start isn't just about crowds, it's about comfort.
Cameras & fees
A few sites charge a separate camera fee at the gate; some interiors are extra. Standard site entry is always included.
Questions we hear most
Hurghada day tours, answered
- How much does a Hurghada day tour cost?
- Private day tours in Hurghada start from $20 per person, with the exact rate depending on the itinerary, group size and season. Every Discovery Tours Egypt day tour is private and all-inclusive: a licensed Egyptologist guide, air-conditioned vehicle, hotel pickup and drop-off, and all listed entry fees. There are no hidden add-ons at the sites.
- Are your Hurghada day tours private?
- Yes. Every day tour we run is fully private – just your party, your own Egyptologist guide and your own driver. Nothing is shared with strangers, and the pace, stops and timing are tailored to you on the day.
- Is hotel pickup included?
- Yes. Pickup and drop-off at your Hurghada hotel (or Nile cruise dock, where relevant) are included at no extra cost. Your guide meets you in the lobby; if your plans change, the local office that arranged the day tour can adjust it on the day.
- When is the best time to visit Hurghada?
- October to April is the most comfortable season, with warm days and cool evenings ideal for sightseeing. May to September is hotter, so day tours start early to beat the midday heat – and you'll often find fewer crowds and lower prices. We run day tours in Hurghada year-round.
- Is it safe, and are families welcome?
- Yes on both counts. We've operated in Egypt since 1988 from offices nationwide, with 24/7 in-country support, and day tours run with our own vetted guides and drivers. Families are very welcome – guides adjust the pace and content for children, and we can arrange car seats and shorter itineraries.
Plan your day in Hurghada Tell us your dates.
Tell us your dates.
We'll build the day.
Private Egyptologist, hotel pickup, all entry fees, clear pricing. Offices across Egypt – and the person who answers the phone can fix things on the day.
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before pickup* · we reply within 30 minutes in Cairo office hours
*Excludes trips with pre-issued flight or train tickets.