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$17 / person
PickupHotel included
GuideEgyptologist
We run 14 day tours out of Hurghada, from reef boats to a full day at Luxor's temples. Prices start at $17 per person, and every trip appears in the table below with its length and rate.
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
Rates are per person and come from the live booking engine, which keeps every figure below current.
Every Hurghada day tour at a glance
On the water
The Red Sea is why most visitors fly in, and these boat days put you over the reef with a guide. Some are shared with other guests; one is a private charter for your own group.
Dolphin House Snorkeling Boat Trip from Hurghada
A day by boat to the reefs north of Hurghada where wild spinner dolphins are often seen, with two or three snorkeling stops and lunch on board. Sightings are common but never guaranteed, and we do not chase, feed or touch the dolphins. The boat is shared with up to 30 guests. Equipment, lunch and marine park fees are included.
From $578 Hours
Paradise Island Beach Day from Hurghada – Boat & Snorkeling
A boat day to Paradise Island on the Giftun reserve: a snorkeling stop on the way, about three hours on a white-sand beach with sunbeds and shallow water, and lunch on board. An easy day for families and non-snorkelers, on a boat shared with up to 40 guests and a snorkeling guide. Equipment, lunch and marine park fees are included.
From $1088 Hours
Hurghada Semi-Submarine & Glass-Bottom Boat – Reef Viewing
See the reef without getting wet: a two-hour trip on a semi-submarine with a glass-walled cabin below the waterline, a stop to snorkel for those who want to, and hotel transfers. It suits young children and non-swimmers. The boat is shared with up to 40 guests, with sailings at 09:00, 11:30 or 14:00. A soft drink and water are served on board.
From $243 Hours
Intro Scuba Dive Day from Hurghada – Two Guided Dives by Boat
A first taste of scuba with no license needed: a full day on a dive boat with a briefing, two shallow guided dives with an instructor at your side, and lunch on board. The first dive goes to about 6 meters and the second to at most 12. Snorkeling is possible between dives, and the minimum age is 10. Full equipment, lunch and marine park fees are included.
From $218 Hours
Private Boat Charter from Hurghada – Islands & Snorkeling
A boat and crew for your party alone, leaving from the Hurghada marina. You choose the pace: two or three snorkeling stops on the reefs off Hurghada, a swim off an island beach, and lunch cooked on board. The boat takes up to 15 guests and a snorkeling guide goes with you. Lunch, equipment and marine park fees are included.
From $1137 Hours
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 $23
In the desert
The Eastern Desert starts just behind the resort strip. Head out by quad or on horseback and finish with tea around a Bedouin fire.
Hurghada Quad Bike Desert Safari with Bedouin Dinner
An afternoon in the desert behind Hurghada: a guided quad-bike ride in convoy, a stop at a Bedouin camp for tea and a short camel ride, then a barbecue dinner and a folklore show after sunset. The group is shared with up to 30 guests, the pickup is at 14:00, and the minimum age is 6. Dinner, a helmet and a short camel ride at the camp are included.
From $505 Hours
Horse or Camel Ride in Hurghada – Beach & Desert
A guided one-hour ride on a horse or a camel from a stable outside Hurghada, through open desert and down to the shoreline. It runs in the cooler part of the day, in the morning or the afternoon. Beginners are welcome, the stable matches the animal to the rider, and the minimum age is 6. Tea and bottled water are served at the stable, and transfers are included.
From $323 Hours
Hurghada Jeep Safari and Telescope Adventure
This one-day excursion in Hurghada combines a jeep safari with telescope-based observation. Hurghada lies on Egypt’s Red Sea coast, with desert terrain inland from the city. Unlike a standard city sightseeing tour, its focus is the desert and viewing through a telescope. Confirm the meeting point, departure and return times, inclusions, and any age or mobility requirements with us before booking.
From $32
Long day trips
Luxor and Cairo are both reachable from the coast, but they make for long days. Choose a flight, a coach, or a night in Luxor to keep the pace gentler.
Luxor Day Trip from Hurghada – Valley of the Kings & Karnak
A long day from the Red Sea coast to Luxor and back by road, with an Egyptologist guide. You visit the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut, the Colossi of Memnon and Karnak Temple, with lunch in Luxor. The coach or minibus is shared with up to 16 guests, and the drive is about four hours each way. Lunch and bottled water are included.
From $10115 Hours
Luxor Overnight from Hurghada – 2 Days, East & West Bank
Two days in Luxor with one hotel night, so neither bank of the Nile is rushed. Day one covers Karnak and Luxor Temple, and day two, early and cool, the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. Transport from Hurghada, guide, hotel and meals are included, in a shared vehicle of up to 16 guests.
From $4612 Days
Private Cairo Day Trip from Hurghada by Flight – Pyramids & GEM
Fly from Hurghada to Cairo in the morning and back in the evening, with a private guide and vehicle for your party only. You see the Giza pyramids, the Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum, with lunch in between. We book the domestic flights, about one hour each way, and they are included in the price. Entrance tickets, lunch and bottled water are included as well.
From $58215 Hours
Cairo Day Trip from Hurghada by Road – Giza Pyramids & Museum
The lowest-cost way to see the Giza pyramids from the Red Sea: an overnight coach to Cairo, a guided day at the pyramids, the Sphinx and a museum, and the drive back the same evening. It is a very long day, about six hours each way, on a shared coach with up to 40 guests and an Egyptologist guide. Entrance tickets, lunch and bottled water are included.
From $9520 Hours
In town
If you want a slower morning on dry land, the town itself has a marina, a mosque, an old quarter and a market worth an hour or two.
Who these day tours suit
- FamiliesShort boat and beach outings, with half fares for children aged 2 to 11.
- First-time snorkelersGuided reef stops where no experience is needed.
- History lovers on a beach vacationLuxor and Cairo fit into a single long day, or two days with an overnight.
- Private groupsBook a boat or car for your party alone, and the rate per head falls as you add people.
Discovery Tours Egypt has been an Egyptian tour operator since 1988. We hold ETAA Licence No. 718 (Category A), we are IATA accredited, and we staff six offices: Cairo · Luxor · Aswan · Hurghada · Marsa Alam · Sharm El Sheikh.
Plan the rest of your stayHotels in HurghadaHurghada airport transfers
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
- 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.
- Do kids pay full price on Hurghada day tours?
- On shared trips, children under 2 travel free and ages 2 to 11 pay half the adult fare. Everyone 12 and over pays the adult rate. Private trips are priced per person, and that figure drops as your group gets bigger.
- How late can I book a Hurghada day tour?
- You can book online up to 48 hours before the trip. Inside that window, send us a request and our Hurghada office will see what can still be arranged.
- What happens if I need to cancel?
- Cancel three or more days ahead for a full refund. From three days down to 24 hours before departure you get half back. Inside the last 24 hours the trip is not refundable.
- Can I see Luxor or Cairo in a single day from Hurghada?
- Luxor is about 4 hours each way by road, so expect a very long day. The Cairo day trips by air include your domestic flights, which saves you the overland journey.
Plan your day in HurghadaTell 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.
Full credit or a refund when you cancel more than 72 hours before pickup* · we reply within 30 minutes in Cairo office hours
*Refunds are less bank charges. Pre-issued flight or train tickets are non-refundable. Full policy