The Red Sea · A guideGuide

Day trips from Hurghada: the reefs, Luxor and the pyramids, compared

The short answer: From Hurghada you can spend a day on the reefs at Giftun Island or Dolphin House, about 8 hours each; in Luxor, about 14 hours door to door by road; or in Cairo by air, about 12 hours. Closer in, the Eastern Desert has quad safaris and a telescope night. In our judgement one day of ancient sites and one on the water suit a week.

Every day trip from Hurghada

Day trips from Hurghada, by time and starting price

Day trip	Time	From	Suits
Giftun Island snorkelling	About 8 hours	USD 39 per person, shared boat	Beginners and families
Dolphin House snorkelling	About 8 hours	USD 48 per person, shared boat	Confident swimmers
A boat of your own	About 7 hours on the water	USD 174 per boat	Families and groups
Your first dive	Full day by boat	USD 59 per person	Ages 10 and over
Luxor in a day	About 14 hours door to door	USD 135 per person, small group	One day for ancient Egypt
Cairo and the pyramids by air	About 12 hours	USD 320 per person, with flights	The pyramids without a night away
Desert safari	About 5 hours, afternoon to evening	USD 29 per person, shared	An easy half day
A telescope night	About 4 hours in the evening	USD 30 per person, shared	All ages who can stay up late

Times and starting prices from each tour and experience page; the Suits column is our judgement. Starting prices are the lowest to expect; your written quote confirms the price.

How to choose

Luxor or Cairo?

Luxor is just under four hours away by road, so the day trip goes by road and gives you Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut's temple. Cairo is about seven hours from Hurghada by bus, according to Seat 61, so that day trip flies. In our judgement choose Luxor for temples and tombs, Cairo for the pyramids and the museum.

Giftun or Dolphin House?

Giftun is the easier day: two reefs and an island beach. At Dolphin House, spinner dolphins often rest in the sheltered lagoon, but sightings are never certain, and the marine park fee is paid on the day.

With children

A boat of your own suits all ages, with life jackets for children, and children ride as passengers on the desert safari. A first dive starts at 10, which is PADI's standard. See [Egypt with kids](/guides/egypt-with-kids).

Before you step on a boat

The UK government's advice says safety standards among Red Sea diving operators and boats vary considerably, and that there have been recent incidents involving British nationals on diving boats and tours, some fatal. It also says shark attacks are rare, and advises using reputable providers.

In our judgement, ask before you book any boat:

Are there life jackets in every size on board, including for children?
Is there a first-aid kit and oxygen on board?
Who is the guide in the water, and how many swimmers does each guide lead?

Hurghada, Sharm, Marsa Alam or Dahab?Day trips from Sharm el-Sheikh

Sources and review

Reviewed on 30 September 2026 by Deluxe Trips Egypt. Official statements are attributed to their source; where we give a judgement, we say so. This guide names no school, boat or hotel.