Quick facts
Budget breakdown
| Category | Budget | Midrange |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | E£250–600 | E£800–2,000 |
| Food | E£100–200 | E£300–600 |
| Transport | E£50–150 | E£200–400 |
| Activities | E£600–1,000 | E£1,500–3,000 |
| Daily Total | E£1,000–1,950 | E£2,800–6,000 |
Daily per-person estimates. Costs vary by season and travel style.
Practical info
Getting There
- Luxor International Airport (LXR) has direct flights from Cairo (1 hour), Sharm el-Sheikh, and some European cities. Taxi to city centre E£100–150
- Overnight sleeper train from Cairo (Watania, 9–10 hours, $60–90 foreign price) is popular and comfortable. Day trains are cheaper (E£80–200) but slower
- Buses from Cairo (Upper Egypt Bus Co., 10–11 hours, E£200–300) and Aswan (3 hours, E£60–100). The train from Aswan is more scenic (3 hours, E£40–100)
Health & Safety
- Heat is the biggest risk — temperatures exceed 40°C in summer. Carry 2+ litres of water daily, wear a hat, and use SPF 50+ sunscreen. Avoid midday site visits May–Sep
- Don't drink tap water. Bottled water E£5–10 everywhere. Avoid ice and raw salads from street vendors. Pharmacies on the Corniche stock common medicines
- Luxor is safe for tourists but persistent touts at tourist sites can be exhausting. A firm "la shukran" (no thank you) works. Ignore calèche (horse carriage) drivers — they overcharge aggressively
Getting Around
- Luxor is walkable on the East Bank — the Corniche from Luxor Temple to Karnak is 3km. Taxis around town E£20–50. Uber is not available in Luxor
- West Bank transport: local ferry (E£5) then taxi or bicycle. Full-day West Bank taxi E£800–1,200. Bicycle rental E£50–100/day — flat and manageable if not too hot
- Calèche (horse carriages) are iconic but overpriced. If you take one, agree a price first — E£100–200 for a ride is fair. Check the horse looks healthy and well-treated
Connectivity
- Vodafone, Orange, and Etisalat have shops on the Corniche. Tourist SIM with data E£200–400. Coverage is good in the city, patchy on the West Bank
- WiFi at most hotels and some Corniche restaurants. Speed is variable. Download offline maps before arriving — Google Maps works well for Luxor
- WhatsApp is the main communication app. Cell signal is strong on the East Bank, weaker in the Valley of the Kings and remote West Bank sites
Money
- ATMs on the Corniche and near Luxor Temple. Banque Misr and CIB are reliable. Cash is essential — most restaurants and all taxis are cash only
- Bring USD for visa on arrival and as backup. Some tourist services quote in USD or EUR. Egyptian Pounds always get better value than paying in foreign currency
- Tipping (baksheesh) is expected everywhere — E£10–20 for tomb guards who turn on lights, E£5–10 for small services, 10% at restaurants. Carry small notes
Packing Tips
- Lightweight, breathable long sleeves and trousers — sun protection and appropriate for temple visits. A scarf for women visiting mosques. Comfortable closed-toe walking shoes
- Hat, sunglasses, SPF 50+ sunscreen, and a refillable water bottle are non-negotiable. A headlamp or phone torch is useful in dimly lit tombs
- Bring tissues and hand sanitiser. A small daypack with water and snacks for West Bank day trips. Binoculars for hieroglyphic details on high walls and ceilings
Cultural tips
Respect the Sites
Don't touch tomb paintings or temple reliefs — oils from hands damage the pigments. No flash photography in tombs. Stay on designated paths. These sites have survived 3,000+ years because previous generations protected them.
Baksheesh Culture
Tipping is deeply woven into Egyptian life and supplements low wages. Tomb guards, bathroom attendants, and helpful locals expect E£5–20. It's not a scam — it's the economy. Carry lots of small notes.
Animal Welfare
Horse carriages and donkey rides are part of Luxor life but animal welfare varies. Avoid using calèches in extreme heat. If a horse looks distressed, don't take that carriage. Report serious concerns to Animal Care Egypt.
Haggling Etiquette
Bargaining is expected in souks and with taxi drivers. Start at 30–40% of asking price and negotiate cheerfully. Never agree to a price you don't intend to pay. Walking away politely often brings the best offers.
Photography Manners
Ask before photographing local people — most are happy to pose. Some tomb guards offer to let you photograph for baksheesh (technically not allowed). No photography inside the Valley of the Kings tombs.
