Summary
- Foreign visitors pay in EGP by card; the Giza Plateau starts from EGP 700 and the Grand Egyptian Museum from EGP 1,830.
- Luxor has the longest ticket list, with special tombs such as Seti I and Nefertari from EGP 2,000 to 2,500.
- Aswan, Abu Simbel, and the Nile temples cost from EGP 200 to 822, with higher Sun Festival prices.
- Students with an ISIC card pay about half price, and children under 6 enter free.
- The Luxor Pass and Cairo Pass suit travelers seeing many sites in five days; single tickets suit shorter trips.
Knowing Egypt attraction ticket prices and opening hours before you land saves you money, time, and a lot of standing in the sun at the wrong gate. Entry to the Giza Plateau starts from EGP 700, a visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum starts from EGP 1,830, and most temples in Luxor and Aswan sit between EGP 220 and EGP 600. Hours run roughly from sunrise to late afternoon, with a few temples staying open into the evening.
For more than five thousand years, these stones have waited patiently for travelers; the least we can do is arrive at the right hour with the right ticket in hand. Also, before arriving in Egypt and getting your ticket to all these grand wonders, make sure to know all of Egypt's travel requirements, the Best time to travel to Egypt, and what to Pack in Egypt before you take any action.
Everyone will get to know how the ticket system works today, the entrance fees and opening hours for the best places to visit in Egypt in Cairo, Giza, Luxor, Aswan, and Alexandria, student and child discounts, the Cairo Pass and Luxor Pass, and the small rules that catch first-time visitors out. All prices below are the foreign visitor rates in Egyptian pounds (EGP) as published by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, and they change from time to time, so treat them as starting prices.
How the Egypt Attraction Ticket System Works
Egypt runs a two-tier pricing system. Egyptians pay a small local fee (EGP 60 at the Giza Plateau, for example), while foreign visitors pay the international rate listed in this guide. A non-Egyptian spouse of an Egyptian citizen is charged the Egyptian rate on showing proof.
Buying Tickets Online and On Site
The official platform is EgyMonuments (egymonuments.com), run by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. You can add several sites to one cart and pay with Visa or Mastercard, then show the QR code at the gate. Tickets are also sold at official counters and self-service kiosks at the larger sites.
The Grand Egyptian Museum is the exception. Its tickets are sold online through the museum's own booking site, visit-gem.com, and walk-up sales are not guaranteed, so book a day or two ahead in high season.
Cards, Not Cash
Most major sites, including the Giza Plateau, the Egyptian Museum, Karnak, and the Valley of the Kings, now accept bank cards only. A few smaller sites and museums may still take cash, but do not rely on it. Keep some Egyptian pounds anyway for toilets, tips, and the boat to Philae Temple, which is paid separately from the entry ticket.
Student and Child Discounts
Foreign students pay about 50% of the adult price at most sites. You need a valid international student card (ISIC); the official EgyMonuments page for Giza sets the age limit at 24, though some ticket offices accept older students. Children under 6 enter free, and older children usually pay the student rate. Special tickets such as the tombs of Seti I and Nefertari have no student reduction.
Photography Rules
Mobile phone photography without flash is free at almost every site. Tripods, drones, professional cameras, and filming need a separate permit. Photography is banned in a few places, including the Royal Mummies Hall at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization and some tombs, so check the sign at each entrance.
Opening Hours, Last Entry, and Ramadan
The last ticket is usually sold one hour before closing. During Ramadan, most sites shorten their hours; the Giza Plateau, for instance, opens at 8:00 AM with last entry at 3:30 PM. Sites generally stay open on public holidays, so check our guide to festivals and public holidays in Egypt when you pick your dates.
Cairo and Giza Ticket Prices and Opening Hours
Cairo and Giza hold the densest cluster of paid sites in the country, and most travelers spend two to three days here. Prices below are for foreign adults and students in EGP.
|
Attraction |
Foreign adult |
Student |
Opening hours |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Giza Pyramids Plateau |
From EGP 700 |
From EGP 350 |
7:00 AM – 5:00 PM (last entry 4:00 PM) |
|
Inside the Great Pyramid of Khufu |
From EGP 1,500 |
From EGP 750 |
7:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
|
Inside Menkaure or Khafre Pyramid |
From EGP 280 |
From EGP 140 |
7:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
|
Grand Egyptian Museum |
From EGP 1,830 |
From EGP 920 |
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Wed and Sat to 9:00 PM |
|
Egyptian Museum, Tahrir |
From EGP 550 |
From EGP 275 |
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
|
National Museum of Egyptian Civilization |
From EGP 550 |
From EGP 300 |
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, plus some evening sessions |
|
Saqqara general ticket |
From EGP 600 |
From EGP 300 |
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
|
Serapeum at Saqqara |
From EGP 340 |
From EGP 170 |
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
|
Dahshur (Bent and Red Pyramids) |
From EGP 200 |
From EGP 100 |
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
|
Memphis Open-Air Museum |
From EGP 200 |
From EGP 100 |
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
|
Salah El Din Citadel |
From EGP 550 |
From EGP 275 |
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
|
Museum of Islamic Art |
From EGP 340 |
From EGP 170 |
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
|
Coptic Museum |
From EGP 280 |
From EGP 140 |
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
Giza Plateau and the Pyramids
The plateau ticket covers the outside of the three pyramids, the Great Sphinx, and the Valley Temple of Khafre. Going inside the Great Pyramid is a separate ticket, and so is entry to Menkaure or Khafre, which open on rotation. Some recent sources still quote EGP 1,000 for the Great Pyramid interior, so check the counter price on the day. Read more about the site in our Giza Pyramids Complex guide.
The Grand Egyptian Museum
The GEM raised its prices on 1 November, adding about USD 5 to the foreign ticket, which brought the adult fee from around EGP 1,590 to EGP 1,830. The galleries holding the full Tutankhamun collection are included. Plan at least half a day, or join one of our Grand Egyptian Museum tours to skip the booking step entirely.
Saqqara, Dahshur, and Memphis
The Saqqara general ticket covers the open site around the Step Pyramid of Djoser, with add-ons for the Serapeum, the Mereruka tomb (EGP 200), and the newer tombs (EGP 400). An all-inclusive Saqqara ticket costs from EGP 1,400. Dahshur and the ancient capital of Memphis are cheap and quiet by comparison.
Museums and Islamic Cairo
The Egyptian Museum in Tahrir is still worth a visit, even after many treasures moved to Giza. At the Cairo Citadel, one ticket covers the walls, the military museums, and the Muhammad Ali Mosque, so plan around two hours there.
Working mosques such as Al-Azhar are free to enter, and so are the lanes of Khan El-Khalili. For neighborhoods and itineraries beyond the ticketed sites, our Cairo travel guide fills in the rest.
Luxor Ticket Prices and Opening Hours
Luxor is often called the world's largest open-air museum, and its ticket list is the longest in Egypt. The city splits into the East Bank temples and the West Bank tombs, and the West Bank sites open earliest, at 6:00 AM.
|
Attraction |
Foreign adult |
Student |
Opening hours |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Karnak Temple |
From EGP 600 |
From EGP 300 |
6:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
|
Karnak Sound and Light Show |
From EGP 960 |
From EGP 480 |
Evening shows |
|
Luxor Temple |
From EGP 500 |
From EGP 250 |
6:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
|
Luxor Museum |
From EGP 400 |
From EGP 200 |
Morning and evening sessions |
|
Valley of the Kings (3 tombs) |
From EGP 750 |
From EGP 375 |
6:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
|
Tomb of Tutankhamun |
From EGP 700 |
From EGP 350 |
6:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
|
Tomb of Seti I |
From EGP 2,000 |
No student rate |
6:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
|
Tomb of Ramses V and VI |
From EGP 220 |
From EGP 110 |
6:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
|
Tomb of Ay (Western Valley) |
From EGP 200 |
From EGP 100 |
6:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
|
Temple of Hatshepsut |
From EGP 440 |
From EGP 220 |
6:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
|
Valley of the Queens |
From EGP 220 |
From EGP 110 |
6:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
|
Tomb of Nefertari (when open) |
From EGP 2,500 |
No student rate |
6:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
|
Medinet Habu |
From EGP 220 |
From EGP 110 |
6:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
East Bank: Karnak and Luxor Temple
Karnak Temple needs at least two to three hours, and the early morning slot avoids both the heat and the cruise groups. Luxor Temple stays open into the evening, and many travelers prefer it after sunset, when the columns and the Avenue of Sphinxes are floodlit.
West Bank: The Valley of the Kings and the Temples
The standard Valley of the Kings ticket gives you three tombs from those open that day; the list rotates to protect the paintings. Tutankhamun, Seti I, and Ramses V and VI need their own tickets, bought at the same gate. Seti I and Nefertari are the most expensive single tickets in Egypt, and Nefertari closes from time to time for conservation, so confirm before you go.
The Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari and Medinet Habu sit a short drive apart and pair well in one morning. If you would rather have the transport and guide arranged, browse our Luxor day tours.
Aswan, Abu Simbel, and the Nile Valley Temples
South of Luxor, the temples are spaced along the river, so most travelers see them from a Nile cruise or on a road trip between Luxor and Aswan. Tickets here are cheaper, but the opening hours are shorter at a few island sites.
|
Attraction |
Foreign adult |
Student |
Opening hours |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Abu Simbel Temples |
From EGP 822 |
From EGP 445.50 |
6:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
|
Abu Simbel Sound and Light Show |
From EGP 960 |
From EGP 480 |
Evening shows |
|
Philae Temple |
From EGP 550 |
From EGP 275 |
7:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
|
Philae Sound and Light Show |
From EGP 960 |
From EGP 480 |
Evening shows |
|
Unfinished Obelisk |
From EGP 220 |
From EGP 110 |
7:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
|
Nubian Museum |
From EGP 400 |
From EGP 200 |
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
|
High Dam |
From EGP 200 |
From EGP 100 |
7:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
|
Temple of Kalabsha |
From EGP 200 |
From EGP 100 |
7:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
|
Temple of Kom Ombo |
From EGP 450 |
From EGP 225 |
7:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
|
Temple of Horus, Edfu |
From EGP 550 |
From EGP 275 |
7:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
|
Temple of Hathor, Dendera |
From EGP 300 |
From EGP 150 |
7:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
|
Temple of Seti I, Abydos |
From EGP 260 |
From EGP 130 |
7:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
Abu Simbel
The Abu Simbel temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari sit about 280 km south of Aswan, a drive of roughly three and a half hours each way. Transport is never included in the entry fee. On the two Sun Festival mornings, 22 February and 22 October, the adult ticket rises to EGP 1,272 (EGP 670.50 for students), and the crowds rise with it.
Philae and Aswan's Smaller Sites
Philae Temple stands on Agilkia Island, so you also pay for the motorboat at the Shellal marina, usually agreed per boat rather than per person. The High Dam ticket office accepts cards only. Our Aswan day tours combine Philae, the obelisk, and the dam in one morning.
Edfu, Kom Ombo, Dendera, and Abydos
The Temple of Edfu is the best-preserved temple in Egypt, while the double Temple of Kom Ombo stays open until 9:00 PM, which suits cruise ships that dock at sunset. Dendera and Abydos lie north of Luxor and are usually combined in one long day trip.
Alexandria and Sinai Ticket Prices
Alexandria is the budget-friendly corner of Egyptian sightseeing, with most sites priced at EGP 200. A full day here costs less than a single Great Pyramid ticket.
|
Attraction |
Foreign adult |
Student |
Opening hours |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Citadel of Qaitbay |
From EGP 200 |
From EGP 100 |
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
|
Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa |
From EGP 200 |
From EGP 100 |
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
|
Pompey's Pillar (Serapeum of Alexandria) |
From EGP 200 |
From EGP 100 |
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
|
Roman Amphitheatre (Kom El Dikka) |
From EGP 200 |
From EGP 100 |
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
|
Alexandria National Museum |
From EGP 200 |
From EGP 100 |
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
|
Graeco-Roman Museum |
From EGP 400 |
From EGP 200 |
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
|
Royal Jewellery Museum |
From EGP 220 |
From EGP 110 |
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
|
Saint Catherine's Monastery, Sinai |
From EGP 200 |
From EGP 100 |
Morning visits; closed Fridays and Sundays |
The Bibliotheca Alexandrina is not run by the Ministry, so it has its own ticket and closes on Fridays. The Alexandria National Museum and Saint Catherine's Monastery take cards only.
Cairo Pass and Luxor Pass: Are They Worth It?
The Ministry sells two multi-site passes priced in US dollars and valid for five consecutive days. They suit independent travelers who plan to see many sites quickly; on a short guided tour, single tickets usually work out cheaper.
|
Pass |
Adult |
Student |
What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Luxor Pass Standard |
From USD 130 |
From USD 70 |
Almost every Luxor site, except the tombs of Nefertari and Seti I |
|
Luxor Pass Premium |
From USD 250 |
From USD 130 |
Every Luxor site, including Nefertari and Seti I |
|
Cairo Pass |
Price changes often; confirm at the counter |
About 50% of the adult price |
Greater Cairo sites and museums, including Giza and Saqqara, but not NMEC |
To buy a pass, bring your passport, a photocopy, and a passport photo. The Cairo Pass is sold at the Giza Pyramids, the Egyptian Museum, and the Citadel; the Luxor Pass is sold at Karnak and the Valley of the Kings. If you buy one pass, the second is offered at half price within the same calendar year.
Run the numbers before you buy. Karnak, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings with Tutankhamun, Hatshepsut, Medinet Habu, and the Valley of the Queens add up to about EGP 3,430 in single tickets, roughly half the Standard pass price. The pass only pays off if you visit nearly every West Bank tomb and temple or return to the big sites more than once. Even with Seti I and Nefertari added, single tickets total about EGP 7,930, still below the Premium pass.
How to Enjoy Egypt
Discover all the ways to enjoy your Visit to Egypt
Practical Tips to Save Money and Time
- Go early. West Bank sites open at 6:00 AM and the Giza Plateau at 7:00 AM; the first hour is the coolest and calmest.
- Buy official only. Use EgyMonuments, visit-gem.com, or the gate counter, and walk away from anyone selling tickets outside the entrance.
- Carry your student card. Without an ISIC card, you will pay the adult price even if you are clearly a student.
- Budget beyond the ticket. Boats to Philae, transport to Abu Simbel, guides, and tips are all paid separately.
- Watch the season. Hours shift in summer and Ramadan; our guide to the perfect time to be in Egypt helps you avoid the hottest months.
A classic first trip covering Giza, the GEM, Saqqara, Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut, Philae, and Abu Simbel comes to about EGP 6,300 per adult in entry fees alone, before any interior pyramid tickets. Travelers on our Nile River cruise trips often have the main temple tickets included in the cruise price.
Things To Do In Egypt
Explore our things to do in Egypt section for crucial info you'll need for your journey. Start planning today!
Plan Your Sightseeing with Confidence With Egypt Tours Portal
Egypt's entrance fees have risen in recent years, so a little planning before you go makes a real difference to your budget. Check prices on EgyMonuments a few days before you travel, carry a bank card and your student ID, and start each day early. Or can simply forget about all that hassle and book one of our Egypt vacation packages and Nile River cruises to enjoy a smooth & fun trip across the marvels of Egypt.
The temples have stood for thousands of years, and they will still be glowing gold at sunrise when you arrive. If you would like the tickets, guides, and transport handled for you, our tailor-made Egypt tours let you spend your energy on the sites rather than the queues.
