How many days do I need?
Two to four full days cover the highlights at a comfortable pace for most travellers.
🇪🇬 Egypt travel guide
Africa · Northern AfricaHistory & Culture
Luxor Travel Guide
Things to do in Luxor — Pharaohs, Nile feluccas and temple columns
Photo: Roland Unger · CC BY-SA 3.0
Why visit Luxor
Luxor is open-air ancient Egypt — Karnak's hypostyle hall, the Valley of the Kings and riverside feluccas at sunset on the Nile's greatest concentration of monuments.
Luxor is a stop in Egypt, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 3 days. If time is short, prioritise Karnak Temple, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 30–90 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: October–April for cooler sightseeing weather. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
October–April for cooler sightseeing weather
Weather
Desert — scorching summers (40°C+); mild winters
Airport
Luxor International (LXR)
Getting around
Taxi between east and west bank; felucca on Nile; hot-air balloon at dawn
Experiences
Things to do in Luxor
1
Karnak Temple
2
Valley of the Kings
3
Hatshepsut Temple
4
Luxor Temple at night
5
Colossi of Memnon
6
Hot-air balloon (optional)
7
Felucca on the Nile
8
Luxor Museum
Budget travel
Free things to do in Luxor
Karnak Temple
Hatshepsut Temple
Luxor Temple at night
Hot-air balloon at sunrise
Medinet Habu temple
Mostly free or pay-what-you-like — always double-check opening times and any seasonal fees before you go.
Plan your trip
Luxor itinerary (3 days)
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit Karnak Temple
- Visit Valley of the Kings
- Visit Hatshepsut Temple
- 2
Day 2
Culture & neighborhoods
- Visit Luxor Temple at night
- Visit Colossi of Memnon
- Visit Hot-air balloon (optional)
- 3
Day 3
More highlights
- Visit Felucca on the Nile
- Visit Luxor Museum
Prefer a full 9-day trip with costs and FAQs? Read the Luxor itinerary guide.
Budget
Luxor trip cost
Budget
USD 15–35
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 30–90
per person / day
Luxury
USD 105–170+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Luxor, Egypt. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Luxor
Estimated total (USD)
$1,760
≈ $880 per person · $251 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $55/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Luxor mid-range ground costs (budget 15–35 · mid 30–90 · luxury 105–170+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to eat
Local favourites
- $$$$
1886 Restaurant
French-Egyptian · Winter Palace fine-dining institution
- $$
Sofra Restaurant
Egyptian · Traditional Egyptian favourite
- $$
Al-Sahaby Lane Restaurant
Egyptian · Nile-view rooftop
- $$
Soft Restaurant
Egyptian · Local tourist-area classic
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
- $$$$
Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor
East Bank Nile · Agatha Christie-era Nile landmark
- $$$$
Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa
East Bank · Modern Nile resort
- $$$
Nefertiti Hotel
East Bank · Rooftop Nile-view favourite
Shopping
- Luxor Souk
- Alabaster factory shops
- West Bank artisan stalls
- Gaddis & Co antiques
Nightlife
- Luxor Temple lit at night
- Nile riverside cafés
- Sonesta St. George terrace
Museums & culture
- Luxor Museum
- Mummification Museum
- Valley of the Kings tombs
Local foods to try
- Koshari
- Ful medames
- Grilled pigeon
- Molokhia
Hidden gems
- Hot-air balloon at sunrise
- Medinet Habu temple
- Deir el-Medina workers' village
Travel tips
- Start Valley of the Kings at opening to avoid heat and crowds
- West Bank needs a full day
- Hot-air balloons — book reputable operators only
In pictures
Luxor gallery
Photos: Roland Unger, Marc Ryckaert, Badics, Charlesdrakew, Balloon_over_Luxor_-_Egypt.jpg: Marcosleal derivative work: Pro2 (talk) — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Luxor travel FAQs
What are the best things to do in Luxor?
Top picks in Luxor include Karnak Temple, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Luxor Temple at night. See the full list and itinerary on this Luxor travel guide.
When is the best time to visit Luxor?
October–April for cooler sightseeing weather.
How many days do I need in Luxor?
Plan at least 3 days in Luxor for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Luxor?
Popular stays in Luxor include Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor, Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa, Nefertiti Hotel. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
How much does a trip to Luxor cost?
On the ground in Luxor (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 15–35 per person per day, mid-range about 30–90, and luxury about 105–170+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Luxor, Egypt. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
Keep exploring
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