Comparison · Hurghada vs Luxor · Egypt
Hurghada vs Luxor
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Michael Botros, CC BY 4.0
Quick answer
Choose Hurghada for Red Sea diving, Giftun Islands, beaches and nightlife; choose Luxor for Karnak Temple, Valley of the Kings and a short break. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 210 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 210 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Hurghada
- March–May and October–November
- Best time for Luxor
- October–March
Side by side
| Hurghada | Luxor | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Egypt | Egypt |
| Known for | Red Sea diving, Giftun Islands and All-inclusive resorts | Karnak Temple, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple |
| Best time to visit | March–May and October–November | October–March |
| Ideal stay | 7 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $90–$180 | $80–$170 |
| Cost level | Affordable | Affordable |
| Warmest month | July, 36°C (97°F) | June, 41°C (106°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 22°C (72°F) | January, 23°C (73°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 4 | 2 |
| Day trips in our guide | 4 | 5 |
| Beaches | Mahmya, Giftun Kebir | — |
| Airports | HRG | LXR |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Hurghada for…
Red Sea diving, Giftun Islands, beaches and nightlife. Hurghada stretches for some 40 km along the Red Sea coast of mainland Egypt, from the lagoon town of El Gouna in the north through the old district of El Dahar and the marina at Sekalla to the resort bays of Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi and Soma Bay in the south…
Choose Luxor for…
Karnak Temple, Valley of the Kings and a short break. Luxor stands on the site of ancient Thebes, capital of Egypt's New Kingdom, and holds a concentration of pharaonic monuments found nowhere else. On the East Bank, the town wraps around Luxor Temple and the vast temple complex of Karnak, joined by the 2.7-km…
Top sights compared
| # | Hurghada | Luxor |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Giftun Islands | Karnak Temple |
| 2 | Dolphin House reef | Luxor Temple |
| 3 | Hurghada Marina | Avenue of Sphinxes |
| 4 | El Mina Mosque | Valley of the Kings |
| 5 | El Dahar souq | Temple of Hatshepsut |
Food compared
| Hurghada | Luxor |
|---|---|
| Grilled Red Sea fish | Ful medames |
| Sayadeya | Ta'ameya |
| Koshari | Koshari |
| Ful and ta'ameya | Aish shamsi |
Which is cheaper?
Hurghada and Luxor cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $90–$180 in Hurghada and $80–$170 in Luxor (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Luxor on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Hurghada and Luxor are about 210 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 7 days in Hurghada and 4 in Luxor.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Hurghada or Luxor cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $90–$180 in Hurghada and $80–$170 in Luxor (estimates).
+Is Hurghada or Luxor better for a first trip?
Pick Hurghada for Red Sea diving, Giftun Islands, beaches and nightlife, or Luxor for Karnak Temple, Valley of the Kings and a short break.
+How far is Hurghada from Luxor?
About 210 km in a straight line.