Karnak and Luxor Temple as a day trip: group or private tour?
Updated October 16, 2026 · 3 min read
For most people the full-day group tour of the West and East Banks is the better choice: 8 hours, from €25.79 with 4.6 stars from 2,099 reviews. An Egyptologist takes you to Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut’s mortuary temple. The private full-day tour with Tutankhamun’s Tomb costs from €68.77 with 4.8 stars from 239 reviews. It is only worth it if the hotel transfer and that particular tomb justify the extra €42.98.
The two day trips compared
| Tour | Duration | From | Rating | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Day Group Tour of the West and East Banks | 8 hours | €25.79 | 4.6 from 2,099 reviews | A lot of programme at a low price |
| Private Full-Day Tour with Tutankhamun’s Tomb | 8 hours | €68.77 | 4.8 from 239 reviews | A private day with hotel transfer and Tutankhamun’s Tomb |
What they share and what they do not
Both tours last 8 hours and link the East and West Banks. The group tour names Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut’s mortuary temple outright. The private tour speaks generally of the city’s temples and names only Tutankhamun’s Tomb on the West Bank. Karnak is not mentioned by name in its short description, so if you want it badly, ask about the route before booking. Neither short description says whether admission fees are included; the list of inclusions on the booking page settles that.
See availability and prices for the group tour
What the private tour costs extra for
It is not more time: both are listed at 8 hours on the booking page. You are paying for the private format, the transfer to and from your hotel and the explicit mention of Tutankhamun’s Tomb. Whether the price applies per person or per group is something you read off the booking form for your chosen date; any comparison between group and private stands or falls on exactly that.
Check dates for the private tour with Tutankhamun’s Tomb
The ratings
At 4.8 stars the private tour sits 0.2 above the group tour, but 239 voices weigh less than 2,099. The group tour carries the broader experience, the private tour a slightly better score from a smaller crowd. That gap does not tip the decision.
When a full day is too much
If you only want Karnak and Luxor Temple, you pay for the West Bank with either tour. A half-day tour on the East Bank, booked separately, then fits better. The full day pays off when you have a single free day and both sides of the Nile have to fit into it.
Our recommendation
Take the full-day group tour of the West and East Banks. The private tour is the exception for anyone who has Tutankhamun’s Tomb firmly on the list and wants to shape the day alone.
