Yes I have been but can't remember cost. It's a very long day you start off at about 04:00 and all the coaches go to a meeting place and meet all the other coaches (up to 50) then you are escorted through the Red Mountains by the police stopping half way for loo's and to buy drinks. There are loo's on the coaches but they ask you to use only if urgent I think you can imagine what they would smell like in the heat. All coaches are air con. Seem to remember total drive time was about 4 hrs. Once in Luxor the coaches split up so it's no as bad as you think it will be. Our itinery was first to Karnac temple met with guide these are very knowledgeable and will stay with you for rest of day. About 1 hr maybe a bit more round the temple (fantastic- tip depending on time of year a parasol is not a bad idea) We then were taken to a papyrus factory/saleroom. And shown how it was made and of course given opportunity to buy some, not hard sell. Then lunch at a hotel drinks extra but not overpriced. We then when to the valley of the Kings, its on the other bank of the Nile and we were given the chance of staying on the coach an going down the river and over a bridge of pay extra and go on a boat across the Nile its not expensive and I think our whole coach took this option. The valley of the Kings when we got there mid Afternoon in September was HOT 46c some of the larger people on the coach just couldn't do it and stayed on the coach. You take a little motor train up into the Valley and you get to see round three tombs not Tutankhamun you have to pay extra for that. The tombs are remarkable with the paint still looking fresh. There is NO FLASH photography allowed in the tombs if you do flash the little men get quite upset and there are rumors that some cameras have been confiscated. You can buy (haggle) some very nice folders of pictures which I think is better that taking your own shots but then its down to personal taste. When the train drops you bad at the end you are dropped at the end of a row of shops and have face the come in and look all the way down but it's not too forceful. Then onto the Valley of the Queens fantastic temple but we only got to walk half way they didn't cover it on the one day trip they do on the two day. Finally tour round alabaster factory/salesroom ours way hilarious it was a real pantomime again chance to buy stuff bit harder sales pitch this time especially coming out with the young boys trying to sell you rough pieces. Finally back to convoy and back to hotel at about 22:00 so it's a very long day but absolutely memorable and worth the money.
Tips take pillow from hotel if you can to sleep on bus. Try to get hotel to freeze a couple of bottles of water for you to take. You can buy drinks on the coach and they are not too expensive but they may run out. Most of all relax don't rush you will pay for it if you do.

We did the Hurghada to Luxor excursion in May, and its much as Colinj says. Our was booked through Panorama holidays, but they use a central company - Tour Egypt if I remember rightly. Full day trip was £50pp, overnight was £90pp.

Our itinerary was slightly different, pickup at 0545 to get to convoy point. Convoy left at 0730. That part is hilarious, the drive is like Wacky Races with every coach trying to get to the front of the convoy (as those at the front get to the temples first). The drive is fascinating, taking you through lots of little villages, where everyone will stop and wave at your coach like they've never seen one before, despite the fact that there's about 100 per convoy!! We arrived by 1100, and started at Valley of the Kings. As abouve, 3 tombs included, but not Tut's and from what we gather there's not much in there. They were actually not allowing cameras into the tombs when we were there, they had to be left at the entrance, though if you tip the guys there, they will let you take a picture from the entrance. We opted against this, and just downloaded a few pics of the tombs we went in when we got home. Then we went onto Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon, and the Alabaster factory. After this we had a boat trip across the Nile, and on to the Nile Hilton for lunch. The afternoon was spent at Karnak temple, and we also visited the Papyrus Museum. We also got home by 2200.

The excursion is very hard work, and you do come away with the feeling that you could've spent a day at each place easily. But they are incredibly well organised, and the Egyptologists are fantastic if you show a little interest in what they are telling you. Everything but the hotel drinks was included in our trip, they even gave us bottled water although it makes sense to bring your on too. You will be approached by millions of people trying to sell you rubbish - our guide described it as like an 'alien invasion' which couldn't have been nearer the mark!

Practical advice, cover up against the heat. Light linen trousers really are ideal things to wear, and definately take a hat. The all-day sun lotions are ideal. Everything is done at a very fast pace, and it can be a little frustrating when people are stoppping every 30 minutes to apply sun lotion. Also take lots of small change, you will tip for most of your day - from taking photos of camels at the stops on the journey, to people who show you a bit of heiroglyphics. You will have your camera taken from you, just so they can take a picture of you and get a tip!!!!

just got back from luxor last night some people were going to red sea for 2nd week and got an internal flight for return to luxor for about £50 from leaving hotel it took less than 1 hour flight time was about 30 mins
its about 4 1/2 hours by coach with armed police convoy
mike

Thanks peeps,

I went by plane (through panorama) on a day trip from sharm last year and the itinery was similar to cnorris apart from started at Karnak and went to Valley of the Kings (which included Tuts) in the afternoon. I think it was in the mid fifties, so I've never been more glad to get into a tomb.

I went on my own last time and was going to try and get the Mrs and kids to come this time, hence the enquiry about the cost. I think I paid roughly £170 from sharm last year so looks promising.

Thank you all for the replies, you've been very helpful.

regards

Stew

Just a word of warning Stew. Check what mode of transport you are going to be using. Our trip wasn't booked due to a mistake, and we ended up on the Dutch tour, which thankfully was English speaking. We had a coach with toilets and air-con. However, when we spoke to some people who'd been on the English trip (they do try to keep nationalities together), it turned out that they'd just gone on a mini-bus with no air con and no loos. EEK

As I mentioned, there is also the overnight trip, but this follows identical itinerary, but you just stay on to go to the sound and light show at Karnak. We were told it really wasn't worth the extra.

We will be in makadi bay in May and would like to take an excursion to Luxor. Either day or overnight. Can anyone advise a particular excursion company and/or trip possibly giving a rough idea of the price. Any help or advice would be appreciated. Thanks
Janetia

Hi, I live in Luxor but from UK. I travelled to Hurghada then back by road in the convoy recently. Cost was 25 pounds each way total not per person.
This was in a new, air conditioned minibus. I had an overnight stay, thought it was too much to do in one day. You will love Luxor it has so many places of interest as mentioned in other posts. Try to visit Medinat Habou, one of the smaller temples not included on many tours but well worth a visit. I would suggest an overnight stay here if at all possible too. If you need any more info then contact me with a PM, be happy to help.

Hi Janetia,

I stayed in Makadi Bay last year and went to Luxor via the travel company Panorama. Cost £65 for an adult (half price for kids 11 years) and was very good. As said before 4 hour coach journey there and back. The above trip gets you to see Karnak, dinner at a riverside restaurant, boat trip across the Nile,Colossi of Memnon, valley of the Kings and the obligatory alabaster factory All with english speaking guide who was very informative. I don't understand why they do not include hatshepsuts temple on this though????

You can do overnight which is twice the cost (£110) but you get to see Hatshepsuts temple, luxor temple and have a sunset felucca sail down the Nile.

You can get the trip a lot cheaper if you go into Hughada and book it but you can't guarantee an English speaking guide.

regards

Stew