Luxor
Egypt
- Karnak
- Luxor Temple
- Valley of the Kings
- Temple of Hatshepsut
- Colossi of Memnon
About Luxor
Luxor stands on the Nile on the site of ancient Thebes. The religious capital of Egypt during the New Kingdom, the area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The temples of Karnak and Luxor lie on the east bank, while the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon sit on the west bank, which is why the city is often called an open-air museum.
Natural phenomena and seasons
- Dust and sand storms (March–May) — Dust and sand storms are more frequent from March–May; visibility can drop quickly and flights may be affected.
How many days do you need?
Allow at least two days: one for the Karnak and Luxor temples on the east bank, and one for the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon on the west bank. A third day can add the Valley of the Queens and Medinet Habu.
Where to stay
- East bank — Large Nile-side hotels near the temples and the station.
- West bank — Quieter, village-style guesthouses close to the ancient tombs.
From the airport to the city
Luxor International Airport (LXR) is about 4 miles east of the city. Taxis or hotel transfers run into town; agree on the fare in advance. Overnight trains also link Luxor with Cairo.
Getting around
On the east bank, use taxis or horse-drawn carriages. Cross to the west bank by public ferry, motorboat or by road over the bridge; the west-bank sites are spread out, so hiring a driver is practical.
Good to know
- Summer temperatures easily exceed 104 °F; visit the tombs early in the morning and carry plenty of water.
- Some tombs need an extra ticket and open on a rotating basis.
- The currency is the Egyptian pound. Check current official travel advisories before you go.
Useful links
- Experience Egypt (Egyptian tourism) egypt.travel
When to go?
Best time to visit for the weather: December–February. The warmest month is August (average high 106 °F); the wettest is January (0.1 in).
Monthly climate
| Month | Avg. high °F | Rain in | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 71.4 | 0.06 | Ideal |
| February | 76.6 | 0.00 | Ideal |
| March | 84.9 | 0.00 | Good |
| April | 93.6 | 0.00 | Very hot |
| May | 100.8 | 0.01 | Very hot |
| June | 105.6 | 0.00 | Very hot |
| July | 105.4 | 0.00 | Very hot |
| August | 106.2 | 0.01 | Very hot |
| September | 102.6 | 0.00 | Very hot |
| October | 95.2 | 0.00 | Very hot |
| November | 83.5 | 0.01 | Good |
| December | 74.8 | 0.00 | Ideal |
Source: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis), 2005–2024 monthly averages of daily high temperature and total rainfall. Values are estimates for an area of about 50 km and may differ from the city-centre weather station.
Public holidays 2027
- Christmas DayJanuary 7
- National Police DayJanuary 25
- Revolution Day 2011January 25
- End of Ramadan (Eid al-Fitr) *March 9 (3 days)
- Sinai Liberation DayApril 25
- Labour DayMay 1
- Sham El NessimMay 3
- Feast of the Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha) *May 16 (4 days)
- Islamic New Year *June 6
- 30 June DayJune 30
- Revolution DayJuly 23
- Birthday of Muhammad (Mawlid) *August 14
- Armed Forces DayOctober 6
* Date follows the lunar calendar and may shift by a few days.
Sources: date-holidays and python-holidays open data projects; for Northern Cyprus, its public holidays law.
Practical info
- CurrencyEgyptian Pound (£)
- Dialling code+20
- Plugs & voltageType C, F · 220 V · 50 Hz
- EmergencyPolice 122 · Ambulance 123 · Fire 180
- DrivingOn the right
Sources: IEC plug types, Wikidata, Wikipedia; unverified details are left blank.