Many visitors to Hurghada, El Gouna and Marsa Alam ask us the same question: can I see Luxor in a single day? Yes, you can. It is a long day, with an early start and several hours on the road, but in return you walk through the Hypostyle Hall of Karnak and into the royal tombs of the Valley of the Kings, and you are back at your hotel in the evening.
Here is how far it is, how the day usually runs, and how to decide whether a day trip or a longer stay suits you better.
How far is Luxor from Hurghada?
Luxor is about 280 to 300 km from Hurghada by road. The drive takes around four hours each way, plus a short break. From El Gouna, add a little time; Marsa Alam is further south, so the drive is longer.
The road runs south along the Red Sea coast to Safaga, then turns inland through the mountains of the Eastern Desert and reaches the green Nile Valley near Qena. The desert stretch is quiet and beautiful, and a good moment to rest in the air-conditioned car. There are police checkpoints on the way; they are normal and usually quick.
What you see in one day
A good day trip covers both banks of the Nile. On our Luxor day tour from the Red Sea, you spend about:
- 1 hour 30 minutes at Karnak Temple, with the 134 columns of the Hypostyle Hall
- 1 hour at Luxor Temple, in the heart of the city
- 2 hours in the Valley of the Kings, inside the royal tombs
- 1 hour at the temple of Queen Hatshepsut, with its great terraces
- 30 minutes at the Colossi of Memnon
An Egyptologist guide explains each site in your language. The day also includes a short stop at an alabaster workshop and an Egyptian meal at a restaurant before the drive back.
How the day runs
- Before dawn: pickup at your hotel and the drive to Luxor.
- Morning: the East Bank, with Karnak and Luxor Temple.
- Midday: cross to the West Bank for the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's temple and the Colossi of Memnon.
- Late afternoon: an Egyptian meal, then the drive back.
- Evening: back at your hotel.
Exact times depend on your hotel and the season. We confirm your pickup time when you book.
Is a Luxor day trip from Hurghada worth it?
For most beach holidaymakers, yes. Luxor holds some of the greatest monuments on earth, listed by UNESCO as Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis, and a day trip lets you see the highlights without changing hotels.
Be honest about the long day, though: you spend around eight hours on the road in total. It suits travelers who are fine with an early start and a full programme. If you travel with small children, or want more time at the sites, consider staying a night in Luxor instead.
One night there changes the experience: you can add a sunrise balloon flight, see more tombs and travel back without rushing. Our 2-day Luxor trip with a hot-air balloon shows how much fits into two days.
Amwaj tip: the ticket for Tutankhamun's tomb is not included in the day tour price. If seeing the boy king's tomb matters to you, tell us when you book and we plan the time for it.
What to bring
- Your passport, or a copy, for the checkpoints on the road.
- A light layer for the early morning and the air-conditioned car.
- A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen: there is little shade at the West Bank sites.
- Comfortable closed shoes for uneven ground and tomb steps.
- Some cash for drinks, small purchases and tips.
- Clothes that cover your shoulders, comfortable in the sun and respectful at the temples.
Prefer your own plan? Take a private car
If you already know what you want to see, or you are meeting friends in Luxor, a private round-trip transfer from Hurghada gives you a car and driver for the day, on your own timetable. We also run round trips from El Gouna, Safaga and Marsa Alam.
Whichever you choose, write to us from the contact page with your hotel and dates, and we confirm the details the same day.
