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Destinations / Egypt

Luxor

Al-Uqsur (الأقصر)

Pharaohs' temples and tombs on the Nile

historyarchitecturefirst-timersadventure
Plan your trip to LuxorSee the top 10
506,000Population
ArabicLanguage
EGPCurrency
4 daysIdeal stay
$80-150Typical day

Luxor stands on the site of ancient Thebes, often called the world's greatest open-air museum. The east bank has Karnak and Luxor temples; the west bank holds the Valley of the Kings. Sunrise balloon flights and Nile cruises add to the magic.

Where to start

Top 10 things to do

Tap a card to open it. Day trips are marked.

  1. A vast temple complex built over two millennia. The Hypostyle Hall has 134 giant columns.

    3 hoursTime needed
    about $6-12Cost
    noBook ahead

    Foreign adult prices cited between EGP 300 and 600 in 2026 sources; check the official ticket office.

    Tip. Go early or late for light and fewer crowds.
    See on the map

  2. Royal tombs cut into the desert hills with painted corridors. Standard tickets include a set number of tombs.

    3 hoursTime needed
    about $9-15Cost
    noBook ahead

    Standard foreign adult ticket quoted at EGP 450 to 750 in 2026 sources; Tutankhamun and Seti I tombs cost extra.

    Tip. Arrive at opening.
    Official siteSee on the map

  3. Temple in the town center lit beautifully at night. It connects to the Avenue of Sphinxes.

    1.5 hoursTime needed
    about $5-10Cost
    noBook ahead

    Quoted at EGP 250 to 500 in 2026 sources.

    Tip. Visit after dark.
    See on the map

  4. Terraced mortuary temple of a female pharaoh against cliffs. It is striking.

    1 hourTime needed
    about $4-9Cost
    noBook ahead

    Quoted at EGP 200 to 440 in 2026 sources.

    Tip. Morning shade is limited.
    See on the map

  5. Sunrise balloon rides over the west bank temples and fields. It is a memorable start.

    3 hoursTime needed
    yesBook ahead

    Prices vary by operator.

    Tip. Choose licensed operators with safety records.
    See on the map

  6. Two giant seated statues of Amenhotep III. They stand alone in fields.

    20 minutesTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free.

    Tip. Stop en route to tombs.
    See on the map

  7. Well-preserved temple of Ramesses III with vivid reliefs. It is quieter.

    1.5 hoursTime needed
    noBook ahead

    Paid entry.

    Tip. Colours are best preserved here.
    See on the map

  8. A compact museum with superb statues. It is well displayed.

    1.5 hoursTime needed
    noBook ahead

    Paid entry.

    Tip. Open evenings.
    See on the map

  9. Tombs of royal wives and children. Nefertari's tomb is famed, at extra cost.

    1.5 hoursTime needed
    noBook ahead

    Paid entry.

    Tip. Nefertari's tomb is expensive.
    See on the map

  10. Late temple of Hathor with a famous zodiac ceiling. Colours are bright.

    Full dayTime needed
    noBook ahead

    Paid entry.

    Tip. About 1.5 hours by car north.
    See on the map
Map: OpenStreetMap contributors.
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Ready-made itineraries

Choose how many days you have.

Luxor in three days

Balloon and west bank, then Karnak, museum and Luxor Temple, then Dendera and Abydos.

  1. Hot air balloon flight3 hours
  2. Valley of the Kings3 hours · about $9-15
  3. Temple of Hatshepsut1 hour · about $4-9
  4. Colossi of Memnon20 minutes · Free
  5. Medinet Habu1.5 hours
  6. Karnak Temple3 hours · about $6-12
  7. Luxor Temple1.5 hours · about $5-10
  8. Luxor Museum1.5 hours
  9. Valley of the Queens1.5 hours
  10. Dendera TempleFull day
Beyond the city

Day trips

Edfu and Kom Ombo

Ptolemaic temples.

68 mi · Car or cruise, about 2 hours to Edfu

Aswan

Philae Temple and Nubian villages.

143 mi · Train or car, about 3.5 hours

Abydos

Temple of Seti I with fine carved reliefs.

99 mi · Hired car, about 2.5 to 3 hours each way

Plan your dates

Weather and seasons

Best: October to April. Warm days and cool nights.

Busy and priceyShoulderQuiet and cheaper

Temperature

Daily high and average, by month

32°50°68°86°104°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecDaily highAverage

Rain

Typical inches per month

0.00.8JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

January

70°F
Typical daily high
Average56°F
Rain0.0 in
About1 rainy days
Sun strength4.6 kWh/m²

Busy season. Higher prices, bigger crowds.

Climate normals: NASA POWER (public domain). For your own dates, a trip's Plan tab shows the forecast and the usual weather.

Main events

Year

Abu al-Haggag Moulid

Mid Shaaban, shifting yearly

Local festival around Luxor Temple.

Feb

Sun festival at Abu Simbel

February 22 and October 22

Sunlight reaches inner statues, far south.

Mar

Luxor African Film Festival

Usually March

Annual film festival; dates vary, so check.

Year

Moulid of Abu al-Haggag

Islamic month of Shaban (moves yearly)

A procession honouring the local saint, held at Luxor Temple.

Feb

Ramadan

Around February to March 2027

Hours and meal times change, but cultural life is vivid.

Going on specific dates? A Hodolog trip shows the forecast and the usual weather for your exact days. Request access
Know before you go

At a glance

4/5
Safety

Egypt is at US State Department Level 2 (increased caution); Luxor itself is a tourist hub with police presence, main issues are touts and heat.

3/5
Walkability

East bank corniche is walkable; sites are spread out.

2/5
Public transport

Local ferries and microbuses exist; most visitors use taxis or hired drivers.

Pick your base

Where to stay

The neighborhoods that suit most first visits.

Map: OpenStreetMap contributors. Shapes where OpenStreetMap has a boundary; dashed circles mark areas it only has a point for.
12345

1. East Bank corniche

$$

Best for: first-timers

Near temples and restaurants.

2. West Bank

$$

Best for: couples

Quieter, close to tombs.

3. Nile cruise boats

$$$

Best for: luxury

Many visitors sleep aboard.

4. East bank near Luxor Temple

$$

Best for: first-timers, budget

Walk to temples, markets and restaurants.

5. Corniche hotels

$$$

Best for: comfort, luxury

River view hotels and pools.

Getting there and around

Main airportLuxor International (LXR), 4 mi from the center
To the centerTaxi takes about 15 to 20 minutes; agree on the fare first.
Around townHire a driver for the west bank and use the public ferry across the Nile.
Ride appsUber, Careem
Taste it

What to eat

Koshari

Lentils, rice and pasta with tomato sauce.

Ful medames

Stewed fava beans.

Ta'meya

Egyptian falafel.

Hamam mahshi

Stuffed pigeon, a Upper Egypt specialty.

Fresh sugarcane juice

A popular street drink.

Good to know

PlugsType C and F, 220 V
Tap waterUse bottled water
TippingTips (baksheesh) are expected for many services; carry small notes.
PaymentsCash in Egyptian pounds is essential; cards in hotels.
EtiquetteDress modestly, covering shoulders and knees. Agree prices in advance.
  • Ticket prices for sites change often; check the official ticketing site.
  • Start at dawn to beat heat.
  • Photography inside some tombs needs a separate permit.
  • Firmly refuse unwanted guides.
  • Foreign ticket prices are much higher than local ones and change often; check official sources.
  • Photography rules in tombs differ; ask before taking pictures.
  • Agree on prices for carriages, taxis and boats before you go.
  • Start early because midday heat is heavy.

A short history

Thebes was the capital of Egypt during much of the Middle and New Kingdoms. Pharaohs built Karnak over some 2,000 years and were buried in the Valley of the Kings. Howard Carter found Tutankhamun's tomb here in 1922. The Avenue of Sphinxes linking Karnak and Luxor temples reopened in 2021.

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Researched 2026-10-12. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.

Plan Luxor