Luxor travel guide
Egypt
Ancient Thebes, split by the Nile into a city of temples on the east bank and a city of tombs on the west. Luxor holds a remarkable share of Egypt's monuments within a few kilometres.
Essentials
- Language
- Arabic; English is widely spoken in tourism
- Currency
- Egyptian pound (EGP)
- Plugs
- Type C and F, 220 V
- Emergency number
- 122 (police), 123 (ambulance), 126 (tourist police)
- Tipping
- Tipping (baksheesh) is part of daily life: around 10% in restaurants and small notes for guides, drivers and guards.
Rough daily budget
Approximate spend per person per day, in US dollars:
- Backpacker: $25-40, with a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport.
- Mid-range: $70-120, with a private room and restaurant meals.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Where to stay in Luxor
- East Bank centre: Luxor Temple, the corniche, hotels and the souk, all walkable.
- West Bank: quiet farming villages and guesthouses close to the royal tombs.
- Karnak: the area north of the centre around the vast temple complex.
Getting around Luxor
A cheap public ferry crosses the Nile, and taxis, bicycles or a hired driver cover the spread-out West Bank sites. Agree prices with taxis, calèches (horse carriages) and felucca captains before you set off.
Best time to visit Luxor
October to April, when days are warm and dry; summer regularly passes 40°C.
Top things to do in Luxor
- Walk among the giant columns of the Hypostyle Hall at Karnak Temple
- See the painted tombs in the Valley of the Kings
- Visit the terraced Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari
- Float over the West Bank in a hot-air balloon at sunrise
- Explore the carved reliefs of Medinet Habu, usually much quieter than the big sites
What to eat in Luxor
- Koshari: rice, lentils and pasta topped with tomato sauce and crispy onions
- Ful medames: slow-cooked fava beans with oil and cumin, the classic breakfast
- Ta'ameya: Egyptian falafel made from fava beans rather than chickpeas
- Karkadeh: a deep red hibiscus drink served hot or iced
Day trips from Luxor
- Dendera: the Temple of Hathor with its painted ceilings, about an hour and a half north by road
- Edfu and Kom Ombo: two Ptolemaic temples on the road to Aswan, a long day of about three hours each way
- Abydos: the Temple of Seti I and its fine reliefs, around three hours north
Local etiquette
Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees, and remove shoes and cover up in mosques. During Ramadan, avoid eating or drinking openly in public in daylight.
Staying connected
Vodafone, Orange, e& (formerly Etisalat) and WE sell prepaid SIMs with your passport at their official shops, and hotel Wi-Fi is common but often slow.
Staying safe
Expect persistent touts and overcharging for rides, and ignore anyone who says a site is closed and offers an alternative. Heat is a real hazard, so carry water and plan sites for the early morning.
A local tip
Reach the Valley of the Kings at opening time, before the heat and the tour coaches, and visit Luxor Temple again after dark when it is lit.
Visas:rules depend on your nationality and change often – check your own government's official travel advice before you go.
Meet people in Luxor on Waypacker
Waypacker is a free travel community: stay with ID-verified local hosts, join meetups and city groups, and ask people who live in Luxor for advice. We are new here, so if you live in Luxor, you could be one of the first hosts.
Questions about Luxor
- What currency is used in Luxor?
- Luxor uses the Egyptian pound (EGP).
- What is the emergency number in Luxor?
- In Luxor, call 122 (police), 123 (ambulance), 126 (tourist police).
- When is the best time to visit Luxor?
- October to April, when days are warm and dry; summer regularly passes 40°C.
- How much does a day in Luxor cost?
- Roughly $25-40 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $70-120 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.
- Is Waypacker free to use in Luxor?
- Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.
- Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?
- Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.
- Can I meet locals in Luxor without staying with anyone?
- Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.
- Will anyone see my exact location?
- No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.