Karnak at a glance
Karnak lies on the East Bank of the Nile in Luxor, the ancient city of Thebes. It is not a single temple but a complex with separate precincts for Amun, Mut and Montu. It is part of the Ancient Thebes World Heritage site, which was inscribed in 1979.
The site is large, so decide before you enter what you want to see. Most visitors walk the main axis through the courts to the Great Hypostyle Hall and then explore the open-air museum. The Mut Temple has its own ticket and is a separate extra.
Karnak tickets and prices in 2026
Prices for foreign visitors, single entry, in Egyptian pounds (EGP), as listed by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. A guide and transport are not included.
| Ticket | Adult | Student |
|---|---|---|
| Karnak Temple with the Open Museum | 600 EGP | 300 EGP |
| Mut Temple (separate ticket) | 200 EGP | 100 EGP |
| Sound and Light show (separate operator) | 20 USD | – |
The Open Museum is part of the 600 EGP ticket, so you do not pay a second fee for it. Children under 6 enter free. Student rates need a valid student ID and apply up to age 24. For the show, children aged 6 to 12 pay 11 USD.
You can buy tickets at the site or through the ministry's ticket platform. Visa and Mastercard are accepted. Online tickets cannot be refunded, cancelled or replaced if lost, so check the date before you pay. If you plan to see many sites, ask about the current terms of the five-day Luxor Pass before you buy single tickets.
What to see inside Karnak
A rough order for a first visit. The photos on this page show some of these sights.
The ram-headed sphinxes
Ram-headed sphinxes stand in Karnak, as in the picture next to the key facts. They are one of the first sights on the way in.
The courts and the Osiris statues
Open courts lead deeper into the complex. One of them holds Osiris statues, shown in the photo further down.
The Great Hypostyle Hall
The hall has 134 columns. The twelve in the center are higher than the outer ones. Take time to look up and walk between the columns.
The obelisks
Obelisks stand inside the temple precinct, and they are easy to spot across the open areas.
The Open Museum
Your ticket covers the Open Museum, so include it in your route rather than skipping it.
Opening hours and the best time of day
The ministry lists Karnak as open daily from 06:00 to 17:00. The ticket portal gives 06:00 as the start and 16:00 as last entry, in summer, winter and Ramadan. Plan to be inside well before 16:00 and check the current timetable before you go.
Go early. In the long-term averages, daytime highs in Luxor reach about 106°F (41°C) from June to August, while January averages about 73°F (23°C). Bring a hat, sun protection and water, because you walk long distances outdoors.
Karnak is on the East Bank. Plan the West Bank sites, such as the Valley of the Kings and the Hatshepsut Temple, for a different day. Our Luxor weather guide shows the monthly temperatures.
Our picks: Karnak
A shared tour with lunch, a private day on both banks and an evening sound and light show.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Private full-day tour of both Nile banks
A private Egyptologist, lunch and a transfer from an East Bank hotel. Entrance tickets are included only with the matching option, not in the base price.
Check availability →Karnak and Luxor Temple tour with lunch
An English-speaking guide, lunch and an East Bank hotel transfer. Entrance tickets are included only with the matching option; a German, French or Spanish guide is an add-on.
Check availability →
Sound and light show at Karnak
Private air-conditioned transport, hotel transfer, entry, a guide and water are included. Lunch and tips are not.
Check availability →Karnak and East Bank tours
Guided visits to Karnak and Luxor Temple, with current prices and availability.
The Karnak Sound and Light show
An evening show is held at Karnak. It is run by a separate operator, Misr Company for Sound, Light and Tourism Development, and has its own ticket. Your day ticket does not cover it.
The weekly schedule on the operator's site shows an English show at 20:00 every day and a second show at 21:00. On Thursdays the second show is in Arabic, and on other days it is listed as "All language". The operator offers 10 languages in total, but a German-language performance is not guaranteed on any given night.
The English booking page asks for at least 5 foreign guests for the second show. The Arabic page says the show can run without a minimum if you book online in advance. Because the conditions differ, book ahead and confirm the time and language when you buy. Schedules can change.
Karnak and Luxor Temple together
The two big East Bank temples are linked by an avenue of sphinxes of about 2,700 m. Karnak lies at the north end and Luxor Temple at the south end. Each has its own ticket and hours, so check both at the entrance.
A workable plan is Karnak in the morning and Luxor Temple later in the day, since Luxor Temple stays open until 20:00. For other ideas, see our list of things to do in Luxor. If you are choosing where to sleep, our East Bank and West Bank comparison explains the difference.
Photos for personal, non-commercial use are allowed at archaeological sites, without flash indoors. Professional lighting and setup equipment needs a permit.
Karnak Temple: frequently asked questions
How much does Karnak cost in 2026?
The adult ticket for foreign visitors is 600 EGP and the student ticket is 300 EGP. It includes the Open Museum. The Mut Temple costs 200 EGP for adults and 100 EGP for students on a separate ticket.
What are the opening hours?
The ministry lists daily hours of 06:00 to 17:00. The ticket portal lists 06:00 as the start and 16:00 as the last entry. Arrive early and confirm the current times before you go.
Is the Open Museum an extra cost?
No. The 600 EGP ticket is a combined ticket for Karnak and the Open Museum.
When is the Sound and Light show and what does it cost?
The listed schedule has an English show at 20:00 and a second show at 21:00 each day. A regular ticket costs 20 USD, and a ticket for a child aged 6 to 12 costs 11 USD. Times can change, so confirm when you book.
Do children get a discount at Karnak?
Children under 6 enter the temple free. Students with a valid ID, up to age 24, pay the student rate of 300 EGP. For the show, children aged 6 to 12 pay 11 USD.
Can I get a refund on an online ticket?
No. The ticket platform does not offer refunds or cancellations and does not replace lost tickets. Pick your date carefully before you pay.