Excursions & Day Trips from Hurghada

Day trips on the Red Sea

Beyond the nightlife, the Red Sea coast is a launchpad for day trips: island hopping, snorkeling over the reefs, desert excursions and city tours. Once booking opens, YallaTonight will list trips around Hurghada and El Gouna with clear prices, so you can plan your days as easily as your nights.

What's included and where to meet

Each trip page lists the itinerary, what's included and the pickup point and time. Hotel pickup can be chosen at checkout where the operator offers it, and the exact pickup details also appear on your ticket after booking.

How booking works

Booking opens soon. Once it does, it will work like this: pick a night, choose your tickets or table and pay online by card. The link to your ticket is emailed to you, and on the night you show the entry code on your phone at the door. Until then, the nights shown here are samples.

Red Sea day trips at a glance

Hurghada and El Gouna make a good base for day trips. At sea there are island trips, snorkeling over coral reefs, glass-bottom boats and introductory dives; on land, there are walks through old Hurghada and long days out to the temples of Luxor or to Cairo and the pyramids of Giza. This guide covers where trips start, when to go, what to wear and bring, and how to travel safely, so you can choose the days that suit you.

Where trips start

Most trips include a pickup from hotels in Hurghada, and many also collect guests in El Gouna and Sahl Hasheesh. Boat trips leave from Hurghada Marina and other piers along the coast, or from Abu Tig Marina in El Gouna. In town, a walk through El Dahar, the old part of Hurghada, pairs well with an evening on the El Mamsha promenade or at the marina. Luxor and Cairo are long trips, usually by road, with very early starts. Pickups for long trips can be very early, so have your bag ready the night before.

When to go

Trips run all year. Winter and spring bring mild days that suit long sightseeing trips, which is when many European visitors come. Summer is the hottest time and the busiest season for holidaymakers from across Egypt; the sea is at its warmest, but desert and temple trips are best started early in the morning. In winter the water is cooler, so a wetsuit or a long-sleeved top helps on snorkeling trips. Boat trips depend on the weather, and strong wind can keep boats in the harbor.

What to wear and bring

For a boat day: swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat and a light top against the sun. For sightseeing: comfortable shoes and light clothes that cover the shoulders and knees, which is respectful at temples and expected at mosques. Carry your passport on longer trips, since road checkpoints and boat departures may ask for passenger details. Bring some cash in small notes for tips and small extras, and a refillable water bottle.

Traveling safely

Choose trips that are clear about what is included and who runs them. On the water, wear the life jacket you are offered for snorkeling if you are not a strong swimmer, stay with your group and never touch or stand on coral. On long road trips, rest when you can and drink plenty of water. If you feel unwell in the heat, tell your guide straight away. Keep your ticket and the meeting point on your phone, along with the organizer's contact. If you get around on your own, agree taxi fares before the ride or use a ride app.

What trips cost

Prices vary by trip, length, group size and what is included. Shared group trips usually cost less per person than private ones. Check whether lunch, drinks, hotel transfers, a guide and entry tickets to sites are part of the price, because these often make the difference between two offers that look alike. Tipping guides, drivers and boat crews is customary in Egypt and is usually not part of the price.

Booking trips on YallaTonight

Booking on YallaTonight opens soon. Until then, the trips shown on the site are samples of how listings will look, and they cannot be booked yet. When booking opens, each trip's page will show its price and the details its organizer gives, such as the program, the pickup and what is included. Leave your email under “Tell me when booking opens” on the site, and we will write to you once, when it opens.

Frequently asked questions