One day in Luxor: the Valley of the Kings and Karnak
The Valley of the Kings lies on the west bank of the Nile. Karnak stands on the east bank. A day that includes both needs a crossing of the river, and the plan below treats it as a fixed part of the schedule. It is a plan with a selection, not a promise of full coverage. You will not see every tomb or every corner of Karnak in one day.
The valley was the burial place of kings of the New Kingdom, together with family members and high-ranking officials. It holds more than 60 tombs, along with further unfinished ones. Not all of them are open to visitors, so ask on site which tombs you can enter on your day.
Our picks: Karnak and the Valley of the Kings
Karnak and the Valley of the Kings lie on opposite banks, so you need a tour that crosses the Nile. The private full-day tour has entries and lunch in the price; the shared one is cheaper but takes entries as an option. The third starts in Hurghada and runs 15 hours.
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.
Private full-day tour of the East and West Bank
- All entry tickets
- Private guide and transport
- Lunch included
A full day covering Karnak, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings, with entries and lunch in the price.
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Luxor day trip from Hurghada with Hatshepsut and Karnak
- Egyptologist guide
- Lunch, water and snacks
- Karnak, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut
Fifteen hours door to door. Entry tickets and Tutankhamun's tomb come only with the matching option, and Luxor Temple is a photo stop from outside.
Check availability →
Shared full-day tour of the East and West Bank
- English-speaking Egyptologist
- Lunch included
- Karnak and Valley of the Kings
Eight hours across both banks of the Nile. Entry tickets come only with the matching option, and the exact meeting point is on your voucher.
Check availability →Valley of the Kings and Karnak tours
Combined west bank and east bank days, with live prices and availability. Check which entry tickets each offer includes.
A one-day plan across both banks
The order is a suggestion. Travel and visit times vary, so keep a margin.
1. Start on the west bank
The Valley of the Kings opens at 06:00. Go first, while the temperature is lowest. In summer the daily highs average above 41 °C, and in April and October they still average 35 °C.
2. Choose your tombs
The basic ticket usually covers three tombs. Separate tickets exist for Tutankhamun, Seti I and Ramesses V and VI. Check the current rules and prices at the ticket office before you buy.
3. Add one more west bank stop if time allows
The Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari has three terraces and is open daily from 06:00 to 17:00. The Colossi of Memnon are close by. Skip these if the morning runs long.
4. Cross the Nile
Allow time for the transfer to the east bank. Fixed times for this crossing cannot be promised, so plan with a buffer.
5. Karnak in the afternoon
Karnak closes at 17:00. Check the last entry time before you go, and do not count on getting in at closing. Pick the Great Hypostyle Hall, the obelisk and the Sacred Lake as your core, and leave the rest.
6. Luxor Temple as the evening option
Luxor Temple is open until 20:00 and costs EGP 500 for foreign adults. If your energy lasts, it is a short and calm end to the day.
Valley of the Kings tickets and tombs
The valley is open daily from 06:00 to 17:00. Foreign adults pay EGP 750 and foreign students EGP 375. Egyptians pay EGP 60 and EGP 30.
Extra tickets for individual tombs are sold separately. Prices have changed over time, so ask for the current price at the ticket office. Which tombs are open changes as well. The site is made up of an East Valley and a West Valley.
For a closer look at the tombs worth your time, see the best tombs in the Valley of the Kings. The Luxor guide to the valley covers the surrounding west bank.
Which version of the day fits you
Three ways to use the time.
| Plan | West bank | East bank | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tombs first, short Karnak | Valley of the Kings, three tombs | Karnak core: Great Hypostyle Hall, obelisk, Sacred Lake | Fits the schedule of one day |
| Balloon start | Balloon flight, then Valley of the Kings | Luxor Temple in the evening | Needs the earliest start; flights do not run on every date |
| Two days | Day 1: valley, Deir el-Bahari, Colossi | Day 2: Karnak and Luxor Temple | The relaxed option |
For most visitors with only one day, the first plan works best. If you have a second day, the third plan gives each site the time it needs. For the balloon option, see the hot air balloon page.
Heat and the best months for a long day
Long-term monthly averages for Luxor.
| Month | Average high | Average low |
|---|---|---|
| November | 29.0 °C | 12.3 °C |
| January | 23.0 °C | 5.9 °C |
| March | 29.5 °C | 11.8 °C |
| April | 35.3 °C | 16.9 °C |
| June | 41.3 °C | 23.5 °C |
| October | 35.3 °C | 18.4 °C |
A day across both banks means many hours outdoors. From November to March the temperatures suit this best. In April and October it is already hot, and in June it is very hot. Spring can bring sandstorms with poor visibility. The full table is on the weather page.
Plan the rest of your visit
More on each stop.
Karnak and the Valley of the Kings: frequently asked questions
Can I see Karnak and the Valley of the Kings in one day?
Yes, if you start early and accept a selection. Do the valley in the morning, cross the Nile and spend the afternoon in Karnak.
How much is the Valley of the Kings in 2026?
EGP 750 for foreign adults and EGP 375 for students. Extra tombs need separate tickets.
How many tombs can I enter?
The basic ticket usually covers three tombs. Special tombs such as Tutankhamun need an extra ticket. Which tombs are open can change, so ask at the entrance.
Is there a direct public bus from Karnak to the Valley of the Kings?
Do not plan on one. Use a tour with transfers or arrange a car, and allow for the river crossing.
Can I come back to a tomb later in the day?
Do not count on it. Plan each tomb as a single visit.
Is this the official site of the Valley of the Kings?
No. This is an independent guide. Tickets are sold at the sites and through the national ticket channels.