Things to do in Luxor at a glance
Luxor has two halves. The East Bank holds Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple, about 3 km apart. The West Bank holds the Valley of the Kings, the temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, the Colossi of Memnon and more. Crossing the river takes time, so most visitors give each bank its own half day or full day.
If Karnak is your main reason for coming, start there. Buy your Karnak Temple tickets for the visit itself and look at Luxor tours if you want a guide, a driver or a combined day on both banks. Entry fees at the gate are paid in Egyptian pounds and are listed below for foreign adults in 2026.
East Bank: Karnak, Luxor Temple and the Corniche
The East Bank is the city side. Karnak and Luxor Temple are the two big sights here.
Karnak Temple
Open daily from 06:00 to 17:00. Foreign adults pay EGP 600 and students EGP 300, and the ticket includes the Open Air Museum. Plan to arrive by 16:00, because the last entry can be earlier than closing time. Walk the Great Hypostyle Hall, with 134 columns, then the sacred lake and the standing obelisk of Hatshepsut.
Hypostyle Hall →The Open Air Museum
Inside the Karnak ticket you can see the reassembled White Chapel of Senusret I and the Red Chapel of Hatshepsut. It is quieter than the main axis and easy to add if you have an hour.
Open Air Museum →Mut precinct
South of the main Amun area lies the precinct of Mut. It has its own ticket: EGP 200 for foreign adults and EGP 100 for students.
Luxor Temple
About 3 km south of Karnak. Open daily from 06:00 to 20:00, so an evening visit is possible. Foreign adults pay EGP 500 and students EGP 250. The oldest surviving shrine is Hatshepsut's, the core was built under Amenhotep III and Ramses II added to it.
Luxor Temple →Avenue of Sphinxes
The ceremonial road between the two temples is 2.7 km long and was reopened with a ceremony on 25 November 2021. Check which sections you can enter on the day before you plan a walk.
Avenue of Sphinxes →Sound and light show at Karnak
The English show is at 19:00 and the show for all languages and Arabic at 20:00. Tickets are $20 for adults and $11 for children aged 6 to 12. A second show runs only with at least 5 foreign guests, and times can change.
Show times and tickets →Mummification Museum
On the Corniche, the riverfront road. It shows instruments, canopic jars, coffins, amulets and statues of gods. Foreign adults pay EGP 220 and students EGP 110. Hours are 09:00 to 14:00 plus an evening window from 17:00 to 21:00, and Ramadan has its own hours, so check the day's times on arrival. No flash and no touching the exhibits.
Our pick: Luxor's two museums
If you want a change from temples, this private tour takes you through the Luxor Museum and the Mummification Museum.
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.
Luxor tours and day trips
Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, balloon flights and Nile trips, with live prices and availability.
West Bank: tombs, temples and the colossi
The West Bank is the old necropolis side. Start early, because the stone and the desert behind it heat up fast.
Valley of the Kings
Open daily from 06:00 to 17:00. Foreign adults pay EGP 750 and students EGP 375. The valley holds more than 60 tombs, but only some are open at a time, and a few famous tombs sell separate tickets. Confirm what is open when you arrive. For a tomb-by-tomb guide, see the best tombs in the Valley of the Kings.
Karnak and the Valley of the Kings in one day →Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari
A mortuary temple with 3 terraces, open daily from 06:00 to 17:00. It is a temple, not a tomb.
Colossi of Memnon
Two seated statues of Amenhotep III, standing near the road with palms and desert hills behind them. They are a quick stop on the way to or from the tombs.
More temples and tombs
The West Bank also has Medinet Habu, the Ramesseum, the Valley of the Queens and Deir el-Medina. Ask at the gate for the current ticket prices.
Hot air balloon flights
Flights start from a marked site on the West Bank near Hatshepsut's temple, between 05:00 and 08:00 depending on the season. A flight lasts about 45 to 90 minutes. Operators paused flights over summer 2026 and resumed in mid-September, so ask about the season. Prices in 2026 start around $130 per adult with pickup.
Balloon flights →
Luxor Museum
The Luxor Museum shows statues and objects found in and around Luxor, from several periods. It is a calm indoor stop after a hot morning at the temples. Do not expect a complete Tutankhamun collection. Check the current ticket price and opening hours when you arrive.
Together with the Mummification Museum on the Corniche it makes a good afternoon on the East Bank, once the temple stone has cooled down.
On the Nile and a simple two-day order
The river is part of the trip, and the order of the days matters in the heat.
Day 1: East Bank
Reach Karnak at 06:00 when it opens, see the Hypostyle Hall and the Open Air Museum before the heat, rest at midday, then visit Luxor Temple in the evening or go to the sound and light show.
Day 2: West Bank
Start with a balloon flight or reach the Valley of the Kings at opening time. Add Deir el-Bahari and the Colossi of Memnon, and keep the afternoon free.
A felucca at sunset
Feluccas are the traditional sailing boats of the Nile. Agree the price and the length of the ride before you board. For river trips and cruises, see felucca sailing on the Nile.
For the wider picture of the city, the Luxor guide covers more West Bank and town sights.
Plan the rest of your trip
Tickets, timing and a place to sleep.
Karnak Temple tickets
Prices, hours and how to buy.
Karnak and the Valley of the Kings
How to combine both banks in a day.
Luxor hot air balloon
West Bank flights and the season.
Luxor weather
Month by month, and the best time to visit.
Where to stay in Luxor
East Bank or West Bank, and why it matters.
Things to do in Luxor: frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Luxor?
Two full days cover the main sights: one for the East Bank with Karnak and Luxor Temple, one for the West Bank with the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut's temple. A third day gives room for the museums, a balloon flight or a slower pace in the heat.
Can I see Karnak and the Valley of the Kings in one day?
Yes, with a selection. The sights are on opposite banks of the Nile, so you need a transfer between them, and you will not see every tomb. A guided plan or a driver helps. See the one-day page for a suggested order.
What is the best time of day to sightsee?
Early. Karnak and the Valley of the Kings open at 06:00, and the morning is cooler. Luxor Temple stays open until 20:00 and works well in the evening.
Are the museums worth it?
They suit the midday hours. The Luxor Museum shows objects found in Luxor, and the Mummification Museum explains mummies and burial goods. Check current prices and hours on arrival.
Is this the official Karnak website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not run by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the Supreme Council of Antiquities, a museum or the site operator. Official entry tickets are sold through the authorities' own channels and at the sites.