Travel guide · Egypt
Luxor travel guide
Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and sunrise balloons over ancient Thebes
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Roland Unger, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
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 Avenue of Sphinxes. Across the Nile, the West Bank holds the royal tombs of the Valley of the Kings, the terraced Temple of Hatshepsut, Medinet Habu and the Colossi of Memnon, set against desert cliffs and sugarcane fields. Most visitors spend two or three days here, often combined with a Nile cruise to Aswan. Plan 4 days for a first visit; the best months are October–March.
Key facts
- Country
- Egypt
- Best time to visit
- October–March
- Ideal stay
- 4 days
- Main airports
- LXR
- Mid-range daily budget
- $80–$170 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Karnak Temple, Valley of the Kings, Luxor Temple and Tutankhamun's tomb
Why visit Luxor
- Karnak's Great Hypostyle Hall has 134 giant papyrus columns, the largest of which stand more than 20 metres tall.
- The Valley of the Kings holds more than 60 tombs cut into the desert hills, including that of Tutankhamun.
- Hot-air balloons rise over the West Bank temples at sunrise on most mornings in the cooler months.
- Luxor Temple is floodlit after dark, making it one of the few ancient sites you can visit in the cool of the evening.
- Nile cruises to Aswan via Edfu and Kom Ombo start or finish at Luxor's riverside quays.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 17 things to do.
Historic site · Karnak
Karnak Temple
The largest religious complex of ancient Egypt grew over some 2,000 years as successive pharaohs added pylons, obelisks and chapels to the temple of Amun-Ra.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
Historic site · East Bank Corniche
Luxor Temple
Built mainly by Amenhotep III and Ramesses II, this temple in the centre of town is fronted by colossal statues and a single obelisk; its twin stands in the Place de la Concorde in Paris.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- After dark
- Photo spot
- Architecture
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Historic site · West Bank Qurna and Al-Bairat
Valley of the Kings
Pharaohs of the New Kingdom were buried in rock-cut tombs in this desert valley for about 500 years.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- History
- Art
Historic site · West Bank Qurna and Al-Bairat
Temple of Hatshepsut
The mortuary temple of Hatshepsut, one of ancient Egypt's few female pharaohs, rises in three colonnaded terraces against the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
Landmark · West Bank Gezira
Colossi of Memnon
Two seated stone statues of Amenhotep III, each about 18 metres tall, are all that remains above ground of his vast mortuary temple.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Photo spot
Experience · West Bank Gezira
Sunrise hot-air balloon flight
Dozens of balloons lift off from the West Bank at dawn and drift for about 45 minutes over the Colossi of Memnon, Hatshepsut's temple, farm villages and the Nile.
- Time needed
- About 3–4 hours including transfers
- Cost
- Expensive
- Iconic
- Views
- Couples
- Photo spot
Where to stay
East Bank Corniche is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 6 areas.
$$$ · Best for first-timers, couples, luxury and culture
East Bank Corniche
Nile-front hotels, the Winter Palace and cruise-boat quays beside Luxor Temple
$$$ · Best for families, luxury and quiet stays
Khaled Ibn al-Walid Street
Large resort-style hotels and restaurants south of the town centre
$ · Best for budget, solo travellers and food lovers
Souq and station area
Market lanes, budget hotels and local cafés behind Luxor Temple
$$ · Best for culture and quiet stays
Karnak
The northern end of town around the great temple complex
What to eat
- Ful medames — Slow-cooked fava beans mashed with oil, cumin, lemon and garlic, eaten with flatbread.
- Ta'ameya — Egyptian falafel, made with fava beans rather than chickpeas, which gives a green interior; served hot in bread with salad and tahini.
- Koshari — A filling vegetarian bowl of rice, lentils, macaroni and chickpeas topped with spicy tomato sauce, crispy onions and garlic vinegar.
- Aish shamsi — Upper Egypt's 'sun bread', a thick, round sourdough left to rise in the sun before baking.
- Molokhia — A green, garlicky soup of finely chopped jute leaves, usually served with rice or bread and chicken or rabbit.
- Hamam mahshi — Pigeon stuffed with spiced rice or freekeh and roasted or grilled; a traditional Egyptian dish for a special meal.
When to go
The best time to visit Luxor is October to April, when days are warm rather than scorching and sightseeing is comfortable. November and March are a good balance of pleasant weather and smaller crowds than the December–February peak. June to August is extremely hot, though sites are quiet and prices low.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March–May | Warm in March, then increasingly hot through April and May, with occasional dusty khamsin winds; plan sightseeing for early mornings. |
| Summer | June–August | Extreme heat around 40°C, empty sites and the lowest prices; only early-morning and evening visits are comfortable. |
| Autumn | September–November | Heat eases from October, with pleasant November days and the start of the cruise and balloon season. |
| Winter | December–February | Peak season with warm, sunny days, cold early mornings and the biggest crowds and prices of the year. |
Getting there and around
Luxor International Airport is about 7 km east of the town centre. Taxis and pre-booked hotel transfers take about 15–20 minutes to the East Bank and around 30–40 minutes to the West Bank via the Luxor bridge.
The East Bank centre is walkable between Luxor Temple, the Corniche and the souq, and Karnak is a short ride north. The West Bank sites are spread over several kilometres, so most visitors hire a taxi or driver for the day, or cycle between the closer temples.
Plan your days
Two full days covers Karnak and Luxor Temple on the East Bank and the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon on the West Bank. Four days adds Medinet Habu, the Tombs of the Nobles, the Luxor Museum, a balloon flight and a day trip to Dendera or Abydos.
Practical information
- Currency
- EGP
- Language
- Arabic (Egyptian) and English
- Plugs
- Type C and F sockets, 220 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is chlorinated, but visitors should drink bottled or filtered water.
- Emergency number
- 122 police, 123 ambulance, 126 tourist police
- Tipping
- Tipping (baksheesh) is part of daily life: small notes for tomb guardians who show you something special, hotel porters and drivers.
The most common issues are persistent touts, carriage drivers and unofficial 'guides' at sites and on the Corniche, plus disputes over unagreed prices. Heat and sun exposure are serious from April to September; carry water and avoid the midday sun.
Flights to Luxor
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Luxor?
Two full days covers Karnak and Luxor Temple on the East Bank and the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon on the West Bank. Four days adds Medinet Habu, the Tombs of the Nobles, the Luxor Museum, a balloon flight and a day trip to Dendera or Abydos. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Luxor?
The best time to visit Luxor is October to April, when days are warm rather than scorching and sightseeing is comfortable. November and March are a good balance of pleasant weather and smaller crowds than the December–February peak. June to August is extremely hot, though sites are quiet and prices low.
+What is Luxor known for?
Karnak Temple, Valley of the Kings, Luxor Temple, Tutankhamun's tomb, Hot-air balloons, Nile cruises and Temple of Hatshepsut. Karnak's Great Hypostyle Hall has 134 giant papyrus columns, the largest of which stand more than 20 metres tall.
+Is Luxor expensive?
Luxor is affordable for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $80–$170 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Luxor?
No. Hiring a taxi or driver for West Bank days is easy and inexpensive, and self-driving is unusual for visitors.