The offers compared
| Offer | Duration | Price seen (Oct. 2026) | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| From Hurghada: Nile cruise to Aswan with hot air balloon (GetYourGuide) | 3 days, 2 nights | About 645 USD per person | Our pick: rated 4.7 from 7 reviews, pickup at your Hurghada hotel, 5-star boat |
| 4-night Luxor–Aswan cruise from Hurghada (GetYourGuide) | 5 days | About 740 to 1,020 USD depending on the date | More temples, but mixed ratings (4.2 to 4.8); entrance tickets often not included |
| Private 4-day cruise with hot air balloon (GetYourGuide) | 4 days | About 1,000 USD per person | Avoid: 2.8 from 25 reviews, last day of about 15 hours on the road with Abu Simbel |
Per-person prices vary with the season and group size; check what is included (entrance fees, drinks, return to Hurghada) on the offer's page.
A 2-night cruise: the typical programme
You leave Hurghada early in the morning. The road crosses the desert to Luxor, about four to five hours away. You board a cruise boat, then visit the sites of Luxor, for example Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut's temple. The boat then sails upstream towards Aswan, stopping at the temple of Edfu and then Kom Ombo. The cruise ends in Aswan, where you can add Abu Simbel.
The balloon package adds a dawn flight over Luxor (flights can be cancelled depending on the weather).
The return trip: the point to check
The trap of this formula is the way back. A cruise that ends in Aswan means getting back to Hurghada by a long road trip or a flight. The listing for our pick mentions a private transfer back to Hurghada, at the traveller's choice; confirm what is included before paying. A private Luxor–Hurghada transfer is described on Musement as a 4 to 5-hour journey.
Edfu and Kom Ombo
The temple of Edfu, dedicated to Horus, is one of the best-preserved Egyptian temples; the one at Kom Ombo is dedicated to two gods, Sobek and Horus. They are the two classic stops of a cruise between Luxor and Aswan. Entrance prices are not given here: listings differ on whether they are included and no official fee could be confirmed.
2 or 3 days: how long to choose?
Two nights are enough for Luxor, Edfu and Kom Ombo without spending the whole week on the water, but the transfer time makes it a tiring outing. If you are short of time, the day trip to Luxor from Hurghada is simpler; for a single temple, see Dendera. Choose the 4 nights if the temples matter more than rest.
Frequently asked questions
Does the cruise really leave from Hurghada? Transfer from your Hurghada hotel is included in the offers mentioned; check the pickup time.
How long is the drive? About four to five hours between Hurghada and Luxor each way, plus the return from Aswan if it is not included.
Are drinks included? Rarely: several reviews note that drinks are not included.
Partner link: the GetYourGuide links are partner links; if you book, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you. For the rest of your stay, see Hurghada in 3 days and the travel budget for Hurghada.
