Marsa Alam to Luxor at a glance
Luxor lies inland in the Nile valley, far from the Red Sea resorts. A Luxor day trip from Marsa Alam therefore means a very early start. The drive takes about 4 to 4.5 hours each way via Safaga and Qena, with pickup around 04:30 and return around 21:00 on a typical day trip. The time differs for hotels between El Quseir and Hamata, so treat any figure as approximate and ask for the time from your own hotel.
A calmer option is a private two-day trip with an overnight stay. It is offered daily and covers the east bank (Karnak and Luxor Temple) and the west bank (Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple and the Colossi of Memnon).
Our picks: Luxor from Marsa Alam
Two day trips with a very long drive and a two-day option with a night on the Nile. If you want less time in the car, the two-day tour is the calmer choice.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide and Viator. 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.
2-day Luxor tour with a night on the Nile
- Egyptologist guide
- 4-star Nile hotel with breakfast
- Karnak and Valley of the Kings
An air-conditioned transfer there and back and lunch are included, which splits the long drive. Ask whether entry tickets are included before you book.
Check availability →
Luxor day trip with Karnak and the Valley of the Kings
- Karnak and Valley of the Kings
- Hatshepsut and Colossi of Memnon
- Buffet lunch
A very long day with an early start and several hours on the road each way. Ask whether entry tickets are included before you book.
Check availability →
Luxor tour from Marsa Alam with an Egyptologist
- Egyptologist guide
- Hotel pick-up in Marsa Alam
- Lunch in Luxor
Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's temple and the Colossi of Memnon. Entry fees are only covered for the sites you select, so check the options.
Check availability →Luxor day trips from Marsa Alam
Day trips and two-day options to the temples of Luxor, with live prices and availability.
One day or two
The two options side by side.
| Day trip | Two days, private | |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule | Pickup 04:30, return about 21:00 | One night in Luxor, daily departures |
| Drive | About 4 to 4.5 hours each way via Safaga and Qena | – |
| Sights | Depends on the program | East bank and west bank |
| Price in 2026 | – | $255 to $454 per person: $454 for 2 travelers, $255 for 6 or more. Check the current price when you book |
| Children | – | 0 to 5.99 free, 6 to 11.99 half the tour price, 12 and over full price |
| Not available | – | Christmas, New Year and Easter dates |
For most travelers, the two-day trip is the more relaxed way to see Luxor. The day trip suits those with one free day who accept the early start and the late return.
Ticket prices for Luxor sights in 2026
Prices in Egyptian pounds (EGP). Students need valid proof, and the age limit at Luxor Temple is 24.
| Site | Foreign adult | Foreign student | Opening hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karnak, including the Open Air Museum | EGP 600 | EGP 300 | Daily 06:00 to 17:00 |
| Mut Temple (separate ticket) | EGP 200 | EGP 100 | – |
| Valley of the Kings | EGP 750 | EGP 375 | Daily 06:00 to 17:00 |
| Luxor Temple | EGP 500 | EGP 250 | Daily 06:00 to 20:00, entry from 06:00 to 19:00 |
At Luxor Temple, children under 6 enter free, and phone photography is free. Do not take this as permission to use flash, tripods or drones, or to photograph inside every tomb. Check the current rules on site, and ask your operator whether tickets are in the tour price or paid separately.
What to see in Luxor
Each sight has its own guide.
Karnak
The large temple complex on the east bank. The ticket includes the Open Air Museum. See the guide for Karnak tickets.
Valley of the Kings
Royal tombs on the west bank. The ticket is EGP 750 for foreign adults. Details are in the guide for Valley of the Kings tickets.
Luxor Temple
A temple in the middle of the city, open until 20:00. Last entry is at 19:00.
Luxor in general
The city, the west bank and the Nile valley have their own guide: Luxor guide.
Planning the costs of a Luxor day trip
Add up the pieces. Start with the tour price, then check whether the entry tickets are included. A visit to Karnak and the Valley of the Kings alone adds up to EGP 1,350 for a foreign adult, and Luxor Temple adds EGP 500 more. Work out your costs from these single tickets, and ask your operator before you count on any pass or discount.
Students pay half the adult rate at the sights above if they have valid proof. Egyptian citizens pay far less, and their rates apply only with the right documents.
Before you book a Luxor day trip
- Pickup point: the coast is about 100 km long. A hotel in the south has a longer ride than one near the airport.
- Included tickets: ask whether the tour price covers the entry fees listed above.
- Dress: wear respectful, modest clothing, especially in small towns, markets and mosques.
- Season: the two-day trip is not offered on Christmas, New Year and Easter dates.
- Route: the north route via Safaga and Qena and a route via Edfu are not the same length. Ask which one your operator uses.
For the sea side of your trip, see Marsa Alam excursions and the weather.
Marsa Alam to Luxor: frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Marsa Alam to Luxor?
The drive takes about 4 to 4.5 hours each way via Safaga and Qena. The time depends on your hotel and the route, so ask your operator for the figure from your pickup point.
Is a Luxor day trip from Marsa Alam worth it?
It is a long day with pickup at 04:30 and a return around 21:00. If you want more time at the temples, the two-day trip is the calmer option.
How much does Karnak cost?
EGP 600 for foreign adults and EGP 300 for foreign students in 2026, including the Open Air Museum. The Mut Temple has a separate ticket.
What does the two-day trip cost?
In 2026 the price is $255 to $454 per person: $454 for 2 travelers and $255 for 6 or more. Check the current price when you book. Children under 6 are free, children from 6 to 11 pay half the tour price.
Does a Luxor day trip include the pyramids?
No. The pyramids are near Cairo, far from Luxor and far from this coast.