2 days in Luxor: an itinerary day by day
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- 1 of 9 free; 8 paid — see “Cost”
- Duration
- 2 days, 9:30 to 17:35 each day
- Start and finish
- Temple of Hatshepsut → Karnak Temple
- On foot
- ≈ 1 h 4 min in total
- Transport
- 2 rides, ≈ 40 min
- Lunch
- around 13:09
- With kids
- fine: short walks
- Best time
- October to April. Be on the West Bank by 6:00, while it is cool.
Day-by-day plan
Times include walking and lunch. Drag a stop by ≡, remove it with the cross or add one nearby — the plan updates.
Day 1 · Luxor09:30–17:35 · 5 places · 8 h 10 min
Temple of Hatshepsut
· 1 h · EGP 440, students EGP 220
- 9 min on foot
Valley of the Kings
· 2 h 30 min · EGP 750, Tutankhamun extra
- Lunch · 1 h
- 20 min · transport or taxi
Ramesseum
· 45 min · EGP 220, students EGP 110
- 14 min on foot
Colossi of Memnon
· 20 min · Free
- 17 min on foot
Medinet Habu
· 1 h 30 min · EGP 220, students EGP 110
Day 2 · Luxor09:30–16:54 · 4 places · 7 h 20 min
Luxor Temple
· 1 h 15 min · EGP 500, students EGP 250
- 18 min on foot
Luxor Museum
· 1 h 15 min · EGP 400, students EGP 200
- Lunch · 1 h
- 6 min on foot
Avenue of Sphinxes
· 40 min · Free to view (unofficial)
- 20 min · transport or taxi
Karnak Temple
· 2 h 30 min · EGP 600, students EGP 300
Add nearby
Places near the plan — Yes puts one into the day and the times update.
What the route costs
1 of 9 are free; 8 charge entry — prices below, check them on site.
| 1 | Temple of Hatshepsut | 44 | 1 h | EGP 440, students EGP 220 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Valley of the Kings | 49 | 2 h 30 min | EGP 750, Tutankhamun extra |
| 3 | Ramesseum | 39 | 45 min | EGP 220, students EGP 110 |
| 5 | Medinet Habu | 36 | 1 h 30 min | EGP 220, students EGP 110 |
| 6 | Luxor Temple | 52 | 1 h 15 min | EGP 500, students EGP 250 |
| 7 | Luxor Museum | 37 | 1 h 15 min | EGP 400, students EGP 200 |
| 8 | Avenue of Sphinxes | 43 | 40 min | Free to view (unofficial) |
| 9 | Karnak Temple | 50 | 2 h 30 min | EGP 600, students EGP 300 |
| Other 1 places | 30 min | Free | ||
| Total | 11 h 50 min | 1 of 9 free |
Tips for each stop
Day 1
- 1
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.
- 2
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.
- 3
Ramesseum. Ramesses II's mortuary temple with its toppled granite colossus. 220 EGP, about 45 minutes.
- 4
Colossi of Memnon. Two 18 m statues of Amenhotep III by the road on the West Bank. Free, 15–20 minutes.
- 5
Medinet Habu. Ramesses III's temple with fortress gates and some of the brightest surviving paint in Thebes. 220 EGP.
Day 2
- 6
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.
- 7
Luxor Museum. A compact museum on the corniche: the mummy of Ahmose I, statues from the temple cache, objects from Tutankhamun's tomb. 400 EGP, closed midday.
- 8
Avenue of Sphinxes. The 2.7 km ancient road from Luxor Temple to Karnak. Sections are visible from the street for free.
- 9
Karnak Temple. The great temple of Amun-Ra, built over 1,500 years; the hypostyle hall has 134 columns. 600 EGP, last entry 16:00.
Who this route is for
- Staying overnight in Luxor
- Ancient Egypt in depth
- Independent travel
- Aswan and Abu Simbel are further south — a separate trip
- The Valley of the Queens — Nefertari's tomb is closed
October to April. Be on the West Bank by 6:00, while it is cool.
How to spend 2 days in Luxor
West Bank on day one, early, before the heat: all its temples open at 6:00. East Bank on day two: Luxor Temple admits until 19:00, and the museum has morning and evening sessions.
Remove any stop with the cross or drag it with ≡, and add another one nearby — the times recalculate.
Karnak
The great temple of Amun-Ra took more than 1,500 years to build. 600 EGP, the Temple of Mut in the south another 200 EGP. Last entry is 16:00 — if you start late, swap Karnak and Luxor Temple. The sound and light show costs 20 $, at 19:00 and 20:00.
Is the Luxor Pass worth it?
The 5-day Luxor Pass costs about 130 $ (standard) or 250 $ (premium, with Seti I and Nefertari), cash only (unofficial). For two days on this route, single tickets usually come out cheaper.
Is 2 days in Luxor enough?
For the main temples and tombs on both banks, yes. A third day could add the Valley of the Queens, 220 EGP, though Nefertari's tomb is closed, or a sunrise balloon flight over the West Bank.
How to do it right
- Karnak's last entry is 16:00; Luxor Temple's is 19:00.
- The Luxor Museum closes at midday — morning session from 9:00, evening from 17:00.
- 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.
- Hire a West Bank taxi for the whole day and fix the price first.
Questions
How should I spend 2 days in Luxor?
West Bank: Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut, Ramesseum, Colossi, Medinet Habu. East Bank: Luxor Temple, the museum, the Avenue of Sphinxes and Karnak.
Is 2 days in Luxor enough?
Yes, for the main temples and tombs on both banks.
How much is Karnak?
600 EGP; the Temple of Mut is another 200 EGP.
How do I cross the Nile?
By ferry from Luxor Temple in a few minutes, or by car over the bridge in about 30 minutes.
Should I buy the Luxor Pass?
Usually not for two days; it pays off over 4–5 days with the expensive tombs.
When is the Karnak sound and light show?
In the evening at 19:00 and 20:00, about 20 $.
How much are tickets for two days?
About 3,100 EGP per person for every stop here, without Tutankhamun.
Is it good with kids?
Yes, under-6s are free; keep days short in the heat.
Can you visit Nefertari's tomb?
Not now — it is closed, with no reopening date.
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: Karnak, Luxor Temple
