How Luxor tours are built
Luxor Temple and Karnak both stand on the East Bank, so most guided trips pair them in a single half day. The Valley of the Kings and the temple of Hatshepsut are on the West Bank, across the Nile, and they fill a separate half day or the second half of a full-day tour. Karnak lies about 3 km north of Luxor Temple, which is why the two fit so easily into one outing.
Tours differ in three ways: which sites they visit, whether entrance fees are part of the price, and where they pick you up. Read all three before you book. The entry tickets themselves are priced separately, as explained on the tickets page.
Our picks: Luxor tours
The shared tours are the usual way to see both banks, while the private ones let you set the pace. Where a tour has an entry option, choose it when you book, otherwise tickets are extra.
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 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.
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East and West Banks with a felucca cruise
- Felucca ride included
- Private Egyptologist and driver
- Lunch included
A private full day that adds a sail on the Nile to the temples, including Luxor Temple. Temple entry tickets are only included with the entry option, and West Bank pick-up costs extra.
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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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Half-day Karnak and Luxor Temple with lunch
- Karnak and Luxor Temple
- Private guide
- Lunch included
A private half-day with lunch and hotel pick-up on the East Bank. Temple entry tickets are only included if you choose the entry option.
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Full day on both banks of the Nile
- West Bank, Karnak, Luxor Temple
- English-speaking Egyptologist
- Lunch included
A shared full day that ends with a visit to Luxor Temple. Entry tickets come only with the entry option you choose when you book.
Check availability →Luxor tours and day trips
Half days at Luxor Temple and Karnak, sunset visits and full days on both banks, with live prices and availability.
Luxor day tours: the main formats
What each format usually includes.
| Format | Typical sites | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| East Bank half day | Luxor Temple and Karnak | A first visit with a guide, in the morning |
| Sunset or evening visit | Luxor Temple only | A shorter outing with the temple lit up |
| East and West Bank full day | Karnak, Luxor Temple and the West Bank sights | A single day in Luxor |
| Day trip from Hurghada or Marsa Alam | Karnak and the West Bank, sometimes Luxor Temple | Red Sea visitors with no night in Luxor |
For most visitors with one day in Luxor, the East Bank half day is the simplest start, and the full-day format works if you also want the West Bank. Anyone staying a second day can add an evening visit. Always check the itinerary: a title that says "Luxor day tour" does not mean that Luxor Temple is on the route.
Luxor sights you can combine
Luxor sights are spread over both banks.
On the East Bank you find the two great temples, the museums and the souk opposite the temple. The Luxor Museum and the Mummification Museum sit on the East Bank too and have their own opening sessions, with a morning and an evening slot. Our guide to the Luxor Museum explains the hours. The East Bank page covers the souk, the Corniche and carriage rides.
The West Bank has the royal tombs and the temple of Hatshepsut. These are covered by neighbouring guides: the Valley of the Kings and the temple of Hatshepsut. The wider Karnak visit is described at Karnak.
What to check before you book
The wording matters more than the title.
Are entrance fees included?
Some tours include the tickets, and others sell them as an option. A low "from" price may not cover the temples. Add EGP 500 for Luxor Temple and EGP 600 for Karnak if they are not included.
Does the tour visit Luxor Temple?
Names such as "Luxor tour" or "East Bank tour" are broad. Look for Luxor Temple in the itinerary and in the list of inclusions, not only in the summary.
Where is the pickup?
Hotel pickup on the East Bank is common. A start from the West Bank or the airport can cost extra, so check it if you stay across the river.
Language of the guide
An English-speaking guide is the standard. Other languages may need an extra booking. If you need German, French or Spanish, check that the option exists for your date.
Opening hours of Karnak
Karnak opens at 6 a.m., and the last entry is at 4 p.m. all year. A tour that starts late in the afternoon can miss it. Luxor Temple accepts visitors until 7 p.m.
Carriage rides on the East Bank
A transport option with animal welfare points.
Horse-drawn carriages, called caleche or hantour, are a common way to get around the East Bank. Animal welfare groups in Luxor warn that horses used for tourists can suffer from overwork, poor feeding and a lack of treatment. Look for a licence plate and check the condition of the animal before you get in. A carriage ride is not a tour of the temples, and it does not replace a ticket.
Luxor tours: frequently asked questions
Which Luxor tour suits a first visit?
For one day, an East Bank half day with Luxor Temple and Karnak is the simplest start. If you also want the royal tombs, choose a full-day format that adds the West Bank. A sunset visit suits a second day.
Does a Luxor tour include the entrance tickets?
It depends on the tour. Some include them, and others list them as an option. Check the inclusions. If they are missing, add EGP 500 for Luxor Temple and EGP 600 for Karnak for a foreign adult in 2026.
How long does a half-day tour of Luxor and Karnak take?
That differs by operator, because it depends on the group, the pace and the stops. The tour page states the duration. Karnak and Luxor Temple are about 3 km apart, so the transfer between them is short.
Can I visit Luxor Temple without a guide?
Yes. Buy the ticket at the entrance or online and walk through on your own. A guide helps with the reliefs and the building phases, and the page on the history of the temple gives a first overview.
Are there tours in German?
Some tours offer other guide languages, often as an extra booking. The default is English. Check the language option for your date before you pay.