Luxor is an open-air museum stretching along the Nile in Upper Egypt, home to the greatest concentration of ancient monuments on Earth. From the colossal Karnak Temple Complex to the tombs of pharaohs in the Valley of the Kings, Luxor preserves millennia of Egyptian civilization. Once the ancient capital of Thebes, it remains one of the world's most extraordinary archaeological destinations.
Local currency: Egyptian Pound (EGP).
Daily budget by traveller style
Typical per-person daily spend in Luxor.
Cost breakdown
Typical price ranges across major spending categories.
Accommodation
- Hostel
- $4-8 (dorm bed)
- Budget
- $15-30 (budget guesthouse/private room)
- Midrange
- $50-100 (3-4 star hotel)
- Luxury
- $150-400+ (5-star Nile hotel)
Food
- Street
- $1-3 (koshari, taameya sandwich, fresh juice)
- Local
- $4-8 (local Egyptian restaurant)
- Midrange
- $12-20 (tourist restaurant, mezze and grill)
- Fine
- $30-60 (hotel fine dining)
Transport
- Bus
- $0.10-0.50 (local minibus within Luxor)
- Taxi
- $2-5 (short East Bank taxi ride, negotiate)
- Airport
- $2-4 (taxi from LXR airport, negotiate)
- Daytrip
- $30-80 (private driver for full West Bank day or day trip to Edfu/Esna)
Activities
- Museum
- $7-10 (Luxor Museum or Mummification Museum)
- Sites
- $7-25 (temples and tombs admission)
- Tour
- $15-50 (licensed guide for Valley of the Kings or Karnak)
- Excursion
- $20-50 (hot air balloon extra fees, boat trips)
Trip budgets by length
What a typical trip to Luxor costs end-to-end.
Budget traveller
$238 for 7 days (excluding international flights)
Midrange traveller
$756 for 7 days (excluding international flights)
Luxury traveller
$1,813+ for 7 days (excluding international flights)
Money-saving tips
Practical ways to stretch your budget further.
Visit Luxor in June-August for 30-50% lower hotel prices — the heat is manageable with early starts
Use the EGP 1 public Nile ferry instead of private motorboats (which cost EGP 50-100)
Buy a combination ticket for West Bank sites at the main ticket office rather than paying per site
Eat breakfast and lunch at local restaurants away from the Corniche for half the tourist price
Rent a bicycle on the West Bank instead of hiring a driver or taking calèches
Book hot air balloon rides directly with smaller operators rather than through hotels — prices are often 30% lower
Negotiate all taxi fares firmly before boarding — never accept the first price quoted
Student discounts (ISIC card) give 50% reductions on most Luxor site admissions
Carry small EGP notes for baksheesh (tips) rather than giving larger notes to avoid 'no change' situations
Eat at the local market near the train station where portions are large and prices are rock-bottom
Free things to do
Memorable experiences that cost nothing.
Avenue of Sphinxes
Walk the newly restored 2.7km processional road connecting Luxor Temple to Karnak, free at all times
Colossi of Memnon
The iconic twin pharaonic statues are freely accessible on the West Bank road
Luxor Corniche
The palm-lined Nile promenade is a free and beautiful evening walk
Luxor Souk (window shopping)
Exploring the bazaar behind Luxor Temple is free; bargaining for goods optional
West Bank Cycling
Rent a bicycle for EGP 30-50/day and cycle among the temples and fields for free
Nile Sunset Viewing
The East Bank Corniche offers spectacular free Nile sunset views every evening
Luxor Temple at Night (exterior)
The illuminated exterior of Luxor Temple can be appreciated free from the Corniche
Banana Island (ferry only)
The ferry to Banana Island costs minimal EGP — walking the plantations is free once there
West Bank Village Walks
Walking through the agricultural villages of the West Bank is a rewarding and free cultural experience
Karnak Temple Approach
The avenue of ram-headed sphinxes at the Karnak entrance can be seen partially without paying admission