Karnak Temple Sound & Light Show (Luxor)
Evening admission to the Karnak Temple Sound and Light show; PDF ticket emailed after booking, check seasonal showtimes and printed-ticket requirements.
At a glance
- Departs
- Daily
The short answer
Karnak Temple Admission is a 1-day attraction ticket covering the evening Sound and Light Show at Karnak Temple in Luxor, arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt.
Snapshot
Good to know
- Time of day
- Evening departure
Best time to go
The best time to attend is usually in the cooler months from October to April, when evening temperatures in Luxor are more comfortable. Summer evenings can still be very warm, and schedules may shift seasonally, so checking the current showtime and last admission before travel is important. During Ramadan and major public holidays, opening patterns and crowd levels may also change.
02Overview
A first look
Karnak sits on Luxor's East Bank and forms part of the Ancient Thebes UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Sound & Light show is a nightly illuminated performance that uses recorded narration to recount the site's history.
Background
The facts
Karnak Temple is one of the largest temple complexes in Egypt and the religious center of ancient Thebes, the city that served as the capital of the New Kingdom. The site developed over many centuries, with major construction associated with rulers from the Middle Kingdom through the Ptolemaic period, and it includes the Great Hypostyle Hall, tall pylons, obelisks, sanctuaries, and processional courts.
This ticket grants evening admission to the Karnak Temple Sound and Light Show, which is staged inside the temple precinct after daylight hours. The presentation uses timed lighting effects across the Great Hypostyle Hall and surrounding monuments while recorded narration explains the history of Thebes and the major pharaonic phases of the site.
The show typically runs for about two hours, but seasonal scheduling, last-admission times, and operational changes can affect the actual start time. Visitors should confirm the exact performance time before arrival and allow time for security screening at the entrance gate.
Karnak is located in East Bank Luxor, a short drive north of central Luxor and close to the city’s main hotel zone and Corniche area. Evening visits are often less crowded than daytime temple visits, but facilities may be limited after dark, so guests should plan ahead for transport, tickets, and timing.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This ticket is suited to travelers who want an evening cultural experience in Luxor without a daytime sightseeing program. It is a good fit for adults, older children, and history-focused visitors who are comfortable walking on uneven stone surfaces and standing for the duration of the presentation.
What lingers
- 01Evening Sound & Light performance at Karnak Temple, Luxor – includes admission; standard entrance fee included in ticket.
- 02Narration traces the Precinct of Amun-Re’s development, mentioning Amenhotep III, Ramses II and later Ptolemaic additions.
- 03Held after dusk to reduce heat; expect uneven ancient stone underfoot and limited seating in some sections.
- 04We supply timed-entry tickets to match evening schedules; unlike group buses, we avoid daytime touring slots.
- 05Karnak sits inside Ancient Thebes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; the show illuminates columns and the Hypostyle Hall façades.
Bundled in
- Sound & light show
- Shared transfer
- Hotel pickup
- All entry tickets
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Admission to the Karnak Temple Sound and Light Show (evening performance)
- Approximate duration: 2 hours
Not included
- Professional Egyptologist guide (book separately if required)
- Transport to or from Karnak Temple
- Meals and personal expenses
- Photography permit where required by the venue
- Printed ticket where the venue requires a paper copy
Before you go
What to pack & wear
Children & families
The Sound and Light Show is suitable for older children, but it is an evening performance with amplified sound and areas of low light. We recommend children aged five and above attend; children under 12 must remain with an accompanying adult at all times. Strollers are impractical inside much of the temple complex because of steps and uneven paving; a baby carrier is a more usable option. Concession ticket categories such as child or student pricing vary by venue and will be shown at booking.
The morning of
Meeting point & timing
- Where
- Main Entrance, Karnak TempleMap
Indicative rates only – pricing and departure fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01What time does the Karnak Sound & Light Show start?
Showtimes at Karnak vary by season; performances take place after sunset. Timings shift through the year and for Ramadan or national holidays, so the exact start depends on the calendar. We confirm the performance time and ticket availability at least 48 hours before travel if you book with us. Allow extra time for traffic in central Luxor when planning onward transfers.02How long is the Sound & Light Show at Karnak?
The performance runs for approximately 60 minutes including the narrated sequence. The show is designed as an interpretive narrative rather than a guided tour of inscriptions and reliefs. If you want to study reliefs, carvings and the Precinct of Amun in detail, plan a separate daytime visit.03Is the show narrated in English?
Yes – the Karnak Sound & Light Show is usually narrated in both Arabic and English. Some evenings may feature only Arabic or special-language nights, so language availability can vary by date. We will confirm the narration language when we issue tickets, and we advise booking early for English-language performances in high season.04Can you book tickets and transfers for the show?
Yes – as a licensed Egyptian tour operator we can book your tickets and organise private transfers within Luxor. Standard site entrance fees are normally included in the show ticket price; premium or back‑stage accesses are excluded. Tell us your hotel location and we will confirm pickup time and a fixed transfer price before you travel.05Are cameras allowed at the Sound & Light Show?
Handheld photography for personal use is generally permitted; tripod use and professional filming normally require prior permission. Flash photography can disturb other guests and may be restricted on some nights, so bring a compact camera or use phone low-light settings. If you plan to film professionally, we will request permission from the Karnak administration in advance.06Is the Karnak Sound & Light Show accessible for guests with reduced mobility?
Karnak has uneven stone surfaces, cobbled approaches and steps, so full accessibility is limited for some wheelchair users. There are short distances to the main seating areas but ramps are not continuous and distances across the precinct can be long. We can arrange a short-side drop-off and reserve seating near the entrance where available; please tell us mobility requirements at booking so we can plan accordingly.
If plans change
Cancellation
- More than 30 days
- Full refund less a £50 admin fee
- 15–30 days
- 50% refund
- Within 14 days
- No refund – date changes considered case by case
Product ID: EXC-LUX-511885
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