Luxor, built on the site of the ancient city of Thebes, is Egypt’s most concentrated area of temples and tombs. This page lists package tours that include Luxor, Nile cruises, a day trip to Luxor from Hurghada, and hot-air balloon tours.
On the east bank of the Nile, the Karnak Temple Complex is Egypt's largest ancient religious site, with its vast columned hall. Luxor Temple in the city center is connected to Karnak by the Avenue of Sphinxes and is illuminated in the evenings.
On the west bank are the Valley of the Kings, with the rock-cut tombs of New Kingdom pharaohs, the terraced Temple of Hatshepsut built against the cliffs, and the Colossi of Memnon. The Valley of the Kings ticket allows entry to a limited number of tombs; Tutankhamun’s tomb requires a separate ticket.
Hot-air balloon flights in Luxor take place at sunrise over the West Bank; temples, fields and the Nile can be seen from above. Flights are weather-dependent and may be cancelled due to wind.
Luxor can be added to the itinerary in three ways: by plane or train from Cairo, by road from Hurghada (approximately 4 hours), or by Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan. On Nile cruises, accommodation is on board, with visits to the temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo along the way.
October–April is the best time to visit. Luxor is one of Egypt’s hottest places in summer; daytime temperatures exceed 40 °C between June and August, so excursions are scheduled for early morning.
The main sights can be seen in one full day: the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple and the Colossi of Memnon on the West Bank in the morning, followed by Karnak and Luxor temples on the East Bank in the afternoon. For a more relaxed pace, allow two days to include the Valley of the Queens or museums. On a day trip from Hurghada, the drive takes about 4 hours each way, so the day starts early and ends late. Package tours avoid this long journey by including an overnight stay in Luxor.
Entrance fees for temple and tomb sites are not included in most tours and are paid on site. The Valley of the Kings ticket allows entry to a set number of tombs; Tutankhamun’s tomb and some other special tombs require separate tickets. The “Included / Excluded” section of each tour page lists which entrance fees are covered.
On Nile cruises between Luxor and Aswan, accommodation is on board with Full Board. The ship travels at night and stops during the day at the temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo. From the deck, you can watch villages and palm groves along the banks of the Nile.
The sun can be very intense during the day in Luxor, so bring a hat, sunglasses and plenty of water. Photography in the tombs in the Valley of the Kings may require a separate ticket. Comfortable shoes are essential for temple and tomb visits, as the sites are extensive and involve a lot of walking.
Yes; a full tourist visa is required for Egypt. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your return date.
Yes; the day trip from Hurghada to Luxor is included on this list. The key sights on both the East and West Banks are visited in a single day.
Yes; Nile cruises and classic Egypt tours combine Luxor and Aswan in the same itinerary.
Flights are subject to weather conditions and may be canceled due to wind or poor visibility.