Luxor Day Trip from Sharm by Flight

Luxor from Sharm El Sheikh by flight: is one day worth it?

A private 16-hour day covers the Valley of the Kings and Karnak, but it is a hurried way to see Luxor, and the flights shape everything.

Egypt Discovery editorsUpdated 19 September 20263 min readReviewed by Egypt Discovery

In short

It is worth it if Luxor is the one place you cannot skip and you cannot spare a night there. The trip is private and lasts about 16 hours. You fly from Sharm El Sheikh, directly on some days and through Cairo on others, and then have the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut, the Colossi of Memnon and Karnak with a private Egyptologist guide. It is a full, tiring day with little slack. You need the full Egypt visa, because the free Sinai-only stamp does not cover Luxor.

The day is private, lasts about 16 hours and takes up to 15 people, with a private Egyptologist guide and an air-conditioned vehicle in Luxor.
Return domestic flights are booked by us and included, in economy, and most routings connect through Cairo.
Tickets are included for the Valley of the Kings (three tombs), the Temple of Hatshepsut and Karnak Temple, together with lunch and bottled water.
The tombs of Tutankhamun, Seti I and Ramses V and VI cost extra, as they are outside the standard ticket.
A full Egypt visa is required, because the Sinai-only stamp does not cover Luxor.

A one-day Luxor trip from Sharm is worth it only if you accept its limits. You will see the main sites on the west and east banks, with an Egyptologist, and sleep in your own bed. You will not see them slowly, and the flights decide how much time you have on the ground. If you can spare a night in Luxor, a longer trip is a better use of the money.

The day is private, lasts about 16 hours and takes up to 15 people. Domestic return flights, airport transfers, entry tickets, lunch and the guide are included, so the price depends on the party size and the routing. You will find the current price on the trip page. You need the full Egypt visa, not the free Sinai-only stamp.

How the flights work

A private transfer collects you from your hotel and takes you to Sharm El Sheikh Airport very early in the morning. The flight to Luxor is direct on some days, and on others it goes through Cairo, depending on the airline schedule on your date. Most routings connect through Cairo, so the journey in each direction can take several hours. Your guide and driver meet you at Luxor Airport on arrival.

The return follows the same pattern in the evening. Because the times follow the airline, the order and length of the sightseeing can change from one date to another. We cannot promise a direct flight, and we do not sell international flights, but the domestic flights on this trip are booked by us and are included.

What you see, in order

In the late morning you visit the Valley of the Kings, where the standard ticket covers three tombs. Around midday you see the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon, both on the west bank. After lunch at a local restaurant, you visit Karnak Temple in the afternoon, including the Great Hypostyle Hall. That is a great deal in a single day, and you are moving for most of it.

The standard ticket does not include the tombs of Tutankhamun, Seti I, or Ramses V and VI. You can add them for an extra payment on the day, if time allows. Your guide advises which tombs are worth the extra ticket on your date, because the crowds and the heat change what is pleasant.

The case for and against

For: Luxor in a day, with no hotel to arrange, and a private guide who sets the pace.
For: tickets, lunch, flights and transfers are all arranged, so nothing needs organising on the ground.
Against: a very early start, a late return and, on connecting days, long waiting at airports.
Against: the heat in summer, when the west bank sites are exposed and the middle of the day is punishing.
Against: little time for the Luxor Museum, the Nile or an evening at Luxor Temple.

Heat and season

Luxor is much hotter than Sharm in summer, and the Theban sites have little shade. From June to September, plan on the strongest sun of the whole holiday during the Valley of the Kings and Karnak, and drink water at every stop. From November to March the day is far more comfortable for walking, though the early start will feel cold. Choose your date with this in mind.

How it compares with the Cairo flight day

The Cairo flight day is simpler. The flight takes about an hour and runs to a clear timetable, with a 04:00 transfer and a return in the evening. The Luxor day depends on the airline's schedule for your date and on whether you fly direct or through Cairo. That makes it the less predictable of the two, and it is the reason to ask our team about your date before you book.

Who it suits

It suits confident walkers who want the biggest sights, are happy with a long day and have a limited holiday. It suits people who prefer a private guide to a coach group. It is a poor fit for young children, anyone with limited mobility or anyone who dislikes airports, because the day includes at least two flights and a lot of waiting around.

Visa and booking

A full Egypt visa is needed. UK passport holders get a free Sinai-only stamp that covers the Sharm area, but it does not extend to Luxor. The visa carries a fee, so check GOV.UK for the current amount before you travel. Online booking closes 48 hours before departure, after which you send a request. A full refund applies if you cancel three or more days before departure.

Plan with us

Luxor from Sharm El Sheikh by flight: is one day worth it?

Is flying to Luxor for the day from Sharm El Sheikh worth it? What you see, how the flights work, the full visa point and who it suits.

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Frequently asked questions

Is there a direct flight from Sharm El Sheikh to Luxor?

On some days, yes. On others the flight goes through Cairo, depending on the airline schedule on your date, and most routings connect through Cairo. We book the domestic flights and include them in the trip, but we cannot promise a direct flight on a given date.

How much time do I get at the temples?

The day covers the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut, the Colossi of Memnon and Karnak, with lunch in between. That is a full programme, so each site is a visit of an hour or less. Flight times and the routing decide how much time you actually have.

Do I need a visa for Luxor?

Yes, the full Egypt visa. The free Sinai-only stamp covers the Sharm El Sheikh area and does not cover Luxor, so you cannot join this trip with the stamp alone. The visa carries a fee that can change, so check the current fee on the official Egyptian e-visa site. Check GOV.UK and the official sources for the latest rules before you travel.

Is Tutankhamun's tomb included?

No. The standard ticket covers three tombs in the Valley of the Kings. The tombs of Tutankhamun, Seti I and Ramses V and VI need an extra ticket, which you pay for on the day. Your guide will tell you which tombs are worth the extra cost.

Is the Luxor day trip a private tour?

Yes. It has a private Egyptologist guide and a private air-conditioned vehicle in Luxor, and a party of up to 15. The price per person falls as the party grows. Lunch at a local restaurant, entry tickets and bottled water are included.