Getting around · Luxor · Egypt
Getting around Luxor
Public transport, passes, airport connections and when a car makes sense.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Holger Uwe Schmitt, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
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. No.
Key facts
- Main way around
- Walking
- Airports
- LXR
- Need a car?
- No
- Travel pass
- Luxor Pass
Ways to get around
Walking
Luxor Temple, the Luxor Museum, the Mummification Museum and the souq are all within walking distance along the Corniche on the East Bank.
Taxi
Taxis and private drivers are the usual way to visit the West Bank sites, often hired for half or full days; ride-hailing apps also operate on the East Bank.
Agree the full itinerary, waiting time and price before setting off.
Ferry
The public ferry crosses the Nile between the quay opposite Luxor Temple and the West Bank landing in about 10 minutes; private motorboats make the crossing on demand.
The public ferry costs a fraction of a motorboat and runs frequently through the day.
Cycling
Bikes can be rented on the West Bank and are a pleasant way to reach the Colossi of Memnon, Medinet Habu and the Ramesseum, although the road to the Valley of the Kings is steep and hot.
Boat
Feluccas sail from the Corniche for short trips, and multi-day Nile cruises run between Luxor and Aswan, stopping at Esna, Edfu and Kom Ombo.
Tickets and passes
Luxor Pass
A multi-day ticket covering most Luxor sites, including some premium tombs, sold to foreign visitors; it pays off only for intensive sightseeing over several days.
From the airport
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.
Do you need a car?
No. Hiring a taxi or driver for West Bank days is easy and inexpensive, and self-driving is unusual for visitors.
Reaching the day trips
| Destination | Travel time | How |
|---|---|---|
| Dendera | About 1 hour 15 minutes by car | Private car or tour |
| Abydos | About 2.5–3 hours by car | Private car or tour, often combined with Dendera |
| Esna | About 1 hour by car | Private car, or as a Nile cruise stop |
| Edfu | About 1.5–2 hours by car | Private car or Nile cruise stop |
| Aswan | About 3–3.5 hours by car or train | Train, private car or Nile cruise |
Questions travellers ask
+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.
+How do you get from the airport to Luxor?
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.
+What is the best way to get around Luxor?
Walking: Luxor Temple, the Luxor Museum, the Mummification Museum and the souq are all within walking distance along the Corniche on the East Bank.