Edfu Temple at a glance
Edfu Temple, the Temple of Horus, stands on the west bank of the Nile and is dedicated to the falcon god Horus. It is a Ptolemaic temple. Construction began in 237 BC and the building was completed in 57 BC. For travellers, Edfu is one of the main temple stops between Luxor and Aswan, usually combined with Kom Ombo on the same day.
Most visitors arrive from a ship. If you are still choosing a boat, our guide to Luxor to Aswan cruises compares routes, nights and stops, and the day-by-day itinerary shows where Edfu falls in a sample programme.
Edfu opening hours
The temple closes at 5 p.m. every day. Opening time depends on the weekday.
| Day | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday | 6 a.m. | 5 p.m. |
| Monday and Tuesday | 7 a.m. | 5 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 6 a.m. | 5 p.m. |
| Thursday to Saturday | 7 a.m. | 5 p.m. |
Last entry can be 4 p.m. in winter and 3 p.m. in Ramadan. Plan to arrive well before 3 p.m. to be safe. For most cruise guests, the ship sets the time, so the early opening on Sunday and Wednesday matters mainly if you travel on your own.
Our pick: Edfu on the road to Luxor
Our take: both temples on a one-way day from Aswan to Luxor.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Edfu tours and Nile cruises
Nile cruises that stop at Edfu, temple visits and excursions between Luxor and Aswan, with live prices and availability.
What to see at the Temple of Horus
The approach is part of the visit. The tall pylon at the entrance, the gateway in front of the temple, sets the scale before you step inside. A granite falcon figure stands for Horus, the god of the temple.
Inside you walk through a hall of columns and on toward the inner rooms. Take your time in the hall. If you have a guide, ask for the layout of the temple before you walk through.
From the ship to the temple
Some cruise packages include a horse carriage between the ship's landing and the temple. That is a transport option, not a rule. There is no general carriage requirement and no public fare to rely on.
If you travel on your own, agree the price of a carriage or taxi before you board, and confirm the return. If you are on a ship, the crew will tell you where to meet.
Edfu on a Nile cruise
How the stop fits your programme.
On a classic cruise
In a sample four-night programme from Luxor to Aswan, day 3 covers Edfu and Kom Ombo. Programmes differ between ships, and changes are possible, so use the sample as a guide only.
On a dahabiya
A five-night dahabiya programme goes from Esna through El Kab and Edfu, takes a river day, and continues via Gebel Silsileh and Kom Ombo to Aswan. See the dahabiya guide.
Starting from Luxor
Most cruises start in Luxor, where Karnak, the Luxor temples and the west bank take the first days. Edfu comes after the lock at Esna.
Before you go
Practical points for the visit.
Tickets and packages
A cruise package does not always include temple tickets. Some packages with entries exclude extras such as additional tombs or Abu Simbel. Check what your booking covers before you pay at the gate.
Families and students
Student tickets cost EGP 275 and need a valid student card. For child rules and any discounts, ask at the ticket window, because they should not be assumed.
Heat
Average daytime highs reach about 41 °C in Luxor and Aswan in July. Winter days are far milder. See the best time for a Nile cruise before you pick a month.
A simple plan for your Edfu visit
Start with the ticket. Confirm whether your booking covers the entry, or buy the EGP 550 adult ticket at the gate. Then agree how you get from the landing to the temple, whether by the carriage in your package or by one you arrange yourself.
Inside, follow the order of the building: the pylon at the entrance, the figure of Horus, the hall of columns and the inner rooms. A guide helps with the layout, but you can also simply walk through at your own pace and read the signs.
Keep time for the return. On a cruise, the ship's schedule sets the departure, so check the meeting time before you walk off. Visitors travelling on their own have more flexibility, but the 5 p.m. closing time and the earlier last entry in winter and Ramadan still apply.
Plan the rest of your trip
The next stops along the river.
Edfu Temple: frequently asked questions
How much is the Edfu Temple ticket?
In 2026 the adult ticket for non-Egyptians is EGP 550 and the student ticket EGP 275.
What are the Edfu opening hours?
The temple closes at 5 p.m. daily. It opens at 6 a.m. on Sunday and Wednesday and at 7 a.m. on other days. Last entry can be earlier in winter and in Ramadan.
Who built Edfu Temple?
It is a Ptolemaic temple, started in 237 BC and finished in 57 BC. It is dedicated to Horus.
Do I need a carriage to reach Edfu Temple?
No rule requires one. Some cruise packages include a horse carriage from the landing, and independent visitors should agree the price first.
Is this the official Edfu website?
No. This is an independent travel guide, not connected to the ministry, to museums or to cruise lines. Confirm prices and hours before you go.