Hurghada Excursions – Sightseeing Tours & Day Trips
Hurghada to Luxor Day Trip – Small Group – Kings – All Included
Hurghada to Luxor Day Trip – Small Group – Kings – All Included
Plan a small-group Luxor trip from Hurghada with the Valley of the Kings, Tutankhamun, Karnak, route timing, inclusions and prices.
The Best Hurghada to Luxor Day Trip — Valley of Kings, Tutankhamun & Karnak All Included
01.Hurghada to Luxor Distance, Journey Time & Transport Options
How long is the journey from Hurghada to Luxor? The Hurghada to Luxor distance is approximately 220–230 km via the Safaga–Qena desert road — Egypt’s most scenic desert highway, cutting through the Eastern Desert between the Red Sea and the Nile Valley. The drive takes approximately 3 to 3.5 hours each way in a private air-conditioned vehicle, and the road is well-maintained, comfortable, and extremely safe.
| Transport Option | Journey Time | Best For Day Trip? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private A/C Vehicle (our tour) | 3–3.5 hrs | ✓ Best option | Door-to-door from hotel. Comfortable, reliable, most popular |
| Hurghada to Luxor flight | ~45 min flight | Rarely practical | Limited schedules, airport transfers add time, usually more expensive |
| Hurghada to Luxor bus | ~4–5 hrs | ✕ Not recommended | No door-to-door, no guide, limited schedule flexibility |
| Hurghada to Luxor train | No direct train | ✕ Not possible | There is no direct train from Hurghada to Luxor — Hurghada has no railway connection |
Note on Hurghada to Luxor train: A common question is whether there is a Hurghada to Luxor train. There is not — Hurghada has no railway station. The nearest train station to Hurghada is in Safaga or Qena, neither of which is practical for day-trip visitors. The private air-conditioned vehicle is the only sensible option for a Hurghada to Luxor day trip, and the 3–3.5 hour desert drive is a genuinely comfortable and scenic experience.
02.Full Day Itinerary — Hurghada to Luxor Day Trip Hour by Hour
The following Hurghada to Luxor day trip itinerary is the standard format for our small group and private Luxor day tours. All timings are coordinated with hotel pickup — our team contacts each guest the evening before to confirm exact pickup time based on hotel location within Hurghada.
Full Day Itinerary — Hurghada to Luxor Day Trip Hour by Hour
Hotel Pickup in Hurghada · Private vehicle picks you up directly from your Hurghada hotel
Your Hurghada To Go driver meets you at your hotel lobby. Air-conditioned vehicle with bottled water for the journey. Your licensed Egyptologist guide travels with you — the 3-hour desert drive is used to introduce the history, mythology, and context of Luxor’s monuments. By the time you arrive, you already understand what you are about to see.
Arrive Luxor · Cross to West Bank · West Bank — the City of the Dead
Arrive in Luxor and cross to the West Bank — the ancient city of the dead, where the pharaohs of the New Kingdom built their eternal homes in the limestone cliffs. The West Bank approach, with the Theban hills rising above the green Nile Valley, is one of Egypt’s most dramatic landscapes.
Colossi of Memnon · Two 18-Metre Seated Colossi of Pharaoh Amenhotep III
Photo stop at the two colossal seated statues of Amenhotep III — each 18 metres tall, carved from single blocks of quartzite sandstone around 1350 BC. All that remains of a once-magnificent mortuary temple that was the largest in Egypt. Your guide explains the famous “singing” phenomenon — ancient Greek and Roman visitors reported hearing music from the northern colossus at dawn.
Valley of the Kings (including Tutankhamun’s Tomb) · The Royal Necropolis of the New Kingdom Pharaohs — 3 Tombs + Tutankhamun
The Valley of the Kings — 63 rock-cut tombs in the desolate limestone hills of the West Bank, where Egypt’s greatest pharaohs (1550–1070 BC) were buried with everything they would need for eternity. The valley is silent, stark, and extraordinary. Your Egyptologist guide selects the 3 most impressive open tombs on the day of your visit — rotating selection ensures you see the finest available. Standard entry includes 3 tombs. Tutankhamun’s tomb (KV62) is included on this tour — the boy pharaoh’s mummy still rests in his golden outer coffin inside the tomb exactly where Howard Carter discovered it in 1922. Your guide narrates the discovery story inside the actual tomb — one of the most powerful moments available anywhere in Egypt.
Temple of Hatshepsut (Deir el-Bahari) · Three-Terraced Mortuary Temple of Egypt’s Most Powerful Female Pharaoh
The Temple of Hatshepsut — three colonnaded terraces rising dramatically against the vertical Theban cliffs, built by Egypt’s most successful female ruler (c. 1480 BC). The temple’s painted reliefs include the extraordinary scenes of the divine birth of Hatshepsut (depicting her father as the god Amun) and the famous Punt expedition. The proportional perfection of the architecture, set against the natural drama of the cliff face behind it, makes this one of Egypt’s most photographed ancient sites.
Lunch · Lunch at a Quality Luxor Restaurant — Included
Lunch at a quality Luxor restaurant selected by Hurghada To Go for food standard — not commission. Traditional Egyptian cuisine: grilled kofta, grilled chicken, fresh mezze, Egyptian bread, seasonal salads. Nile-view seating where available. Vegetarian, halal, and allergy-friendly options on request — mention at booking.
Karnak Temple Complex (East Bank) · The World’s Largest Religious Complex — 247 Acres, 4,000 Years, 134 Columns
Cross back to the East Bank for the afternoon’s crown jewel — Karnak Temple . The world’s largest religious structure: 247 acres constructed by approximately 30 pharaohs over 1,500 years. The Great Hypostyle Hall — 134 papyrus columns standing 23 metres tall, their original polychrome paint still partially visible — is the single most awe-inspiring interior space in ancient architecture. Your guide navigates the complex to cover: the Hypostyle Hall, the Sacred Lake (where priests purified themselves daily), the obelisks of Hatshepsut and Thutmose I, the shrine of Amun, and the Avenue of Ram-headed Sphinxes that once connected Karnak to Luxor Temple 3 km away.
Optional: Luxor Temple (Exterior) · First Pylon of Luxor Temple & the Avenue of Sphinxes
Time permitting — a brief stop at the Avenue of Sphinxes (recently excavated, stretching 2.7 km from Karnak to Luxor Temple) and the exterior of Luxor Temple’s first pylon with its standing obelisk and the seated Ramesses II colossi. Full interior of Luxor Temple is included on our 2-day Luxor tour and the Nile Cruise package.
Depart Luxor · Return to Hurghada (~3.5 hours) · Arrive ~21:00–22:00 PM · Private Transfer Back to Your Hurghada Hotel
Depart Luxor via the desert road. Arrive back at your Hurghada hotel approximately 21:00–22:00. Bottled water provided for the return journey. All Included: Transport · Egyptologist Guide · All Entrance Fees · Tutankhamun’s Tomb · Lunch Hurghada to Luxor Day Trip — From €90 per Person Book Luxor Day Trip from Hurghada
Travel from Hurghada to Luxor.
Explore the East Bank monuments including Karnak.
Visit the West Bank and Valley of the Kings.
03.Valley of the Kings — Complete Site Guide for the Hurghada Day Trip
The Valley of the Kings is Egypt’s most extraordinary site after the Pyramids of Giza — and arguably more intimate and moving. Where the Pyramids are experienced from the outside, the Valley’s tombs are experienced from within: descending steep corridors into the hillside, surrounded by paintings that have retained their colours for 3,200 years, in the actual chambers where some of history’s most powerful rulers lay in their golden coffins.
The Valley contains 63 numbered royal tombs (KV1–KV63), carved for the pharaohs of the 18th, 19th, and 20th Dynasties (approximately 1550–1070 BC). Not all are open simultaneously — typically 20–25 are accessible to visitors, and our Egyptologist guide selects the most rewarding open on your visit day. Standard entry includes 3 tombs; Tutankhamun’s tomb is included on this tour at no extra charge.
Discovered 1922 by Howard Carter — the only royal tomb found intact. The boy pharaoh’s mummy still rests in his outer golden coffin. The painted antechamber walls show the Opening of the Mouth ceremony. Included on this tour.
One of the largest and most elaborately decorated tombs in the Valley — astronomical ceiling showing the complete journey of the sun and moon, vivid paint in near-perfect condition after 3,100 years.
The “Bruce’s Tomb” — one of the longest in the Valley at 125 metres, with extraordinary side chambers showing daily life scenes rarely depicted in royal tombs. The unfinished sections reveal the construction process.
The finest tomb in the Valley — 137 metres deep, with the most exquisite painted reliefs of any royal tomb. Not always open; when available, your guide will prioritise it. Belzoni’s 1817 discovery remains one of Egyptology’s defining moments.
04.Tutankhamun’s Tomb — Why You Must Visit & What You See
The Hurghada Luxor Valley of the Kings & Tutankhamun tomb trip is specifically designed around Tutankhamun’s tomb as a standard inclusion — not an extra charge. On most Luxor day tours, Tutankhamun’s tomb is sold as an optional add-on at extra cost. On this tour, it is included because it is, quite simply, the most important thing to see in the Valley of the Kings.
Why is Tutankhamun’s tomb so significant? Of the 63 royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings, only one was discovered intact — its treasures untouched by ancient tomb robbers: the tomb of the young pharaoh Tutankhamun (reigned c. 1332–1323 BC), discovered by Howard Carter in November 1922. The 5,000+ objects from this single tomb fill most of a floor at the Grand Egyptian Museum. The tomb itself — KV62 — is modest in size (Tutankhamun died young, aged approximately 19) but contains the most significant thing available anywhere in Egypt: the mummy of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh, still resting in his original burial chamber, inside his gilded outer coffin, in the tomb his priests sealed 3,300 years ago.
What you see inside Tutankhamun’s Tomb (KV62)
- The antechamber — where Carter found the treasures piled in breathtaking disorder on 26 November 1922
- The burial chamber walls — painted with the Opening of the Mouth ceremony and the Book of the Dead, in colours unchanged since 1323 BC
- Tutankhamun’s mummy — still in his gilded outer coffin, visible through glass in the burial chamber
- The quartzite sarcophagus — the outermost container that held the nested coffins
- Your Egyptologist’s narration of the 1922 discovery story — told standing in the actual space where it happened
05.Karnak Temple — The World’s Largest Religious Complex
Karnak Temple in Luxor is the most visited ancient site in Egypt after the Pyramids of Giza — and justifiably so. The Karnak complex covers 247 acres and was under continuous construction by approximately 30 pharaohs over 1,500 years (from around 2055 BC to 395 AD). It is, by any measure, the largest religious structure ever built by human beings.
The Great Hypostyle Hall alone — with its 134 papyrus columns standing 23 metres tall in 16 rows — is considered the finest single interior architectural space in the ancient world. Standing among these columns as they have stood for 3,200 years, some with remnants of their original polychrome paint still visible high above, produces an experience that no amount of prior knowledge or photographs can fully prepare you for.
Great Hypostyle Hall — 134 columns, 23m tall, original paint surviving. The greatest interior in ancient architecture.
Sacred Lake — where priests ritually purified themselves each morning. Wildfowl nesting on the banks, palm trees, Nile reflections.
Obelisks of Hatshepsut — two 30-metre granite obelisks (one still standing) covered in electrum (gold-silver alloy) at the summit.
Avenue of Ram-Headed Sphinxes — the processional avenue connecting Karnak to Luxor Temple, recently fully excavated and restored.
06.10 Unmissable Highlights of This Hurghada to Luxor Day Trip
01. Tutankhamun’s Mummy in KV62
the boy pharaoh still in his tomb, 3,300 years on
02. Valley of the Kings (3+ tombs)
3,200-year-old painted walls in vivid colour
03. Karnak Hypostyle Hall
134 columns, the greatest interior in ancient architecture
04. Temple of Hatshepsut
three terraced colonnades against the Theban cliff face
05. Colossi of Memnon
two 18-metre quartzite statues guarding the West Bank
06. Sacred Lake at Karnak
the ceremonial water source for 1,500 years of priestly ritual
07. Hatshepsut’s Obelisks
30 metres of granite covered in gold-silver alloy at Karnak
08. Howard Carter discovery story
told by your guide inside KV62 itself
09. Luxor Temple exterior + Avenue of Sphinxes
2.7 km of ram-headed sphinxes
10. The Eastern Desert drive
the Safaga–Qena road through Egypt’s most dramatic desert landscape
07.Hurghada to Luxor Day Trip Prices — All Included
| Option / traveler | Tour price |
|---|---|
| ✕ Hot air balloon over the Valley of the Kings (~ | €80 pp · must depart 05:30 AM · available on our 2-day Luxor tour) |
| ✕ Tips for guide and driver (~ | €5–€10 per person · appreciated but not obligatory) |
All Included — No Hidden Extras
per group · your pace
Children (0–11): 50% · Both options: all entrance fees, guide, transport, lunch included
Book Luxor Day Trip from Hurghada
What Is Included — All Included Means All Included
✓ Private air-conditioned vehicle — hotel pickup and return in Hurghada, all Luxor transfers
✓ Licensed English-speaking Egyptologist guide — full day dedicated to your group
✓ All entrance fees — Colossi of Memnon, Valley of the Kings (3 tombs), Tutankhamun’s tomb (KV62), Temple of Hatshepsut, Karnak Temple
✓ Lunch at a quality Luxor restaurant — all dietary requirements accommodated on request
✓ Bottled water throughout · all road tolls and parking · free cancellation 24 hours before
Not Included
08.Small Group vs Private Luxor Tour from Hurghada — Which Is Right for You?
| Feature | Small Group Day Trip (€90 pp) | Private Luxor Tour (€175 group) |
|---|---|---|
| Group size | Max 8–10 people | Your group only |
| Guide attention | Shared within small group | 100% dedicated to you |
| Pace & flexibility | Standard itinerary | Your pace, your choices |
| Pickup time | Coordinated pickup route | Your exact preferred time |
| All entrance fees incl. Tutankhamun | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Best for | Solo travellers · couples wanting value | Families · serious history travellers · groups |
| Price | €90 per person | €175 per group |
Also available: 2-day trip to Luxor from Hurghada (from €360 per person) — overnight in Luxor, covering everything on the day trip PLUS Luxor Temple at night (the most beautiful sight in Luxor), the Ramesseum, the Valley of the Nobles, and Karnak Sound and Light Show. The 2-day format is strongly recommended for travellers who want genuine depth rather than a highlights overview.
09.Reviews — Hurghada to Luxor Day Trip Small Group
“The best Hurghada day trip we did by far. Tutankhamun’s tomb included in the price was brilliant — I’d expected to pay extra. Our guide was genuinely exceptional — the Howard Carter discovery story told inside the actual tomb was one of the most extraordinary things I’ve ever experienced travelling. Back at our hotel by 22:00 as promised.”
“I researched every Luxor tour from Hurghada available and chose Hurghada To Go because Tutankhamun was included rather than extra. Everything was exactly as described — small group of 7, brilliant guide, Karnak in the afternoon light was staggering. The Hypostyle Hall is genuinely incomparable. The Hurghada to Luxor day trip price is exceptional value for what you get.”
“Took the private option (family of 4) and it was absolutely worth it. The guide gave the kids — aged 8 and 11 — a completely adapted narrative that they still talk about three months later. Standing in front of Tutankhamun’s mummy with our own guide explaining everything was a travel experience none of us will ever forget. The private Luxor tour from Hurghada for 4 people worked out almost the same price per head as the shared tour.”
10.10 Insider Tips for Your Hurghada to Luxor Day Trip
The early start is worth it
The 05:00–06:00 AM pickup is non-negotiable for a successful Luxor day trip from Hurghada. It gets you to the Valley of the Kings before the large group tours from Luxor hotels arrive (around 09:30). The Valley in the early morning, with minimal other visitors, is a categorically different experience.
Wear comfortable closed-toe shoes
The Valley of the Kings involves steep descents on stone staircases into the tombs, and the surface of the valley floor is uneven limestone rock. Flip-flops are dangerous inside the tombs. Karnak involves extended walking on flat ground — trainers are ideal for both.
Bring sun protection for the open sites
The Colossi of Memnon, Valley of the Kings (exterior), and the approach to Hatshepsut’s temple are fully exposed. SPF 50+ sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat are essential even in cooler months. The inside of the tombs is cool and dim — no sunscreen needed inside.
Photography in the Valley of the Kings
Photography IS permitted inside the tombs (without flash) since 2016. Bring a camera or use your phone. Flash photography is prohibited — it damages the pigments. The darkness inside some tombs makes phone cameras struggle; a small torch or torch function on your phone helps enormously.
The Valley of the Kings is not air-conditioned
The interior of the tombs is naturally cool (constant 25–28°C regardless of external temperature). But the exterior of the valley, between tombs, is full desert sun. Carry water at all times — provided by Hurghada To Go in the vehicle, but bring an extra bottle for the valley walk.
Ask your guide about the least-visited tombs
Some of the most extraordinary tombs in the Valley are almost never visited because they are less famous. Your Egyptologist knows which open tombs are the finest on any given day and can steer you toward the less crowded ones without sacrificing quality.
The Hatshepsut Temple is best in morning light
The temple faces east — the Theban cliffs behind it are illuminated in dramatic morning light until approximately noon. The afternoon light flattens the colour contrast. Our itinerary places Hatshepsut at approximately 12:00–13:15 — still catching the last of the good morning light.
Karnak is best in late afternoon
The afternoon sun on the Hypostyle Hall columns (entering from the west) creates the most extraordinary light in all of ancient Egypt. Our itinerary places Karnak at 15:00–17:00 specifically to capture this. Photographs taken in the Hypostyle Hall at 16:00 are among the finest available anywhere in Egypt.
Carry small EGP notes for bathroom attendants
Bathroom attendants at all Luxor sites typically charge EGP 5–10. Bring EGP 100–150 in small notes. As of May 2026: £1 ≈ 65 EGP. The sites themselves — all entrance fees — are included in your tour price.
Consider upgrading to the 2-day Luxor tour
The day trip covers Luxor’s unmissable highlights. The 2-day trip to Luxor from Hurghada adds Luxor Temple at night (genuinely one of the most beautiful things in Egypt), a hot air balloon at sunrise, the Ramesseum, and the Valley of the Nobles — and gives every site twice the time. For many guests, having done the day trip once, the 2-day version becomes the priority for a return visit.
11.Frequently Asked Questions — Hurghada to Luxor Day Trip
Can you do a Luxor day trip from Hurghada?
Yes — the Hurghada to Luxor day trip is absolutely possible and is one of the most popular excursions from any Hurghada hotel. The journey by private air-conditioned vehicle takes approximately 3–3.5 hours each way via the Safaga–Qena desert road. Departing at 05:00–06:00 AM, you have a full day in Luxor — Valley of the Kings (including Tutankhamun’s tomb), Hatshepsut Temple, Colossi of Memnon, and Karnak — returning to Hurghada by approximately 21:00–22:00. The long day is well worth the early start.
Can I do Luxor in 1 day from Hurghada?
Yes — Luxor’s key highlights can definitely be covered in 1 day. The Hurghada to Luxor day trip itinerary covers the Valley of the Kings (3 tombs including Tutankhamun), Hatshepsut Temple, Colossi of Memnon, and Karnak Temple — the four unmissable sites. You will not have time for Luxor Temple interior (visited on evening Nile Cruise or 2-day tour), the Valley of the Nobles, or Medinet Habu — these require the 2-day format. But as a one-day overview of the most important sites in Luxor, one day is genuinely sufficient.
How much does it cost from Hurghada to Luxor?
The Hurghada to Luxor day trip price through Hurghada To Go starts from €90 per person (small group, all included: transport, Egyptologist guide, all entrance fees including Tutankhamun’s tomb, lunch, and bottled water). The private Luxor tour from Hurghada starts from €175 per group — making it excellent value for couples (€87.50 each) and very competitive for families of 3–4. There are no hidden extras on either option.
How long is the journey from Hurghada to Luxor?
The Hurghada to Luxor distance is approximately 220–230 km via the Safaga–Qena desert road. The drive takes approximately 3 to 3.5 hours in a private air-conditioned vehicle. The road is well-maintained, very scenic (crossing the Eastern Desert between the Red Sea hills and the Nile Valley), and completely comfortable. There is no direct Hurghada to Luxor train — Hurghada has no railway connection. A Hurghada to Luxor flight exists but is rarely practical for a day trip due to scheduling and the added time of airport procedures.
Is Tutankhamun’s tomb really included in the price?
Yes — Tutankhamun’s tomb (KV62) is included as standard on the Hurghada to Luxor day trip small group from Hurghada To Go . On many competitor tours, Tutankhamun’s tomb is listed as an “optional extra” at additional cost. We include it because it is the most significant thing to see in the Valley of the Kings and should not be a financial barrier. The price (currently EGP 800 = approximately €16) is absorbed into our all-included tour price.
What is the difference between the Hurghada day trip and the 2-day Luxor trip?
The Hurghada to Luxor day trip covers: Colossi of Memnon, Valley of the Kings (3 tombs + Tutankhamun), Hatshepsut Temple, Karnak Temple. The 2-day trip to Luxor from Hurghada (from €360 pp) adds: Luxor Temple illuminated at night (one of Egypt’s most beautiful experiences), hot air balloon at sunrise over the Valley of the Kings, the Ramesseum, Valley of the Nobles, and Medinet Habu — with overnight in Luxor and double the time at every site. If Luxor is a priority, the 2-day format is strongly recommended.
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