Travel Guide Luxor
If there is a city for which the word "myth" could have been forged, it is undoubtedly for that of the gods of Egypt: Luxor. Nestled in the valley of the Nile River, the history of what was once called Thebes has been told a thousand and one times, from the Emperor Hadrian to Napoleon's scholars, not to mention the cohort of European explorers of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Today, this "Egyptomania" fever attracts an ever-increasing number of travelers. It is necessary to say that Luxor exhales a particular magnetism, supported by so many legends that a parchment would not be enough to record them. The tourist guide of Luxor does not pretend to synthesize this splendid and rich history, but at least to give some keys of understanding to the apprentice explorer. Walking through the temples of Luxor, one understands that never in the ancient history of the country has there been a larger city. As the visitor goes through the historical sites, the permanent evocation of the gods changes little by little the vision of the one who came only to see stones assembled in columns: the sun becomes Ra, the ram grazing peacefully is Amun the Wise, the wild dog wandering in the cemeteries is Anubis, and the Nile reminds Hapy, who manages its flow. This is the magic of Luxor. It is only here that the Egyptian pantheon takes shape, with force, and to which the Museum of Ancient Art is a good introduction. On the other side of the river, it is the men who are celebrated, in the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens.
What to visit Luxor?
Suggested addresses Luxor
When to go to Luxor?
When to go to Luxor? In Upper Egypt, of which Luxor is a part, the high tourist season runs from October to February: winter is indeed a very pleasant season in the Nile Valley. The best time to go to Luxor is certainly from November to mid-February. In spring, a prevailing southwest wind (khamsin or "50", as it is supposed to blow for fifty days) warms the entire country. Hot and dry, it sometimes blows violently (100 to 120 km per hour) and can cause delays in air and road transport (silted roads, cleared tracks...). However, the temperature is very good and tourist numbers tend to decrease compared to winter. From June onwards, the thermometer climbs to unreasonable temperatures (up to 48°C on some days in Upper Egypt), and Luxor empties, until the end of August, when the temperature becomes tolerable again in Upper Egypt. When to go to Luxor then? The most pleasant period is between the end of September and mid-May. It is always possible in the middle of August to visit archaeological sites very early in the morning before the sun turns your decor white to the extreme. Then going on to the air-conditioned museums is a wise choice. A small restaurant in the shade and a long nap will make you feel better. Luxor can also be visited during Ramadan. Admittedly, the hours of museums and sites are shortened, but the nightlife is incomparable, with concerts organized in the streets, cafés, cultural centers, and tents of Ramadan which welcome musicians until 4am. Eid celebrations, which are family celebrations and do not give rise to any particular event, should be avoided.
Weather at the moment
We can say that Luxor's temperatures are perfect between October and May, terribly hot in June and July, hot in August and September. However, things are not so simple because, as in all semi-desert countries, the influence of the wind (frequent) remains primordial on the level of the temperatures, and the weather of Luxor is thus directly dependent on it.
The Egyptian pound (EL) is the prevailing currency in Luxor. However, it is necessary to bring euros to pay for certain tourist services such as hotel rooms. You will have no difficulty finding accommodation in Luxor. Many hotels offer very reasonable prices, but the standard is not always there. You should also be aware that it is common for prices to be higher in the winter than in the summer. There is no shortage of inexpensive restaurants to eat at.
A tourist visa (maximum validity of 1 month, cost 25 US$) is required in addition to the passport to enter Egypt, and thus to go to Luxor. It can be obtained from the Egyptian diplomatic authorities in France, notably at the Egyptian embassy in Paris, but it is easier to buy it upon arrival at one of Egypt's international airports, such as Luxor.
In Luxor, the biggest health hazard is certainly the sun, which is particularly relentless in summer. In addition to sunscreen, a hat and bottled water (the water is not drinkable in Luxor), you should also take repellent to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes, carriers of viral diseases (Egypt is one of the countries affected by the avian flu epizootic). Make sure that your mandatory vaccinations in France are up to date (D.T. Polio for example). Vaccination against hepatitis A is recommended. You will also need to be vaccinated against a number of diseases such as typhoid, rabies and hepatitis B as a preventive measure for a prolonged stay where conditions can be precarious. There is no longer any malaria in Egypt.
Practical information
- When to travel?
- Weather forecast
- Budget
- Formalities
- Health
- How to travel by yourself?
- How to get organized?
- Getting around
Media
How to go to Luxor? Our advice & tips
Eminently touristic, Luxor has many French-speaking agencies specialized in the destination, and more than in many other regions of the world, it is here interesting to opt for an all-inclusive trip. Individual travelers will pay at least twice as much on the spot for accommodation, food and travel. A stop in Luxor can also be considered during a trip to Egypt or a cruise on the Nile.
Discover our selection of travel agencies for this destinationIf you plan ahead, you can find plane tickets from France, with a stopover in Cairo, from 450 €. Then, as everywhere else, anticipation will allow you to get by at a lower cost, especially in terms of accommodation. Luxor being a very touristy city, it is nevertheless advisable to use the services of specialists offering all-inclusive stays that are very interesting economically. Nothing obliges you to stay in a group once you are there.
If you land in Cairo, you can reach Luxor either by plane, or by train (normal or sleeping car), or by cab, or via a boat cruise on the Nile. On the spot, you can travel by cab or collective cab (price to be negotiated, always!), but also by carriage(hantours) or by bicycle. To cross the Nile, we take the ferry. The felucca (small sailing boat) is also a pleasant and picturesque means of transportation on the Nile.
