How many days in Luxor? 4 days, with every temple and tomb at dawn
By Tony Panopoulos · travel-agency planner in Greece · Updated
Luxor, ancient Thebes, has more pharaonic monuments than anywhere else in Egypt, split by the Nile: the temples of the living on the East Bank and the tombs and mortuary temples of the dead on the West Bank. Most cruise passengers see it in one rushed day. Give it four days. Visit the big sites at opening time, around 6:00, before the heat and the tour buses; rest at midday; and spend the evenings by the river.
Short answer
Three days covers Karnak, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's temple and Medinet Habu. The fourth day adds Dendera or Abydos, two of the best-preserved temples in Egypt.
The 4-day plan, day by day
Day 1: Karnak and the East Bank
Morning. Be at Karnak Temple when it opens, around 6:00. The complex covers more than 2 square kilometres, built and extended over some 2,000 years; the highlight is the Great Hypostyle Hall, with 134 giant columns. Allow 3 hours; the foreigner ticket is roughly E£600 (check current rates, which rise often).
Afternoon. Rest through the midday heat, then visit the Luxor Museum on the corniche, small but very well displayed, with statues found in a cache under Luxor Temple, or the Mummification Museum near the corniche.
Evening. Walk to Luxor Temple for sunset and stay after dark, when the columns and statues of Ramses II are lit (around E£500). From its northern gate, the Avenue of Sphinxes, reopened in 2021, runs for about 2.7 km towards Karnak.
Bring small notes of Egyptian pounds for toilets, tips (baksheesh) and water. Card payment is now common at ticket offices, but cash is still needed in many places.
Day 2: Balloon at dawn, the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut
Morning. If you want to fly, a hot-air balloon over the West Bank leaves before sunrise, around 5:00-6:00, for about 45 minutes in the air (roughly US$60-150 per person, often paid in dollars or pounds). Afterwards, go straight to the Valley of the Kings. The standard ticket includes three tombs (roughly E£750); Tutankhamun's tomb and the large tomb of Seti I need separate, expensive tickets.
Afternoon. Drive 10 minutes to the terraced Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, built for the female pharaoh against a cliff (around E£440). Stop on the way back at the Colossi of Memnon, two seated statues of Amenhotep III by the road (free).
Evening. Cross back to the East Bank by the public ferry, a few pounds, or on a felucca, a traditional sailing boat, for sunset on the river (around E£300-600 for a boat for an hour, agree before boarding).
Photography with phones is usually allowed inside the tombs, but flash is forbidden. The valleys are very hot, with little shade; carry water and wear a hat even in winter.
Day 3: Medinet Habu, the Nobles and Deir el-Medina
Morning. Begin at Medinet Habu, the mortuary temple of Ramses III, where the reliefs still keep much of their original colour and there are far fewer visitors than at Karnak (around E£300). Then visit the Ramesseum, the ruined temple of Ramses II, with a giant fallen statue.
Afternoon. See the Tombs of the Nobles, the painted tombs of officials, with scenes of daily life, harvests and banquets (several separate tickets, each modest). Continue to Deir el-Medina, the village of the craftsmen who built the royal tombs, with its own small painted tombs.
Evening. Have dinner on a West Bank rooftop restaurant facing the river, then take the ferry back. A meal of grilled meat, rice, molokhia and salads costs around E£400-800 per person.
A taxi or a car with driver on the West Bank for a full day costs roughly E£1,000-1,800; agree on the price, the route and the waiting time in advance.
Day 4: Dendera or Abydos
Morning. Leave at dawn by car for the Temple of Hathor at Dendera, about 1-1.5 hours north (around E£450). Its ceiling is painted in deep blue with the sky goddess Nut, and you can go up to the roof and down into the crypts.
Afternoon. With a longer day, continue another 1.5-2 hours to Abydos, where the Temple of Seti I has some of the finest carved reliefs in Egypt and the famous list of kings. The combined Dendera and Abydos trip takes about 10-12 hours return; a private car costs roughly E£3,000-5,000.
Evening. Back in Luxor, watch the Sound and Light show at Karnak, or relax on the corniche. For a final dinner, try koshary or a grilled fish by the river.
If you are continuing to Aswan, do the trip by road with stops at the temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo, or take a 3- or 4-night Nile cruise, which stops at both.
Only have 3 days?
With 3 days, do Karnak and Luxor Temple on Day 1, the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut on Day 2, and Medinet Habu with the Tombs of the Nobles on Day 3. You lose Dendera and Abydos.
Got extra days?
A 5th day can visit the Valley of the Queens and, if the budget allows, the painted Tomb of Nefertari (expensive ticket, limited visit time). Most travellers then continue south to Aswan, about 3-4 hours by road or by Nile cruise, for Philae Temple and a day trip to Abu Simbel.
Where to stay in Luxor
| Budget | Area | Why | Typical double/night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | East Bank near Luxor Temple | Simple hotels a short walk from the temple, the station and the ferry. | E£800-1,800 |
| Mid-range | West Bank (around Al Gezira) | Quiet guesthouses among fields and palm trees, close to the tombs. | E£1,800-4,000 |
| Mid-range | East Bank corniche | Larger hotels with pools and Nile views, near restaurants and the museums. | E£2,500-6,000 |
| Comfort | Historic and luxury hotels on the corniche | Grand hotels from the early 20th century, with gardens and terraces over the Nile. | E£10,000-35,000 |
Getting around
Luxor Airport is about 7 km east of the centre; a taxi costs roughly E£300-500. Sleeper and day trains connect Luxor with Cairo (about 9-10 hours) and Aswan (about 3 hours). On the East Bank, Karnak is about 3 km from Luxor Temple: use a taxi, an Uber or a horse-drawn caleche (agree the price first). The public ferry across the Nile costs a few pounds; motorboats charge more. On the West Bank, sites are spread over several kilometres, so hire a taxi for the day, or rent a bicycle in the cooler months.
What to eat in Luxor
Egyptian food is simple and filling. Breakfast is ful medames (stewed fava beans) and ta'ameya (Egyptian falafel made with fava beans) in fresh bread, for E£20-50 at a street stall. Try koshary, a mix of rice, lentils, pasta and fried onions with tomato sauce, molokhia, a green soup, and grilled kofta. Hibiscus juice (karkadeh) is served hot or cold. Alcohol is available in hotels and some tourist restaurants, but not everywhere. A main course in a local restaurant costs E£150-350; a dinner in a hotel restaurant, E£800-2,000 per person. Drink bottled water only.
Best time to visit
October to April is the best season, with highs of 22-30°C, though nights in December and January can be cold, around 5-8°C. From May to September it is very hot, often 40°C or more, so visit sites at 6:00 and stay inside in the afternoon. Christmas, New Year and Easter are the busiest weeks. On 22 February and 22 October, the sun lines up with the sanctuary of Abu Simbel, further south, a popular event to combine with Luxor.
What a day costs
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing a double) | E£600 | E£1,800 | E£7,000 |
| Food & drink | E£400 | E£1,000 | E£2,500 |
| Sights & tickets | E£800 | E£1,500 | E£3,500 |
| Local transport | E£150 | E£600 | E£1,500 |
| Total per person, per day | about E£1,950 | about E£4,900 | about E£14,500 |
Approximate 2026 prices; foreigner ticket prices in Egypt rise often, and premium tombs such as Tutankhamun, Seti I and Nefertari, balloon flights and guides are extra.
Before you go
Common questions
Is the Luxor Pass worth it?
The Luxor Pass is a multi-day ticket covering most sites on both banks, with a premium version that adds tombs such as Tutankhamun, Seti I and Nefertari. It is priced in foreign currency, needs a passport photo, and is sold only at certain ticket offices. It pays off only if you plan to see many sites, including premium tombs. Check current terms before you go.
Which tombs should I see in the Valley of the Kings?
The standard ticket gives three tombs from those open that day, which change. Ask the guards which ones have the best paintings; tombs of Ramses IV, Ramses IX and Merenptah are often good choices. Tutankhamun's tomb is small but famous and needs an extra ticket; the tomb of Seti I is the most impressive and expensive.
Is it safe to take a hot-air balloon in Luxor?
Balloon flights are a well-established business in Luxor, regulated by the civil aviation authorities, and thousands of people fly every year. Choose a known operator through your hotel or a reputable agency rather than the cheapest offer, and listen to the safety briefing. Flights are cancelled in strong winds, so do it early in your stay.
How do I deal with touts and hassle in Luxor?
It is common around the temples, the corniche and the ferry. Say a polite but firm 'la, shukran' (no, thank you) and keep walking. Agree prices for taxis, caleches and boats before you get in, and pay only at the end. Hiring a licensed guide for the main sites also reduces the hassle a lot.
How this guide was made
Compiled by TonyPlan from official tourism, transport and attraction sources and on-the-ground travel knowledge. Prices are approximate for 2026 and change with season; anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.
Some links on this page are partner links. If you book through them TonyPlan may earn a commission; the price you pay is the same. How we make money.