Last updated: October 30, 2026. Tour, hotel and flight prices were checked on October 30, 2026 on Trip.com and Google Flights. Ticket prices are the 2026 foreign-adult rates of Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities; dollar amounts use about 56 Egyptian pounds (EGP) per US dollar (late October 2026).
Short answer: you can see Luxor’s highlights in one long day, but two days (one per side of the Nile) is far more relaxed. The main entry tickets cost about $41 per person. Tours we found on Trip.com started at about $80 for a full day with guide, car and lunch, and about $197 for an 8-hour private car. Most tours do not include entry tickets.
Entry tickets in Luxor (2026)
| Site | Foreign adult | About |
|---|---|---|
| Valley of the Kings (standard ticket, 3 tombs) | EGP 750 | $13 |
| Tutankhamun’s tomb (extra) | EGP 700 | $12.50 |
| Seti I tomb (extra) | EGP 2,000 | $36 |
| Karnak Temple | EGP 600 | $11 |
| Luxor Temple | EGP 500 | $9 |
| Temple of Hatshepsut | EGP 440 | $8 |
| Medinet Habu | EGP 220 | $4 |
| Colossi of Memnon | Free | $0 |
Sources: 2026 foreign-adult prices as listed by Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (egymonuments.gov.eg) and reported by several 2026 travel guides; checked October 30, 2026. Students with valid ID usually pay half. Many sites now accept cards only, so bring a credit or debit card.
The four main sites (Valley of the Kings, Karnak, Luxor Temple, Hatshepsut) cost EGP 2,290, about $41 per person. Add Tutankhamun’s tomb and you are at about $54.
What Luxor tours cost
| Tour (Trip.com, Oct 30, 2026) | From (per person) |
|---|---|
| Full day: Luxor Temple, Karnak, Valley of the Kings with guide, car and lunch | $80 |
| East Bank day tour: Karnak, Luxor Museum, Luxor Temple at night | $117 |
| Karnak + Luxor Temple, 4-hour group tour (tickets not included) | $115 |
| 8-hour private car with Luxor Temple, Karnak, Valley of the Kings | $197 |
| Sunrise hot air balloon with hotel transfer | about $78–91 |
Source: Trip.com Luxor tour listings in USD, checked October 30, 2026 (balloon prices from Trip.com listings). Prices depend on date and group size. Check whether entry tickets are included before you book.
Our advice: compare a tour price against “tickets + taxi + guide”. If entry tickets are not included, add about $41–54 per person to the tour price.
How to plan your Luxor days
West Bank day (start early)
The Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut, Medinet Habu and the Colossi of Memnon are on the West Bank. Start at 6–7 AM: it is cooler and calmer. This side has no practical public transport between sites, so a taxi, driver or tour is the easiest option.
East Bank day
Karnak and Luxor Temple are in town, about 3 km apart, connected by the restored Avenue of Sphinxes. Visit Karnak in the morning and Luxor Temple in the late afternoon or evening, when it is lit up.
Only one day?
Do the West Bank in the morning and Karnak plus Luxor Temple in the afternoon. That is exactly what the full-day tours in the table above cover.
Hot air balloon: worth it?
Balloons fly over the West Bank at sunrise. Pickup is often around 4–5 AM, and the flight lasts about 45 minutes. Flights are cancelled in strong wind, so book with free cancellation or a refund policy, and plan it for your first morning so you have a backup day.
Getting to Luxor from the US
- New York (JFK) to Luxor: from $1,048 round trip with EgyptAir via Cairo, for February 6–16, 2027 (Google Flights, checked October 30, 2026).
- Cairo to Luxor: about one hour, from about $135–152 one way on February 9, 2027.
Combining Luxor with Cairo? See our 3-day Giza pyramids trip.
Where to stay and what it costs
For 3 nights, February 9–12, 2027, for 2 adults, Trip.com showed totals including taxes and fees from $88 to about $2,400. Examples:
- Budget: Philippe Luxor Hotel $88, Sofia Guest House $97, St. Joseph Hotel $116.
- Mid-range: King Tut Hotel $274, Jolie Ville Kings Island $280, Steigenberger Nile Palace $394.
- Upscale: Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa $1,052.
The East Bank is best for restaurants and getting around; the West Bank is quieter and closer to the tombs.
Practical tips
- Best time: October to April. From May to September, midday heat is extreme.
- Payment: bring a card for tickets and small Egyptian pound notes for tips.
- Photos: phone photos are listed as free at the Valley of the Kings; ask before using professional cameras.
- Self-drive: renting a car is possible, but most visitors prefer a driver. If you want to drive yourself, read our Luxor 4×4 rental guide.
FAQs
Can I see Luxor in one day?
Yes, the main sites fit into one long day: West Bank in the morning, Karnak and Luxor Temple in the afternoon. Two days is more relaxed.
How much are the entry tickets in Luxor?
In 2026, the four main sites cost EGP 2,290 together, about $41 per person. Tutankhamun’s tomb costs another EGP 700.
Do Luxor tours include entry tickets?
Often not. Several tours we checked said “admission ticket not included”. Check this before booking.
How much is a hot air balloon ride in Luxor?
We found sunrise flights with hotel transfer from about $78–91 per person on Trip.com on October 30, 2026.
Is a guide necessary?
Not required, but useful in the Valley of the Kings, where there is little explanation on site.
