Ultimate Guide to Luxor, Egypt — What to See and Practical Tips (2026)

Updated August 2026. Luxor is one of those places where a two-day sightseeing list can become five days without much effort. We originally wrote this guide after spending days visiting the temples and tombs ourselves. The monuments have not moved, but ticket prices, transport and some of our practical advice from 2019 definitely needed updating.

The biggest change is cost. The old prices on this page were from February 2019 and were no longer useful. I have replaced them with current Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities prices where I could verify them. Prices can change again, so check the official Egyptian monuments ticket site before your visit.

If you only have two days in Luxor

I would split Luxor by bank. Spend one day on the East Bank at Karnak and Luxor Temple, then one day on the West Bank with the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut’s mortuary temple. Add Medinet Habu if you still have time and energy.

• Day 1: Karnak early, a break through the hottest part of the day, then Luxor Temple toward late afternoon and evening.
• Day 2: Valley of the Kings as early as possible, then Hatshepsut’s temple. Add another West Bank site rather than trying to collect every tomb and temple.

Current major-site ticket prices

These are the current foreign-adult prices shown by Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities in August 2026. Student tickets are generally half price with qualifying ID.

The standard Valley of the Kings ticket covers the general site and a selection of regular tombs; premium tombs are separate. Mobile-phone photography is currently listed as free at the Valley of the Kings. That makes our old discussion of a 300 EGP photo pass obsolete.

Karnak

Karnak is enormous. It is a temple complex rather than a single building, and nearly every New Kingdom king left something here. The Great Hypostyle Hall is the obvious highlight, but give yourself enough time to wander beyond it rather than treating the site as one photo stop.

The official site currently opens at 6:00 am. Early morning is worth the effort for cooler air and softer light. I would allow at least two hours; three is easy if you like history or photography.

Luxor Temple

Luxor Temple works particularly well late in the day because it stays open into the evening and the lighting changes completely after sunset. The core of the temple was built by Amenhotep III; Tutankhamun and Horemheb completed decoration of the Great Colonnade, and Ramesses II later added the huge entrance pylon, courtyard, statues and obelisks.

One of those two obelisks is still in front of the temple. The other has stood at Place de la Concorde in Paris since 1836.

Valley of the Kings

The Valley of the Kings contains more than sixty tombs and unfinished tombs. Which regular tombs are open rotates, so I would not build a trip around an old blog’s exact three-tomb combination. See what is open when you arrive and choose from those.

If you pay for one premium tomb, Ramesses V & VI (KV9) is still an easy recommendation. Its long corridors have exceptionally well-preserved painted reliefs and astronomical ceilings, and at EGP 220 it costs far less than Seti I. Tutankhamun is historically compelling, but the tomb itself is relatively small and modest compared with the richer decoration elsewhere in the valley.

Go early. The exposed valley gets brutally hot, and the tomb interiors can become crowded and stuffy. Bring water and wear shoes that are comfortable on ramps and uneven surfaces.

Hatshepsut’s mortuary temple

Hatshepsut’s temple at Deir el-Bahari is one of the West Bank sites I would keep even on a short itinerary. The terraces look almost modern against the cliffs, while the surviving reliefs include Hatshepsut’s expedition to Punt and scenes supporting her claim to kingship.

Again, early morning helps. There is little shade and the reflected heat becomes tiring quickly.

Medinet Habu and quieter West Bank sites

If you have another half-day, Medinet Habu is the next site I would add. It gets less attention than the Valley of the Kings or Hatshepsut’s temple but has huge walls and unusually vivid surviving reliefs. Smaller sites can also be much calmer than the headline attractions.

I would not try to visit every place because it is on a pass or map. After a few hours in 35–40°C heat, another temple can stop registering. Pick fewer places and give them time.

Getting around: East Bank and West Bank

The East Bank is where most city hotels, restaurants, Luxor Temple and Karnak are. Luxor Temple is walkable from much of central Luxor. Karnak is farther north, so a taxi is easier in the heat.

On the West Bank, distances between archaeological sites make a car and driver convenient. The public ferry across the Nile is also useful if you want to arrange transport after crossing. I have removed our 2019 taxi and ferry prices because inflation has made them misleading. Agree on the fare and what is included before you get in.

East Bank or West Bank accommodation?

Stay on the East Bank if convenience matters most. You have more hotels, restaurants and services, and can walk to Luxor Temple from many central properties. This is what we did.

Stay on the West Bank if you want a slower setting and easier mornings at the tombs. It is greener and generally feels less hectic, but you will cross the Nile more often for East Bank sights and city services.

Cairo to Luxor: train or plane?

We took the train because we wanted the experience. One journey was unpleasant and another was perfectly fine, which is probably the fairest summary of why I would not make a universal claim about it.

Flying is much faster if your Egypt itinerary is short. The train makes more sense if you prefer overland travel or want to avoid another airport. I have removed the old 2019 fares and the old claim about how foreigners had to buy government-train tickets; ticketing rules and prices have changed too much to preserve that advice safely.

A few practical Luxor tips

• Start early. Heat is the main reason, crowds second.
• Expect persistent offers. Taxi, carriage, guide and souvenir pitches are part of the tourist areas. A clear la shukran — no thank you — is enough.
• Do not follow unofficial guides into restricted areas. If someone offers special access, assume you may be asked for money and that the area may be off limits.
• Carry small Egyptian-pound notes. They make ordinary tips and small purchases much easier.
• Check official ticket prices shortly before visiting. The increases since our 2019 trip have been large.

Luxor rewards a slower itinerary. The best part of our visit was having enough time to look at the details rather than racing between famous names. Two days covers the essentials; three or four makes the city much easier to enjoy.