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Egypt · Upper Egypt — Nile Valley

Luxor

World's greatest open-air museum — Valley of the Kings + Karnak + Tutankhamun's tomb

Luxor is the site of ancient Thebes — home to 30% of the world's ancient monuments. West Bank: Valley of the Kings (Tutankhamun's tomb), Hatshepsut's temple, Ramesseum. East Bank: Karnak (largest temple complex on Earth), Luxor Temple, Nile hot-air balloon rides at sunrise.

Airport
Luxor (LXR) — 20 min to city
From Cairo
1h flight or 10h overnight train
Best season
October-April
Nile cruise base
Luxor → Aswan 3-4 nights standard

Luxor highlights

Valley of the Kings

Tomb of Tutankhamun, Ramses IV, Merenptah + 60+ royal tombs. Book Tut tomb separately (EGP 300 extra).

Karnak Temple Complex

The largest religious building ever constructed — Hypostyle Hall with 134 columns. Evening sound-and-light show.

Luxor Temple

Illuminated at night — walkable from most East Bank hotels. Free evening walk-past.

Hot air balloon at sunrise

€100-150 for 45-min flight over Valley of the Kings + Nile. Departs 05:30.

Hatshepsut's Temple (Deir el-Bahri)

3-terrace temple carved into the cliff — the female pharaoh's masterpiece.

Ramesseum + Medinet Habu

Massive Ramses II mortuary complex. Medinet Habu has best-preserved colour on ancient reliefs.

Nile felucca sail at sunset

Traditional sailboat cruise — the classic Nile experience. €10-20 per hour.

Getting there

Luxor International Airport (LXR) has direct flights from Cairo (1h), Hurghada (30 min) + European seasonal charters. From airport: 20 min taxi to hotels.

Getting around

Taxi + Uber operates in Luxor. West Bank requires ferry crossing (EGP 5) + taxi/motorcycle. Book a full-day tour to hit multiple sites.

Best time to visit

October-April (mild). May-September is extreme heat (40°C+).

Budget per day

$30-60 backpacker · $80-180 mid-range · $300+ luxury (Winter Palace, Sofitel Legend)

Airport transfer from Luxor International (LXR)

Getting out of Luxor (LXR)

Skip the taxi rank and lock in your fare before you land.

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Where to stay in Luxor

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Fly to Luxor International (LXR)

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Where to stay in Luxor

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Frequently asked about Luxor

How do I get to Luxor?
1h flight from Cairo (EGP 1,500-3,000). Or overnight sleeper train from Cairo (10h, ~$100 first-class cabin). Nile cruise from Aswan (3-4 nights) is the classic route.
How many days do I need in Luxor?
3-4 days — day 1 arrive + Karnak + Luxor Temple, day 2 balloon at sunrise + Valley of the Kings + Hatshepsut, day 3 West Bank temples + felucca sunset, day 4 depart or start Nile cruise.
When is the best time to visit Luxor?
October-April (mild). Peak December-February. Avoid May-September (40°C+ extreme heat).
How much is Valley of the Kings entry?
EGP 260 (~$5.30) general entry (3 tombs). Tutankhamun's tomb extra EGP 300 (~$6). Ramses VI extra EGP 100.