Luxor hot air balloon rides at a glance
Balloon flights over Luxor take off from a designated field on the West Bank, near the Temple of Hatshepsut. The area is under the control of the airport authority. Start times depend on the season and fall between 05:00 and 08:00.
The flight is planned for one hour. Depending on the conditions, it can last from about 45 to 90 minutes. The wind decides the direction, so no route over Karnak is promised, and you cannot count on crossing the Nile. Karnak is on the east bank, and the take-off field is on the west bank.
Our picks: Luxor balloon flights
Balloon flights do not run every day of the year, so confirm your dates. The standard flight and the West Bank option both include hotel pickup; the combination adds a sightseeing day with Karnak, the other two are the flight alone.
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.
Balloon flight and full-day sightseeing tour
- Balloon flight
- Entry tickets and parking fees
- Sightseeing day with Karnak
The flight comes first, then a day of sightseeing that includes Karnak. Ask before booking whether a guide is part of it.
Check availability →
Balloon flight over Luxor with hotel transfer
- Balloon flight
- Hotel or ship pickup
- Transfer to the launch site
An early start with the transfer to the launch site on the West Bank. The pickup time is usually confirmed the evening before, and flights depend on the weather.
Check availability →West Bank balloon flight with hotel pickup
- 30-minute balloon flight
- Hotel pickup and return
Thirty minutes in the air; the three hours cover pickup, the launch and the way back.
Check availability →Luxor balloon flights
Sunrise flights over the West Bank, with live prices and availability.
Season and the summer pause
Do not assume that flights run every day of the year. In 2026 balloon operations stopped over the summer, from 1 June, and flights resumed in mid-September.
That means the dates matter more than the year. If you travel in June, July or August, ask the operator whether flights are running on your dates. In autumn and winter, flights go ahead only when the weather and the authorities allow. A cancelled morning is a normal part of ballooning.
Check the refund or rebooking terms before you pay, because they differ between operators.
How a balloon morning works
The usual order of the day.
Pickup before dawn
Take-off is early, so many offers include pickup and transport, as the example price above includes. Ask for the exact pickup time when you book, because it depends on the season.
Briefing at the field
Passengers must understand the emergency instructions and the pilot's directions and be able to follow them. You must also be able to climb into and out of the basket on your own.
The flight
Expect about an hour in the air, longer or shorter depending on the conditions. The wind sets the direction.
Landing and return
The landing spot depends on the wind. Ask whether the transfer back is part of the offer.
Safety and what to wear
Ballooning carries risk, and you should know what that means.
Weather and clearance
The final decision to fly depends on the weather and on the authorities.
Clothing
Wear flat shoes and clothes that suit the temperature. Mornings in winter are cool, and the daily low in January averages 5.9 °C.
Health and age rules
Operators set their own limits for age, weight and health. Ask about them before you book.
A look at history
A balloon crashed near Luxor on 26 February 2013 and 19 people died. Treat the flight as an adventure activity, and read the terms and safety instructions of your operator before you fly.
Combine the flight with a day on the West Bank
A short morning flight leaves most of the day free.
After a sunrise flight, you can continue to the Valley of the Kings, which opens at 06:00 and costs EGP 750 for foreign adults in 2026. The Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari is close to the take-off area and is open daily from 06:00 to 17:00. The one-day plan on the Karnak and Valley of the Kings page shows how to add the east bank in the afternoon.
Because the start is so early, your hotel location matters for the pickup. The where to stay page explains the choice of bank. For the heat and the best months, see the weather page. The Luxor balloon guide adds more on the city side.
Questions to ask before you book
Offers look similar, but the terms differ.
Is the flight running on my dates?
Summer dates in particular need a clear answer from the operator.
What happens if the flight is cancelled?
Ask whether you get a refund or a new date, and how the decision is announced.
What is included?
Pickup and transport are included in the example price above. Check whether the same applies to your offer.
Are there limits for age, weight or health?
The rules are set by each operator, so ask before you pay.
When is the pickup?
Take-off falls between 05:00 and 08:00 by season, and the pickup comes before that.
Luxor hot air balloon: frequently asked questions
Where do the balloons take off?
From a designated field on the West Bank near the Temple of Hatshepsut, under the control of the airport authority.
How long is a balloon flight in Luxor?
One hour is planned. Depending on the conditions, it can be between about 45 and 90 minutes.
Do balloons fly all year?
Do not count on it. Operations paused over the summer of 2026 and resumed in mid-September. Ask the operator about your dates.
Will I see the sunrise?
Starts fall between 05:00 and 08:00 depending on the season, so the sunrise is not guaranteed for every date. The weather also plays a role.
Will the balloon fly over Karnak?
Not by plan. The wind decides the direction, and Karnak is on the other side of the Nile.
Is this the official site of a balloon operator?
No. This is an independent guide. Flights are run by the operators shown in the booking block.