Cheap flights to Luxor
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Quick summary
Country
Egypt
Continent
Africa
Airport
LXR
Currency
Egyptian pound
Time zone
UTC+2
Deals already spotted to Luxor
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Upper Egypt
An open-air museum on both banks of the Nile
Luxor stands on ancient Waset, the "city of the sceptre", which the Greeks called Thebes and which served as a capital of Egypt during the New Kingdom. Today it is the premier travel destination of Upper Egypt and the Nile Valley, and "Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis" has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.
The living and the dead
The city is split in two. On the East Bank, the modern city, the station and the museums sit alongside the temples of the living. On the West Bank, among villages and fields, lie the tombs of the dead.
Two banks
The city of the living and the city of the dead
| Bank | Symbolism | What to see |
|---|---|---|
| East | The city of the living | Karnak and Luxor Temple, museums and the modern city |
| West | The city of the dead | Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut, Valley of the Queens, Medinet Habu, Colossi of Memnon |
East Bank
Luxor temples: Karnak and the Avenue of Sphinxes
Karnak
Karnak, the second most visited historical site in Egypt after Giza, is a complex of temples, pylons and chapels built over some 2,000 years, from the Middle Kingdom reign of Senusret I to the Ptolemaic period. Its Great Hypostyle Hall holds 134 columns in 16 rows over more than 5,000 m2; the 12 central columns rise 21 m. One of Hatshepsut's obelisks is the second-tallest ancient obelisk still standing.
Luxor Temple
Built around 1400 BC under Amenhotep III, then extended by Tutankhamun and Ramesses II, Luxor Temple is illuminated at night. Only one of its two obelisks remains: the other was moved to the Place de la Concorde in Paris in the 19th century. The active Abu Haggag Mosque sits inside the temple, giving the site more than 3,400 years of continuous worship.
The Avenue of Sphinxes
A processional road of about 2.7 km, lined with sphinxes, links Karnak to Luxor Temple; restored, it reopened in 2021 and can be walked.
Museums
The Luxor Museum and the Mummification Museum, on the Nile corniche, complete the East Bank.
West Bank
The Valley of the Kings and the necropolis of Thebes
The Valley of the Kings
For nearly 500 years, from the 18th to the 20th Dynasty, the pharaohs had their tombs dug here, and about 65 tombs and chambers are now known. Only a rotating selection is open: a sign at the entrance lists the tombs you can visit that day. Some, including Tutankhamun's, need an extra ticket, and photography rules vary, so ask on site (to be verified).
Hatshepsut and Memnon
The Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, with its limestone terraces set against the cliff, and the Colossi of Memnon, the last remains of Amenhotep III's temple, complete the West Bank. They are also the sites you fly over at sunrise in a balloon. Medinet Habu, the Ramesseum, the Tombs of the Nobles and the Valley of the Queens are also worth the detour; cycling between the sites is a good way to explore.
| Tomb | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| KV62, Tutankhamun | Discovered by Howard Carter on 4 November 1922, the first royal tomb found largely intact |
| KV17, Seti I | Usually regarded as the finest tomb in the valley, with extensive reliefs and paintings |
| KV5, sons of Ramesses II | The largest, with more than 120 chambers known |
On the Nile and above it
Balloons at sunrise, feluccas at sunset
The classic Luxor day starts in a hot-air balloon over the West Bank at sunrise, for a flight of 45 minutes to an hour (about 3 hours with transfers), and ends on a felucca on the Nile at sunset. Check the operator carefully before booking a balloon, as safety concerns have been raised.
A cruise to Aswan
Nile cruises of two to three nights link Luxor and Aswan, about 220 km to the south, which is also 3 to 4 hours away by train.
History
From Thebes to today's Luxor
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| About 2050 BC | Thebes becomes the capital of Egypt in the Middle Kingdom |
| 1550-1069 BC | The New Kingdom, Thebes at its height: the temples of Karnak and Luxor, the tombs of the Valley of the Kings |
| 1907 | The Winter Palace hotel opens on the Nile corniche |
| 1922 | Howard Carter discovers Tutankhamun's tomb (KV62) |
| 1979 | Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis joins the UNESCO World Heritage List |
| 1997 | An attack at Deir el-Bahari hits tourism hard; tourist police have been stationed at the sites since |
| 2009 | Luxor becomes the seat of the Al-Uqsur governorate |
Practical Luxor
Food, shopping and the art of saying no
Luxor is a vegetarian's paradise, with fresh seasonal vegetables, pita bread and mezze, alongside regional dishes such as pigeon and rabbit and sweet desserts.
Hassle and baksheesh
Luxor has a reputation as the hassle capital of Egypt. Ignore anyone who claims a temple is closed, check bills for added shop commissions and be wary of alabaster, papyrus and "jade" sold as local when they are imported or imitations. Tipping, or baksheesh, is expected for almost any help. Taxi and calèche fares must be agreed before you set off.
Getting there
Luxor International Airport and links with Cairo
Luxor International
About 6 to 7 km east of the city, with one terminal for domestic and one for international flights. Direct flights from Europe are often sold as holiday packages, and EgyptAir serves Cairo.
Approximate distances and times based on Wikipedia and Wikivoyage; timetables and fares change, so check before you travel. We do not quote fares.
| Route | Approximate time | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| LXR to the center, taxi or hotel shuttle | about 15 to 30 min (to be verified) | No public bus; agree the fare before getting in and ignore touts outside the doors |
| Cairo to Luxor, flight | about 1 h | Frequent flights; connections from Europe usually via Cairo |
| Cairo to Luxor, train | about 10 h | Day and night expresses and a sleeper train; the station is about 600 m from Luxor Temple |
| Aswan to Luxor, train | about 3 to 4 h | The train follows the Nile; the road and a cruise are the other options |
Getting around
Ferry, taxis and budget in Luxor
A public ferry crosses the Nile between the two banks, slower but with no haggling; taxis have no meters, and shared minibuses on fixed routes converge at the railway station. Many travelers rent a bicycle for the more rural West Bank, or hire a private taxi for the day to chain the temples. Ride-hailing apps such as Careem work in Luxor.
Cost level
The cost level is low to moderate for a European traveler: site entries and activities such as ballooning or a cruise weigh the most, while local meals and transport stay affordable; accommodation is better value in summer. We do not quote amounts.
Entry, caution and etiquette
A visa is generally required: it can often be obtained online (e-visa) or on arrival depending on nationality, but check the conditions on the official Egyptian websites (to be verified). Luxor is generally considered safe for tourists; check your own government's travel advice. Dress modestly at religious sites and respect archaeological sites: do not climb on monuments or touch reliefs. Book an official guide rather than following a tout.
When to go
When to visit Luxor?
November to early March
The best time: warm days around 21 to 25 degrees C and cool nights, down to 5 to 8 degrees C in January; the season runs from October to April.
March to May
The heat builds quickly, with daytime highs of 30 to 39 degrees C.
June to August
Extreme heat, around 40 to 41 degrees C by day and 26 degrees C at night: the least comfortable season, though hotels are cheaper. Visit sites as soon as they open.
September and October
The heat eases gradually, from about 39 to 28 degrees C.
By length of stay
How long to stay in Luxor?
East Bank
Karnak and Luxor Temple, lit up at dusk.
West Bank
The Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut, the Valley of the Queens, Medinet Habu and the Colossi of Memnon, with a balloon flight at dawn.
Dendera and Aswan
Add Dendera and Abydos, or a two-to-three-night cruise to Aswan.
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In pictures
Luxor in pictures
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about flights to Luxor
Which airport serves Luxor?
Luxor International Airport (LXR), about 6 to 7 km east of the city. From Cairo, the flight takes about an hour.
How do I get from Luxor airport to the center?
By taxi or hotel shuttle, as there is no public bus; the ride takes about 15 to 30 minutes (to be verified). Agree the fare before you get in.
When is the best time to visit Luxor?
October to April, with the core of the season from November to early March. Summer is extremely hot, with 40 degrees C and more in June, July and August.
What should I see first in Luxor?
By bank: Karnak and Luxor Temple on the East Bank, the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon on the West Bank.
How many days do you need in Luxor?
At least three to four days: one for the East Bank, one or two for the West Bank and a balloon flight. Add a Nile cruise if you want to continue to Aswan.
Is Luxor expensive?
The cost level is low to moderate for a European traveler: site entries and activities weigh the most, while meals and local transport stay affordable.
How do I get around Luxor?
By public ferry across the Nile, by taxi (fix the fare before leaving), minibus or bicycle; a private taxi for the day is handy for the temples.
Are all the tombs in the Valley of the Kings open?
No. Only a rotating selection is open at any time, and a sign at the entrance lists the tombs you can visit that day.
Can I get from Luxor to Aswan?
Yes, by Nile cruise, by train (3 to 4 hours) or by road: it is the classic historic itinerary.
How much does a flight to Luxor usually cost?
It mostly depends on your departure city, the season and how far ahead you book. The "deals" section above shows real examples of prices already detected by SniperAir for this destination.
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