Luxor Day Trip from Cairo by Plane & Valley of Kings

How do you see four temples and a royal necropolis in one day from Cairo?

You're picked up before dawn in Cairo, flown to Luxor, and guided through the Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon, Karnak Temple, and Luxor Temple in a single day. Lunch, all entry fees, and return flights are included. The whole thing wraps by late evening, so you're back in Cairo the same night.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each4 stops

1. Valley of the KingsEntry included1h
2. Temple of HatshepsutEntry included1h
3. Luxor TempleEntry included1h
4. Karnak TempleEntry included1h

Full day tour of Luxor highlights

• Pickup from Cairo hotel at 3:30 am
• Transfer to Cairo domestic airport
• Flight to Luxor
• Meet tour guide in Luxor
• Transfer by private A/C vehicle
• Visit the Valley of the Kings
• Visit the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut
• Visit the Colossi of Memnon
• Visit the Luxor Temple
• Visit the Karnak Temple Complex
• Transfer to Luxor domestic airport at 10:00 pm
• Flight back to Cairo
• Meet local representative in Cairo
• Transfer to Cairo hotel

The experience

You take a 3:30 am pickup from your Cairo hotel, fly to Luxor before sunrise, and spend the next eight hours moving through sites that have stood for over three thousand years. The day trip to Luxor from Cairo by plane is built around that single constraint (you have one day), which is why everything else gets arranged: the domestic flights both ways, the private air-conditioned vehicle waiting at Luxor airport, the guide who meets you with your name on a sign, the entry fees to every site, even lunch at a local restaurant. You don't negotiate timing or worry about transport between stops. You just show up at your hotel before dawn.

The itinerary moves west across the Nile to the Valley of the Kings first, where rock-cut tombs honeycomb the cliffs. This is where pharaohs from the 16th to 11th century BC were buried, and the scale of it hits different when you're standing in front of it. Then the Temple of Hatshepsut, built into the cliff face itself at Deir el-Bahari, a mortuary temple that's been called one of the incomparable monuments of ancient Egypt. You'll also see the Colossi of Memnon, two massive statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III that have been standing on the west bank since 1350 BCE. After that, the guide takes you to Karnak Temple on the east bank. The complex is enormous, construction started around 2000 BC and kept going for two thousand years, and you walk through pylons and chapels that feel like they're still holding the weight of all that time. Luxor Temple comes next, built around 1400 BCE and dedicated to the rejuvenation of kingship rather than to a single god. That's four major temples plus the valley, all in one day.

Lunch happens at a local restaurant with Egyptian food, and you get a bottle of water to carry through the afternoon heat. The guide is with you the whole time, pointing out details: inscriptions, the way light hits a wall, which pharaoh built what and why it mattered. Around 10 pm you're back at Luxor airport for the flight home, arriving in Cairo late enough that the day feels complete but not so late that you're wrecked the next morning. One thing to know: entry to the Tomb of King Tutankhamun isn't included, so if that's on your list, you'd need to arrange it separately or ask about adding it when you book. You'll also need to have a copy of your passport photo ready before you confirm the reservation: the airline requires it for the domestic flights.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup at 3:30 am in Cairo, domestic round-trip flights to Luxor, private air-conditioned vehicle transport in Luxor, a professional tour guide for the full day, entry fees to the Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut, Karnak Temple, and Luxor Temple, lunch at a local restaurant with Egyptian food, a bottle of water, and hotel drop-off in Cairo late that evening.

Options for this experience

2 options

Economy FlightGuide in 4 languages · 03:30Economy flight, with pickup included

Business Class FlightGuide in 4 languages · 03:30Includes pickup

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Lasts 10h–12h, runs every day at 03:30, from US$ 420 per person, with a live guide in English, Spanish, German and Arabic and as a private tour.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 03:30

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Infant (under 6)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, German and Arabic

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Arabic

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Egypt Tours Online

Is this one for you?This works if you're based in Cairo and want to see Luxor's major temples and the Valley of the Kings without arranging flights, transport, or tickets yourself: the early start and fixed schedule are what make four major sites possible in a single day.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, German and Arabic.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years); Infant (under 6).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

What time does the day trip to Luxor from Cairo start?

Hotel pickup is at 3:30 am, followed by transfer to Cairo's domestic airport for the flight to Luxor.

Are flights included in the price?

Yes, domestic flights from Cairo to Luxor and back are included if you select that option at booking.

What's not included that I should know about?

Entry to the Tomb of King Tutankhamun is not included. Everything else (guide, transport, meals, and temple entries) is covered.

How long is the full day?

You leave Cairo at 3:30 am and return around 10 pm or later, depending on flight times. The tour itself covers roughly eight hours on the ground in Luxor.

Do I need my passport for this trip?

Yes. You'll need to provide a copy of your passport photo during booking for the domestic flight reservation.

Is lunch included?

Yes, lunch at a local restaurant with Egyptian food is included, plus a bottle of water.

Can I visit the tomb of Tutankhamun on this tour?

It's not included in the standard itinerary, but you may be able to arrange it separately or ask about adding it when you book.

What if the flight isn't available on my preferred date?

Flight availability depends on the airline's schedule for that day. If your requested date is full, you'll be notified and offered an alternative.