Total Solar Eclipse in Luxor

On Monday 2 August 2027 the Moon passes directly in front of the Sun and its shadow crosses southern Spain, North Africa, Saudi Arabia and Yemen. NASA's path tables put the centre line of that shadow just north of Luxor at around 10:04–10:06 Universal Time, with the Sun about 82° above the horizon, almost overhead. The path of totality there is about 258 km wide, so the whole city, the East Bank and the West Bank sit well inside it.

How long totality lasts

NASA gives the longest totality of this eclipse as 6 minutes 23 seconds, at a point north-west of Luxor, and about 6 minutes 23 seconds on the centre line as it passes the Luxor area. Egypt's State Information Service, quoting the National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics, says totality will be visible in Luxor for up to 6 minutes 23 seconds, the longest total solar eclipse until 2114. Exact local times for each governorate had not been published by Egyptian authorities when this page was checked.

Preparations in Luxor

The National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics began its preparations with an astronomers' conference in Luxor on 10 October 2026. Its organising committee is working with Luxor officials to choose an observation site and plan logistics for visiting scientists and tourists. No official viewing site, programme or ticketing had been announced by 2 November 2026.

Elsewhere on the path

NASA lists southern Spain and North Africa (including Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt), plus Saudi Arabia and Yemen, on the path of totality. The FCDO advises against all travel to Yemen and to most of Libya, so check the FCDO advice for any country before planning. If you would rather watch in Europe, see our Spain guide.

• About six minutes of totality: NASA's path tables give a central duration of about 6 minutes 23 seconds as the shadow passes the Luxor area, and Egypt's State Information Service gives up to 6 minutes 23 seconds in Luxor.
• The Sun almost overhead: NASA gives a solar altitude of about 82° near Luxor at mid-eclipse, around 10:05 Universal Time.
• Temples on both banks: Experience Egypt describes Karnak and Luxor Temples on the East Bank, 2.5 km apart, and the burial grounds of the West Bank across the Nile, all inside the path of totality.
• An astronomy programme in preparation: Egypt's National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics is choosing an observation site with Luxor officials and expects international scientific and tourist delegations.

• East Bank: the city side of the Nile, home to Luxor and Karnak Temples, which Experience Egypt says are 2.5 km apart.
• West Bank: across the Nile by ferry, closer to the burial grounds, including the Valley of the Queens and the Valley of the Kings.
• On a Nile cruise: Experience Egypt says cruises between Luxor and Aswan usually take four to five days, depending on the direction; check that your cruise will be moored at or near Luxor on 2 August 2027.

Flying in: Luxor International Airport (LXR) is one of Egypt's international airports, according to Experience Egypt, the Egyptian Tourism Authority's official site. We could not find an airline-neutral official list of direct flights from the UK to Luxor for summer 2027, so check with airlines. Many visitors fly into Cairo International Airport (CAI) and take a domestic flight: Experience Egypt says a domestic flight takes about 60 minutes to most places in Egypt, with EgyptAir, Nile Air and Air Cairo flying domestic routes.

Visas: the FCDO says British passport holders normally need a visa for Egypt. You can apply for an e-visa at visa2egypt.gov.eg, or buy a visa on arrival at approved airports for US$30 in cash. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after you arrive.

By train from Cairo: Experience Egypt describes air-conditioned trains running south to Luxor and Aswan, including sleeper cars with two-bed cabins, and says seats can be reserved up to seven days in advance. Egyptian National Railways sells tickets through its online booking portal at enr.gov.eg (an account is needed).

Getting around: a ferry crosses the Nile between the East and West Banks, and Experience Egypt calls the horse-drawn caleche (hantour) Luxor's version of a taxi.

On eclipse day: no official viewing site, road closures or transport plan had been published by 2 November 2026. Egypt's astronomy institute and Luxor officials are still choosing an observation site, so check back closer to the date.

We don't have a Luxor guide yet; see our Egypt guide and Cairo guide.

Flight delayed or cancelled on the way? See our Travel Disruption guide for your rights.

The eclipse itself is free to watch from anywhere in the path of totality. Egypt's astronomy institute is choosing an official observation site with Luxor officials, but no site, programme or tickets had been announced by 2 November 2026.

Protect your eyes: NASA says eclipse glasses and handheld solar viewers should comply with the ISO 12312-2 international standard. Take them off only when the Moon completely covers the Sun's bright face, and put them back on as soon as the Sun starts to reappear. Never use eclipse glasses with cameras, binoculars or telescopes: these need their own solar filter fitted to the front. A pinhole projector is a safe alternative; never look at the Sun through the pinhole.

Timing: NASA's path tables put mid-eclipse near Luxor at around 10:05 Universal Time. Check local clock times once Egyptian authorities publish them for each governorate.

Heat: early August is one of the hottest times of year in Luxor. The Egyptian Meteorological Authority's 1981–2010 averages, published by the World Meteorological Organization, give a mean daily maximum of 41.0°C and a mean daily minimum of 24.4°C in August, with no rain days on average. Totality falls near the hottest part of the day, so bring shade, water and sun protection.

Dress: Experience Egypt recommends light, loose cotton clothing, and asks visitors to cover their arms and legs at mosques and churches. The FCDO advises dressing modestly, especially in rural areas, mosques and markets.

Cash and cards: Experience Egypt says Egypt is still a cash-based society, especially for taxis and small shops. Cards are accepted in major cities, and bank ATMs offer 24-hour currency exchange.

Drones and photography: the FCDO says you need Egyptian Ministry of Defence permission to import or use a drone, with penalties of up to 7 years in prison. Professional camera or film equipment needs a permit, and you should get permission before photographing people.

Local food: Experience Egypt suggests foul sodani, roasted peanuts sold in the souq, as the ultimate Upper Egyptian snack.

No accessibility information has been published for the eclipse, and no official viewing site had been chosen by 2 November 2026. The temples, tombs and West Bank sites involve uneven ground, and August heat is extreme. For help before you go, use the Experience Egypt useful information page or ask your hotel or tour operator.

FCDO advice: the FCDO's Egypt travel advice advises against all or all but essential travel to several areas, including North Sinai, the Libyan border area and much of the Western Desert. Luxor, Qina, Aswan, Abu Simbel and the Valley of the Kings are named as exceptions to the Western Desert advice, so the FCDO does not advise against travel to Luxor. Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against FCDO advice.

Terrorism and crowds: the FCDO says terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Egypt, possibly at places visited by foreigners and large gatherings. Stay aware of your surroundings and be vigilant in crowds.

Crime and scams: the FCDO says crime is generally low but scammers and touts sometimes target foreigners at tourist sites. Report crimes to the tourist police on 126.

Hot air balloons and Nile boats: the FCDO says some UK tour operators have stopped selling balloon flights because they could not verify safety standards, and that overcrowding and poor safety standards have caused accidents on Nile cruises. Check with your operator before you book.

Heat: the FCDO does not give specific heat advice for Egypt; see the climate figures under Practical tips and check TravelHealthPro before you travel.

• Before you go, read the UK government's FCDO travel advice for Egypt (entry requirements, safety and local laws).
• Flight delayed or cancelled on the way? See our Travel Disruption guide for your rights and live alerts.