Egypt Discovery
AttractionLuxor

Karnak Temple Sound & Light Show, Luxor

Timed evening admission to Karnak Temple’s Sound and Light presentation, with audiovisual narration at the Hypostyle Hall and Amun-Re precinct.

At a glance

Departs
Daily

The short answer

Karnak Temple Admission is an entry ticket for the evening Sound and Light presentation at Karnak Temple in Luxor, booked and arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.
  • Cultural

Snapshot

Good to know

Time to allow
Scheduled evening presentation
Time of day
Evening departure
Travel style
Self-Guided Entry
Arranged by
Arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt
Destinations
Karnak Temple
Includes
Admission to the booked Sound and Light show session · PDF ticket sent by email after booking
Best for
Independent visitors · Evening visitors · Travellers interested in ancient Egyptian history

Best time to go

October to April usually brings cooler evenings in Luxor than the summer months, though temperatures vary by date. Sessions may be busier during public holidays; schedules can also change during Ramadan, so check the official timetable before travelling.

  • Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
  • The ticket is arranged through Discovery Tours Egypt; Karnak Temple is a third-party heritage site.
  • Admission is for the booked Sound and Light session, not daytime general admission.
  • The PDF ticket is delivered by email after booking confirmation.
  • Transport, meals and live commentary are not included.

02Overview

A first look

The Sound & Light Show takes place inside Karnak Temple after sunset. The script highlights Amun‑Ra, Thutmose III and Ramesses II and is presented with recorded narration in multiple languages.

Background

The facts

Karnak Temple is a vast temple complex on the east bank of the Nile at Luxor. Its principal sacred precinct is dedicated to Amun-Re. The complex was built and expanded over many centuries, from the Middle Kingdom through the Ptolemaic period.

The evening Sound and Light presentation is a scheduled audiovisual event within the Karnak precinct. Narration and lighting feature monuments including the Great Hypostyle Hall and the Amun-Re precinct. The Avenue of Sphinxes connects Karnak Temple with Luxor Temple; the ticket is for the evening presentation, not general daytime admission.

Karnak forms part of Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage property. The site’s layers of construction reflect successive periods of ancient Egyptian history and religious practice.

Show times and access arrangements vary seasonally. Check the official timetable before travelling. Photography rules may differ by session and should be confirmed at the entrance. The ticket is sent by email as a PDF; check whether a printed copy is required and print it if in doubt. Transport and meals are not included.

Named in this entry

Karnak Temple·Luxor·Amun-Re·Great Hypostyle Hall·Sphinxes Avenue·Luxor Temple·Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis·Middle Kingdom·Ptolemaic period

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • This ticket suits adults, couples and history-focused travellers who want to see Karnak Temple after dark without booking a wider sightseeing programme. It is a good fit for families with older children who can stay engaged during an evening presentation and manage uneven ground.

Maybe not, if

  • Choose a daytime visit instead if you want to explore at your own pace or need step-free access throughout. The evening session may also be difficult for very young children who cannot stay settled for its duration.

What lingers

  • 01Karnak Sound and Light Show at Karnak Temple, Luxor – starts after sunset; running time approximately 60 minutes.
  • 02Recorded English commentary explains Amun-Re, Ramses II and Hatshepsut; multiple-language audio tracks often available on site.
  • 03Seating is on open-air stone terraces; bring a light jacket and torch for steps and uneven surfaces.
  • 04Located on Luxor East Bank, approximately 2.5 km north of Luxor Temple (around a ten-minute drive).
  • 05We can arrange private transfer and preferred seating; small-group coach options also available on request.
  • 06Unlike daytime visits, the evening show uses illumination and narration to explain temple chronology rather than close inspection of reliefs.

Worth knowing

How this compares

Most daytime Karnak tickets cover general site admission. This ticket is for the scheduled evening Sound and Light presentation only, not daytime access. Unlike a guided visit, it does not include live commentary or transport.

The fine print

What's included – and what is left out

Included

  • Admission to the Karnak Temple Sound and Light show for the booked session
  • PDF ticket sent by email after booking

Not included

  • Transfers to and from Karnak Temple
  • Meals and personal spending
  • Live commentary on site or guided services, which can be booked separately if needed
  • Photography permissions or special permits, where applicable
  • Printing, if the venue requires a printed ticket

Field notes

From our Egyptologists

  1. 01

    Check the official Karnak timetable shortly before travel, as show schedules change seasonally.

  2. 02

    Ask whether your session requires a printed ticket; print the PDF if the venue's rule is unclear.

  3. 03

    Confirm photography rules at the entrance, as they may vary by show session.

  4. 04

    Allow time to reach the Karnak entrance before the scheduled presentation begins.

Tailor it

Make it yours

This is admission for the booked session, rather than a customisable sightseeing programme. Transport, meals and any additional sightseeing must be arranged separately; check the official timetable before booking to choose an available session.

Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.

Where it fits

This evening admission fits after a daytime visit to Luxor’s East Bank temples, or between time in Luxor and a Nile cruise. The show is a separate ticketed presentation, not daytime entry to Karnak Temple.

While you're here

Worth pairing

  • The Karnak Temple ComplexRight here
  • Luxor Museum4 km
  • Luxor Temple3 km
  • Mummification Museum4 km

Why book this with us

Three reasons, stated plainly

  1. 01

    Booked admission for the evening show session

  2. 02

    PDF ticket sent by email after booking

  3. 03

    Clear distinction between show entry and extras

·In summary

The Karnak Temple Sound and Light presentation is an evening audiovisual event in Luxor, with narration and lighting focused on monuments in the Amun-Re precinct. The complex developed from the Middle Kingdom through the Ptolemaic period and forms part of the UNESCO-listed Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis.

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01What time does the Karnak Sound & Light show start?
    The Karnak Sound & Light show typically starts after sunset; exact start times vary by season. We confirm the evening’s start time when we send your ticket; please arrive 20–30 minutes early for seating. Karnak Temple is dedicated primarily to Amun-Re and forms part of the Ancient Thebes UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unlike a daytime visit, the night lighting emphasises the pylons and avenues but hides fine relief detail.
  2. 02How long is the Karnak Sound & Light show?
    The performance lasts roughly sixty to ninety minutes depending on the season and programme. There is no long interval – the narration and light sequence run continuously. Different evening versions (shorter or longer) are scheduled on different nights, and we confirm the exact running time before you book.
  3. 03Is the Karnak Sound & Light show narrated in English?
    Yes – the evening narration is normally available in English; other language tracks may be scheduled on some nights. The narration is pre-recorded rather than live and follows the temple’s history and major monuments. We check language options for your chosen date and confirm them with your booking.
  4. 04Can I take photographs or use a tripod during the show?
    You can usually take photographs, although flash and tripods are often not allowed during the performance. Handheld cameras and smartphones are generally acceptable, but dim lighting may affect your photos. If professional photography requires a tripod, let us know beforehand so we can seek permission from the site authorities.
  5. 05Is the Karnak Sound & Light show suitable for people with limited mobility?
    The site has uneven ancient stone and several steps; access for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility is restricted. Seating areas require short walks over rough surfaces and lighting is dim at night, which can make movement harder. We can request closer seating and arrange a private car; please disclose mobility needs when you enquire so we can advise realistically.
  6. 06Do you include tickets and transfers for the Karnak Sound & Light show?
    We can arrange tickets and private transfers; tickets are included only in options that offer a transfer or tickets. We generally suggest visiting Karnak in daylight and attending the evening show separately, rather than trying to fit both into a single visit. Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator, and your written quotation will state clearly and precisely what is included.

Editorial review

Reviewed by Khaled Mansour·Last reviewed 8 March 2025

Last updated 8 March 2025Product ID: TKT-LXR-583875

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