Luxor Temple, Karnak & Valley of the Kings: Day Trip Guide
Luxor holds three of Egypt's greatest sights: Karnak, the largest temple complex of ancient Egypt, Luxor Temple in the middle of the modern town, and the Valley of the Kings, where the pharaohs were buried. You can see Karnak and the Valley of the Kings in one day from the Red Sea: from Hurghada it is about 4 to 5 hours by road each way, Marsa Alam has a day trip by coach, and Sharm El Sheikh has one by plane.
Quick facts
- How far is Luxor from Hurghada?
- About 4 to 5 hours by road each way. A day trip from Hurghada lasts 15 to 20 hours from pickup to drop-off.
- Can you see Luxor in one day?
- Yes. Day trips from Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Sharm El Sheikh visit Karnak, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon, plus the Valley of the Kings or the Valley of the Queens.
- Is Karnak the same as Luxor Temple?
- No. They are two temples on the east bank of the Nile, about 3 km apart and joined by the Avenue of Sphinxes. Karnak is far larger. Most day trips from the coast visit Karnak, not Luxor Temple.
- What does a Valley of the Kings ticket cover?
- The standard ticket lets you into three tombs. Tutankhamun's tomb needs a ticket of its own.
- How much does a Luxor day trip cost?
- In October 2026, from $95 per person from Hurghada, from $70 from Marsa Alam and from about $245 by plane from Sharm El Sheikh. Each tour page shows today's price.
Luxor Temple and Karnak: two temples, not one
Karnak is not one temple but a whole complex of them, built and added to by pharaoh after pharaoh for some 2,000 years, mostly in honour of the god Amun. Its Great Hypostyle Hall has 134 giant columns, and beside the temples lie the sacred lake and a large stone scarab. It is the stop that almost every Luxor day trip includes.
Luxor Temple stands about 3 km to the south, in the centre of today's town. It was built mainly by Amenhotep III and Ramesses II. One of the two obelisks that stood at its gate is still there; the other has stood in the Place de la Concorde in Paris since the 1830s. The Avenue of Sphinxes, a processional road lined with sphinx statues, links Luxor Temple to Karnak.
Day trips from the coast usually include Karnak but not Luxor Temple, because there is only so much time. If seeing both matters to you, the Valley of the Kings, Karnak and Luxor Temple tour starts from your hotel in Luxor and covers both, so it suits a night or two in Luxor.
The Valley of the Kings
On the west bank of the Nile, in a dry valley behind the cliffs, the pharaohs of the New Kingdom were buried in tombs cut deep into the rock and painted from floor to ceiling. More than 60 tombs have been found there. The standard ticket covers three tombs, chosen from those open on the day, and Tutankhamun's tomb needs an extra ticket.
The day trips from Hurghada include the Valley of the Kings. The trip from Sharm El Sheikh, and one of the two programmes from Marsa Alam, visit the Valley of the Queens instead, where queens, princesses and royal children were buried. The tour that starts in Luxor visits both valleys and includes Tutankhamun's tomb.
The west bank: Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon
The Temple of Hatshepsut rises in terraces against the cliffs at Deir el-Bahari. It was built for Hatshepsut, one of the few women to rule Egypt as pharaoh. Nearby, the Colossi of Memnon are two huge seated stone statues that once guarded a temple of Amenhotep III. Both are on almost every Luxor day trip, and so is a short boat crossing of the Nile between the two banks.
Getting to Luxor from Hurghada, Marsa Alam or Sharm El Sheikh
| From | How | The whole trip | What you see |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurghada | Coach or minibus, about 4 to 5 hours each way | 15 to 20 hours | Valley of the Kings, Karnak, Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon |
| Marsa Alam | Coach via Safaga | About 18 hours | Karnak, Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon, plus Dendera or the Valley of the Queens |
| Sharm El Sheikh | Plane | About 17 hours | Karnak, Valley of the Queens, Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon |
From Hurghada. The Luxor day trip to the Valley of the Kings collects you early in the morning and lasts about 15 hours, with guides who speak English, French, German or Italian. The Valley of the Kings day trip from Hurghada lasts about 20 hours. Both include lunch, an Egyptologist guide and the four big sights of the day.
From Marsa Alam. The Luxor day trip to Karnak and Dendera crosses from the coast to the Nile valley via Safaga on a coach with a toilet, with two drivers and security. You choose one of two programmes: the Temple of Hathor at Dendera with no shopping stops, or the Valley of the Queens. The guide speaks Russian, and you are away from your hotel for about 18 hours.
From Sharm El Sheikh. The Luxor day trip by flight flies you to Luxor and back in about 17 hours, with an English-speaking guide, a boat across the Nile and a buffet lunch with a view of the river. You need an Egyptian visa, because a Sinai stamp alone is not enough, and seats on the flights are limited, so book several days ahead.
Staying over. The private transfer from Hurghada to Luxor takes about 4 to 5 hours, door to door, in a car or minibus for your group alone. A night in Luxor leaves time for Luxor Temple, the tour that starts in the town, and a balloon flight at sunrise.
A hot air balloon at sunrise
The sunrise hot air balloon ride picks you up early from your hotel or cruise ship in central Luxor. The flight lasts about 30 minutes, weather permitting, and floats over the Nile, the fields and, depending on the wind, the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and Karnak. Allow about 3 hours in all. It is not suitable for children under 6, pregnant women or people with back problems, and it needs a night in Luxor, since it starts before dawn.
What to wear and bring
Wear comfortable walking shoes: the temples and tombs have uneven ground and steps, so these trips may not suit people who find walking difficult. Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen, above all in the warmer months, a light layer for the air-conditioned coach, and your passport. Drinks at lunch and tips are not included on most day trips, so carry some cash.
Questions people ask
How far is Luxor from Hurghada?
About 4 to 5 hours by road each way, depending on traffic, the road and stops.
Can you see Luxor in one day?
Yes. A day trip from Hurghada covers Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon in 15 to 20 hours from hotel to hotel.
Is Karnak the same as Luxor Temple?
No. Karnak is a vast temple complex in the north of Luxor; Luxor Temple stands about 3 km south, in the town centre. The Avenue of Sphinxes joins them.
Can you see Tutankhamun's tomb on a day trip?
It needs its own ticket on top of the standard Valley of the Kings ticket. The Luxor tour that starts in the town includes it.
How do I get to Luxor from Sharm El Sheikh?
By plane: the day trip flies there and back in about 17 hours. You need an Egyptian visa, as a Sinai stamp alone is not enough.
Do I need a passport for a Luxor day trip?
Yes, carry your passport on every trip to Luxor.