How to Visit Karnak Temple in Luxor

One of the best things to do in Luxor is to visit the Temple of Karnak. It is an ancient beauty, built centuries ago in honour of the god Amun. It sits on the banks of the River Nile, and is well known for the sound and light show that takes place every night. In fact, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.

The temple opens very early, around 6:00. It is advisable to go there in the morning, to take advantage of the low number of tourists. In this temple I recommend you visit the forest of columns and the largest courtyard in Egypt. A curious fact is that in Ancient Egypt a procession was made with the image of the god, to take him to the Luxor temple where the image of his wife is.

The most complete option

Karnak Temple Light and Sound Show Tickets with Transfers from Luxor

Enjoy a guided tour of the Temple of Karnak, which includes entrance to the sound and light show.

You will tour the temple and have the opportunity to learn about its history in an unparalleled cultural spectacle, full of life and colour. In addition, you will be transported back centuries as you listen to the anecdotes of the Egyptian gods and their legacy in the Egyptian empire.

From £19 at Hellotickets

The tour of the Temple of Karnak is an essential plan, where you will enjoy the history of the Egyptian empire. You will find different options, some of them only allow you to enter the facilities and visit them at your own pace. However, the most complete way to explore it is with a ticket to the sound and light show with transfers included. They cost around 26 euros and take place at night. At this time, there are few tourists and you usually have everything included.

The best thing is that it is usually available in Spanish. It is ideal to do with friends or family, as it is a private activity. You won't have to worry about anything, you'll just enjoy the scenes of Egyptian mythology.

Recommended if... you want to enjoy a private, uncrowded visit.

Tickets to the Karnak Temple are very cheap, starting from 4 euros, and if you are a student, you can get a discount of up to 2 euros. On the other hand, tickets for the sound and light show are an additional cost of approximately 3 euros. You can venture out on your own in a taxi for less than 1 euro, just negotiate before you start your journey as Egypt does not use a taxi meter for transfers.

Public transport in Luxor is not recommended, so to enjoy your holiday without worries I suggest you opt for the best local tours. Another alternative is a ticket for the sound and light show at the Temple of Karnak, which includes transfers. It costs approximately 26 euros, the best thing is that it is usually private. This way, all you have to do is enjoy the cultural experience, without having to think about how to get to this part of the city.

A visit to the Temple of Karnak is one of the best things to do in Luxor, so there are several options for gaining access to the site. You can buy a single ticket, which will allow you to tour the grounds on your own. Queues are generally not very long but it's better to be safe, so keep your digital ticket handy to save time at the ticket office. Access is also very crowded, however guided tour tickets usually ensure queue-free entry (ideal in high season).

If you want to explore the cultural history, then you may want to take advantage of a ticket for the sound and light show at the Temple of Karnak. This way, you can enjoy the show and see the building for the same cost. Plus, the main advantage is that it usually includes transfers to and from the city, so all you have to focus on is enjoying yourself. Another advantage is that this type of ticket usually includes permission to take photographs inside, which costs approximately 1 euro. In addition, you can combine this visit with a hot-air balloon ride over the Valley of the Kings in Luxor to make the most of your stay.

If you're staying in the city for a couple of days, you'll want to take advantage of all the attractions. Entrance to the Temple of Karnak is included in the Luxor Pass, which offers access to over 60 activities. Buying tickets for each visit adds considerably to your travel budget. So the best way to save money is to opt for the Luxor Pass. Note that you can buy it outside the temple, or in the Valley of the Kings.

Additionally, if you buy the Luxor Pass you can buy the Cairo Pass with a 50% discount, an ideal option if you want to visit Cairo from Luxor. You will also have access to the Luxor Museum, the Temple of Luxor, the House of Charter, the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Mut, the Tomb of Ay, and much more. Student passes are available from 45 euros. The standard pass costs approximately 90 euros, with access to all but certain tombs. The premium pass, on the other hand, is all-inclusive and costs around 180 euros.

Tickets to the sound and light show usually include a guided tour of the Temple of Karnak. However, it is important to check with your service provider. Audio guides are also available or you can hire a guide on the temple grounds. If you want to fully understand every historical detail, be sure to book the experience in English or a language you can understand.

Combined tours of the Temple of Luxor are also available, as well as private tours of the Karnak site. There are many temples, museums and historical heritage sites in the area, so I recommend adding several options to your itinerary to get to know the local secrets in depth. For example, one alternative is to explore the significant temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo, located less than an hour away. These locations are very close to the banks of the Nile, which you can access on the best local cruises.

Visiting the temple is one of the best things to do in the city. So, if you want to save money you can buy the Luxor Pass. There are also discounts for students on the entrance fee, so if you show your student ID card, you can get a half-price discount. Some agencies offer cashback, meaning they will give you back a small percentage of what you pay at the entrance. In general, prices are low and it is not a major expense.

Note that this is one of the best-preserved temples in Luxor, so it is worth adding this visit to your itinerary. The entrance fee is generally the same for almost all social groups. Also, be wary of overly attractive offers, especially from uncertified vendors.

The temple show is an ideal activity for children and usually offers children's seats, but there are no special prices. However, some agencies have discounts for children under 12 years of age. If your little one is a student, you can get a half-price ticket, so pack their student ID card. This particular attraction is recommended for children over the age of six. At this age they can better understand the history of the building and enjoy the ride.

In general, Egypt is a safe country for children. In addition, outside of Luxor there are desert areas where they can run around freely, without risk. Younger children may find the visit a little boring, but you will definitely enjoy the sound and light show. As an additional recommendation, when travelling with little ones, it's a good idea to book airport transfers.

Buying online takes a lot of worry out of your mind. Your ticket is guaranteed, regardless of whether you are travelling in high season or not. Plus, you won't have to stop at the ticket office. If you intend to opt for the Luxor Pass, you will have to buy it outside the temple. The main advantage of booking online is that it saves time.

Note that if you buy from a reliable agency, you can take advantage of the best local tours with more favourable options, which usually include transfers. This way, you'll be free of a lot of worries. Remember that in Egypt, taxi fares are dynamic and depend on the area, company and driver, as there are no taximeters.

The Temple of Karnak opens very early, the regular opening hours are usually from 6:00 to 17:30. You will have almost twelve hours in the day to experience it, so make sure you don't leave it to the last minute as the facilities are extensive. It is the same timetable for both guided tours and free tours. When the temple closes, the light and sound shows begin. It is a night-time activity, which can begin between 21:00 and 22:00, which is why it is so important to look for an option that includes transfers.

Additionally, being a tourist attraction, the temple is open every day, including Sundays. If you want to take advantage of the best tours of Luxor for a guided tour, the timetable will be indicated on your digital ticket. You'll usually be summoned around 19:15 or they'll pick you up directly, so you can tour the temple, go out for a bite to eat and come back for the light show. There are also private night tours for those attending the show.

It takes at least three hours to visit the temple in its entirety. In addition, the sound and light show is one of the most famous in Egypt. Therefore, it lasts approximately two to three hours. In total, you need to spend at least three hours at the temple, or experience the whole thing for almost six hours.

Be sure to book in English, or in a language you speak, otherwise the tour will seem tedious and take forever. Remember that you are free to spend as much time at the temple as you wish, depending on your itinerary and tastes. Note that if you plan to travel from Luxor to Cairo, you can take advantage of the sound and light show at the Pyramid of Giza.

The best time to visit the temple is in winter. The number of tourists drops considerably, although in December around the Christmas holidays, you may find queues and tourists everywhere. From May to September Egypt's weather is warm, but the attractions are not as crowded. Keep in mind that February is usually the busiest month for visitors.

If you want to enjoy this building with more privacy, it is best to take advantage of the sound and light show, where you will enjoy a personalised tour. As for the timetable, there are fewer people in the morning and you can enjoy the temple in peace and quiet. At this time of day, you will get better photographs.

Public transport in Luxor is poor, but the good news is that the temple is close to the centre. You can walk to see the city, but it depends on the time and season. When it's very hot and sunny in Egypt, this option can lead to sunstroke and over-exhaustion. Taxis have cheap fares starting at 1 euro. You can hire transfers to/from the airport, as well as other transport services, to get around.

Of course, if they notice you're a tourist, they may offer you exorbitant prices. Taxi meters don't work in Luxor, so avoid unpleasantness and set a price before you start your journey. If you plan to hire a car, you can get there in less than ten minutes via Kornish Al Nile. Additionally, the best cruises from Luxor also have stops in the area. The best option is to choose guided experiences that include transfers to save time and enjoy at your leisure.

The Temple of Karnak was built between 2200 and 360 BC and is the legacy of dozens of pharaohs. Its grounds exude beauty and history, dedicated to the god Amun. Around every corner you'll come across scenes from Egyptian mythology, as well as columns, obelisks, reliefs and statues.

At the entrance there is a model of the location, with all the locations you can see inside the temple. Afterwards, you will find:

• First pylon: this is a kind of asymmetrical pyramid, which preserves symbols created to venerate the god Amun.
• Porticoed courtyard: it is a real marvel, as you have a temple with Egyptian rooms, classical columns of mythology, as well as statues of pharaohs.
• Ramses I Temple: it has colossus or Egyptian statues at the entrance, as well as some small chapels.
• Second Pylon of Horemheb: a space in honour of a general who became pharaoh and was instrumental in the construction of the temple of Karnak.
• Hypostyle Hall of Karnak: it has around 134 columns, which is why it is known as the forest of columns, being one of the most beautiful and famous areas.
• Third Pylon: is the gateway to the courtyard of Amenhotep III, which is filled with Egyptian obelisks, known to be architectural symbols of Ancient Egypt.
• Fourth Pylon: as you enter here, be prepared to see the oldest part of the temple.
• Sacred Lake: which functioned as purifying waters in Ancient Egypt.

• If you don't like walking, this is not a recommended activity, as it is quite a lot of square metres.
• Avoid the street guides outside the temple, you can usually see it on your own, with an audio guide or book a better value experience with a reliable agency.
• Visit the temple in the morning or at the end of the day, so as not to subject yourself to excessive heat.
• Bring water to keep you hydrated and cool.