The Cairo Pass and the Luxor Pass are official permits from Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. Each gives entry to the sites and museums of one area for five days. They are not cheap, so the question is simple: will you visit enough sites in five days to beat the price of single tickets? Below are the official prices and the sums, site by site.
Cairo Pass and Luxor Pass prices in 2026
The Ministry's permit sheet (marked "last update 2023", still the version published on 16 October 2026) gives these prices, payable in US dollars or euros:
| Permit | Foreign adult | Foreign student | If you already hold the other pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cairo Pass | $130 or €120 | $70 or €60 | $65 or €60 (student $35 or €30) |
| Luxor Pass Standard | $130 or €120 | $70 or €60 | $65 or €60 (student $35 or €30) |
| Luxor Pass Premium | $250 or €220 | $130 or €120 | $125 or €110 (student $65 or €60) |
The half price applies when you buy the second pass in the same calendar year: show a copy of the first one. Students must be under 30 and show a valid student card.
What does the Cairo Pass include?
According to the Ministry, the Cairo Pass covers all archaeological sites and museums in Greater Cairo except the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC). That means the Giza plateau, Saqqara, Dahshur, the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir, the Citadel and the city's museums.
The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) sells its own tickets on tickets.gem.eg, and the Ministry's sheet does not name it. Do not count on the Cairo Pass to get you into the GEM: plan a separate ticket.
What does the Luxor Pass include?
Both versions cover all the archaeological sites of Luxor, on both banks: Karnak, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's temple, Medinet Habu, the Ramesseum and the rest. The difference is two tombs: Premium includes the tombs of Nefertari and Seti I, Standard does not.
Is the Cairo Pass worth it? The sums
Here are the single-ticket prices for a foreign adult, as shown on each site's official page:
- Giza plateau (area entry): 700 EGP
- Inside the Great Pyramid: 1,000 EGP
- Egyptian Museum, Tahrir: 550 EGP
- Saladin Citadel: 550 EGP
- Saqqara (area entry): 600 EGP
- Dahshur: 200 EGP
- Museum of Islamic Art: 340 EGP
Total: 3,940 EGP. At the Central Bank rate of 15 October 2026, $130 is about 6,900 EGP. So a full programme of the major Cairo sites still costs about 3,000 EGP less with single tickets. The pass only pays off if you add many paid extras in the same five days (the tombs at Saqqara, for example: Djoser pyramid 280 EGP, Mereruka 200 EGP, noble and New Kingdom tombs 400 EGP).
The picture changes if you buy the Luxor Pass first: the Cairo Pass then costs $65, about 3,500 EGP, which is less than the 3,940 EGP of the list above.
Is the Luxor Pass worth it? The sums
- Karnak (temple and open-air museum): 600 EGP
- Luxor Temple: 500 EGP
- Valley of the Kings: 750 EGP
- Tomb of Tutankhamun: 700 EGP
- Hatshepsut's temple: 440 EGP
- Medinet Habu: 230 EGP
- Ramesseum: 220 EGP
Total: 3,440 EGP, against about 6,900 EGP for the Standard pass. For a classic two- or three-day visit, single tickets are cheaper. The Luxor Pass makes sense for people who will see many tombs and temples over five days, and the Premium version mainly for those who want both Nefertari and Seti I: compare with the price of those two tombs at the counter before you buy.
Where to buy the Cairo Pass and Luxor Pass
There is no official online shop for the passes. The Ministry lists these ticket counters: the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir, the Giza pyramids, the Saladin Citadel, Qaitbay Citadel in Alexandria, Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings.
- Bring a copy of your passport and a passport-size photo: it is stuck on the permit, which is issued on the spot.
- The permit is valid for five days.
- Students: add a valid student card (under 30).
- For the half price on the second pass: a copy of the first pass.
Who should buy which pass?
- Short trip, main sites only: single tickets.
- Five full days of sites in Luxor: the Luxor Pass can pay off; then the Cairo Pass at half price ($65) is cheaper than single tickets for the main Cairo sites.
- Nefertari and Seti I on your list: look at the Premium Luxor Pass.
- GEM and NMEC: separate tickets in any case.
Stay connected between sites
Opening hours, ride-hailing between sites and maps all need data. With Egypt eSIM plans from eSIM Égypte you get unlimited data on the Vodafone, Orange and e& networks. Check Egypt network coverage and your phone's compatibility before you travel.
Sources, read on 16 October 2026: the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities permit sheet (mota.gov.eg, marked "last update 2023"), the ticket prices on each site's page of egymonuments.gov.eg, and the Central Bank of Egypt rate of 15 October 2026 (1 USD = 53.41 EGP). Prices change without notice: check at the counter.