One day in Luxor: an itinerary in the best order
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- 1 of 4 free; 3 paid — see “Cost”
- Duration
- 7 h · 09:30–16:31
- Start and finish
- Luxor Temple → Valley of the Kings
- On foot
- ≈ 9 min in total
- Transport
- 2 rides, ≈ 47 min
- Lunch
- around 12:52
- With kids
- fine: short walks
- Best time
- October to April. In summer the West Bank tops 40 °C by midday — start at 6:00.
The plan, stop by stop
Times include walking and lunch. Drag a stop by ≡, remove it with the cross or add one nearby — the plan updates.
Luxor09:30–16:31 · 4 places · 7 h
Luxor Temple
· 1 h 15 min · EGP 500, students EGP 250
- 26 min · transport or taxi
Colossi of Memnon
· 20 min · Free
- 21 min · transport or taxi
Temple of Hatshepsut
· 1 h · EGP 440, students EGP 220
- Lunch · 1 h
- 9 min on foot
Valley of the Kings
· 2 h 30 min · EGP 750, Tutankhamun extra
Add nearby
Places near the plan — Yes puts one into the day and the times update.
What the route costs
1 of 4 are free; 3 charge entry — prices below, check them on site.
| 1 | Luxor Temple | 52 | 1 h 15 min | EGP 500, students EGP 250 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Colossi of Memnon | 50 | 20 min | Free |
| 3 | Temple of Hatshepsut | 44 | 1 h | EGP 440, students EGP 220 |
| 4 | Valley of the Kings | 49 | 2 h 30 min | EGP 750, Tutankhamun extra |
| Total | 5 h 10 min | 1 of 4 free |
Tips for each stop
- 1
Luxor Temple. Amun's temple from around 1400 BC on the Nile corniche, with an obelisk at the gate. 500 EGP, from 6:00, last entry 19:00 — lovely lit up at night.
- 2
Colossi of Memnon. Two 18 m statues of Amenhotep III by the road on the West Bank. Free, 15–20 minutes.
- 3
Temple of Hatshepsut. Three terraces against the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari. 440 EGP; a small electric train runs from the ticket office for a fee.
- 4
Valley of the Kings. The pharaohs' necropolis: more than 60 rock-cut tombs. 750 EGP for three tombs of your choice, Tutankhamun extra. Last entry 16:00 in winter.
Who this route is for
- A day trip from Hurghada
- First time in Luxor
- Independent: ferry and taxi
- Karnak is day two and needs 2–3 hours
- A sunrise balloon flight is a separate early start
October to April. In summer the West Bank tops 40 °C by midday — start at 6:00.
What to see in Luxor in one day
The East Bank is the city of the living — the temples of Luxor and Karnak. The West Bank is the city of the dead — the Valley of the Kings, mortuary temples, the colossi. In one day you get the main East Bank temple and the three highlights of the West Bank.
Remove any stop with the cross or drag it with ≡, and add another one nearby — the times recalculate.
Crossing to the West Bank
The quickest way is the ferry from Luxor Temple, then a taxi: about 10 minutes to the colossi and 15 to Hatshepsut. By car over the bridge it is about 30 minutes. Hire one West Bank taxi for the whole loop and agree the fare first.
Valley of the Kings: which tombs to choose
The 750 EGP ticket covers three tombs from those open that day. Tutankhamun (about 700 EGP), Ramesses VI (about 220 EGP) and Seti I (about 2,000 EGP) cost extra (unofficial). An electric train runs from the ticket office to the tombs.
Is one day in Luxor enough?
For a first look, yes, but two days are much better. Karnak and the Luxor Museum are in the 2-day itinerary; the West Bank also has the Ramesseum and Medinet Habu. Karnak's sound and light show runs at 19:00 and 20:00.
How to do it right
- Reach the Valley of the Kings before 16:00 in winter and 17:00 in summer — last entry.
- Pay for the ferry and West Bank taxis in cash.
- Tickets for museums and sites are sold on Egymonuments, the Experience Egypt app and at the gate; they are dated and non-refundable. Under-6s go free.
- Egypt uses the Egyptian pound (EGP). Museum and monument tickets take Visa and Mastercard; bazaars, taxis, ferries and tips need cash in small notes.
- Bring water and a hat: there is almost no shade on the West Bank.
Questions
What can you see in Luxor in one day?
Luxor Temple, the Colossi of Memnon, Hatshepsut's temple and the Valley of the Kings.
Can you do Luxor without a tour?
Yes: the ferry across the Nile, a taxi on the West Bank, tickets at the gate or online.
How much is the Valley of the Kings?
750 EGP for three tombs of your choice; Tutankhamun is a separate ticket.
What time do Luxor's temples open?
At 6:00. Luxor Temple admits until 19:00; Karnak and the West Bank until 16:00 in winter.
Can I fit Karnak in too?
Only instead of the West Bank: Karnak needs 2–3 hours.
How do I get from Hurghada to Luxor?
About 4 hours each way by car or bus.
How much does the day cost?
Luxor Temple 500, Hatshepsut 440, Valley of the Kings 750 EGP; the colossi are free. Plus ferry and taxi.
Is it good with kids?
Yes, though the heat is tough; under-6s are free.
When is the best time to go?
October to April.
What currency is used in Egypt?
Egypt uses the Egyptian pound (EGP). Museum and monument tickets take Visa and Mastercard; bazaars, taxis, ferries and tips need cash in small notes.
Sources and fact-check
- Prices, opening hours and time on site come from each place's page, with its own sources and check date
- Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities: Egymonuments
- Wikipedia: Luxor, Valley of the Kings, Deir el-Bahari
