Full Description
The private Hurghada & El Gouna from Safaga Port tour combines two very different Red Sea destinations in one day. In Hurghada, you see older city areas, the fishing district, El Mina Mosque, a Coptic church and the modern marina. You then continue to El Gouna for Abu Tig Marina, the lagoons and a boat ride through the waterways.
The excursion is designed for cruise guests. You are collected at the agreed meeting point in Safaga Port and travel only with your own group in a private air-conditioned vehicle.
Lunch, personal German- or English-speaking guidance and the lagoon boat ride in El Gouna are part of the standard programme.
Participants | Vehicle | Price per person | Children 6–11 |
|---|---|---|---|
1–2 people | Private limousine | €120 | €60 |
3–8 people | Private comfortable minibus | €100 | €50 |
Children aged 0 to 5 travel free.
For cruise bookings, always provide your ship name together with its planned arrival and departure times in Safaga.
Hurghada & El Gouna from Safaga Port at a Glance
The standard programme includes:
Direct pickup from Safaga Port
Return transfer to your cruise ship
Private limousine or minibus
Air-conditioned vehicle
German- or English-speaking guide
Hurghada city sightseeing
Traditional fishing district
El Mina Mosque
Coptic church
Hurghada Marina
Viewpoint or photo stop overlooking the Red Sea
Continue to El Gouna
Abu Tig Marina
Walk through selected parts of El Gouna
Lagoon boat ride
Lunch
No planned shopping stops
Daily schedule matched to your confirmed cruise ship port time
If you want to compare other private shore excursions from Safaga:
Why Combine Hurghada and El Gouna in One Day?
Hurghada and El Gouna are fairly close to each other, but they feel very different.
Hurghada is a long-established coastal city.
Depending on the route, you see:
Local residential areas
Fishing district
Mosque
Church
Modern marina
Everyday city traffic
El Gouna, by contrast, was developed as a modern resort around lagoons, villas, marinas and landscaped promenades.
The combination therefore shows two different sides of Egypt’s Red Sea coast.
Pickup Directly from Safaga Port
Your driver and guide meet you at the agreed point inside or near the port area.
The exact location depends on current port rules and where your ship is berthed.
When making your enquiry, provide:
Cruise ship name
Cruise line
Arrival time in Safaga
Planned departure time
Number of adults
Number and ages of children
This allows the programme to be planned around the available port time.
Which Cruise Guests Can Request This Tour?
The tour suits guests from cruise lines such as:
AIDA
Mein Schiff
MSC
Costa
Norwegian Cruise Line
Guests from other cruise companies can also enquire.
The main question is whether the ship stays in port long enough for Hurghada, El Gouna and the return to Safaga.
Why Port Time Matters More Than a Fixed Schedule
A normal holiday excursion can sometimes run a little later than planned.
A cruise shore excursion needs tighter return planning.
Your ship follows its own port schedule.
The tour therefore takes account of:
Actual permission to leave the ship
Port procedures
Traffic
Distance between Safaga, Hurghada and El Gouna
Planned ship departure
A sensible return buffer
The order of individual stops can be changed when this makes the day easier to manage.
Drive from Safaga to Hurghada
Safaga and Hurghada are around 58 km apart.
Actual driving time depends on:
Port operations
Traffic
Road conditions
Exact route
You travel in a private air-conditioned vehicle with only your booking group.
Hurghada – Coastal City Between Local Life and Tourism
The first main part of the day is spent in Hurghada.
The city is more than hotel districts.
Depending on the route, you see older neighbourhoods, local streets, fishing and harbour areas and newer tourist districts.
That contrast is one of the most useful parts of the city visit.
Traditional Fishing District
The fishing area is one of the stops.
Here you get a sense of how important the sea has been, and still is, to Hurghada.
The area feels very different from the resort zones along the coast.
The exact amount of time here depends on traffic and the daily programme.
El Mina Mosque
Another main stop is El Mina Mosque.
It stands close to the old harbour area and is one of Hurghada’s most recognisable religious buildings.
Your guide explains the role of the mosque and the main visitor rules.
What to Wear for the Mosque
Shoulders and knees should be covered.
Women may also need to cover their hair.
Depending on current arrangements, suitable clothing may be available locally.
Access to certain areas can be limited during prayer times.
Speak quietly and respect people who are praying.
Coptic Church in Hurghada
The tour also includes a visit to a Coptic church.
This gives you a chance to see two important religious traditions in Egypt on the same day.
Your guide can explain more about:
The Coptic community
Church architecture
Religious life
Christian history in Egypt
The exact visit length depends on opening times and any services taking place.
Hurghada Marina
You then move into a more modern part of the city.
Hurghada Marina is known for:
Yachts
Restaurants
Cafés
Promenade
Modern buildings
You have time for a short walk and photos.
The marina shows a different side of Hurghada from the fishing district, mosque and church.
Hurghada Viewpoint
A panoramic stop is also planned.
The exact viewpoint can depend on traffic and the daily route.
When conditions allow, a photo stop overlooking the city or Red Sea can be included.
Why a Guide Helps on a City Tour
A city tour is not only about seeing buildings.
A good guide helps you understand:
How Hurghada developed
How traditional and modern areas differ
The role of religion in daily life
How tourism has changed the Red Sea coast
That context can make a short port visit more useful.
Lunch in Hurghada
Lunch at a selected restaurant is included.
Drinks at the restaurant are not included.
If you:
Are vegetarian
Have allergies
Have food intolerances
mention this when making your enquiry.
Continue from Hurghada to El Gouna
After Hurghada, you continue to El Gouna.
Hurghada and El Gouna are around 25 km apart.
Actual driving time depends on traffic and the exact starting point inside Hurghada.
El Gouna – Modern Resort Built Around Lagoons
El Gouna was developed around a network of lagoons and waterways.
Its layout feels very different from Hurghada.
Typical features include:
Villas
Lagoons
Small bridges
Landscaped promenades
Marinas
Cafés and restaurants
The resort feels more planned and compact than Hurghada.
Abu Tig Marina
One of the main stops is Abu Tig Marina.
Here you find:
Yachts
Promenades
Cafés
Restaurants
Modern architecture
You can walk through the marina and take photos.
The amount of free time depends on your ship’s port schedule.
Walk Through El Gouna
Along with Abu Tig Marina, your guide may show other suitable parts of El Gouna.
The route depends on:
Available time
Traffic
Group preferences
Port schedule
Because the tour is private, small adjustments are easier than on a large coach tour.
Lagoon Boat Ride in El Gouna
The lagoon boat ride is included.
From the water, you can see another side of:
Villas
Bridges
Waterways
Hotel areas
Architecture
Waterfront promenades
The lagoon boat ride is part of the standard programme, not an optional extra.
How Long Is the Lagoon Boat Ride?
There is no fixed duration.
The ride is fitted into the available daily programme and adjusted to the cruise ship’s port time.
What Happens if the Boat Service Changes?
Lagoon boat operation can sometimes be affected by local or technical conditions.
If the ride cannot operate for an exceptional reason, a suitable solution is agreed on the day.
Under normal conditions, however, the lagoon ride is part of the standard tour.
Is the El Gouna Aquarium Included?
The aquarium is only possible depending on available time.
It is therefore not a guaranteed standard stop.
If visiting the aquarium matters to you, ask about it before booking.
The team can check:
Whether enough time is available
Whether it is open
Whether an additional entrance fee applies
Coffee by the Water
If time allows, you can have a coffee by the water.
This is a free-time option, not an included service.
Coffee and other drinks in El Gouna are paid for separately unless confirmed otherwise.
Hurghada or El Gouna – What Is the Difference?
Hurghada gives you more of a view of everyday city life.
You see:
Fishing areas
Religious buildings
Local neighbourhoods
A large city layout
Modern marina
El Gouna presents a more planned resort environment with:
Lagoons
Villas
Marinas
Promenades
Tourism infrastructure
That contrast is the main reason to combine both places in one excursion.
El Gouna as a Separate Tour from Hurghada
If you are staying in a Hurghada hotel rather than arriving by cruise ship, there is also a separate private El Gouna tour.
That option focuses more closely on El Gouna itself and takes around five hours.
More information about El Gouna and day trips:
What Does Private Mean?
Private means:
Your own vehicle
Your own booking group
Personal guide
No unrelated guests in the vehicle
Easier pace adjustments
Direct port pickup
Private does not mean that Hurghada Marina, El Gouna or the lagoons are reserved only for your group.
Other visitors will also be present.
No Planned Shopping Stops
The excursion includes no planned shopping stops.
That means the normal programme does not include compulsory visits to:
Papyrus shops
Perfume shops
Jewellery shops
Souvenir shops
This leaves the limited port time for the actual sightseeing.
Flexible Order of Stops
The order can be adjusted.
Traffic or opening times may mean that some Hurghada stops are visited in a different sequence.
The main services remain part of the confirmed programme.
For cruise passengers, this flexibility is more useful than an overly rigid timetable.
Return Drive from El Gouna to Safaga
After the El Gouna programme, you start the drive back to Safaga.
El Gouna and Safaga are around 83 km apart.
Because this section is longer than the Hurghada–El Gouna drive, enough return time needs to be allowed.
Departure from El Gouna is therefore set around your ship schedule.
Return to Your Cruise Ship
The tour is planned so that you return to Safaga Port with an appropriate time buffer.
The exact return time depends on:
Confirmed ship departure
Traffic
Port procedures
Length of stops
Current road conditions
A private tour can reduce unnecessary waiting for large groups.
Planned Return Buffer
Traffic, port operations and unexpected events cannot be fully controlled.
The daily programme is planned around your confirmed port time with an appropriate return buffer.
How Long Does Hurghada & El Gouna from Safaga Port Take?
The tour takes around 8 hours.
That can fit many cruise calls.
For a shore excursion, however, this duration is not completely fixed.
Actual duration depends on:
Port time
Permission to leave the port
Traffic
Starting time
Required return buffer
Plan for around 8 hours, adjusted to your ship’s port schedule.
Example Schedule
A possible day may look like this:
Port pickup: after clearance and at the agreed meeting time
Drive to Hurghada
Hurghada: fishing district, El Mina Mosque, Coptic church, marina and photo stop
Lunch
Continue to El Gouna
El Gouna: Abu Tig Marina, walk and lagoon boat ride
Return drive to Safaga
Return: with a planned time buffer before ship departure
The exact order is confirmed for your cruise call.
Hurghada & El Gouna from Safaga Port with Children
Families can request this tour, and it avoids the much longer road travel involved in Luxor or Cairo excursions.
Children still spend several hours away from the ship.
Useful items include:
Water
Small snacks
Sun cream
Sun hat
Comfortable shoes
Personal medication
Something to do during the drive
Lightweight clothing
The lagoon boat ride can be a pleasant change from the city sightseeing.
Child Prices
Child prices:
Adults: 12 years and over
Children 6–11: 50% of the adult price
Children 0–5: free
Provide the exact age of each child when booking.
If you need a child seat, ask for it before the tour date.
Young Children and the Lagoon Boat Ride
For young children, check:
Boarding and leaving the boat
Seating
Available life jackets
Weather
Sun protection
This is a lagoon ride rather than an open-sea boat trip, so the conditions are different from a full Red Sea boat excursion.
Even so, arrangements for very young children should be confirmed in advance.
Limited Mobility
The tour may work for many guests with health or mobility limitations.
It is not fully accessible, however.
Points to check include:
Getting in and out of the vehicle
Marina walking areas
Steps at religious buildings
Longer walking sections
Boarding the lagoon boat
Paved areas and promenades
Toilet access
The private format allows more adjustment than a large group tour.
If you use a wheelchair or can only walk short distances, mention this before booking.
More information about planning:
Religious Buildings with Limited Mobility
The mosque and church may have different access arrangements.
Depending on the entrance, there may be steps or longer walking distances.
If a building is not accessible for you, it may be possible to see it from outside or adjust the programme.
This should be discussed before booking.
What Should You Wear?
Comfortable holiday clothes and suitable shoes work well for most of Hurghada and El Gouna.
For the mosque and church, more modest clothing is recommended.
Useful clothing includes:
Covered shoulders
Covered knees
Comfortable shoes
Lightweight clothes
Sunglasses
Sun hat
Sun cream
Women may need an additional head covering for the mosque visit.
What to Bring
For the shore excursion, we recommend:
Passport or required cruise documents
Cruise card
Phone
Power bank
Comfortable shoes
Sunglasses
Sun cream
Sun hat
Personal medication
Camera
Some cash
Light jacket during cooler months
You do not need a large bag.
Lunch and Drinks
Lunch is part of the standard programme.
Drinks at the restaurant are not included.
Extra drinks or coffee in El Gouna are also paid for separately unless confirmed otherwise.
Mention dietary requirements before the tour date.
Photography
Hurghada Marina and El Gouna offer plenty of photo opportunities.
At the mosque and church, follow the local rules.
Avoid photographing people from close range without permission.
Your guide can tell you where photography is allowed or where it may be inappropriate.
Who Is This Shore Excursion For?
This tour may suit you well if you:
Are arriving in Safaga on a cruise ship
Want to see Hurghada and El Gouna in one day
Prefer not to make the long drive to Luxor
Want to combine local city life with a modern resort
Prefer a private guide
Want a lagoon boat ride
Do not want planned shopping stops
Are travelling privately with family or your partner
Want the schedule adapted to your ship’s port time
If ancient Egyptian temples and tombs are your main interest, Dendera or Luxor may suit you better.
Hurghada & El Gouna or Luxor from Safaga?
Hurghada & El Gouna may suit you better if you:
Prefer shorter transfer distances
Want to see coastal city life
Want a lagoon boat ride
Do not want a very long archaeological sightseeing day
Luxor may suit you better if you:
Want to see the Valley of the Kings
Want to visit Karnak
Are mainly interested in ancient Egyptian history
Are comfortable with longer driving times
You can compare Safaga shore excursions here:
Hurghada & El Gouna or Dendera?
Dendera is the better choice if you want to visit a major historic temple.
Hurghada & El Gouna may suit you better if you:
Want to see modern city life
Like marinas
Want to compare two Red Sea destinations
Prefer less archaeological sightseeing
Both tours start from Safaga Port and should be planned around the actual cruise schedule.
Included in the Price
Pickup at the confirmed meeting point in Safaga Port
Return transfer to your cruise ship
Private Safaga–Hurghada–El Gouna–Safaga transfer
Private air-conditioned vehicle
German- or English-speaking guide
Hurghada city sightseeing
Fishing district
El Mina Mosque
Coptic church
Hurghada Marina
Panoramic stop according to the daily plan
El Gouna
Abu Tig Marina
Walk through selected parts of El Gouna
Lagoon boat ride in El Gouna
Lunch
Schedule planned around the confirmed port time
No planned shopping stops
Confirm Before Booking
For your specific cruise call, confirm:
Meeting point in Safaga Port
Exact pickup time
Planned ship departure
Required return buffer
Current access to the mosque and church
Lagoon boat operation
Mobility requirements
Child seat if needed
Dietary requirements
Possible extra free time in El Gouna
Not Included in the Standard Price
Drinks at the restaurant
Coffee or extra drinks in El Gouna
El Gouna Aquarium unless specifically confirmed
Personal expenses
Souvenirs
Tips
Extra services outside the confirmed programme
Enquire About Hurghada & El Gouna from Safaga Port
If you want to see two different sides of the Red Sea coast during your cruise stop, you can enquire about the private Hurghada and El Gouna shore excursion for your port date.
Tell us:
Travel date
Cruise ship name
Cruise line
Planned arrival in Safaga
Planned departure from Safaga
Number of adults
Number and ages of children
Mobility limitations
Dietary requirements
If extra time in El Gouna, the aquarium or a particular city area is especially important to you, mention that as well.
Before booking, the port schedule, meeting point, daily programme and planned return to the ship are confirmed.
