10 Awesome Things to Do in Luxor, Egypt for First-Timers

10 Best Things to Do in Luxor, Egypt

1. Visit Luxor Temple

Luxor Temple is one of the first temples you will see when you arrive in Luxor. This ancient Egyptian temple complex is located right in the middle of Luxor City, and you can easily pay a visit on foot.

Luxor Temple is an ancient Egyptian ruin constructed way back in 1400 BCE when the area was still referred to as Thebes, and it was built as a place where the ancient Egyptian people crowned their kings.

The temple was expanded throughout its existence by various kings, and it is divided into several sections. Right at the entrance, you will find the Obelisk of Ramses 2, and as you walk into the temple, you will find yourself in the Grand Colonnade area surrounded by giant pillars.

As you continue, you will be in the Sun Court of Amenhotep III, which is a great place to be at sunset. Behind the sun court is the avenue of Sphinx where both sides of the walkway are filled with Sphinx statues, which are even more breathtaking at night.

Due to its proximity to the city, it is also one of the few temples you can visit during sunset and into the night to see the ancient ruins being illuminated by artificial lights, which is quite a sight to behold.

I highly recommend you visit the site around 6 PM for the sunset and stay until they turn on the lights. You are going to love it. Luxor Temple opens from 6 AM to 10 PM, and the entrance fee is 160 EGP per person.

2. Be Blown Away By the Pillars at Karnak Temple

Karnak Temple is another must-visit large temple complex that is not too far from Luxor City. Located just north of the city center, Karnak Temple is a great place to visit, especially if you plan to explore Luxor independently and on a budget, as you can easily reach Karnak Temple by minibus for around 2 EGP.

Right at the entrance of Karnak Temple, you will be greeted with lines of ram-headed sphinx statues on both sides. Within the temple, you will find the Great Hypostyle Hall, a large hallway with more than 130 massive columns arranged in 16 rows that will take your breath away.

These columns are probably the largest of them all, with many of them reaching over 21 meters (69 ft) tall. The fact that they were able to build such an impressive structure, with some sections weighing over 70 tons, way back in 300 BCE, is beyond me.

The Great Hypostyle Hall is one of the highlights of visiting Karnak Temple, making it a great photo spot if you have a camera with a wide enough focal length to capture the true scale of these columns. Unfortunately, I didn't have one, so all I got was a photo of the columns and a very small me 😅.

Located at the center of the temple, you will also find the Obelisk of Thutmosis I, the tallest in the world at the time it was constructed, and the tallest surviving ancient obelisk in the world right now, which is quite a sight to behold.

Karnak Temple's opening hours are between 6 AM and 5:30 PM every day, and the entrance fee, including Karnak Open-Air Museum, is 200 EGP per person. Expect to spend around 1-2 hours here to see it all.

3. Visit Luxor Museum

Located on the East Bank of the Nile, Luxor Museum is where they collect and preserve Ancient Egyptian artifacts discovered here in Luxor, from everyday items to ancient sculptures and even mummies.

The museum holds a stunning collection of items that tell the story of what it was like living in ancient Thebes. One could only imagine what they have discovered in this "land of the palaces" and how many are still waiting to be discovered.

If you are looking to learn more about this ancient capital city of Egypt, visiting Luxor Museum is a no-brainer. The museum opens from 9 AM - 4 PM and again from 5 PM - 10 PM every day. The entrance fee is 140 EGP per person.

4. Visit Mummification Museum

The Mummification Museum is another museum located not too far from Luxor Museum and Luxor Temple that is worth a visit if you are interested in the process of mummification or how the ancient Egyptians mastered the art of preserving the dead.

The museum is not as big as Luxor Museum, but it is still quite an interesting one to visit if you have another day to spare in Luxor. The museum opens from 9 AM to 1 PM and again from 5 PM to 8 PM every day, and the entrance fee is 100 EGP per person.

5. Check Out the Beautiful Tombs at Valley of the Kings

Now that we are done with the East Bank, it is time to explore the West Bank of Luxor, and one of the first places you have to visit is the Valley of the Kings.

The Valley of Kings is where the ancient Egyptians buried their beloved kings in rock-cut royal tombs to commemorate their accomplishments in life.

There have been found over 60 tombs and chambers in this valley, many of which were decorated with carvings and murals of Egyptian Mythology scenes, which allow us to learn a bit more about the belief system of Ancient Egyptians.

Some of the most impressive royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings are the tomb of Tutankhamun, the tomb of Ramesses V and VI, and the tomb of Seti I, all of which require an additional ticket to enter.

I especially like the tomb of Ramesses V and VI, where you will be able to see some of the most well-preserved colored wall carvings still intact. If you are planning to spend only 100 EGP on extra tickets, make it this one.

The Valley of the Kings opens from 9 AM to 3 PM every day except Friday and Sunday. The entrance fee to the Valley of the Kings is 240 EGP per person, and you have access to 8 tombs. To enter the tomb of Ramesses V and VI, you will have to spend another 100 EGP for an extra ticket.

6. Stroll Around Temple of Hatshepsut

The Temple of Hatshepsut is an ancient Egyptian temple constructed by Queen Hatshepsut in the 15th Century BC, and it is considered to be a masterpiece of ancient architecture.

The temple consists of three massive terraces that rise above the desert, leading you to a number of shrines inside the cliff behind it. Once you are inside, there are some truly impressive columns and carvings to see. The place is quite spacious, and it may take you an hour to see everything it has to offer.

Now, if the Temple of Hatshepsut seems familiar to you, even though you have not been here before, you are not alone. For those of you who are gamers, the layout of the temple will be very familiar to you.

Well, if you have played Serious Sam 3, a first-person shooting game released way back in 2011, you will realize that one of the maps in the game is based on this temple, and you should be able to explore the place like the back of your hand.

The temple opens from 6 AM to 5 PM every day, and the entrance fee is 140 EGP per person. If you are going on a tour, the ticket price should be included in the tour price.

7. Check out the Colossi of Memnon

The Colossi of Memnon are two massive stone statues of pharaohs, measuring around 18 meters (60 ft) in height. It is said that these statues have been standing at this exact location since 1350 BCE when they were constructed, which is pretty mind-blowing.

The fact that you can still make out the seated postures and the anatomy of the 3000-year-old sculptures really shows just how much of masters the ancient Egyptians were.

If you are visiting the West Bank of Luxor with a tour, the tour should stop by here for around 30 minutes before continuing on to other tourist attractions. There isn't a whole lot to see, but it is still worth a visit nevertheless.

The place opens from 6 AM to 5 PM every day, and the entrance fee is FREE! An attraction with a free entrance fee in Egypt? Now, that's a first 😂.

8. Be Amazed at the Beauty of Medinet Habu Temple

Not too far from the Colossi of Memnon, there is also another impressive temple to visit. The Medinet Habu Temple is an ancient temple dedicated to Amun, and it is famous for its well-preserved inscriptions depicting the defeat of the Sea People during the rule of Ramesses III on the walls of the temple.

Within the temple, you will also find several courtyards with some really impressive sculptures, pylons, and ancient Egyptian columns, similar to the ones in Karnak Temple but smaller.

If you went on a tour, this would be your last stop before heading back to Luxor city and definitely a great place to end the day. The temple opens from 6 AM to 5 PM, and the entrance fee to Medinet Habu is 100 EGP per person.

9. Visit Howard Carter House

For those of you who are traveling the West Bank of Luxor independently, do not forget to visit Howard Carter House, the preserved house of a great British archaeologist who discovered the Tomb of Tutankhamun at the Valley of Kings way back in the 30s, before you get back to Luxor City.

All the content of the house is kept the way it was almost a hundred years ago, and visiting the place and seeing all the old furniture is like stepping back in time. The house is open from 9 AM to 5 PM every day, and the entrance fee is 20 EGP.

10. Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Luxor at Sunrise

If you are spending another day in Luxor, I highly recommend you sign up for a Hot Air Balloon Ride over Luxor to see Luxor and all its stunning tourist attractions from a perspective you have yet to see, from the air.

The hot air balloon is also one of the most affordable rides you can get, with a tour costing only around $30-40 USD per person, and you will be in the air for around 45 minutes, flying over places like the Valley of the Kings, which is best appreciated from the air.

Keep in mind that riding a hot air balloon is dependent on favorable weather, and the trip may get canceled at the last minute, so do not keep your hopes up too high. To book the tour, you can click on the link below:

Book a Hot Air Balloon Ride in Luxor

When to Visit Luxor, Egypt?

October to April is usually the best time to visit Egypt due to the mild weather, but in my opinion, the crowds and the increase in price might ruin it for you.

I would recommend that you go during the shoulder seasons, such as June or September. During these months, you will be able to enjoy the best of both worlds: fewer people at tourist attractions, cooler weather, and fewer unnecessary jacked-up prices.

How to Get to Luxor, Egypt?

In order to get to Luxor from abroad, you first have to get to Cairo, the capital city of Egypt, where you can then travel to Luxor by various modes of transportation.

Fortunately, Cairo is one of the largest hubs in the region, and you should have no trouble finding a flight to get from your home country to Cairo International Airport.

From the US, there are 2 direct flights from Washington DC and New York operated by EgyptAir that will take you to Cairo in about 10 hours. If you don't mind transiting, Middle Eastern airlines like Qatar and Turkish Airlines also fly from other major cities in the US like LA, Chicago, etc. to Cairo.

From Europe, you can fly from different popular European hubs like London, Paris, or Frankfurt via national airlines such as British Airways, Lufthansa, or Air France, or with EgyptAir directly to Cairo. You can also go with Etihad and Emirates if you don't mind transiting; they are often cheaper and very comfortable to fly on.

From Asia, there are no direct flights to Egypt, but you can fly with Middle Eastern Airlines like Turkish Airlines, Emirates, and Etihad from many major hubs like Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, Jakarta, and Bangkok.

To find a cheap flight to Egypt, I would recommend you use Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule, so you can compare and pick the best one.

Getting From Cairo to Luxor

By Train: Egypt is well-connected by trains, and one of the most scenic and time-effective ways to travel from Cairo to Luxor is to get on one of these sleeper trains.

There are several trains per day, but the most recommended sleeper train is the one that leaves from Cairo Ramses Station at 7:45 PM and arrives in Luxor at 05:55 AM the next day.

If you want to go along the way to see the view, the one leaving from Cairo at 08:00 AM and arriving in Luxor at 7:00 PM is also recommended.

The price for the trains ranges from 7 USD for a second-class seat to 80 USD (1,255 EGP) for a 2-berth shared sleeper, to 120 USD (1,800 EGP) for a sole-berth sleeper. I went with the shared berth, and I wasn't sharing with anyone; it was alright, although it's not cheap.

You can book the train online from their official site, or you can find more details about train travel in Egypt here.

For the most affordable way, I would go by bus instead. Trains are great if you enjoy the journey as much as the destination, but since it isn't cheap, you can do as I did and ride the train to Luxor and then take the bus back.

By Bus: This is the cheapest way to get from Cairo to Luxor as there are plenty of buses that go directly to Luxor. Traveling by bus is definitely cheaper than taking a sleeper train and quite comfortable if you don't mind sleeping on the bus.

Go Bus is a great bus operator to go with if you want to travel from Cairo to Luxor and vice versa. They have 4 buses per day at 01:50 AM, 05:35 AM, 09:40 PM, and 11:34 PM departing near Tahrir Square.

The journey should take you around 9 hours to reach Luxor, and the prices are 190 EGP, 265 EGP, and 450 EGP depending on the class you pick. You can book the bus from Cairo to Luxor here.

By Plane: You can also fly from Cairo to Luxor Airport on one of the four daily flights operated by EgyptAir and AirCairo from 6 AM to 5:30 PM. The journey will take about one hour and cost 50 USD per person.

From the airport, you will have to make your way out of the terminal and ward off touts and scammers who will likely charge you double to get to the city center. Find a taxi driver who is either in their car or dropping off other passengers outside the terminal area.

The taxi ride from the airport to the city center should cost no more than 200 EGP, and it should take about 20 minutes to get there.

How to Get Around Luxor, Egypt?

By Walking: If you are staying in the city center, there are some places in this article that you can walk to, like Luxor Temple. However, for places that are further away, you will need something more.

By Minibus: This is the cheapest way to get around Luxor, and it is how the locals move around the city. It costs around 2 EGP per ride, and the minibuses are clearly marked with different colors and run on fixed routes.

Places like Karnak Temple can be easily reached by minibus. The problem will be which minivan to get on, and the easiest way to know is to ask your hostel/hotel to point you in the right direction. It is a fun way to get around Luxor and great if you are looking for a crazy adventure. 😂

By Taxi: You can also hire a taxi to take you to all the tourist attractions on the East Bank of Luxor for around 300 EGP and around 500 EGP to explore the West Bank, but I wouldn't recommend this. You will have to deal with taxi drivers, some of whom aren't very nice, and it will end up costing you way more than just going with an organized tour.

By Tours: For other places that are further away, like The Valley of the Kings and Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, going with a tour is highly recommended as it will allow you to see all of these places without having to deal with the logistics. I went this route, and I was happy I did.

I would have killed myself if I had to deal with another scammy taxi driver again in Egypt 😅. God, they are everywhere!

There are several Luxor day trips you can join, but for the best one, I highly recommend the "A Luxor Day Trip from East to West Bank" tour. This tour will take you to all the tourist attractions around the East and West Banks of the Nile in Luxor with ample time at each place. It is a great way to see everything in one day without spending a lot of money. I highly recommend it.

See More Tours in Luxor

How Many Days To Spend in Luxor, Egypt?

One full day should be enough to see most of what Luxor has to offer, or you can extend your stay to 2 days if you want to relax a little. Below is a rough itinerary for Luxor.

Day 1: Go on a day trip and visit all the tourist attractions on the East and West Banks of the Nile. Spend the evening at Luxor Temple for a nice sunset experience.

Day 2 (optional): Ride the hot air balloon in the morning, visit all the museums in the city, and spend the rest of the day relaxing.

How Much Money Do I Need For Luxor, Egypt?

With the rough itinerary above, we can calculate approximately how much you will be spending here as follows:

Accommodation: For 2 nights in Luxor, you can expect to pay around 12 USD (188.5 EGP) for accommodation.

Food: Food costs about 30 EGP on average per meal, so you can expect to pay around 90 EGP per person for one full day.

Transportation: Since it is cheaper to rely on an organized tour, you will be spending 0 EGP on transportation.

Activities: For a day trip to the East and West Bank of Luxor, you can expect to pay around 80 USD or 1,256.70 EGP, which will include everything from transportation to entrance tickets, etc. If you want to go on a hot air balloon, it will cost an additional 30 USD, but it is totally optional and you will have to spend another night in Luxor.

Total budget for 1 day in Luxor, Egypt: 1,535.2 EGP (97.73 USD)

Is it Safe in Egypt?

One thing to be aware of in Egypt are scams. Scamming is very common here, and it is important for you to know how they operate and how you can avoid getting scammed, as I did.

I have written an entire article about it so you can read more on ways to avoid getting scammed in Egypt there. That said, not all locals are out to scam you; it's just that the scammers are the loudest, most aggressive, and they always make themselves known to you the moment you arrive at a tourist attraction.

Here are a few things to keep in mind. Everyone gets scammed at the pyramid, whether it's the taxi driver who pretends the meter was broken, a person impersonating a security guard taking you to where you want to go before asking for money, or people pretending to give you free stuff but then aggressively asking you to pay.

There is simply no shortage of them, and there is no way to avoid them either. So whenever a person approaches you for a friendly conversation, be extremely skeptical about it. As more often than not, they will try to scam you along the way.

Which tourist SIM card is best for Egypt?

Update: If your phone supports eSIM, I highly recommend checking out Airalo, a global eSIM marketplace. It allows you to stay connected affordably while traveling in Luxor, Egypt without having to switch out your physical SIM card.

Gone are the days when you needed to scramble to find a local SIM card at an airport upon arrival. You can purchase an eSIM before your arrival, and you'll be good to go. If your phone doesn't support eSIM, here is how you can get a local SIM card in Luxor, Egypt:

There are four major carriers in Egypt: Vodafone, Orange, Etisalat, and WE. All of them offer a pretty similar range of coverage and packages available for travelers.

I personally used Vodafone as they have a package specifically for tourists and are easily obtained at the airport or in any Vodafone shop you find in the country. They have 2 packages available, one with 8 GB of data, 200 minutes, and 20 international minutes for 200 EGP, and another with 30 GB for 500 EGP.

The validity of these packages is 30 days and can be extended as you see fit with other packages. I recommend you get the 8 GB one, which should be more than enough for most tourists.

For more information about Egypt's local sim card: Egypt's Prepaid Data Sim Card.

Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.

What to Pack for Luxor, Egypt?

As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Luxor, Egypt:

• Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
• Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
• Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
• Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
• Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
• Swim Suits: A swim trunk is a must-pack item if you are planning to visit Luxor, Egypt in the summer, just in case there is a body of water you can jump in.
• Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
• Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
• Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
• Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
• Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
• Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
• Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.

For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.

Further Reading for Egypt

I have plenty of articles to help you with your trip planning in Egypt. Here is a selection of articles about Egypt that you might like:

• Looking for a complete itinerary and travel guide for Egypt? 2-week itinerary for Egypt.
• There’s art in scamming people, and there’s also art in avoiding them. Here is how to avoid getting scammed in Egypt.
• Home to the Giza Pyramids, Cairo is probably the first place you will be in Egypt. Other than the pyramids, there are also other things you can do too. Here are the 10 Best Things To Do in Cairo, Egypt.
• Aswan, home to the famous Abu Simbel and Philae temples, is a must-visit when you are in Egypt. Here are the 8 Best Things to Do in Aswan, Egypt.
• My praise of Egypt isn't convincing? Why not let photos tell the story. Check out 22 photos that will inspire you to visit Egypt.
• You can also watch my travel video here: The Only Egypt We Have.
• To see all articles about Egypt, visit the Egypt Travel Guide page.
• Looking for more travel guides for the Middle East? You can find more on my Middle East Travel Guide page.
• For more of my travel guides, visit my Destinations page.