Most travelers do well with two to three nights in Luxor — enough time for Karnak, Luxor Temple, and the Valley of the Kings without rushing, and a natural handoff point to a Nile cruise or onward flight.
What actually fills that time
| Site | Hours | Foreign adult ticket |
|---|---|---|
| Karnak Temple | Daily 6:00am–5:00pm | EGP 600 |
| Luxor Temple | Daily 6:00am–8:00pm | EGP 500 |
| Valley of the Kings | Daily 6:00am–5:00pm | EGP 750 |
(Hours and prices per official government sources, verified 2026-08-13, high volatility for pricing.) Karnak alone is large enough to fill a full morning; the Valley of the Kings, on the west bank, is usually its own half day given the travel and time inside the tombs. Luxor Temple's later closing time makes it a natural add-on in the evening, when it's lit up.
When three nights isn't enough
Travelers adding Abu Simbel as a day trip, or wanting unrushed time at each site rather than a guide-paced walkthrough, often extend to four nights. See What's the Difference Between Karnak and Luxor Temple? and Is the Valley of the Kings Worth Visiting? for what each stop actually involves before deciding how much time to allow.