How to Take a Day Trip to Luxor from Cairo
How to Take a Day Trip from Cairo to Luxor
Introduction - About My Tour of Luxor
In December 2022, I visited Egypt as part of my first trip to Africa. I only had a few days to spend in Egypt and wanted to visit the key tourist sights in Cairo and Luxor. With limited time, I inquired about how to take a day trip from Cairo to Luxor. My research told me that it is possible but requires flying between the two cities.
Fly in and out the same day. With an early start, you can see Luxor’s West Bank and East Bank essentials: Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut’s Temple, Karnak, and Luxor Temple.
Booking My Cairo to Luxor Day Trip
I began looking for companies that offer a day tour of Luxor from Cairo. After comparing a few packages, I decided to book with Emo Tours Egypt. Their package included round-trip airfare from Cairo to Luxor and a full day of touring Luxor’s top sights, including the Colossi of Memnon, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut’s Temple, the Karnak Temple, and the Luxor Temple. I booked this Cairo to Luxor day trip because it bundled flights and a private guide.
Cost and Affiliate Note
The cost of this package is now $420 for the flight-included Cairo to Luxor day trip. On my visit, the package was $250, and I upgraded the flights to business class for an additional $120. If you are interested in booking this Luxor day trip from Cairo, I have linked it below. Affiliate disclosure: I am an affiliate of Viator. If you purchase a tour or package using one of my links, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Early Flight and Meet-Up in Luxor
My day began with an early-morning flight from Cairo to Luxor on Nile Air. My seat was in the business class cabin, and since no one was sitting next to me, I had the entire row to myself. As we landed in Luxor, I had a great view of the Nile River from the window of the plane. After I disembarked the plane, I was greeted by a wonderful guide named Nermeen. I was happy to learn that I would be the only one on this tour. Nermeen introduced me to our driver, Hamade, and we set out for our first stop, which would be the Colossi of Memnon.
A Day Trip from Cairo to Luxor - Table of Contents
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Visiting the Colossi of Memnon During a Day Tour of Luxor from Cairo
The first stop on my day tour of Luxor from Cairo was the Colossi of Memnon. My guide Nermeen explained that the Colossi are two giant statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III dating back to 1350 BC.
What You’ll See at the Colossi of Memnon
Throughout this tour, I would rely on the expertise of Nermeen for information about each tourist site. At the Colossi of Memnon, Nermeen stated that the statues display Amenhotep III in a seated position, with his hands on his knees, facing the Nile River.
The statues are extremely damaged, and the North Colossus is barely recognizable. The South Colossus is better preserved but still quite damaged above Amenhotep’s waist.
Time Spent at the Colossi of Memnon
We spent about fifteen minutes at the Colossi of Memnon before departing for the Valley of the Kings, which would be one of the highlights of my tour.
Visiting Luxor's Valley of the Kings During a Day Tour of Luxor from Cairo
It was only about a ten-minute drive to the next stop on my day trip to Luxor from Cairo, which was the Valley of the Kings. The Valley of the Kings is on the West Bank of the Nile River (the West Bank necropolis) and served as the final resting place for many Egyptian pharaohs of the New Kingdom. The Ancient Egyptians chose to bury their dead on the West Bank because they believed the sun entered the underworld each night when it set in the west and was reborn in the east.
I created an entire page on Luxor’s Valley of the Kings, which many people believe is the top tourist destination in Egypt.
(Updated) Entrance Fees and What’s Included
The entrance fees to Luxor’s Valley of the Kings can be confusing. A standard entrance ticket (750 EGP) grants visitors access to any three of the tombs. There is one set of exceptions as the tombs of King Tutankhamun (700 EGP), Seti I (2,000 EGP), and Rameses V and VI (220 EGP) require extra tickets. If you only want to visit the tombs of King Tut, Seti I, and Rameses V and VI, you still need to purchase the main entrance ticket.
Valley of the Kings Ticket Prices (Updated Nov 2025)
| Ticket / Tomb | Adult (EGP) | Student (EGP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main entry (includes 3 open tombs) | 750 | 375 | Required for all visitors |
| KV62 Tutankhamun (add-on) | 700 | 350 | Small chamber; mummy on display |
| KV9 Ramesses V/VI (add-on) | 220 | 110 | Superb decoration; Book of Gates/Earth |
| KV17 Seti I (add-on) | 2,000 | 1,000 | Premium pricing; limited capacity |
Last verified: November 2025. mota.gov.eg+1
Notes: Prices and tomb availability can change; bring a student ID if applicable. Add-ons require the main ticket.
The Tombs I Saw at Valley of the Kings
Nermeen recommended visiting the tombs of Rameses IV, Merenptah, and Rameses I. These tombs were the three that were included with the entrance ticket. In addition to those tombs, I paid for two extra tombs, Tutankhamun and Rameses V/VI. With limited time and limited funds, I chose not to pay the 1,000 EGP (now 2,000) to visit the tomb of Seti I.
Impressions and Layout at Luxor's Valley of the Kings
Although I had done some research on the Valley of the Kings, I was overwhelmed by the amazing writings and carvings inside each tomb. The tombs are supposed to resemble the Underworld, and construction typically began on each pharaoh’s tomb when they received their crown. The longer the pharaoh was alive, the longer and deeper the tomb’s corridor.
Decoration and Purpose of the Valley or the Kings
According to Nermeen, each corridor was decorated with hieroglyphic scripture from the Egyptian Holy Books. At the end of the corridor was a tomb, or a false tomb to deter tomb raiding, where the sarcophagus of the deceased pharaoh was located. The purpose of these tombs was to ensure that the deceased pharaoh could pass to the Underworld and live for eternity.
Tomb Highlights
Rameses IV
The photo below shows the Tomb of Rameses IV. Inside Rameses IV’s tomb, there are multiple areas where the corridor widens. The wider areas have some of the most impressive examples of Egyptian burial art. Rameses IV’s tomb was the first tomb I visited.
King Tutankhamun (King Tut)
In addition to the awe-inspiring burial art, Luxor’s Valley of the Kings also provides an opportunity to see the mummified body of King Tutankhamun (King Tut). King Tutankhamun’s tomb was famously discovered by Howard Carter in 1922. Below is King Tut’s mummified body on display near the entrance to his burial chamber. King Tut’s tomb was the second tomb I visited at Luxor’s Valley of the Kings.
King Tutankhamun’s actual burial chamber is fairly small. One of the interesting scenes depicted inside the burial chamber of King Tut is the “Opening of the Mouth.” This ritual was performed so the deceased pharaoh would be able to breathe during the afterlife. Goddess Nut, the Goddess of the Night, is also shown greeting King Tut.
Merenptah
The third tomb I visited at the Valley of the Kings was the tomb of Merenptah. Inside the tomb of Merenptah was one of the best examples of Egyptian burial art. In the photo below (left), Merenptah is greeted by Ra, the Sun God. This relief-style artwork was much different than the burial art that I had seen in some of the other tombs.
Below (right) is the burial chamber of Merenptah. According to my research, the stone sarcophagus was so large that it would not fit through the entrance of the tomb. To make the entrance large enough, they had to remove parts of the entrance to the tomb.
Rameses I
The fourth tomb I visited at the Valley of the Kings was the tomb of Rameses I. The best examples of Egyptian burial art are located inside the burial chamber of Rameses I. Directly behind the sarcophagus of Rameses I is artwork depicting Rameses I and Atum-Ra-Kheperi (an ancient Egyptian god that represents the rising sun).
Rameses V and VI
The final tomb I visited at the Valley of the Kings was the tomb of Rameses V and VI. Some of the best examples of Egyptian hieroglyphics are inside this tomb.
One of the most impressive parts of any of the tombs at Luxor’s Valley of the Kings is the pillared chamber inside the tomb of Rameses V and Rameses VI. There was so much to look at and analyze that I didn’t know where to start.
The burial chamber inside the tomb of Rameses V and VI was the most spectacular of the five burial chambers I visited. Below (left) is the inner sarcophagus of Rameses VI. Behind the sarcophagus is burial art from the Book of Gates.
Behind the outer sarcophagus of Rameses VI is burial art from the Book of the Earth (right). The Book of the Earth focuses on the creation of the Sun Disk.
Timing at the Valley of the Kings
Nermeen suggested that to ensure we had ample time for the rest of the day that we spend no more than three hours at the Valley of the Kings. In total, I believe we spent about two and a half hours touring the five tombs. The Valley of the Kings was spectacular, and I rank it as one of the top places I’ve ever visited.
Visiting Queen Hatshepsut's Temple During a Day Tour of Luxor from Cairo
The third stop on my day trip to Luxor from Cairo was Queen Hatshepsut’s Temple. As we approached the entrance, Nermeen explained that very little of the temple was original. After Queen Hatshepsut’s death, parts of the temple were destroyed by her stepson, Thutmose III. Over the years, the temple was buried by rocks from earthquakes and wasn’t uncovered until the 1890s.
My Hour at the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
My time at Hatshepsut’s Temple was somewhat rushed as I only had one hour to explore. After walking up the ramp, I spent some time photographing the Osiride Statues of Hatshepsut.
Depictions and Replicas
Nermeen explained that Queen Hatshepsut was often portrayed as a male pharaoh—not to convince people she was a man but to show she had the same authority as a male ruler. Some of the statues pictured below are replicas, as the majority of the original statues were destroyed.
Nermeen told me that the statue to the left of the main door to Hatshepsut’s Temple is original, and the one to the right is a replica. As I walked through the stone-framed door, it was difficult to tell what parts of the temple were real and what was a recreation.
Artwork and Shrine
Near the entrance to Hatshepsut’s Temple was an arch. Above the arch were some ruins from the original temple.
As I toured Hatshepsut’s Temple, I saw quite a few examples of Egyptian hieroglyphics and artwork. The columns below are some of the best examples.
Queen Hatshepsut took extreme pride in her belief that she was the true pharaoh of the Egyptians. The reason she believed she was the true pharaoh was that her father, Thutmose I, had designated her as the heir to the Egyptian throne. Hatshepsut felt that the word of her father took even greater importance because she believed he was actually the god Amun.
Inside Hatshepsut’s Temple is a shrine dedicated to Amun. This shrine is not nearly as well preserved as the tombs in the Valley of the Kings, but there are some examples of hieroglyphics and Egyptian art that are still intact.
Star Ceilings and Sema Tawy
Similar to the tombs in the Valley of the Kings, the ceiling of the Amun Shrine is covered in stars (left). Due to extensive damage, it is difficult to interpret most of the artwork inside the Amun Shrine.
Below (right) is one of the best-preserved examples of Ancient Egyptian artwork in the Amun Shrine. This relief shows a depiction of Sema Tawy, the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt (the “Two Lands”). The unification is typically represented by papyrus and reed plants being combined into one plant.
A few other good examples of Ancient Egyptian artwork are shown below. To the left, Queen Hatshepsut is seen with Horus, the Egyptian god of kingship and the sky. To the right is a relief showing soldiers protecting Hatshepsut.
Views and Ongoing Excavation
It is easy to see why Queen Hatshepsut chose this location for her temple. The steps of the temple offer a stunning view of the fertile Nile River valley.
I spent about an hour touring Hatshepsut’s Temple. While an hour wasn’t enough time to see everything, I definitely was able to get a basic idea of the history of this magnificent structure.
As I walked down the steps, I noticed that the excavation work around Hatshepsut’s Temple was still ongoing. Who knows what archaeologists may find in the years to come?
Crossing to the East Bank
When we got back to the car, Nermeen explained that before we left the West Bank of the Nile River, we were going to stop for lunch. After a buffet lunch, we traveled across the Nile River to the East Bank to visit the Karnak Temple.
Visiting the Karnak Temple During a Day Tour of Luxor from Cairo
The next stop on my day tour of Luxor from Cairo was the Karnak Temple Complex. The complex is a vast area of temples and structures that resemble a small village. The temples were named “Karnak,” which means “Fortified Village.” Built on the East Bank of the Nile River, these temples were considered the homes of the Egyptian gods Amun, Mut, and Khonsu. Typically the East Bank consisted of shrines and temples, while the West Bank consisted of tombs and mortuary temples.
About the Deities
The three gods that the Karnak Temple is dedicated to are Amun, Mut, and Khonsu—the Theban Triad. Amun is the Egyptian god of the sun and air, typically considered the most important Egyptian god. There are various beliefs about Goddess Mut. Some Egyptians believe that Goddess Mut was the mother of everything on Earth. Others believe that she is the mother of the Moon-god, Khonsu.
Time Limits at Karnak
Since this trip was only a day trip to Luxor from Cairo, I had limited time to visit the Karnak Temple. I felt like I could have easily spent an entire day at Karnak and still not have explored the entire area.
Statues at Karnak Temple
Throughout the Karnak Temple, there are many statues of pharaohs who helped construct these magnificent structures. Much of the complex was built during the reign of Thutmose I, Hatshepsut, Seti I, and Rameses II. In the photo below, you will see a well-preserved statue of Rameses II.
Great Hypostyle Hall (Construction & Restoration)
The highlight of a visit to the Karnak Temple is the Great Hypostyle Hall. Begun under Seti I and completed by Rameses II, the hall features 134 papyrus columns—a tribute to Atum, who rose from the papyrus-filled waters during the creation of the Earth.
Nermeen explained that some of the columns were left blank during the time of Seti I and Rameses II. Later pharaohs, including Rameses III, Rameses IV, and Rameses V, would add reliefs to the blank columns. In 1899, groundwater caused the columns to collapse. They were re-erected and strengthened by 1902.
Obelisks and Sacred Lake
As I continued deeper into the Karnak Temple, Nermeen pointed out the two obelisks that tower over the remains of the various temples. The obelisk on the right was built by Thutmose I and the one on the left by Queen Hatshepsut.
Hatshepsut had two obelisks erected at Karnak (one survives today), and Thutmose I’s obelisk also still stands.
After passing by the obelisks of Thutmose I and Hatshepsut, Nermeen led me to the area by the Sacred Lake. Just in front of the Sacred Lake is the Kheper Scarab built by Amenhotep III. According to Nermeen, walking around the Scarab seven times will bring good luck and fortunes in future relationships. During my visit, many tourists walked seven laps around the Scarab.
Wandering on My Own
At this point, Nermeen left me to explore on my own. The Karnak Temple was quite difficult to tour without a guide as the complex is so large. For example, I know the structure below is important, but even during post-trip research, I could not figure out its importance.
Like the tombs of the Valley of the Kings, there is a variety of Egyptian hieroglyphics inscribed throughout the Karnak Temple. As I looked at the detail of the carvings (left), it was astounding to realize that these were carved over 3,000 years ago.
Not every statue at Karnak is in great shape. In the photo below (right), all that remains of a statue of Rameses II are his legs. If you look at the height of the broken statue compared to the people below, you can imagine how massive this statue once stood.
Nermeen had left me with about 20 minutes to explore on my own while she went to meet our driver Hamade. Unfortunately, I became a bit disoriented working my way back to the entrance and was late. This meant we would have less than an hour to visit the final stop of my day trip from Cairo to Luxor, the Luxor Temple.
Visiting the Luxor Temple During a Day Tour of Luxor from Cairo
The final stop of my day trip from Cairo to Luxor was the Luxor Temple. As we arrived, the sun was just beginning to set. I did not bring a tripod, so a few of the photos are a little blurry.
Avenue of the Sphinxes (Distance & Count)
Before entering the Luxor Temple, Nermeen wanted to point out a few other impressive sights near the temple. The Avenue of the Sphinxes connects the Karnak Temple to the Luxor Temple. On the Avenue of the Sphinxes is St. Mary’s Coptic Christian Church. About one-tenth of Egypt’s population is Christian, with almost all of them identifying as Coptic.
While I would have loved to have walked the 1.7 miles from Karnak to Luxor via the Avenue of the Sphinxes, time just did not allow it. Instead, I was able to spend about five minutes photographing a portion of the Avenue of Sphinxes before entering the temple. The avenue gets its name as it is lined by ~1,057 statues in total—about 807 human-headed sphinxes plus 250 ram-headed statues. The ram statues are why the road is sometimes called “Rams Road.”
Purpose of Luxor Temple
As we entered the Luxor Temple, Nermeen explained that, unlike the other places we had visited, the Luxor Temple was not created in honor of a single cult deity or to honor any one pharaoh. The Luxor Temple is primarily associated with the rejuvenation of kingship and the Opet Festival, and it likely served as the place where many Egyptian pharaohs were crowned. Construction on the Luxor Temple began around 1400 BC and was overseen by multiple pharaohs, including Amenhotep III, Rameses II, and Tutankhamun.
Nermeen pointed out that only one of the two obelisks is still located in front of the Luxor Temple. The other obelisk is on display at the Place de la Concorde in Paris, France. Next to the main entrance, there are six statues of Rameses II. The two statues closest to the entrance are seated and the other four are standing.
Obelisk and Colossi
The photo below to the left was taken looking directly up at the Luxor Temple’s remaining obelisk. To the right is one of the two colossal statues of Rameses II seated near the entrance.
Mosque Within the Complex
Unlike some of the other sights I visited during my day tour of Luxor, the Luxor Temple is located near the city center of Luxor. The surrounding area looked like it would be a great place to walk around and visit restaurants and shops. I did not have any time to explore as I was trying to see all of Luxor’s main tourist sights in one day.
Another unique feature of the Luxor Temple is that there is a mosque built into the side of the temple. The Abu Haggag Mosque is medieval (Ayyubid period, 13th century) and later rebuilt; the site itself had earlier Christian use, but the current mosque dates to that medieval period rather than late antiquity.
Colonnade and Final Moments
Inside the Luxor Temple, I first visited the Colonnade of Amenhotep III. The Colonnade featured seven sets of papyrus columns. Throughout the Colonnade, there are reliefs and other Egyptian artwork created in honor of Tutankhamun, Rameses II, Seti II, and others. An interesting story is that Horemheb destroyed the reliefs created by Tutankhamun and covered them with reliefs of his own.
I only had about thirty minutes to explore the Luxor Temple. By the time I got into the interior, it was getting dark. The photo below was the only photo of the Egyptian artwork that I could take due to lighting issues.
Frequently Asked Questions about Luxor Day Trips from Cairo
Is a day trip enough?
Yes—if you fly, a one-day visit is enough to see what I saw: the Colossi of Memnon, Valley of the Kings (I visited Rameses IV, Merenptah, Rameses I, plus add-ons Tutankhamun and Rameses V/VI), Hatshepsut’s Temple, Karnak, and Luxor Temple. It’s a packed Luxor itinerary, but absolutely doable with an early start.
Best time of day to visit each site
Morning on the West Bank (Colossi of Memnon, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut’s Temple) works well for cooler temperatures and lighter crowds; afternoon/evening on the East Bank (Karnak and Luxor Temple) is great—sunset at Luxor Temple is beautiful.
Dress code, heat & photography
Plan for sun and heat: a hat, water, breathable sleeves, and comfortable shoes. Tomb photography rules can vary and sometimes require a small fee; bring small bills for tips. Respect signs where flash or photos are restricted.
Returning to Cairo from My Day Trip to Luxor
As I exited the Luxor Temple, Nermeen told me that it was time to go to the airport. I had about two hours before my flight from Luxor to Cairo would depart. On the way, Nermeen stopped and bought me some delicious Egyptian candy made of chocolate and dates.
I arrived at Luxor International Airport about 90 minutes before my flight. My flight was delayed by about an hour, so I spent the extra time editing my photos. This time, my flight was on Egypt Air instead of Nile Air, and like last time, I was in the business class cabin.
During the 45-minute flight to Cairo, I finished editing my photos and reflected on the wonderful time I had in Luxor. For anyone considering skipping Luxor, my advice is don’t. The ancient Egyptian sights at Luxor are far more interesting than the sights in Cairo and can easily be seen during a day trip.
I arrived back at Cairo Airport around 10:00 pm. A driver was waiting for me to take me back to my hotel. I arrived back at my hotel around 10:45 pm, completing a marathon day that began at 5:45 am.
Luxor Tours and Packages
If you are staying in Cairo, a tour is absolutely necessary for visiting Luxor. I have linked various Luxor tour packages below that should meet the needs of most travelers. Affiliate disclosure: I am an affiliate of Viator. If you purchase a package or tour using one of my links, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
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