You can see Tutankhamun’s treasures in Cairo, then travel about 650 km south to the valley where he was buried. For most first-time visitors we recommend that order. The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) gives you the names, symbols and stories that make Luxor’s temples and tombs easier to read.
This guide shows how to fit the museum around your onward journey, how to choose your route to Luxor, and how to spend three days well.
Why See the GEM Before Luxor
The GEM sits on the Giza Plateau near the Pyramids, and its glass front frames them. Inside, the layout follows Egypt’s history in order, which suits a trip that ends in Luxor.
Tutankhamun. His tomb (KV62) in the Valley of the Kings is small, and the famous objects are no longer in it. His mummy still rests there. The museum holds the rest: roughly 5,000 objects from the tomb, displayed together in two dedicated galleries. See them first and you’ll know what once filled the room when you stand in it. For what to look for, see our Tutankhamun’s Legacy guide.
Ramesses II. The same logic applies. The colossal statue of him in the museum’s atrium, moved from Ramses Square in Cairo, puts a face to a name you’ll meet at Luxor Temple, Karnak and the Ramesseum.
That said, the order isn’t a rule. If you’d rather end the trip in Cairo, our Cairo to Luxor guide covers a fly-in, sleeper-back combination that puts the museum last.
Booking Your GEM Slot Around Your Onward Travel
- Book online, in advance. GEM tickets are timed-entry, and walk-up sales for foreign visitors have been discontinued. Book through the museum’s official booking portal.
- Check the price at checkout. Prices have changed since the museum opened, so don’t rely on older articles.
- Choose your slot around your departure. An early slot leaves the afternoon free for onward travel. Plan to arrive 15–20 minutes before your slot.
- Allow enough time. Plan about three to four hours for the whole museum, or 60–90 minutes if you only want the Tutankhamun galleries.
Getting from the GEM to Luxor
Luxor is about 650 km south of Cairo. In short:
- Fly if time is short. It’s about an hour in the air, with multiple daily flights.
- Take the overnight sleeper (9–10.5 hours) if you want to save a hotel night. See our sleeper train guide, and our Luxor Railway Station guide for the arrival.
- Go by road if the journey is the point: about 8–9 hours by car or 9–10 by bus.
Leaving the GEM: Allow a Buffer
The GEM is on the Giza Plateau, not in central Cairo, and Cairo traffic is unpredictable. Don’t book a flight or train that leaves soon after your museum slot ends. Allow for the drive from Giza, check-in at the airport or station, and a margin for delays. If you’re taking the sleeper, check the departure time before you plan your evening.
Your 3-Day Plan
Day 1: Cairo and the GEM
Spend the morning at the museum. If you have energy left, visit the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx in the afternoon, but not if you’re leaving the same day. Have dinner by the Nile before heading south. If you’re taking the sleeper, you leave that evening. If you’re flying, you’ll stay the night in Cairo and fly in the morning.
Day 2: Luxor, East Bank
Arrive on the overnight train or a morning flight, and drop your bags. Visit Karnak Temple, then see Luxor Temple lit up in the evening. Walk the Corniche at sunset to watch the feluccas. With a morning flight you’ll still have most of the day.
Day 3: Luxor, West Bank
Start early, around 7 AM. If you like, begin with a hot air balloon ride. Then visit the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon, which are free to visit. Cross the Nile by ferry and hire a driver for the day (see Getting Around Luxor). Finish with souvenirs at El Souk. It’s a full day, so choose fewer stops if you’re travelling with children.
Check Before You Go
- Tutankhamun’s tomb needs its own ticket, on top of Valley of the Kings entry. This is easy to miss when you budget. Our entrance fees guide has current prices, and our Tomb of Tutankhamun guide explains what to expect inside.
- Budget from current prices, not older blog posts. Site-by-site prices are in our entrance fees guide.
- Nefertari’s tomb in the Valley of the Queens has been closed since 2 March 2024. Check its status in the entrance fees guide before planning around it.
- Balloon flights depend on the weather and can be cancelled. Don’t build an irreplaceable day around one.