Luxor Temple at a glance
Luxor Temple, also called the Temple of Luxor, stands on the East Bank of the Nile in the middle of the city. The ancient Egyptians called it Ipet-resyt, the "southern sanctuary". It belongs to the World Heritage site Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis, listed in 1979. Karnak lies on the same bank, about 3 km to the north, while the royal tombs are on the West Bank across the river.
The temple was built for the Opet festival, when the cult images of Amun, Mut and Khonsu were brought here. Its axis points toward Karnak instead of following the usual east to west line. Today you walk past a huge pylon with a standing obelisk and seated colossi, through a court of Ramses II, up the great colonnade and into the sun court of Amenhotep III. A working mosque, the Abu Haggag Mosque, sits inside the first court.
What you find on this site
Planning pages for one temple and the East Bank around it.
Start with Luxor Temple tickets for prices, hours and the Luxor Pass, then look at Luxor tours if you want a guide. If you plan a late visit, the page on Luxor Temple at night explains the lighting and the closing times. Staying on the Red Sea coast? Read the guide to a day trip from Hurghada to Luxor. The remaining pages cover the sights inside and around the temple, the weather, where to stay and how to arrive. Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and the West Bank have their own guides, which this site links to instead of repeating them.
Our picks: Luxor Temple tours
The private half-day with Karnak and Luxor Temple is the simplest start, because the entry tickets are included. The shared half-day with lunch works with the entry option, the full private day adds the West Bank, and the morning and afternoon visits are short ways to see Luxor Temple alone.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Private full day: West Bank, Karnak and Luxor Temple
- Entry tickets included
- Lunch and water
- Pick-up at hotel, ship or airport
A full day with a guide in a private air-conditioned vehicle, ending at your hotel or the airport as arranged.
Check availability →
Private full day on both banks, ending at Luxor Temple
- Private Egyptologist
- Lunch included
- Luxor Temple as final stop
Your guide speaks English, French, German, Spanish or Italian. Entry tickets are only included with the entry option.
Check availability →Karnak and Luxor Temple with lunch
- Karnak and Luxor Temple
- English-speaking guide
- Lunch included
A shared half-day on the East Bank with hotel pick-up. Entry tickets are only included if you pick the entry option when you book.
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Karnak and Luxor Temple private half-day
- Entry tickets included
- Private guide
- Hotel pick-up and return
Both big East Bank temples in about four hours with your own guide. Airport or West Bank pick-up costs extra.
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Luxor Temple and old souk in the afternoon
- Luxor Temple entry
- Private Egyptologist
- Hotel transfer
A three-hour afternoon outing that adds the old souk to the temple visit, back at the hotel around 17:00. Airport or West Bank pick-up costs extra.
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Morning visit to Luxor Temple with breakfast
- Luxor Temple entry
- Private English-speaking guide
- Breakfast or lunch
A three-hour guided visit, with breakfast or lunch depending on your pick-up time. West Bank pick-up costs extra.
Check availability →Luxor Temple tours and tickets
Entry tickets, guided visits, sunset tours and East Bank half days, with live prices and availability.
Everything about Luxor Temple
One page for each question you may have before you go.
Tickets and hours
Prices for foreign visitors and students, the last entry and the Luxor Pass.
Luxor tours
Half-day and full-day trips that include the temple, Karnak and the East Bank.
Luxor Temple at night
Lit columns and statues, and how late you can get in.
From Hurghada to Luxor
About 310 km each way by road, and what a day trip may include.
Avenue of Sphinxes
The ceremonial road to Karnak: history, tickets and access.
Ramses II
His court, pylon and colossal statues at the entrance.
Amenhotep III
The colonnade and sun court that form the core of the temple.
The obelisk
One stays in Luxor, its twin stands in Paris.
Abu Haggag Mosque
The mosque built into the first court.
Luxor Museum
Two museums with their own tickets and split opening hours.
History of the temple
Thebes, the Opet festival and the shrine of Alexander.
Weather and best time
Monthly highs and lows, and when the heat becomes a problem.
Where to stay
East Bank or West Bank, and how close you want to be to the temple.
Getting there
Luxor Airport, taxis, transfers and the train from Cairo.
The East Bank
The souk, the Corniche and carriage rides.
Who built what
The temple grew over many centuries.
| Builder or period | What they added |
|---|---|
| Amenhotep III | The core of the temple, the sun court and the great colonnade with 2 rows of 7 columns |
| Tutankhamun and Horemheb | Finished important parts of the decoration, including the Opet festival scenes |
| Ramses II | The court with surrounding columns, the monumental pylon and colossal statues; two obelisks once stood at the entrance |
| Late 3rd century AD | A Roman fort around the temple, with an inner room turned into an imperial sanctuary |
For most visitors the pylon, the colonnade and the sun court are the highlights. The pages on Ramses II and Amenhotep III show what to look for in each part.
A few things to know before you go
Details that change how you plan the day.
The adult ticket is EGP 500
Foreign students pay EGP 250, with a student card and an age of up to 24. Children under 6 enter free. Bring a Visa or Mastercard bank card in case cash is not accepted at the ticket office.
Ticket details →Last entry is an hour before closing
The site is open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., and the last entry is at 7 p.m. Plan to arrive well before that.
Evening visit →The Avenue of Sphinxes is not a guaranteed walk
The 2.7 km avenue reopened on 25 November 2021, but access can vary by section and day. Check the current situation before you plan to walk to Karnak.
Avenue guide →Passes do not guarantee every tomb
The Luxor Pass covers several sites for 5 days, but entry to individual tombs depends on whether they are open on your day.
Luxor Pass →The visa fee is USD 30 for one entry
A single-entry e-Visa costs USD 30 and a multiple-entry e-Visa USD 65, and the fee on arrival is USD 30 for one entry. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months.
Getting there →Beyond Luxor Temple
Neighbouring sights with their own guides.
The great Amun temple at Karnak is the natural second stop. The tombs of the Theban hills are covered at the Valley of the Kings, and the wider city with the West Bank at Luxor. For a trip between Luxor and Aswan, see the Nile. This site stays with the temple and the East Bank.
More independent Egypt guides
Separate guides from the same team, each focused on one place in Egypt.
Luxor
Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and Nile cruises to Aswan.
Nubian Aswan
Gharb Soheil, Elephantine, Philae and day trips to Abu Simbel.
Giza Pyramids
Pyramid tickets, the Sphinx, the Grand Egyptian Museum and Saqqara.
Valley of the Kings
Tomb tickets, Tutankhamun, Hatshepsut and the West Bank of Luxor.
The Nile
Nile cruises from Luxor to Aswan, dahabiyas, feluccas and Lake Nasser.
Abu Simbel
The temples of Ramses II and Nefertari: day trips from Aswan, flights and the Sun Festival.
Karnak Temple
The temple of Amun in Luxor: tickets, the Hypostyle Hall, the light show and the Avenue of Sphinxes.
Khan el-Khalili
The great bazaar of Islamic Cairo, Al-Muizz Street, the Citadel and Cairo at night.
Philae Temple
The Temple of Isis near Aswan, the boat ride, the sound and light show and the High Dam.
Marsa Alam
Red Sea snorkeling, Dolphin House trips, dugongs and day trips to Luxor.
Luxor Temple: frequently asked questions
How much does a ticket for Luxor Temple cost?
In 2026 the ticket for a foreign adult is EGP 500 and for a foreign student EGP 250. Egyptian adults pay EGP 40 and Egyptian students EGP 20. Children under 6 enter free. See the ticket page for hours and the pass.
Can I visit Luxor Temple in the evening?
Yes. The columns and statues are lit at night. The site is open until 8 p.m., with the last entry at 7 p.m. There is no separate night ticket. See Luxor Temple at night.
Can I walk from Luxor Temple to Karnak?
The Avenue of Sphinxes links the two temples over about 2.7 km and reopened in 2021. A walk along the whole route is not guaranteed on every day, so check the current access first. The avenue page explains tickets and access.
Is there a mosque inside the temple?
Yes. The Abu Haggag Mosque is an active mosque in the first court. Dress with covered shoulders and legs at places of worship. Read the mosque page before you go.
How long should I plan for a visit?
That depends on your pace and on whether you join a guide, so no fixed time applies to everyone. Many visitors combine the temple with Karnak or an evening walk. A late visit also helps in the hot months. See the weather page.
Is luxor-temple.org the official website of the temple?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not the website of the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities or any authority, and it has no link to a tour operator, cruise ship or hotel.