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Egypt Holidays · Style

Nile Cruise and Red Sea Holidays

Temples first, then the reef: a Nile cruise paired with the Red Sea is the holiday that sends you home rested rather than footsore. You sail the Luxor–Aswan stretch for the great temples, then cross by road or a short flight to Hurghada or Marsa Alam for three or four nights on the coast – snorkelling and diving on some of the clearest reef in the world, or simply the beach. It is the natural shape for travellers who want the history without giving the whole holiday to early starts and temple steps. We hold the cruise, the resort and the transfer between them as one booking, and the coast end can be as active or as quiet as you like.

22 matching holidays

The shape

What is a nile cruise and red sea Egypt holiday?

A Nile cruise and Red Sea holiday combines a three- or four-night Luxor–Aswan cruise with three to five nights on the Red Sea coast at Hurghada or Marsa Alam. The two are linked by a four-hour road transfer from Luxor or a short connecting flight. It is the temples-then-beach itinerary: the ancient sites at a measured pace, then the reef to finish, usually nine or ten days in total.

The river, then the coast

How the temples-then-reef holiday runs

  1. Days 1–4Nile cruiseA four-day Luxor–Aswan sailing: Karnak and the West Bank at Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae on the way south.
  2. Day 5To the coastDisembark at Luxor and transfer to Hurghada by road (about four hours) or a short connecting flight to Marsa Alam.
  3. Days 6–8Red SeaReef days at leisure: snorkelling and diving off Hurghada or Marsa Alam, a desert excursion, or simply the beach.
  4. Day 9Fly homeTransfer to Hurghada airport for the flight home, direct or via Cairo.

The reef end is yours to set: a PADI course, a dolphin-house snorkelling day, or nothing but a lounger and the sea.

  1. 13-day Alexandria, Cairo, Aswan–Luxor Nile cruise and Hurghada holidayBudget

    13-day Alexandria, Cairo, Aswan–Luxor Nile cruise and Hurghada holiday

    Nile (cruise route)

    A 13-day guided holiday combining Alexandria, Cairo, a three-night Nile cruise between Aswan and Luxor, and a Red Sea break in Hurghada. We arrange domestic flights, private transfers and a dedicated Egyptologist throughout. This itinerary suits travellers who want museum and city sightseeing in Cairo and Alexandria followed by the paced sightseeing a short Nile cruise affords, then four nights for snorkeling and beach time in Hurghada. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we book the hotels and cruise with local suppliers and manage timings so you move comfortably between cities.

    From £3,250
  2. KaiSai Romance Resort – Pickalbatros Palace, Hurghada

    KaiSai Romance Resort – Pickalbatros Palace, Hurghada

    Hurghada

    KaiSai Romance Resort at Pickalbatros Palace sits on Hurghada’s Red Sea coast with direct beach access and on-site leisure facilities. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and arrange private airport transfers, meet-and-greet and snorkel or dive excursions through our contracted local partners. Distinctive viewpoint: unlike package tours that use large shared shuttle services, we prefer private cars for punctuality and luggage handling. Rooms face either the sea or resort gardens; ask us to request a seafront room. Trade-offs: summer daytime temperatures often exceed 35°C and beach shade is limited at midday, so plan early snorkels and a sunshade.

    On request
  3. Pickalbatros Dana Beach Resort, Hurghada

    Pickalbatros Dana Beach Resort, Hurghada

    Hurghada

    Pickalbatros Dana Beach Resort sits on Hurghada's Red Sea coast and provides multiple outdoor pools, restaurants and family facilities. We position it as a reliable all-inclusive resort base rather than a remote boutique hideaway; its scale suits families and mid-range holidaymakers. Unlike small guesthouses on Giftun Island, most on-site activities here run throughout the day, not to a boat timetable. It can be busy in Egyptian school holidays and some room categories show wear; choose upgraded rooms for quieter locations. We can arrange private airport transfers, snorkel excursions and dive bookings with vetted local operators. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and handle confirmations and special requests.

    On request
  4. Swiss Inn Resort Hurghada

    Swiss Inn Resort Hurghada

    Hurghada

    Swiss Inn Resort Hurghada sits on the Red Sea coast with private beach access and an on-site dive desk. We use this hotel when clients want straightforward sea access and easy diving or snorkelling logistics rather than an all-inclusive resort bubble. Unlike many large Hurghada complexes, this property makes independent day trips simple: Giftun Island snorkelling and Luxor overnights are bookable without resort transfer rules. Expect busy beaches during peak season and limited shade at midday; bring sun protection and early-morning plans. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we arrange airport meet-and-greet, dive bookings and tailored excursions from Hurghada.

    On request
  5. Beach Albatros Resort, Hurghada

    Beach Albatros Resort, Hurghada

    Hurghada

    Beach Albatros Resort sits on the Red Sea coast in Hurghada and offers beach and pool facilities. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and do not run group bus tours; all transfers are private and our Hurghada team offers 24/7 on-ground support. Unlike cruise-based excursions, a land stay lets you snorkel independently on the house reef or join an optional private day trip to Giftun Island. Expect busy high season; buffet restaurants can queue at peak times and there is limited shade at midday on parts of the beach. We can add private snorkelling guides, scuba lessons and transfers to Hurghada Airport.

    On request
  6. Pickalbatros Palace Resort, Hurghada

    Pickalbatros Palace Resort, Hurghada

    Hurghada

    Pickalbatros Palace Resort sits on Hurghada's Red Sea coastline. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we arrange transfers from Hurghada International Airport (HRG), plus private snorkel and dive charters from the marina. Unlike many shuttle-based all-inclusive packages, we favour private charters so you reach reefs early and avoid crowded boat decks. Expect stronger northerly winds and busy beaches in July–August; reef moorings and snorkel sites are busiest then. For quieter sea conditions, consider April–June or September–November. We can also combine a Hurghada stay with inland excursions or a Nile extension on request.

    On request
  7. Pickalbatros Aqua Park Resort, Hurghada

    Pickalbatros Aqua Park Resort, Hurghada

    Hurghada

    Pickalbatros Aqua Park Resort Hurghada is a beachfront hotel with an on-site waterpark, multiple pools and family rooms. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we arrange private transfers and optional day trips for snorkelling or diving from Hurghada Marina. Unlike Hurghada hotels without waterparks, guests can spend several hours onsite without leaving the resort; we typically pair stays with a private boat to Giftun Island rather than a crowded group cruise. The resort is busiest during Egyptian and European school holidays, when pool queues and noise increase. We can add quieter room allocations and early beach times where available.

    On request
  8. Pickalbatros Citadel Resort, Sahl Hasheesh

    Pickalbatros Citadel Resort, Sahl Hasheesh

    Hurghada

    Pickalbatros Citadel Resort in Sahl Hasheesh is a beachfront hotel on the Red Sea's Hurghada coast. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator we handle room bookings, private airport transfers and guided snorkelling excursions; we do not operate coach-group packages. Unlike Hurghada city-centre hotels, Sahl Hasheesh has a planned promenade and generally quieter evenings. The resort is best for sea-focused holidays and families; expect limited nightlife and occasional seasonal closures of some facilities. Tell us your arrival time and we will arrange transfers and reef trips matched to your schedule.

    On request
  9. Pickalbatros Aqua Blu Resort, Hurghada

    Pickalbatros Aqua Blu Resort, Hurghada

    Hurghada

    Pickalbatros Aqua Blu Resort Hurghada sits on the Red Sea coast in Hurghada. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and arrange bookings, private transfers and room options at this property. We do not allocate guests into large coach-group blocks at our partner hotels; instead we book rooms and arrival logistics individually. Unlike mass-market charter packages, we can tailor arrival times and add private transfers or local support on request. Trade-offs: the resort can be busy in Egyptian school holidays and some room locations require a short walk between reception and the shoreline.

    On request
  10. Mercure Hurghada (All Inclusive)

    Mercure Hurghada (All Inclusive)

    Hurghada

    Mercure Hurghada is an all-inclusive hotel on Hurghada's Red Sea coast offering meals, selected drinks and on-site leisure facilities. Meals and selected drinks are included in the published all-inclusive rate. We recommend Mercure Hurghada when clients want straightforward beach time rather than a touring base; we do not position it as a starting point for multi-day archaeological travel. We arrange private transfers from Hurghada International Airport and snorkelling excursions on the Red Sea. Note: all-inclusive pricing reduces local dining choices, and evenings at the hotel can be lively – request a room away from the entertainment area if you prefer quiet.

    On request
  11. 8 Days Standard Nile River Cruise from Hurghada to Luxor and Aswan

    8 Days Standard Nile River Cruise from Hurghada to Luxor and Aswan

    Hurghada

    On request8 Days
  12. Sea Star Beau Rivage Hotel, Hurghada

    Sea Star Beau Rivage Hotel, Hurghada

    Hurghada

    Sea Star Beau Rivage Hotel is a hotel in Hurghada on the Red Sea coast. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we arrange room bookings, private airport transfers and local support for this property. We treat Hurghada stays as beach bases rather than full Egypt itineraries; we commonly pair them with an overland day to Luxor or a Red Sea liveaboard. Unlike cruise-led shore calls, a Hurghada hotel stay gives time for reef snorkelling at leisure. Expect strong sun and limited shade at midday; early-morning snorkels and late-afternoon beach time work best.

    On request
  13. Pickalbatros Aqua Vista Resort, Hurghada

    Pickalbatros Aqua Vista Resort, Hurghada

    Hurghada

    Pickalbatros Aqua Vista Resort is located in Hurghada on the Red Sea and provides resort accommodation with pools and family rooms. We recommend this hotel as a practical base for families and snorkellers rather than for experienced liveaboard divers seeking remote reefs. Unlike small boutique hotels in Old Hurghada, the resort offers larger communal facilities and organised daytime activities. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator we arrange airport transfers, snorkel trips and family-room allocation on request. Expect busy periods during Egyptian school holidays; pool areas may be crowded and some poolside areas have limited shade at midday.

    On request
  14. Pickalbatros White Beach Resort

    Pickalbatros White Beach Resort

    Hurghada

    On request
  15. Hurghada to Luxor Transfer (Private Vehicle)Budget

    Hurghada to Luxor Transfer (Private Vehicle)

    Hurghada

    Private transfer from Hurghada to Luxor by air‑conditioned vehicle, approximately 290 km and 3.5–4 hours on the desert highway. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we arrange door-to-door pickup from hotels and the port, with an English-speaking driver. We do not run group coach transfers; we use private cars so you control departure time, comfort stops and luggage handling. Scheduled domestic flights take about 50 minutes but add check-in time and luggage rules – we can quote flights on request. Road transfers involve long stretches without shade and basic roadside facilities; expect one short comfort stop en route.

    From £80
  16. Domestic Flight: Hurghada (HRG) to Cairo (CAI)Mid

    Domestic Flight: Hurghada (HRG) to Cairo (CAI)

    Hurghada

    Scheduled domestic flights from Hurghada (HRG) to Cairo (CAI) take about 1 hour 15 minutes. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we book scheduled carrier tickets and ground transfers on your behalf. Hurghada airport lies about 6 km from most hotels (15–20 minutes by road); Cairo International is roughly 20–40 km from central Cairo (30–60 minutes by road, depending on traffic). Allow 90–120 minutes for check‑in and security at both airports. We avoid coach transfers for this sector; flying typically saves four to six hours compared with the coastal road. Trade‑offs: queues, luggage limits and occasional air‑traffic delays; we can add meet‑and‑assist on request.

    From £200
  17. Domestic Flight: Cairo to HurghadaMid

    Domestic Flight: Cairo to Hurghada

    Cairo

    A scheduled domestic flight from Cairo International Airport (CAI) to Hurghada International Airport (HRG) takes approximately 1 hour 20 minutes. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we arrange your meet-and-greet at CAI, baggage assistance and private transfer from HRG to your hotel. We avoid bulk coach transfers; we reserve seats on scheduled domestic services and meet you at arrivals. Unlike the ≈450 km road transfer (typically 6–7 hours), the flight saves about six hours. Trade-offs: domestic check-in and security add time, and carriers' luggage allowances vary.

    From £200
  18. Hurghada hotels: Seagull, Long Beach, Continental, Swiss Inn

    Hurghada hotels: Seagull, Long Beach, Continental, Swiss Inn

    Hurghada

    Four Hurghada hotels – Seagull Resort, Long Beach Resort, Continental and Swiss Inn – offer direct Red Sea access and a range of price points. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we arrange private airport transfers, daily snorkel trips, optional guided dives and room upgrades where available. We don't bundle these hotels into fixed coach packages; we prefer private transfers to reduce arrival queues. Unlike short cruise shore excursions, a multi-night hotel stay gives repeat reef access and relaxed surface intervals for snorkellers. Expect higher occupancy and louder pool areas during Egyptian and European school holidays; some public beaches are shared with day-trip operators.

    On request
  19. Hurghada Hotel to Hurghada Airport TransferBudget

    Hurghada Hotel to Hurghada Airport Transfer

    Hurghada

    Private, door-to-door transfer between Hurghada hotels and Hurghada International Airport (HRG), available for arrivals and departures. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we arrange meet-and-greet in arrivals; our driver will assist with luggage and drive an air-conditioned saloon or minibus depending on group size. We operate private transfers only – we do not sell shared-seat shuttles – so your pick-up time is matched to your flight. Unlike scheduled hotel shuttles, this service is entirely private. During peak arrival waves at HRG expect passport-control and security delays; allow extra time for international connections.

    From £20
  20. Hurghada Airport to Hotel Private TransferBudget

    Hurghada Airport to Hotel Private Transfer

    Hurghada

    Private transfer from Hurghada International Airport (HRG) to your Hurghada hotel, door-to-door. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and our driver meets you in the arrivals hall with a name board. Most hotels lie between about 5 km and 55 km from HRG; typical transfer times run from roughly 12 to 70 minutes depending on hotel location and traffic (Sakkala/El Dahar ~5–7 km, El Gouna ~25 km, Makadi Bay ~30–35 km, Soma Bay ~45–55 km). We operate private cars only – unlike shared shuttles, you travel direct with no extra pickups. Note: immigration and baggage collection commonly add 20–60 minutes to arrival time. Child seats and extra luggage assistance available on request; please tell us ages and luggage details at booking.

    From £20
  21. Luxor to Hurghada Private Transfer

    Luxor to Hurghada Private Transfer

    Luxor

    Travel by private, air-conditioned vehicle from Luxor to Hurghada in around four hours with door-to-door collection and an English-speaking driver. We do not run shared shuttle buses; every booking is a private transfer organised from our Luxor office. Unlike scheduled coaches, you choose the pick-up time and we tailor stops to your needs. The route runs mostly along the Red Sea highway with limited shade; the journey can feel long for travellers sensitive to extended road travel. We supply sedans, SUVs or minivans and can carry standard luggage; oversized items may require a second vehicle.

    On request
  22. Hilton Hurghada Plaza & Marriott Hurghada, Hurghada

    Hilton Hurghada Plaza & Marriott Hurghada, Hurghada

    Hurghada

    Stay at Hilton Hurghada Plaza or Marriott Hurghada on Hurghada's Red Sea coast. Both hotels place you on the Red Sea shoreline and suit snorkelling or diving itineraries. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we arrange private transfers from Hurghada International Airport (HRG) and book local dive operators directly. We prefer to sell room and activity components separately rather than an opaque 'resort dive' bundle; that gives you flexibility to choose morning or afternoon boat trips. Trade-offs: peak-season weeks are busier and rooms facing pools can be noisy at night. Meal-plan and room-category requests are handled on enquiry.

    On request

Practical questions

What clients ask about this style of holiday.

  1. 01How do I get from the Nile cruise to the Red Sea?

    From Luxor it is about a four-hour road transfer to Hurghada, which we run in a private air-conditioned vehicle. For Marsa Alam, a short connecting flight is the easier option. Both are included and arranged around your cruise disembarkation so there is no waiting.

  2. 02Is Hurghada or Marsa Alam better after a Nile cruise?

    Hurghada is the quicker link from Luxor by road and has the widest choice of hotels and dive centres. Marsa Alam is further south, quieter, and has the better house reefs and the Dolphin House snorkelling sites. We match the resort to whether you want easy access or the best reef.

  3. 03How many nights should I spend on the Red Sea?

    Three nights is enough to unwind and get a couple of reef days in; four or five suits divers or anyone wanting a proper beach stay. The cruise stays at four nights either way, so the coast end is where you add or trim days.

  4. 04Can I dive or snorkel straight after the cruise?

    Yes. The reefs off Hurghada and Marsa Alam suit complete beginners and certified divers alike. We can book a guided snorkelling day, a try-dive, or a full PADI course at the resort. Note the standard 18- to 24-hour gap between your last dive and a flight home – we build the schedule around it.

From the Cairo desk

Found the shape. Now make it yours.

Every Egypt holiday we sell is tailor-made – your dates, your party, your pace. Send a short brief or talk to the Cairo desk direct. Replies inside one working day.

– Suhaila & the Cairo team · 38 years · 6 offices · IATA #90255546