9 Epic Things to Do in Luxor, Egypt

Are you looking for the best things to do in Luxor, Egypt? Luxor is one of the most beautiful places in Egypt, so your Egypt Itinerary wouldn’t be complete without a visit. You can easily get to Luxor from Cairo and continue your journey to Aswan.

Luxor’s sights are located on the East and West Banks of the Nile. Spend at least 2-3 days in the city, visit Karnak and Luxor Temple, explore Valley of the Kings, see Colossi of Memnon, wander around Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, and take a hot air balloon ride.

This ultimate guide to visiting Luxor includes how to get there, where to stay, and the best things to do in Luxor, Egypt.

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Where is Luxor?

It is located on the East Bank of the Nile River, 3.5 hours from Aswan and 8-10 hours from Cairo in the south of Upper Egypt.

Best Time to Visit Luxor, Egypt

The best time to visit Luxor is between October and April when temperatures are cool and pleasant for sightseeing and exploring the beautiful temples.

The most visited months in Egypt are December and January. In Egypt, the weather can be extremely hot in the summer months, which run from May to September.

It’s good to know that the attractions have different opening hours in summer and winter.

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In high season, we strongly recommend booking accommodation and tours in advance!

Recommended post → Ultimate Egypt Itinerary

How to Get to Luxor

You can easily get to Luxor by train, bus, taxi, or plane. The distance between Luxor and Cairo is about 650 km, which is 8-10 hours, depending on traffic and mode of transport.

Book a day trip from Cairo by plane HERE.

The easiest and fastest way to get to Luxor is by plane. EgyptAir, Air Cairo, and Nile Air operate several daily flights from Cairo International Airport (airport code CAI) to Luxor International Airport (airport code LXR).

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Use Skyscanner to find cheap flights.

We arrived in Luxor by overnight train from Cairo. The train tickets start from 56 USD, depending on the type of train.

Get train tickets via 12Go or Bookaway.

We have a detailed post on how to get from Cairo to Luxor with all the information you need.

Cairo to Luxor Nile Cruise

Are you spending limited time in Egypt but want to make the most of your visit? For the ultimate experience, book a 3-day or 4-day Nile Cruise to Luxor with a Hot Air Balloon Ride and Flights.

The tour price includes the pick-up, drop-off, flight tickets (departure & return), transportation, an English-speaking guide, an unforgettable hot air balloon ride, a horse carriage to the Temple of Horus in Edfu, and accommodation for 3 nights on a 5-star cruise with full board.

Book the best Nile Cruise via GetYourGuide.

Alternatively, if you are spending more time in Egypt and don’t want to worry about how to get from one place to another, book this excellent private 7-night tour with Nile Cruise and flights.

How to Get Around Luxor

The best ways to get around Luxor are by taxi, horse-drawn carriage, or private driver. Alternatively, you can join a private or group tour. There is no Uber.

The cheapest way to get to the West Bank of Luxor is by local ferry, which costs 10 EGP (0.30 USD) for a round-trip ticket. Once you arrive, catch a taxi and start exploring the sights.

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The taxi drivers do not accept card payments, so you should bring local money!

Book a Full-Day Luxor tour through GetYourGuide or Viator.

Where to Stay in Luxor

Luxor has some luxury hotels, but accommodation options are available for all budgets. These are our recommendations.

Best hotels in Luxor, Egypt

Luxury: Steigenberger Nile Palace Luxor
Mid-Range: Iberotel Luxor or Pyramisa Hotel Luxor
Budget: Nefertiti Hotel Luxor

more hotels in Luxor

Best things to do in Luxor, Egypt

1. Visit Luxor Temple

One of the most popular things to do in Luxor is to visit the beautiful Luxor Temple. The temple is located on the East Bank of the Nile River and can be easily reached on foot, by horse-drawn carriage, or by taxi.

This temple is not dedicated to a particular god or pharaoh, but many pharaohs were crowned in the Luxor Temple.

Good to know
One of the granite obelisks at the entrance has been moved to Paris and now stands in the Place de la Concorde.

The entrance fee to Luxor Temple is 400 EGP (13 USD), and you need to buy an extra ticket if you want to use a tripod which costs 20 EGP (0.65 USD).

The Luxor Temple is open daily from 7 AM to 8 PM.

Book a Full-Day Tour to the East and West Banks of Luxor through GetYourGuide or Viator.

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Arrive early and avoid the crowds!

2. Explore Valley of the Kings

The Valley of the Kings is one of the best attractions in Luxor. In the Valley of the Kings, famous Egyptian pharaohs such as Tutankhamun, Ramses VI, and Seti I are buried in tombs carved into the rock.

There are more than 60 stunning tombs, some of which you can visit. Once you arrive at the Valley of the Kings, you can take a 10-minute walk or take the electric train ride to reach the tombs.

Book a Full-Day Luxor Tour through GetYourGuide or Viator.

Good to know
Taking photos with your phone is free. But if you want to use your camera, you will buy a photo ticket for around 300 EGP (10 USD).

The entrance fee is 600 EGP (19.5 USD), which allows you to visit 3 tombs. Take enough time to walk through the underground passages and see the beautiful hieroglyphics and mural paintings.

Some tombs are only accessible with an extra ticket:

KV9 – Tomb of Ramses V & VI 180 EGP (6 USD)
KV17 – Tomb of Seti I 1800 EGP (58 USD)
KV62 – Tomb of Tutankhamun 500 EGP (16 USD)

The Valley of the Kings is open daily from 6 AM to 4 PM.

See also → Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Hurghada

3. See Colossi of Memnon

Are you looking for free things to do in Luxor, Egypt? Once you arrive on the West Bank of Luxor, you should stop at the two impressive stone statues of the pharaoh Amenhotep III.

As it is free to visit and just 3,5 km from the port, it is well worth a visit.

Join this excellent tour, which includes the Valley of the Kings, Colossi of Memnon, Temple of Hatshepsut, Medinet Habu Temple, and all entrance fees.

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The Medinet Habu Temple is just a 20-minute walk from the Colossi of Memnon, and you can see archaeological excavations on the way.

4. Visit Karnak Temple

A must-see in Egypt is visiting the beautiful Karnak Temple and Open Air Museum, just a 10-minute drive from the Luxor Temple. You can take a taxi or horse-drawn carriage ride to Karnak Temple.

The Karnak Temple is open daily from 6 AM to 5:30 PM.

Book a Full-Day Tour to the West and East Banks of Luxor through GetYourGuide or Viator.

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Arrive early in the morning and see the magnificent sunrise, or visit in the evening and enjoy the sound and light show at the temple.

Did you know that Karnak Temple is the second largest temple complex in the world after Angkor Wat in Cambodia?

The most impressive part of the Karnak Temple is the giant columns of the Great Hypostyle Hall. Allow at least 1-2 hours to explore the complex and enjoy the beautiful monuments and Egyptian hieroglyphs.

The entrance fee to Karnak Temple is 450 EGP (14.5 USD), and you need to buy an extra ticket if you want to use a tripod which costs 20 EGP (0.65 USD).

Good to know
In the past, a ram-headed sphinx avenue connected Luxor and Karnak Temple.

Keep reading → Cairo Guide

5. Take a Sunrise Hot Air Ballon Ride

Are you looking for one of the best things to do in Luxor? Experience the city from a new perspective and enjoy magical views over the Theban Necropolis. Take a hot air balloon ride at sunrise and have an unforgettable experience on your Egypt holiday.

The hot air balloon tour starts from 60 USD per person and takes about 30 minutes.

Although you’ll need to start your day early, as hotel pickup starts around 4:30 AM, it’s well worth it.

Book a Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride via Viator or GetYourGuide.

6. See Valley of the Queens

Although it is not as popular as the Valley of the Kings, it is worth a visit if you have enough time. The Valley of the Queens was the burial place of the wives of the pharaohs. The tomb of Queen Nefertari is one of the most beautiful tombs.

The Valley of the Queens is open from 6 AM to 5 PM.

The entrance fee to Valley of the Queens is 180 EGP (6 USD).

Book this excellent tour, which includes the Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, Temple of Hatshepsut, Medinet Habu Temple, and all entrance fees.

Good to know
The entrance fee to the tomb of Queen Nefertari is expensive, costing 2000 EGP (65 USD), and you can stay inside for only 10 minutes.

7. Visit Medinet Habu Temple

One of the best things to do in Luxor is to visit the Medinet Habu Temple, which was dedicated to Ramesses III.

The Medinet Habu Temple complex covers a large area, so take 1-2 hours to explore it and see the fascinating hieroglyphics and stories on the walls.

Explore the temples and tombs of Luxor’s West Bank on a full-day private tour.

The Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III is open from 6 AM to 5 PM.

The entrance fee to the Medinet Habu Temple is 200 EGP (6.5 USD).

Good to know
Tickets cannot be purchased on arrival, only at the Antiquities Inspectorate Ticket Office. You can find the location here.

8. Discover the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut

Visit the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari and discover the beautiful Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, a 10-minute drive from the Valley of the Kings. The temple is dedicated to Queen Hatshepsut, one of the most famous female rulers of ancient Egypt.

The Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut is open from 6 AM to 5 PM. The terraced steps of the temple in the background offer a fantastic photo opportunity.

The entrance fee to the Temple of Hatshepsut is 360 EGP (11.5 USD).

Discover the attractions of the West and East banks of the Nile through GetYourGuide or Viator.

9. Visit Ramesseum Temple

One of the least visited places in Luxor is the Mortuary Temple of Pharaoh Ramses II, the Ramesseum, but it’s worth a quick stop.

The entrance fee to the Ramesseum Temple is 180 EGP (6 USD), and it is open from 6 AM to 5 PM.

Tickets cannot be purchased on arrival, only at the Antiquities Inspectorate Ticket Office. You can find the location here.

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We recommend visiting in the early morning or late afternoon.

Join a full-day private guided tour.

Where to Eat in Luxor

In Luxor, there are many restaurants to choose from to try local Egyptian foods and enjoy international dishes.

Best restaurants in Luxor, Egypt

Al Sahaby Lane Restaurant (Delicious food)
Aisha restaurant Luxor (Egyptian dishes)
Pizza Roma-it (Best pizza, pasta)
Sofra Restaurant & Café (Popular restaurant in Luxor)
The Lantern Room Restaurant (Seafood and vegetarian dishes)
Aboudi Coffee Break (Delicious food & great view of the Luxor Temple)
Restaurant El-Kababgy Luxor (Perfect for lunch or dinner)

Is it Safe to Travel to Luxor?

Yes, it is generally safe. But small thefts and pickpockets can happen everywhere. So always take care of your valuables!

Don’t forget to buy travel insurance! We always choose SafetyWing for our travels.

How many Days do you Need in Luxor?

We recommend you spend 2-3 days and enjoy the best things to do in Luxor, then travel to Aswan.

Recommended post → How to Get from Luxor to Aswan

Luxor to Aswan Cruise

For the ultimate experience, book a 3-day Nile Cruise from Luxor to Aswan with your own private guide. Visit the iconic sights like the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo Temple, and the Abu Simbel Temples.

The tour price includes the pick-up & drop-off, an English-speaking guide, a horse carriage ride, a private cabin with all amenities, and 2 nights and 3 days on a 5-star boat with all meals.

Alternatively, join a private guided Abu Simbel Temple day trip from Luxor.

We hope our list of the best things to do in Luxor will inspire you to visit Egypt. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.

Travel Resources

Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Transfer – Bookaway

9 Epic Things to Do in Luxor, Egypt