Hot air balloon in Luxor: is it worth the 3am alarm?

Ready to discover Luxor from a new perspective? This hot air balloon guide will take you through everything you need to know for the perfect trip.

Should you take a hot air balloon in Luxor? Spoiler alert: YES.

Luxor is often called the world’s greatest open-air museum, home to iconic temples, tombs and other world-famous sights. There are many brilliant things to do in Luxor but, if you ask me, there’s nothing better than a hot air balloon ride over this beautiful city.

Sure, you’ll enjoy the magnificent sights from the ground, but it’s something else to see them from the air as the sun comes up.

Of all the incredible sights and activities on my trip to Egypt, the balloon ride was the most magical, and I can’t recommend it enough. It wasn’t only one of the highlights of my time in the city: it was one of the highlights of the whole trip.

Don’t know where to start? Don’t panic: in this guide, I’ll take you through everything you need to know, along with practical tips to make sure your ride is as memorable as mine was.

Choosing an operator

Balloon rides here are pretty affordable compared with most flights around the world, and there are several operators to choose from. All of them fly from the same take-off area on the West Bank, under the supervision of the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority.

That said, it’s super important to choose a reputable company with plenty of recent, positive reviews. Check how many people share a basket (they range from small baskets for a handful of passengers to giant ones for more than 20), whether hotel pick-up is included and what happens if your flight is cancelled.

If you’re planning an independent trip, here are three well-reviewed options. In October 2026, they cost from around $95 to $115 per person, including hotel pick-up:

• Luxor: Deluxe Sunrise Hot Air Balloon
• Luxor: Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Temple of Hatshepsut
• Luxor: Hot Air Balloon Ride over the Valley of the Kings

Otherwise, group tours and Nile cruises often include a sunrise balloon ride in the itinerary. Double-check before you book, though, to avoid leaving disappointed.

What to expect on the flight

A sunrise balloon ride usually lasts between 40 minutes and an hour in the air, although the whole trip, from pick-up to drop-off, takes around three hours. Since the start is super early, most operators offer tea or coffee before take-off.

Most hotels are on the East Bank, so a typical trip starts with a short boat ride across the Nile to the West Bank, followed by a drive to the take-off site, where you’ll watch the crews inflate the balloons with roaring burners.

You’ll lift off as the sky begins to brighten, so that you can enjoy the first rays of light once you’re up in the air.

From there, you’ll take in breathtaking views of temples, farmland, villages and, of course, the Nile. Here are some highlights to look forward to.

Want to take a sneak peek? Check out my TikTok!

@thediscoveriesof Set your alarm! We’re setting off early on a hot air balloon over Egypt’s Valley of the Kings ✨ #egypttravel #cometravelwithme #egypttravelguide #traveltheworld #travelbucketlist #travelinspo ♬ Aesthetic – Tollan Kim

What you’ll see

The Valley of the Kings

The Valley of the Kings is the most famous attraction on the West Bank. It’s a one-of-a-kind sight from the ground, but the hills that hide it are even more dramatic from above.

The valley was the final resting place of Egypt’s New Kingdom pharaohs for about 500 years. More than 60 tombs have been found there, including the tombs of Ramses III and Tutankhamun. The valley itself sits tucked away behind the first ridge of cliffs, so from the balloon you’ll mostly see the great wall of the Theban hills that the pharaohs chose to protect their tombs.

Once you’re up in the air, you can truly appreciate the ambition of the New Kingdom pharaohs, who cut their tombs deep into these mountains.

The Valley of the Queens

At the southern end of the Theban hills, you’ll find the Valley of the Queens, excavated by an Italian mission in the early 20th century.

It has more than 90 tombs, built for the queens, princes and princesses of the New Kingdom. The most beautiful and famous tomb in the valley is that of Queen Nefertari, Ramses II’s first Great Royal Wife, although it’s currently closed.

Like the Valley of the Kings, this spot is fantastic to see either way, but the bird’s-eye view gives you a totally new perspective on the landscape around it.

The Colossi of Memnon

The Colossi of Memnon are among the first monuments you’ll see on the West Bank. These two massive seated statues represent the pharaoh Amenhotep III and once stood at the entrance to his vast mortuary temple, which has almost entirely disappeared.

Later, Greek and Roman travellers linked the statues with Memnon, a hero of the Trojan War, and the name stuck. Each statue stands around 18 metres tall, and they’re quite a sight to behold from the ground.

Once you get up in the air, you can take in their scale and the ingenuity of the builders of the ancient world.

The sunrise

Watching the sunrise over Luxor from the sky is an experience that’s almost impossible to describe.

As the first rays of light appear over one of the world’s most important archaeological sites, it might seem as if you’re dreaming. You’re not.

The scenery is unreal! Looking down, you’ll see the sunlight glitter on the canals and the Nile and watch the villages below start waking up as people prepare for their day. Truly a magical experience.

The Nile

For thousands of years, the Nile has been the lifeline of Egypt.

This massive river is more than 6,600 kilometres long and has supplied people with water, fish and fertile land for their crops for millennia.

As you glide over the West Bank, you’ll see the river and the green strip of farmland it feeds, with cruise ships and feluccas moored along the banks.

As the sun climbs, you’ll witness a fantastic display of colours as its rays dance along the river.

Queen Hatshepsut’s temple

Set against the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari is the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut. She is one of the best-known female pharaohs and ruled Egypt for about 20 years.

Her temple rises in three great terraces at the foot of cliffs that tower around 300 metres above it, so it seems to grow out of the rock. Built by her architect Senenmut, the monument celebrates her life and achievements.

From the air, you’ll see what a massive undertaking it was to build this temple, and you’ll understand why it’s fit for a queen like Hatshepsut. Read my guide to the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut to plan your visit on the ground.

Top tips before you fly

You can bring your phone or camera (but not a drone)

Phones and small cameras are fine on the flights, and you’ll want them. Many operators also sell photos and videos taken by their crew, so you don’t have to buy them if you’d rather take your own.

Keep a strap on your phone or camera, as anything you drop over the side is gone for good. Leave the drone at home: drones aren’t allowed in Egypt without a permit and can be confiscated on arrival.

Make sure you book a sunrise flight

The balloons fly in the early morning, when the air is coolest and calmest, and the classic flight takes off around sunrise. Check the take-off time on your booking to make sure you’re getting a sunrise flight.

Sunrise is the golden hour for seeing landscapes and monuments, thanks to the low angle and warm colour of the light.

The shadows of the temples are much more dramatic, and the fields glow in the early light. Plus, the calmer early morning air means there’s less chance of your flight being cancelled because of wind.

It’s a really early start

To make sure you’re in the air when the sun rises, most operators pick you up between about 3.30am and 4.30am in summer and around 5am in winter.

I had to wake up at 3am, and it felt terrible. Then came a boat across the Nile to the West Bank and a van to the take-off site. Now you know why the tea and coffee on arrival are so welcome.

The ride can be cancelled if it’s too windy

While balloon rides are exciting, the weather can make or break your experience.

Flights only go ahead when the wind and visibility are within safe limits, and the authorities regularly ground all balloons for the day when they’re not. In March 2026, for example, flights were cancelled for several days because of strong morning gusts.

If your flight is cancelled, the operator will usually offer you another date or a refund, so check the terms before you book. If you can, book your balloon ride for the start of your stay, so you have time to rebook.

Flights also stop altogether in very hot weather. In 2026, operators suspended flights from June until the middle of September because of the summer heat, so check before you book a summer trip.

Prepare yourself for landing

Landings are not quite as simple as they seem. Sometimes they go according to plan, and sometimes they simply don’t.

There isn’t a fixed landing spot, so be prepared to land wherever the wind takes you, and be ready for a bumpy landing. As the pilot prepares to descend, you may feel the balloon dropping and then rising again.

The pilot might do this a few times until they find a good spot to land. Sometimes they miss the first landing spot and repeat the process to make sure the landing goes as smoothly as possible.

While all this is happening in the air, you’ll most likely see the ground crew racing along below you to work out where the balloon will come down.

As the balloon approaches the ground, brace yourself in the landing position your pilot shows you in the safety briefing, usually crouching with your back to the direction of travel and holding on to the rope handles until the basket stops completely. Once you land, the ground crew will help you out quickly so that they can pack the balloon away.

Watch my balloon ride video

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Let’s talk about the 2013 crash

You might have read or heard about Luxor’s hot air balloon crash in February 2013. Shortly after 7am on 26 February, a balloon carrying 21 people (20 passengers and the pilot) caught fire as it came in to land.

The crash killed 19 of the 21 people on board. The Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority’s final report blamed a leak in a fuel line connected to the balloon’s burner, which caught fire and spread out of control.

So, is it safe to book a balloon ride today?

After the crash, balloon flights were suspended for several weeks. When they resumed, the authorities tightened checks, with aviation engineers inspecting the balloons before and after take-off and a technical team from the Ministry of Civil Aviation overseeing the operators.

There have been incidents since, including a crash in high winds in January 2018 that killed one tourist and, in June 2019, a balloon that drifted off course and landed safely in the desert. After incidents like these, the authorities have grounded flights while they inspect the operators.

Hundreds of passengers fly safely over the West Bank on most mornings, but it’s still worth choosing an established operator with good recent reviews, listening carefully to the safety briefing and following the crew’s instructions.

So… is a hot air balloon in Luxor worth it?

Absolutely! A balloon ride over the West Bank is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that comes with some pretty cool bragging rights. For me, it was the most magical experience of my whole trip to Egypt.

How many people get to say they’ve flown over some of the most iconic landmarks in Egypt, if not the world? Not many, so if you can book this exciting activity, you definitely should.

Practical tips

Where to stay

Operators pick up from hotels on both the East and West Banks, so you can stay wherever suits the rest of your trip. See my guide to where to stay in Luxor for the best areas and hotels.

Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa (high-end)

For a luxurious and memorable stay, check out the Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa. Set on the East Bank of the Nile, north of Karnak, the Hilton is a modern hotel with world-class facilities, including infinity pools, several restaurants and a spa.

The atmosphere is cool and tranquil. The standard rooms are comfortable, but the suites with views of the Nile are a sure winner.

Check availability and reviews on Booking.com

What to pack

• Bring a small backpack for your phone, wallet, camera and some water. There isn’t much space in the basket, so it’s better to bring a small bag with just the essentials.
• Early mornings here can be chilly, especially in winter, but it gets warm under the burners and as the sun comes up. Pack a light jacket that’s easy to take off once you start getting hot.
• Wear a hat or cap: the burners above your head give off a surprising amount of heat.
• Apart from the pilot, many other people help make sure you have a safe take-off and landing, so bring some small change to tip the crew for their hard work.

Map

Hot air balloon in Luxor: discover more Egypt guides

• The ultimate Egypt travel itinerary
• Unmissable Egypt attractions
• How much does it cost to travel to Egypt?
• Egypt travel tips: what you need to know
• What to pack for your Egypt trip
• The best things to do in Luxor
• Where to stay in Luxor
• Why you need to visit the Valley of the Kings
• Visiting the Valley of the Queens

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