Comparison · Cairo vs Luxor · Egypt
Cairo vs Luxor
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Wael El Sisi, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Quick answer
Choose Cairo for Pyramids of Giza, Great Sphinx and nightlife; choose Luxor for Karnak Temple and Valley of the Kings. Cairo is generally less expensive, and the two are about 504 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 504 km
- Less expensive
- Cairo
- Best time for Cairo
- October–March
- Best time for Luxor
- October–March
Side by side
| Cairo | Luxor | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Egypt | Egypt |
| Known for | Pyramids of Giza, Great Sphinx and Tutankhamun's treasures | Karnak Temple, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple |
| Best time to visit | October–March | October–March |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $70–$150 | $80–$170 |
| Cost level | Very affordable | Affordable |
| Warmest month | July, 35°C (95°F) | June, 41°C (106°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 19°C (66°F) | January, 23°C (73°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 2 | 2 |
| Day trips in our guide | 5 | 5 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | CAI, SPX | LXR |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Cairo for…
Pyramids of Giza, Great Sphinx and nightlife. Cairo is one of Africa's largest cities, sprawling along the Nile where the river valley meets the delta. On its western edge the Pyramids of Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum hold the legacy of the pharaohs, while east of the river Islamic Cairo's mosques…
Choose Luxor for…
Karnak Temple and Valley of the Kings. Luxor stands on the site of ancient Thebes, capital of Egypt's New Kingdom, and holds a concentration of pharaonic monuments found nowhere else. On the East Bank, the town wraps around Luxor Temple and the vast temple complex of Karnak, joined by the 2.7-km…
Top sights compared
| # | Cairo | Luxor |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pyramids of Giza | Karnak Temple |
| 2 | Great Sphinx | Luxor Temple |
| 3 | Grand Egyptian Museum | Avenue of Sphinxes |
| 4 | Egyptian Museum (Tahrir) | Valley of the Kings |
| 5 | National Museum of Egyptian Civilization | Temple of Hatshepsut |
Food compared
| Cairo | Luxor |
|---|---|
| Koshari | Ful medames |
| Ful medames | Ta'ameya |
| Ta'ameya | Koshari |
| Molokhia | Aish shamsi |
Which is cheaper?
Cairo is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $70–$150 per person there, against $80–$170 in Luxor (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Cairo on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Cairo and Luxor are about 504 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Cairo and 4 in Luxor.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Cairo or Luxor cheaper?
Cairo is usually less expensive: about $70–$150 a day mid-range against $80–$170 (estimates).
+Is Cairo or Luxor better for a first trip?
Pick Cairo for Pyramids of Giza, Great Sphinx and nightlife, or Luxor for Karnak Temple and Valley of the Kings.
+How far is Cairo from Luxor?
About 504 km in a straight line.