Hurghada to Luxor by Bus | Travel Time & Guide

Planning to travel from Hurghada to Luxor by bus? Learn about travel time, tickets, schedules and alternatives, including organized Luxor tours.

You arrived in Hurghada to enjoy the Red Sea and then, one man at the hotel pool told you the biggest temples in the world are only a few hours inland. At once the beach is spared. The positive part is the fact that it is actually accessible enough for the day journey straight to Luxor and the road from Hurghada to Luxor by bus is the least expensive.

Discover what this journey entails, including ticket costs and toilet stops, and make an informed choice for a holiday to suit you.

Can You Travel from Hurghada to Luxor by Bus?

Yes, and thousands of visitors make it a habit every season! The public cars are operating daily in the Eastern Desert between Hurghada and Luxor, and they accept foreign tourists. No permits, no escort and no special paperwork.

The following tips are important to keep in mind before you imagine a station in Europe:

The main operator is Go Bus, while Upper Egypt Travel and Blue Bus also operate the bus service
The buses are not tourist shuttles but rather intercity coaches with most passengers traveling home from Egypt
Mostly announced in Arabic, but in larger offices in English
No hotel service to the station and no station service from the hotel

For those who are looking for a quick and easy way of how to get from Hurghada to Luxor distance on a budget, this is the answer.

How Long Is the Bus Journey from Hurghada to Luxor?

Timetables guarantee 4 hours. In reality the Hurghada to Luxor travel time takes around 4 to 5 hours in one direction based on traffic conditions when it leaves Hurghada, the number of police checkposts along the route and the amount of rest the driver takes halfway.

When traveling from Hurghada to Luxor by bus, expect a journey of around 5 hours on the road on each side, and consider anything under that a sweet bonus. The Hurghada and Luxor by road distance would seem to be only 280-300 km but in practice this is long.

It is a paved road with few vehicles and the desert sand and rock on either side up to Qena where the terrain changes becoming more green and the Nile Valley visible. After losing the time in the desert the initial sight of the farmland is one of the best parts of the journey.

Where Can You Take the Bus from Hurghada to Luxor?

The departures are not from the resort strip but are from central Hurghada. If you're staying in Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi Bay or El Gouna, it takes 30 to 45 minutes to get to the station via a taxi.

Take this into consideration that the day you travel from Hurghada to Luxor by bus begins at the time you leave your hotel, so be careful because it counts.

Go Bus station: On El Nasr Street in Hurghada city, near the main bus terminal area.
Coaches: Upper Egypt travel from Central Bus Station

Most transfers arrive near the company building on the East Bank on the outskirts of Luxor train station. You will also need a taxi to get to Karnak and take a boat across the Nile to the tombs on the West Bank.

Hurghada to Luxor Bus Schedule and Tickets

The schedules change from season to season, so check it on the day. As a rough guide:

There are two to three services run each day by Go Bus, with early service departing around 8:00 and evening service leaving from about 17:00 to 19:00
There are night buses, but Luxor is open only during the day
Tickets are available in the station office, from the Go Bus app and from resellers like Bookaway
No printing required, as e-tickets will be accepted
Make a booking in the winter season or around the holidays in Egypt, one or two days in advance

With one full day available, the morning departure will be the only feasible one to go from Hurghada to Luxor by bus and come back the same night.

How Much Does the Bus from Hurghada to Luxor Cost?

This is the place where the bus scores points. The ticket price one way ranges from about 200 to 450 EGP or 5 to 10 USD, with the higher classes asking a little more for wider sitting areas.

Plan for the things they don't talk about:

Handling of luggage at the bus door usually costs 20 – 40 EGP per bag.

Your toilet at the rest stop is around 5-10 EGP, carry small amounts of notes

Taxis from Luxor and Hurghada station to the station

That very rapidly adds up at Luxor to get in, and the Valley of the Kings is one price.

Is the Bus from Hurghada to Luxor Comfortable?

Reasonably, yes. Technologies such as recline seats, air conditioning and seatback screens are found on most coaches. Aircon tends to be in an arctic setting, so pack a layer for this one. WiFi is advertised and not working that often.

The reality: trains depart 20 - 30 minutes late, cleanliness depends on the coach and there is no toilet in the train, so opt for the rest stop around halfway. So when you make your booking for the trip from Hurghada to Luxor by bus, you may feel the difference between whether you book the higher class or not.

Hurghada to Luxor by Bus vs Organized Tour

Both lead to Luxor. They provide you with very distinct days.

The public bus is for you when: you're on a budget, you love self-forces, and you're content with taxi bargaining and site ticket purchases.
An organized tour is right for you when: you are looking for someone to pick you up from your hotel before dawn, you have a licensed Egyptologist to describe what you are seeing, entry fees are taken care of, you're provided with a lunch set, and someone is there to get you back to your resort.

Time is a key determinant for most. On the public bus you lose 2-3 hours on logistics that a tour does for you.

Can You Visit Luxor in One Day by Bus?

It could be possible, but it is a very long day! A realistic time frame is a 6:30 taxi ride to the station, departing at 8:00 and returning to your hotel around 12:30 at the end of the day, followed by an evening taxi back.

This can work with one or two highlights. A trip to Luxor from Hurghada by bus with a guide will be more efficient if you are looking to experience both banks of the Nile in one day: the transfers between sites are already waiting for you.

What Are the Best Things to See in Luxor?

Karnak Temple: the large hypostyle Hall featuring 134 gigantic pillars, the largest and most impressive place in town!
The Valley of the Kings: painted royal tombs cut into the cliffs, including an optional option of Tutankhamun's tomb.
Temple of Hatshepsut: the terraced temple of Egypt's most popular female pharaoh.
Colossi of Memnon: two giant guardian statues, a quick photrampage.
Luxor Temple: ideal at sunset, columns shine gold
Stay overnight: either a Nile felucca or a sunrise balloon ride.

Tips for Taking the Bus from Hurghada to Luxor

Always have your passport with you, as the security points often request the tourist's ID.
Carry small notes valued at EGP for luggage, toilets and taxis.
Avoid the station touts in Hurghada who charge considerably higher than the regular fares on those platforms (in Euros).
Be 20 minutes early and check with staff at the door for confirmation of the coach.
Bring in water, snacks, sunscreen and a scarf for sun and dust.
Cover shoulders and knees for temples and tombs (dress modestly).
Before boarding a taxi in Luxor, make sure to agree on all prices beforehand.

These habits will make your journey from Hurghada to Luxor by bus enjoyable and not stressful.

Skip the Hassle: Book Your Hurghada to Luxor Tour with Cruisara

If you prefer to take your time spent in temples over checking out ticket windows, then you need this full-day excursion in Luxor provided by Cruisara.

Tour overview and what is included:

Early morning pickup and drop-off at your hotel in Hurghada, Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi or El Gouna
Air-conditioned modern coach with a comfort stop on the way
Licensed English speaking Egyptologist guide throughout the day
Entrance fees to the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Karnak Temple
Stop and admire the Colossi of Memnon.
Have a buffet or set lunch at a local restaurant.
The boat comes with bottled handled water and all taxes are paid on board.
Optional add-ons such as Luxor Temple, extra tombs or a short felucca sail

It takes away all the hurdles associated with travelling directly from Hurghada to Luxor by bus; there is no line to get in line, no back-and-forth when booking taxis, no trial to find out which commuter is yours, and no last minute worries about the bus arriving back home.