EGYPT: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT
THE LUXOR PASS AND CAIRO PASS
The Luxor Pass & Cairo Pass are combination entry tickets to historic sites in and around both cities. They were introduced in November 2016 by the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities, but Egypt being Egypt, clear official documentation on the process of buying the passes is still hard to come by.
This buying guide, compiled and updated with the help of our local service providers and feedback from actual users, addresses all concerns regarding how and where to buy the Luxor and Cairo Passes and how to determine if either pass is worth buying.
Last updated 30 Dec 2025
WHAT IS CAIRO PASS AND LUXOR PASS AND WHAT IS INCLUDED?
There are currently three passes on offer for visitors to monuments and museums in and around Cairo and Luxor.
The CAIRO PASS is valid for five consecutive days and allows visitors multiple entry to a comprehensive list of attractions (refer Oct ’23 update below for current exclusions) in Cairo, Giza and Saqqara through the period of its validity.
The LUXOR PASS is also valid for five consecutive days and allows multiple entry to the temples, tombs and attractions in and around Luxor for the duration of its validity, but with two major exclusions: the big ticket tombs of Seti I in the Valley of the Kings and Queen Neferteri in the Valley of the Queens. These are two of the best decorated tombs in the entire necropolis.
The PREMIUM LUXOR PASS is all inclusive and allows multiple entry into all Luxor temples, tombs and attractions over five consecutive days. Visits to the Seti I and Neferteri tombs are, however, restricted to one visit per day (x 5 days). This seems like a way to limit visitor numbers. Both tombs were closed to the public for a long time and the preservation of the vivid art they contain remains a concern.
If you buy the Cairo Pass and either one of the Luxor Passes, you can avail a 50% discount on the second pass. The discount will apply regardless of whether you buy the Cairo Pass or the Luxor Pass first.
Let us first consider value addition before we get to information on the costs of the Cairo and Luxor passes and where to buy them.
ALSO READ: EGYPT TRAVEL GUIDE – ALL YOU NEED TO PLAN YOUR EGYPT TRIP
IS THE LUXOR PASS OR CAIRO PASS WORTH BUYING?
That depends on two things:
- The duration of your trip: How much you plan to do in either city and how many premium sites you choos to visit.
- Current exchange rate: The price of both passes are quoted and paid for in US Dollars or Euro and remain constant while entry fees are charged in local currency. If the Egyptian Pound slips against the US Dollar at the time of your visit, the entry fees for even premier tombs might be low enough to not warrant buying the passes, especially at current (pass) prices and if you do not intend visiting too many other sites. I’d buy the passes, even with a minimal difference, for multiple access to sites and for their skip-the-line benefit.
If your plan is to do some cursory sightseeing in Cairo and then join a Nile Cruise whose itinerary includes most of the major sites in Aswan and Luxor, neither of the passes will be worth it for you. (Might be worth checking if cruise companies will consider discounts for pass holders.)
It is also unlikely you will hit enough sites on a short visit to make either of the passes worthwhile when bought individually. Although the Luxor Pass might still be better value than the Cairo Pass.
Choosing to buy both the Cairo Pass AND the Luxor Pass lets you avail a 50% discount on the second pass amounting to a total of US$150 US$195. Discount is applicable on student passes as well (cut off age of 30).
It will still not be worthwhile if you land in Luxor first and buy and utilise the Premium Luxor Pass before the Cairo Pass. Then the discount amounts to only US$50 US$65 on the Cairo Pass equaling a total price of US$250 US$290. Unless you visit every single landmark, the Cairo pass might not be worth your while in this instance.
The discounted price of US$200 US$255 for the Cairo Pass + the Premium Luxor Pass (bought in that order – more details below) is certainly greater value since it would more than cover entrance ticket costs on this ten day itinerary.
Caveat: The closure of either of the two premium tombs (see March ’24 update below) will significantly erode the value of the passes, especially that of the Premium Luxor Pass at current prices. Unless you plan on visiting the tomb of Seti I multiple times, buying the standard Luxor Pass (at half price only) along with an individual ticket for the premium tomb might make more sense, mainly for the flexibility of access. Here’s a link to the ticket prices for all archaeological sites and museums in Egypt…remember to click on the ‘other nationality’ tab. Add up cost of entry to those you intend visiting in both cities and do the math yourself. Don’t forget to include even minor attractions on your list.
❗️UPDATE OCT 2023:
- Prices for both passes have reportedly been hiked (find updated prices below). Many thanks to Emily for taking the time to respond with current prices – see comment section to read her full feedback.
- There’s been a move toward cashless entry for individual tickets. All entrance fees to Cairo & Luxor monuments (other than the passes) can now only be purchased with a credit or debit card. Cards will be charged in LE. Find prices and opening hours here…remember to click on the ‘other nationality’ tab. Note: I have not tried booking online. Please do revert with your experience if you have.
- Discounted Luxor Premium Passes have been issued in the office in Karnak Temple on presentation of the (used) Cairo Pass several days after its expiration date as confirmed by readers below.
- Exclusions: The Workers Tombs in Giza and the new NMEC (National Museum of Civilization) are not included in the Cairo Pass. The Khufu Boat Museum & the Egyptian Textile Museum are permanently closed. The boat has been moved to the GEM which is also not included. Khufu’s Great Pyramid is currently closed to the public.
- Inclusions: Reports suggest Menkaure’s Pyramid is now open to the public (in lieu of the Great Pyramid).
❗️UPDATE MARCH 2024:
The Tomb of Nefertari in the Valley of the Queens has just been closed for restoration. There is no clarity on when/whether it will reopen. This might be a significant factor in determining the value of the Luxor Pass.
CAIRO PASS PRICE
Adult: US$130/€120; Student: US$70/€60
With discount on possession of a (full price) Luxor Pass: Adult: US$70/€60; Student: US$35/€30.
Payment possible in US Dollar & Euro (cash) only. Make sure you have the exact amount in NEW & UNCREASED bills.
You will not need tickets for the site you are buying the pass from. Just state your intention to buy it and you will be allowed in. There are posters stuck at ticket offices in all locations that you can point to in case something gets lost in translation.
DOCUMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED
- A copy of the main page of your passport. Original passports are no longer mandatory as per this notification.
- One passport sized photo (carry a couple more copies of both, just in case).
- Student ID: Discounts – now only applicable to students below 30 and require the presentation of valid IDs. Preferably an International Student Identity Card. Children between 6-12 years are, apparently, not required to present proof but it might be a good idea to have their school IDs handy.
WHERE TO BUY CAIRO PASS
- The Main Ticket Office at Giza (Mena House Gate and not the Sphinx Entrance – on all days). By all accounts, this is the easiest place to buy the pass.
- The Egyptian Museum (not sold on Fridays).
- Sales at the Zamalek office have been discontinued.
- Please Note: Cairo Pass is NOT sold anywhere in Luxor.
ALSO READ: TEN DAY EGYPT ITNERARY FOR THE FIRST TIME TRAVELLER
LUXOR PASS PRICE
Standard Luxor Pass: Adult: US$130/€120; Student: US$70/€60.
With discount on possession of a (full price) Cairo Pass: Adult: US$65/€60; Student: US$35/€30.
Payment possible in US$ & Euro (cash) only. Make sure you have the exact amount in cash NEW & UNCREASED bills.
As for the Cairo Pass, you do not need tickets for the site you are buying the pass from. Just state your intention to buy it and you will be allowed in. There are posters stuck at ticket offices in all locations that you can point to in case something gets lost in translation.
PREMIUM LUXOR PASS PRICE
Premium Luxor Pass: Adult: US$250/€220 Student: US$130/€120.
With discount on possession of a Cairo Pass: Adult: US$125/€110; Student: US$65/€60.
Payment possible in US Dollar & Euro (cash) only. Make sure you have the exact amount in cash in NEW & UNCREASED bills.
DOCUMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED
Same as for the standard Cairo & Luxor Passes. You might or might not need to supply a second set of documents when you buy the second (discounted) pass, but they’ll insist on seeing the original Cairo pass. A photocopy or receipt will not suffice.
WHERE TO BUY LUXOR PASS
- Sales office to the left of the ticket office at Karnak Temple (ask at the ticket counter and they will direct you).
- Sales office at the Kings’ Valley Visitor Centre (on the right, immediately after passing through the metal detector).
- Please note: Luxor Pass is NOT sold anywhere outside of Luxor.
- Discounted Luxor Premium Passes have been issued in the office in Karnak Temple on presentation of the (used) Cairo Pass several days after its expiration date as confirmed by readers below.
GENERAL TIPS
- Remember to hold on to your paper pass and ensure the guards hand it back to you intact. They might be used to discarding single-use tickets. It will help to have a small plastic sleeve to carry it in.
- While entry to all sites mentioned in the price list linked to above is guaranteed – see exclusions listed above – restricted sections of a few active archeological sites on the list, like the burial chambers at the Step Pyramid in Saqqara, might still require purchase of special permits.
- The 50% discount can be availed regardless of whether you buy the Cairo Pass or the Luxor Pass first.
If you need more clarification try emailing: call_centre@tourism.gov.eg.
The Urge To Wander 
Hello, do the Luxor archaeological sites provide audio guides in Italian for tourists?
Do you already know if the new Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) is included in the Cairo Pass? If so can I even visit the museum if tickets are sold out for a specific day?
Thanks in advance, Alex
The GEM does not seem to be included in the Cairo Pass, Alex. Tickets are sold exclusively at this site. I’m afraid there seems to be no option other than to book a timed slot online. On-site ticket sales seem to have been suspended since 1 Dec according to this notification.
9-2025 The Mena gate is now closed. You can get the Cairo Pass at the “Great Gate” shown on Google as “Pyramids Visitor Center”. You need US$130 cash or €120 a passport photo and either your passport or a copy of it. Mr. Fathy Hassan gives you the pass. Do not wait in the ticket line – tell someone in the ticket office you want the cairo pass and they will find the person to take care of you.
Many thanks for the detailed update, Paul.
No problem to buy the Cairo Pass at Pyramids Visitor Center following instruction: a copy of your passport, dollars/euros in cash (in perfect condition; no change) and a passport photo. I did it on the last days (23rd-24th) of November 2025.
They told me they wanted different banknote denominations in order to accept them and asked for a tip obviously. I said “no”. They accept my conditions after some minutes. They didn’t put the stamp over it: no problem in Cairo, a problem in Luxor to do the Luxor pass a week later.
In Luxor I did the Luxor Pass in Karnak Temple (tell you have to do it and they bring you to the office, I’ve seen another Luxor Pass office in the Valley of the Kings ticket office -> nobody inside, but probably you can do it overthere).
He told me I must have the stamp on the Cairo Pass, I needed to bring him 2 passport copies (not one) and he wanted a tip to do the Luxor Pass (with the 50% discount). I asked him to complain for the missed stamp with the Cairo Pass office and I gave him a copy of the governor site (in english for me and in arabic for him) about Luxor and Cairo Pass in order to let him see that you need only one copy of the passport and that the stamp is not mentioned.
He did the Luxor Pass for me and my wife. I gave him our original Cairo Pass. He put the stamp on our Luxor Pass. I did all this 3 days ago (6th of December 2025).
Wish they implement their governor website with the online purchasing system (now the button isn’t working). I’ve tried to write 3 months ago to the help mail they give you: one doesn’t exist, never received a reply from the other.
Wish a lot of deal patience to you all, if you’ll try.
Appreciate the detailed response Luca. Many thanks for adding to this discussion.
hii what all is included in cairo pass?
Cairo, Giza and Alexandria Governatorate attractions are all included; only Cairo tower, GEM, NMEC, car parking tickets and audioguides are not included.
See the official government price list in order to know how many site you could visit with Cairo Pass: https://mota.gov.eg/media/nwno2exf/english-ticket-last-update-11-1-2024.pdf
According to this official document, one can get the 50 % discount on second pass, just if the two are brought in the same calender year:
Click to access luxorcairo-pass-6-1-2024.pdf
kind regards
Kim
Hello Kim, that’s a January notification. But I see no reason why the 50% discount will not apply over a 12 month period if it does after a few days (as reported by readers below). I’d still confirm while buying to be sure. Maybe ask in Egyptian (with Google Translate on your phone).
hi,
i’m in cairo from november 15th to 19th i can buy in the morning cairo pass to beused directly after for the 5 days?
and at same place may i buy luxor pass but to be used from november 21st?
thank you for you answer
Yes, you can buy the Cairo pass in the morning and use it directly after. Luxor pass cannot be bought in Cairo.
Enjoy your trip. Please do let us know here in the comments if there’s been any changes.
Hello Thanks for the update about the passes Is it correct you need to present your ORIGINAL Passport as well as a copy ? Thanks & regards Clive Sent from my iPhone
Clive, original passport was required earlier but recent feedback suggests a copy will do. And looks like USD is freely accepted as long as bills are crisp and new.
are the Tombs of Rekhimre and sennefer, Nakht and menna, Khonsu, Gurnet murai, Ramose, El-Khokha, Abo naga arm north, Abo naga arm south included in Luxor Pass
Thank you very much for all the information. Just one question: I have heard that nowadays they require to pay for most of the historic sites with credit card, but can you also pay the Cairo and Luxor pass with credit card or do you have to pay them in dollars or euros?
Thanks in advance.
Regards, Bárbara
Credits cards were still not accepted as per a March ’24 update. I would take crisp new USD or Euro bills. Also, I understand it is important to get the passes stamped at the point of purchase.
Please note that Nefertari’s tomb is closed, so you might want to re-evaluate the value of the passes.
Have a great trip Barbara.
Hi all! I wanted to share my recent experience with the Cairo/Luxor Pass. This page helped me so much to prepare for my un-guided Egypt trip and getting the passes so I wanted to pass on any new information!
My dad and I got the Cairo Pass from the Mena House Gate at the Giza Pyramids on February 23rd, the day after we landed. And I have to say it wasn’t a smooth process. There were no signs as to what line to stand in or who to talk to, let alone signs about the Cairo Pass in general. We stood in one line to then get sent to another line for then someone to point us in another direction. After going back and asking him one more time, he shouted “Manager, Cairo Pass,” out into the crowd. Finally someone came up to talk to us and took everything we had. He originally said the passes were $140 per person, which I didn’t correct him on, because I wasn’t sure if it had changed or if there was some tax. He took our money and our passport copies and then went into a back room. We were left sorta standing to the side, hoping that this guy actually worked for them. When he came back out he gave us back a $20 because it was $130 each. Then it went relatively smooth.
It was so easy to use most of the time. I also found that people were relatively gentle with it when I handed it to them, but I kept ours in a passport cover for safe keeping. We were there for 5 days so we were able to go into the Pyramid Complex 3 times (as we stayed immediately next to the Sphinx entrance), Saqqara, Dashur, Memphis open Air Museum, the Cairo Citadel, Ibn Tulun Mosque, Gayer Anderson Museum, and the Cairo Museum. NOTE: the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization did not accept our Cairo Pass. We asked two different people just to check. It wasn’t a big deal but I found it interesting. We found the pass in general worth it because of the multiple entry into the Pyramids and that it made going into these places quicker. Though sometimes it was hard to find the guy who could scan us in because they don’t have barcodes on them like the normal tickets.
When we got to Luxor it also got a bit complicated. Unfortunately, we had planned to buy the Premium Luxor Pass at half off, so that we could go into the two tombs, Nefertari and Seti I. But, my dad had spent some of his US cash when we were Cairo (on things we couldn’t really help) and we couldn’t find a place to get more US cash in between Cairo and Luxor. We luckily had enough between us to buy two Standard passes at the discounted rate. So we decided to do that, and maybe buy tickets to the two other tombs. But I think this was a blessing in disguise, cause the day we landed in Luxor (March 2nd), they announced that the tomb of Nefertari was closed until further notice.
When we went to Luxor Temple it was a little chaotic to find the office for the Luxor pass, but it was way more professional than getting the Cairo Pass. After getting into the room we handed over our Cairo Passes to be able to get the discount. The man was concerned that we didn’t have stamps on our Cairo Pass. He even showed us pictures of other people’s Cairo passes with the stamp. We obviously told him that no one stamped ours when were in Cairo and he was fine with it. We also did need to give him two copies of our passport, which I had only brought one for this, but luckily had a spare copy in my bag. He took it all and stapled our passports onto the back of the ticket (which they didn’t do in Cairo). He also wrote the dates in English and Arabic. Then he took pictures of both passes and the passports and took the Cairo Passes and the safe. I was upset that I wasn’t able to keep the card.
The card worked well and it was so easy to get everywhere. The only place I saw a Luxor Pass sign was at the Luxor Museum. I was still trying to figure out how many tombs in the Valley of the Kings you can go inside because the normal ticket only allows 3. I can confirm that you can go into all of them, because they will not punch your Luxor Pass like they do the normal tickets.
So within the 5 days with the Luxor Pass we were able to do Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Mummification Museum, Luxor Museum, Hatshepsut’s temple (two times actually), Valley of the Queens (only 3 tombs open at this time), Valley of the Kings (11 out of 13 open tombs, no Seti I or Ay in the Western Valley), Valley of the Nobles (5 tombs), Al-Khokha (3 tombs), Deir el Medina (town, temple, and 4 tombs), and the Carter House.
It was a great trip and I am going to make a TikTok about how to get the Cairo/Luxor Pass for my Egypt Travel Series. Thanks so much for all the information!
Melissa, melissaindenile.com
Many thanks Melissa, so very thoughtful of you to revert with this detailed response. I’m glad you had a great trip. Disappointed to read about Nefertari’s tomb, hope I can return before the Seti I tomb gets closed as well.
Hi, thank u for your information. How can u get discount ?
Hi!
Do the 5 days for the pass count from the day of purchase? Or the start counting after your first visit to one of the sights?
I’m flying into Cairo and spending a day there before going to Luxor for 5 days. I’ll visit Cairo for 5 days after Luxor.
I obviously want to purchase the Cairo pass first and get the discount on the Luxor premium pass and not the other way around.
Thanks!
Hi, can you share your experience? I’ll travel to Egypt next month. Thanks
Apologies for the belated response Jorge.
I am afraid I cannot confirm this. It was initially possible to post date the pass…you needed to specify the date before purchase. But I have since read reports that validity is counted not later than the day after purchase. I would very much appreciate your reverting with your experience if you manage to get a post-dated pass so I can add the information here for future travellers.
Have a fabulous trip!
hi madhu，I would like to confirm again. Are you sure you can’t buy the Cairo Pass at the Egyptian Museum on Friday? thanks for your reply！
That’s what I understand Flora. Perhaps because Friday is a holiday and staff numbers are limited.
Hello
Is it correct you can buy both the Cairo & Luxor Passes ( The one that allows entry to the SETI 1 tomb and Nefertari tomb ) from the Mena House Gate
How long does the process take ?
( Excluding cueing )
Is there likely to be hassle ?
Hello Clive,
I’ve just updated the post with current information. No, the Luxor pass cannot be bought anywhere in Cairo. Hard to predict how long the process will take on any given day, depends a lot on the mood of the attending staff. It should take less than 30 min. You could request to collect it at the end of your visit (of the museum or pyramids) if processing appears to take long. I’m reading that they do allow it. Be sure not to leave without your original passport.
Much apologies for the belated response. Enjoy your trip.
I just returned from Egypt yesterday. As at 1 July prices for the passes have gone up:
– Cairo: $130 for adult pass
– Luxor: $130 USD/120 euro adult, $70 USD/60 euro student
– Luxor premium pass: $250 USD/220 euro adult, $130 USD/130 euro student
Also you have to be under 30 for the student rates. I am 30, places in cairo accepted my student card but places in luxor did not
Emily, apologies for the belated response. I just retrieved your comment from my spam folder.
Many thanks for taking the trouble to let me know about the changes. Shall update the post accordingly. Hope you had a fabulous trip? I’m awaiting the completion of the Grand Egyptian Museum to plan a return.
Good Day
Thanks that’s very helpful
Are you able to tell the Size of the Cairo & Luxor Premium Passes
Is it possible to buy 1-2 days in advance and have them date stamped for the commencement date
Thanks
Clive >
Hello Clive,
Dimensions of all passes are 72mm (height) by 112mm (width) exactly (if you use inches, please use online calculator to convert). All passes look like entrance tickets, actually a peace of higher quality paper, with empty fields to be fulfilled by buyer – full name, nationality, passport number and signature. Officer writes in on spot validation dates – valid from – to, put his signature and stamp that covers half your picture half pass area. And that’s it.
When it comes to possibility to order, buy in advance for specific dates, answer is no… Unfortunately. It’s issued on the spot, in person, payment in cash only, exact amount, new bills.
What happened to us in Luxor when getting this premium pass was this – because we arrived from Aswan and in hurry to get passes asap, we arrived at 4.35pm at Karnak office (closing at 5pm), and only because it was late for seing attractions for the day, he asked us politely do we want him to put tomorrow date as the staring day for using passes.
Thanks a lot that most useful
Check
Clive
Sent from my iPhone
>
on google maps review section for location word “Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities” shows a reviewer commenting 2months ago that Luxor pass is not purchasable at that location in Cairo anymore (with a picture). Since your site shows update as of March 2023, are you able to comment if this is true or not? Do you a have any resources to further check where else in Cairo to get luxor pass? thanks!! great write-up btw.
George, apologies for the belated response. There does appear to be some issue with buying both passes at the Zamalek office as well as at the Citadel. You might be better off buying the Cairo pass in Giza (Mena House Gate – on all days) or at the museum (not sold on Friday) and the Luxor pass in Karnak temple in Luxor.
Very informative, thanks for sharing. If I buy Cairo Pass first in Cairo and then buy Luxor Pass in Luxor, does the Cairo Pass have to be still valid to get the discount on Luxor Pass? I plan to be at Luxor eight days after buying Cairo Pass. I saw a comment elsewhere that discount was denied in Luxor because Cairo Pass expired.
Thank you Sobhan. And good question. I cannot imagine how the Cairo card can remain valid once it’s used! But logic isn’t the strongpoint of bureaucracies that work these systems. Am guessing the time between the two is the issue. Can you use/activate the Cairo Pass just before your arrival in Luxor? If not, you’ll have to buy the Luxor Pass along with the Cairo Pass at the Zamalek office. You could also try emailing the tourism office (id included above) or comment on their IG/FB posts for more clarity…I’ve read responses:) Shall try and check myself but do let me know how it goes so I can update this page.
Thanks Madhu, I appreciate taking time to respond. I will visit Aswan after Cairo & finally stop at Luxor, so the Cairo pass can’t be activated/used just before arriving at Luxor, and even if I did visit Luxor right after Cairo, I would have used/exhausted it anyways. As you rightly said, logic doesn’t make sense in Egypt and apparently tipping aka bribing is the way out in most situations. I will try Twitter/FB as suggested and will update the forum if I get any response. Spending $100 more is not a deal breaker in the grand scheme of it but I am trying to weed out unknowns, unpleasant surprises and anxieties as much as possible. Thanks again.
Cheers!
Sobhan
Sobhan, not sure if this is too late for you, I can now confirm that it is not possible to post-date a pass. But the discount on the Luxor pass will apply on presentation of proof of purchase of the Cairo Pass used up to a week before arrival in Luxor.
Hi Madhu,
I am replying to your message dated 13/10/2023 here, since the Reply button under that message is somehow missing. I am visiting next month, so it’s not late, thanks a lot for getting back with the update. Does the 7 day rule count from the day of purchase or last day of validity? I will buy Cairo Pass on 22/11/2023 and last day of use will be 25/11/2023. I will arrive Luxor on 29/11/2023. Can I get discount on Luxor Pass?
Thanks.
Ha it isn’t a 7 day rule as much as confirmation from three visitors having bought the Luxor Pass seven days after the day of purchase of the Cairo Pass. You’ll have a few extra days. Don’t see why it shouldn’t work. I am reading reports of some staff allowing use of the pass from the day after purchase but nothing seems guaranteed. Might be the luck of the draw. If the Egyptian Pound drops further against the dollar the value of the pass might be limited to its multi visit benefit. (Still worth it for me if/when I return). Anyway, hope it works out for you.
“discount on the Luxor Pass will apply on presentation of proof of purchase of the Cairo Pass used upto a week before arrival in Luxor” – is this really true?? so if I buy Cairo pass in late November, then go around Egypt to Sharm, Dahab and Aswan for a week, and end up in Luxor in early December, it means I will still have to pay 250$ for premium pass?? it’s insane and shocking news for me as I’ve already planned my trip to the details. Is that info can be read somewhere, on some site….?
Thanks.
Sandra, I’m afraid there is no clear information to be found anywhere. As explained to Sobhan above, you SHOULD still be able to avail the discount on the Luxor pass if you can show proof of purchase and reason for buying later. I know from three other travellers that they were able to get the discounts a week later ie two days after the expiry of the Cairo Pass. I don’t see why a few more days should matter. But this is Egypt and I do not want to tell you it is definitely possible without knowing for certain.
Hello, fresh information from Egypt for Cairo and Luxor passes. Returned from 16 days trip and situation for us was this: we (group of 3) encountered problem on Saturday, 25th of November when asked to buy Cairo pass in front of Cairo museum, guy just said ‘come at noon’, with no further explanation. We quickly took 30min uber ride to Giza plateau and 10 min after arrival we all had passes in hands, just like that, so easy (one photo 34cm, one copy of main passport page for each, and new bills, exact sum…. here I payed in us$, 3130=390$). This means Cairo pass expired on Wednesday 29th November.
5 days after its expiration date, on Monday 4th of December we reached Karnak temple Luxor pass office, asked for premium one, showed Cairo passes (all were in plastic protective transparent sleeves we brought from home, which proved as very convenient and very important, for protection), and after paying 330eur (they accept both euros and dollars, no problem with that), we got premium passes for just 110 euro each, which was super cheap when we found out that tickets prices went up 50% from 1st of December.
We stayed 5 full days in Luxor and used our passes to the fullest.
On both sites, Giza plateau and Karnak temple, to get passes we were asked for each: 1 photo (we had 4 just in case they ask for 2), 1 copy of passport main page, and exact amount, euros or us$, does not matter, they accept both (as I already said). I had special handmade strong cardboard case where I took all bills I got previously from my bank for passes, so both officers were very satisfied with that aspect 🙂
Sandra, very thoughtful of you to revert with your experience to help future travellers. Much appreciated.