Luxor Day Trip from Hurghada by Bus: trip overview
This is the most popular way to see Luxor from Hurghada: a comfortable air-conditioned coach, a qualified Egyptologist guide and a carefully timed programme that covers both banks of the Nile in one day.
On the East Bank you walk through Karnak Temple, the largest religious complex of ancient Egypt, with its forest of giant columns. After lunch you cross to the West Bank to descend into painted royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings, visit the terraced temple of Queen Hatshepsut and stop at the Colossi of Memnon. It is a long day, and every hour of it is worth it.
Highlights
- Karnak Temple with its Great Hypostyle Hall
- Three royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings (standard ticket)
- Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari
- Colossi of Memnon photo stop
- Egyptologist guide, entrance tickets and lunch included
Your day, as it feels
The coach leaves while Hurghada is still asleep. You doze as the road climbs through the mountains, and wake as green fields appear along the Nile. By mid-morning you're standing at the entrance to Karnak, and your Egyptologist starts telling stories that make 3,000-year-old stones come alive.
The Great Hypostyle Hall stops everyone in their tracks — a forest of 134 massive columns covered in carvings. After lunch you cross to the West Bank, where the Valley of the Kings hides tombs painted in colours so vivid they look recent. Hatshepsut's terraced temple rises out of the cliffs, and the Colossi of Memnon wait for one last photo.
It's a long day, and we never pretend otherwise. But it is, for many guests, the day that turns a beach holiday into a trip to Egypt.
Why guests choose this trip with Hurghada Day Trips
Entrance tickets included
Standard tickets for every listed site are part of the price — no cash collected on the day.
Qualified Egyptologist
A licensed guide who tells the stories, not just the dates.
No forced shopping
Shopping stops are optional; ask to skip them and your guide will.
Best value way to see Luxor
Comfortable air-conditioned coach and lunch included.
Itinerary, hour by hour
- 05:00
Early pickup
Coach pickup from your hotel; a breakfast box is provided.
- 09:30
Karnak Temple
About two hours with your guide.
- 12:00
Lunch
Lunch at a local restaurant, optionally with a Nile view.
- 13:30
Valley of the Kings
Enter three royal tombs on the standard ticket.
- 15:30
Hatshepsut Temple
Walk up the terraces of the queen's mortuary temple.
- 16:30
Colossi of Memnon
Photo stop at the two giant statues.
- 17:00
Drive back
Around four hours to Hurghada; arrival approx. 21:00–22:00.
Times are approximate and confirmed with your booking. Pickup times vary by hotel area — you receive yours the evening before.
Places you'll visit
What you will see on this trip, in a few words. The exact order can change on the day.
Karnak Temple
Karnak is the largest temple complex of ancient Egypt, built and extended by pharaohs over about 2,000 years and dedicated mainly to the god Amun. The highlight is the Great Hypostyle Hall with its 134 giant columns, many still carrying their original colour high up. Avenues of ram-headed sphinxes, obelisks and the sacred lake complete the visit. It is a big site, so your guide follows a clear route that covers the essentials without wasting your energy. Full guide & map →
Valley of the Kings
On the west bank of Luxor, kings of the New Kingdom were buried in tombs cut deep into a desert valley, hidden from robbers. The standard ticket includes three tombs, and the painted walls and ceilings are often in astonishing condition. Some tombs, such as Tutankhamun's, need an extra ticket. Photography rules and open tombs change from time to time, so your guide chooses the best tombs open on the day and explains what the scenes mean. Full guide & map →
Temple of Hatshepsut (Deir el-Bahari)
The mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut rises in three wide terraces against the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari. She was one of the few women to rule Egypt as pharaoh, and her temple tells the story of her reign, including a famous trading expedition to the land of Punt. The architecture looks surprisingly modern. The site is exposed to the sun, so it is usually visited earlier in the day, with hats and water ready. Full guide & map →
Colossi of Memnon
Two enormous seated statues of Amenhotep III, each about 18 metres high, once guarded the entrance of his mortuary temple on the west bank of Luxor. In Roman times one of them was said to 'sing' at dawn after an earthquake damaged it, and travellers came from far away to hear it. Today it is a short photo stop by the road, usually on the way to or from the Valley of the Kings. Full guide & map →
What's included
- Hotel transfers by air-conditioned coach
- Egyptologist guide
- Entrance tickets listed in the programme
- Lunch
- Bottled water
Not included
- Special tombs (Tutankhamun, Nefertari, Seti I)
- Optional felucca ride
- Drinks with lunch
- Tips (optional)
Optional extras — told to you before you book
| Optional extra | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tutankhamun's tomb | extra ticket (price set by the authorities, confirmed on the day) |
| Felucca ride | optional |
| Tips for guide and driver | optional |
Your safety on this trip
- Air-conditioned coach with experienced drivers and rest stops
- Water provided throughout the day
- Your guide keeps the group together at busy sites
- The route passes regular police checkpoints, as standard on this road
What other travellers complain about — and what we do instead
We read public reviews of Hurghada excursions so you don't have to learn the hard way. Here is what goes wrong on some trips of this kind, and the standard we hold ourselves to.
Is this trip right for you?
Perfect for
- First-time visitors to Egypt
- Budget-conscious history lovers
- Solo travellers
Maybe not for you if…
- Young children or anyone who struggles with long days (choose private or two days)
- Guests wanting unhurried time at each site
Insider tips from our team
- Sleep on the way there — you'll want your energy in the tombs.
- Bring small cash for optional extras and tips.
- Wear a hat and proper walking shoes; Karnak is huge.
- Ask your guide which three tombs are open and best that day.
What to bring
- Passport or copy
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Cash for extra tickets
Good to know
- Photography inside tombs may require a photo ticket.
- Shopping stops are optional; you are never obliged to buy anything.
- Pickup from Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh and Soma Bay is later as these resorts are on the way to Luxor.
Hotel pickup areas
Pickup and drop-off are arranged from hotels in central Hurghada and from El Gouna, Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, Soma Bay, Safaga. Read our pickup areas guide for typical transfer times.
Guest reviews
Reviews on this page come only from guests who booked this trip with us; we publish positive and critical ones alike. After your trip we send you a short review link.
Luxor Day Trip from Hurghada by Bus: questions & answers
Is a Luxor day trip too much in one day?
It is long but very manageable in a comfortable coach. If you prefer more time and fewer people, choose the private or two-day trip.
Which tombs will we see?
The standard ticket covers three tombs chosen from those open on the day. The guide recommends the best ones; Tutankhamun's tomb can be added.
How are children's tickets priced?
Children aged 0–4 travel free on standard per-person trips; ages 5–10 pay 50% of the adult trip fare; ages 11 and over pay the full fare. Enter every child’s age on the trip date when booking. Pickup supplements and minimum booking prices are shown separately. Private boats, jeeps and quads are priced per vehicle. Activity age restrictions still apply.
What time do we get back?
Usually between 21:00 and 22:00, depending on traffic and your hotel.
Are there shopping stops?
There may be an optional stop. You can always skip it.
Can I take photos in the tombs?
Rules change; your guide will tell you what's allowed and whether a photo ticket is needed.
Can I pay on the day?
Yes, partly: when you book online you can pay only a small deposit by card and the rest in cash on the day - or pay the full price online.
