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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Hurghada holiday - pyramids?

29 replies

GRCP · 20/10/2025 07:45

We have a week all inclusive in April booked (Wednesday - Wednesday).
Going with 2 x DC age 9 and 7 who have done Ancient Egypt at school and are really interested.
The plan was to do a day trip excursion to the pyramids, but I’m now wondering if it will be worth going all that way for a day?
I looked at booking a night in Cairo and flying back from there instead but that would add £1k to the holiday.
Any experiences? Would love opinions from people who have done it. Drive or fly? Is it worth it?

OP posts:
OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 20/10/2025 07:50

Are you likely to go to Egypt again on holiday in the next year or so ? If not it is a shame to go all that way and miss out on an opportunity.
However I think it's quite a drive so you will have 2 bored children in a car, quicker to fly both ways.

Radiatorvalves · 20/10/2025 07:52

Not done it but it’s a heck of a way. 6 hours on the train each way (and I’ve no idea how reliable the trains are). I wouldn’t do that in a weeks holiday. I do know Cairo is hectic and you’d need to factor in train station to pyramids. The traffic can be brutal.

Radiatorvalves · 20/10/2025 07:54

Given the security situation and driving standards I would not advise hiring a car. Not sure it’s possible. Mind you it’s years since I was there.

Suednymph · 20/10/2025 07:56

I would pay the extra, get the coach to Cairo and stay overnight. Its been a long time for me but the Hilton Cairo was where we stayed and it was not as expensive as you would think. Did the pyramids and the museum and a few other things and flew home from Cairo airport instead.

Yamyamabroad · 20/10/2025 07:56

We did that this year and it was worth it for us as a bucket list item. Picked up from hotel at 2am, 6 hour journey each way. Hopefully you can sleep in the car/minibus. There was a fly option about £100 more but it didn't cut much travel time off and no chance to sleep. We also went to the museum which was great but a big new shiny one opens in November and it would be great to go to that one. I think it was worth it but we were there for 2 weeks.

crumpet · 20/10/2025 07:57

a friend did it last year with similar age dc. Said it was a very long day but worth it. Think they did it on a coach, but not sure

plan for the journey with snacks/games/sleeping pillows and also layers in case of ferocious air conditioning on the journey

eurochick · 20/10/2025 07:58

Valley of the Kings is more easily doable from Hurghada. We did it a few years ago as a coach trip with a few different stops at various sights and temples.

ThePoshUns · 20/10/2025 08:01

When we stayed in Hurghada we did a coach excursion from our hotel to Luxor and Valley of the Kings. It was a good few hours drive each way but we saw Hathsheput’s temple, tombs, Luxor temple and crossed the Nile on a little boat. My children were 7&9 and really enjoyed it.
might be a better option and go back to Cairo another time?

Original poster
GRCP · 20/10/2025 09:06

Thanks for the responses!
There is the option to book the excursion from our hotel via coach or flight, but like PP said the flights doesn’t seem to save much time, is just a bit awkward.

I would do it for sure if we were there for 10 or more days, but a week…

OP posts:
Original poster
GRCP · 20/10/2025 09:08

Looking into Valley of the Kings now - thanks for tip. Tempted by hot air balloon.

OP posts:
Original poster
GRCP · 20/10/2025 09:08

Those who have been though - are the pyramids worth it because they are the pyramids or are they genuinely breathtaking once you’re there?

OP posts:
Tiredofwhataboutery · 20/10/2025 09:11

I think it’s worth tagging on an extra night or two and staying in Cairo. Pyramids, Egyptian museum, sail on the Nile.

ChristmasIsComingVerySoon · 20/10/2025 12:10

I'm not a fan of the pyramids as they are literally just external monuments now. Inside there's nothing. Valley of the Kings however is far more interesting for actual history.

Yamyamabroad · 20/10/2025 14:04

We also went to the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Karnak in the same holiday. It was really interesting, only slightly shorter journey but easy as we did an overnight hoping to do the hot air balloon in the morning. Sadly we sat for 3.5 hours in the early hours of the morning next to the deflated balloon waiting for the wind conditions to be right and they never were. That happens quite frequently I hear. Both trips are worth doing but dont count on the balloon going up

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 20/10/2025 14:07

We flew there and back within a day - very early morning flight and late evening return. It was expensive but I didn't want to go go Egypt without seeing the pyramids. We also went to Luxor by coach.

ByTwinklyDreamer · 20/10/2025 14:26

I did it 16 years ago with a 9 and 11 year old, it was amazing. We did a day trip on a plane from Hurghada it was tiring but so worthwhile.
Then recently I did a coach trip one day excursion to Luxor from Hurghada on my own which again was fabulous. This could work for your family as you get see the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, a boat trip on the Nile. You could do a private trip with your own guide.

ByTwinklyDreamer · 20/10/2025 14:27

GRCP · 20/10/2025 09:08

Those who have been though - are the pyramids worth it because they are the pyramids or are they genuinely breathtaking once you’re there?

For me they were, and the big Spynx with the prayer music in the background and just the right amount of sand blowing around was incredible.
Luxor is also fabulous.
Would your holiday be after the new museum in Cairo has opened?

Jewelledslice · 20/10/2025 14:37

Heya we went last year from El Gouna, about 10 miles north of Hurghada. It was a 5 hour car journey and we went with a driver and guide who took us to pyramids and museums. But we also stayed in a hotel for one night then drove back.

The service we used was https://www.facebook.com/elmotours

My stepfather is Egyptian and organised it for us so highly recommended. I can't tell you the price though.

Cairo is so chaotic, we were very glad to have a driver who took us to places to eat and explained things as we went round. It was a fantastic experience. You do get hassled for money all the way round the pyramids and need to be very "no, shokran"

El Mo Tours

El Mo Tours. 4,423 likes · 162 talking about this. Make unforgettable moments

https://www.facebook.com/elmotours

Robina3000 · 20/10/2025 14:40

I have been to Egypt several times and I have visited both Pyramids/Cairo and Luxor/Karnak. Luxor trip was amazing but I am glad I visited Cairo. We booked the trip through our travel agent and we were picked up from a hotel by a coach. I went prior having children and I must say it was a very long day, we also went in August and it was incredibly hot.

Scalessayeek · 20/10/2025 14:43

We stayed in Hurghada and did a private tour to the local tombs. It’s closer than the pyramids and amazing. I think it cost £400 and about £60 in tips and we had lunch included. It was amazing to see them and have one on one time. We left at 5.30am and got back at 9.30pm but could sleep on the private tour bus (seated 9 and there were 4 of us).

janamo · 20/10/2025 14:44

Another vote for the Valley of the Kings. Absolutely amazing in Luxor, and far easier to get to from Hurghada too.

The pyramids are just triangles in a dirty camel ridden desert, surrounded by scammers. Look at some pics instead!

Scalessayeek · 20/10/2025 14:44

This is what we had included

Hurghada holiday - pyramids?
CorvusPurpureus · 20/10/2025 14:45

Hey, I live in sight of the pyramids - looking at them now from my bedroom balcony, in fact Grin.

I'd say definitely worth it, but do a night in Cairo & take in our shiny new museum too. It's very much open, it's just not had its big wiggy Grand Opening yet. & the pyramids visitor centre has had a recent re-vamp, too.

The bus from Hurghada is loads cheaper than an organised excursion, & very safe & easy - just google Go Bus. Book a pyramid view hotel & you'll get a bargain sound & light show thrown in.

eurochick · 20/10/2025 14:47

Our itinerary was similar. The coach also stopped at some significant statues we passed along the way. It was a good tour. I was slightly freaked out by the teenage soldiers with large guns boarding the coach at various checkpoints but that’s how it is there.

CorvusPurpureus · 20/10/2025 14:47

...but yes Luxor also awesome, as an alternative. I'd do that by sleeper train from Cairo, though.