The Avenue of Sphinxes at a glance
Two things carry the same name, so it helps to separate them. In front of the first pylon of Karnak, a row of ram-headed sphinxes lines the approach to the temple. The long Avenue of Sphinxes is something bigger: a ceremonial road of about 2.7 km (2,700 m) that joins Karnak and Luxor Temple. The state marked its reopening with a ceremony on 25 November 2021.
The two temples are about 3 km apart on the east bank. If you plan to see both, Karnak and Luxor Temple tours can cover the transfer between them. Check what each tour includes.
History and the route from Karnak to Luxor
A road built for a procession.
In ancient times the road served the Opet festival. The cult images of Amun, Mut and Khonsu travelled from Karnak to Luxor Temple, where they visited Amenemopet. The avenue is the setting for that journey. For the wider story of the site, read the history of Karnak Temple.
The ram sphinxes at the first pylon are a concrete stretch of the Karnak approach. Describe the whole 2.7 km as the route between the temples, not only as a row of ram sphinxes.
The Karnak end
The ram sphinxes before the first pylon are the first thing most visitors meet. The Karnak ticket costs EGP 600 for foreign adults and EGP 300 for students in 2026, and the site is open daily from 06:00 to 17:00.
The long avenue
It connects the two temples over 2.7 km. Which stretch is open on your day can change, so confirm at the gate.
The Luxor Temple end
Luxor Temple has its own ticket, EGP 500 for foreign adults and EGP 250 for students in 2026, and opens daily from 06:00 to 20:00, so an evening visit works. See the Luxor Temple guide.
Our pick: East Bank tour with the avenue
This half-day tour has the Avenue of Sphinxes on its programme, along with Karnak and Luxor Temple.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Karnak and Luxor Temple tours
Guided visits of both East Bank temples, with live prices and availability.
Karnak and Luxor Temple side by side
Prices for foreign visitors in 2026.
| Site | Adults | Students | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karnak Temple | EGP 600 | EGP 300 | Daily 06:00–17:00 |
| Luxor Temple | EGP 500 | EGP 250 | Daily 06:00–20:00 |
For most visitors, the best split is Karnak in the morning, before the heat, and Luxor Temple in the evening, when it is open until 20:00.
Can you walk the Avenue of Sphinxes? What to check
The avenue has been covered by the Karnak and Luxor Temple tickets, with no separate avenue fee. Rules like this can change. Confirm at the gate which sections you can enter and whether you can walk the full length before you plan on it.
Do not count on free entry around the clock, and do not count on a walk of a fixed length. If a stretch is closed, the two temples still work as two separate visits, each with its own ticket. A taxi or a guided tour can cover the 3 km.
The ram sphinxes at Karnak
What you meet at the first pylon.
The first thing most visitors see at Karnak is a line of ram-headed sphinxes on stone bases, leading towards the first pylon. They belong to the approach of the temple. Walk the line slowly: the pylon rises above the last pair, and the scale of the gateway becomes clear only when you stand close to it.
Early or late
The site opens at 06:00. A morning visit keeps you out of the midday heat, which averages above 41 °C from June to August.
Photos
Private, non-commercial photos are free, with no flash indoors. Drones need a special permit.
The Open Air Museum
The foreign ticket for Karnak includes the Open Air Museum and its reassembled chapels.
Around the avenue
Pages that fit this route.
Luxor Temple
Tickets, hours and an evening visit.
Sound and light show
The evening show at Karnak.
Getting there
Airport, taxi and transfers.
For other ideas in town, the Luxor things to do guide covers the east and west banks.
Avenue of Sphinxes: frequently asked questions
How long is the Avenue of Sphinxes?
About 2.7 km (2,700 m) between Karnak and Luxor Temple.
When did the Avenue of Sphinxes reopen?
The state held a reopening ceremony on 25 November 2021. For access on your travel day, confirm at the gate.
Do I need a ticket for the Avenue of Sphinxes?
The avenue has been covered by the Karnak and Luxor Temple tickets, with no separate fee. Check the current rule when you arrive.
Are the sphinxes at Karnak the same as the long avenue?
No. The ram sphinxes before the first pylon are a stretch of the temple approach. The long avenue links the two temples and is a different part of the route.
Is this the official Karnak website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. Tours shown here come from independent providers.