Luxor is an open-air museum of history with its fascinating temples and valleys of kings, where the ruins of Thebai, the capital of ancient Egypt, have survived. Here you should wander through the splendid courtyards of the Temple of Karnak and take the most beautiful pictures of the colonnades of the Luxor Temple.
The Mummification Museum, opened in 1997, and the Luxor Museum, designed by Mahmoud El-Hakim, present ancient objects in a modern exhibition style.
In Luxor, where the desert climate prevails throughout the year, temperatures vary between 39-45 °C. Precipitation is almost non-existent.
Luxor Historical and Cultural Attractions
Karnak Temple: This complex, built over a thousand years, reflects the spirit of Thebai with its column halls and sacred lake view. The construction work lasted for more than two thousand years between 2055 BC and 100 AD.
This temple was continuously expanded by multiple pharaohs and architects. The site has four main sections spanning 247 acres. The largest and most open to visitors is the Amun-Ra Sanctuary.
In the magnificent Hypostyle Hall, 134 colossal columns display historical depictions with shadows reaching up to the sky. The Sphinx Road between Karnak and Luxor Temple was once a sacred passageway filled with hundreds of monumental sphinx statues that led visitors to the divine corridor.
Luxor Temple: This temple on the banks of the Nile is dedicated to Amon-Ra. The columns of the temple shine like gold in the morning sun.
The temple, the first parts of which were built in early 1400 BC, was enriched with huge courtyards and colonnaded porticoes during the reign of Ramses II. The footprints at the entrance depict the ritual of the four sacred baboons greeting the morning sun.
The temple has a mystical atmosphere, especially at sunrise. Only one of the main entrance, once crowned by two granite obelisks, remains in place. The Sacred Lake, located inside the temple, contains water used by the priests for purification ceremonies.
Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens: The mysterious galleries of the Pharaohs’ tombs fascinate history buffs with their elaborate hieroglyphics.
There are more than 65 tombs in the Valley of the Kings. Tomb KV5 was built for the sons of Ramses II and has more than 120 rooms. This area, which was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1979 as ‘Ancient Thebai and its Necropolis’, hosted the great pharaohs of the New Kingdom period.
The tomb of Tutankhamun (KV62), discovered by Howard Carter in 1922, shocked the archaeological world with its jewellery and golden mask. It is impossible not to be mesmerised by the wealth of the kingdom.
The structures engraved in high positions, such as Neferteri’s tomb in the Valley of the Queens, reflect the belief of the pharaoh’s wife and nobles in the other world.
Luxor Museum: Mahmoud El-Hakim’s contemporary design houses sculptures from the New Kingdom period and rare artefacts of Tutankhamun. The museum was opened in 1975. The 26 New Kingdom sculptures from the nearby Luxor Temple are on display here, as well as the ‘Status Cache’ discovered in 1989. Expansion in 2004 brought the royal mummies of Ahmose I and Ramses II.
Museum of Mummification: This museum, which houses ancient techniques and real mummies, is a must-stop with its rich collection that tells the journey of the body to the afterlife.
Located on the banks of the Nile, north of the Luxor Temple, the Museum was opened in 1997. In this museum, all stages of the art of mummification are shown with chronological panels.
The tools used in the organ extraction process such as metal spatulas, brain-pulling spoons and the anti-decay effect of natron salt are explained in detail. The museum has interactive displays and guided tours.
Luxor Modern Buildings and Splendid Architectures
Luxor Museum Building: As part of the expansion in 2004, a 500 m² visitor centre was added to the east wing of the museum. It houses specially designed halls for multimedia exhibitions and educational programmes.
The newly added galleries combine the stories of ancient artefacts with a modern presentation through numerical interactive displays and augmented reality applications.
New Gourna Village: This is the sustainable village project built by Hassan Fathy in the 1940s and restored in 2022 in cooperation with UNESCO.
The local adobe bricks used in the construction of the historic village were placed according to the principles of natural air circulation for climate control. Hassan Fathy’s ‘architecture for the poor’ approach, combined with community participation and local craftsmanship, has made New Gourna an example of sustainable rural settlement.
Winter Palace Hotel: This hotel was opened in 1907 and is a colonial hotel. Built by Leon Stienon, the original plinth combines reinforced concrete frame and typical British colonial aesthetics.
The arch and column details on the façade reflect Victorian elegance. After the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922, Lord Carnarvon and Howard Carter made press announcements about the discovery here. This is why it has become the centre of the archaeological world.
Luxor Shopping and Gastronomy
El-Souk (Luxor Souk): This is a traditional marketplace. Spices, handmade jewellery and traditional textiles are sold. You can find the most beautiful souvenirs in this market.
Street Delicacies: Don’t leave here without trying street snacks such as fresh falafel, koshari and ful medames.
Koshary: Koshary is considered the national dish of Egypt. It is a dish of rice, pasta, lentils and noodles served with chickpeas, garlic tomato sauce and crispy onions. It is a hearty and economical street food.
Ta’ameya (Falafel): This green meatball made from a mixture of local broad beans and chickpeas, flavoured with parsley and coriander, is fried in hot oil until golden.
Hawawshi: Stuffed with minced meat, onion, pepper and various spices between thin lavash and baked in the oven, hawawawshi is a very satisfying dish.
Molokhia: This green, thick soup made from the leaves of the Corchorus plant is usually cooked in chicken or meat broth and served with rice.
Gollash: Egyptian style pastry, which is baked with minced meat between layers of phyllo dough, is preferred at all times of the day, including breakfast.
1886 Restaurant (Sofitel Winter Palace): Enjoy an unforgettable dinner in this elegant setting overlooking the Nile and serving highly elaborate French cuisine.
Wenis Art Restaurant: With its artistic décor and cosy seating areas, this venue offers classics such as koshary, ful and ta’ameya, as well as traditional dishes such as Fteer Meshaltet, unique to the region.
Luxor Natural Beauties and Outdoor Activities
Hot Air Balloon: Would you like to observe Luxor’s ‘open air museum’ title from the air? Then this tour is for you.
The balloons take off just before sunrise and gently glide over the temples of Karnak and Luxor. It is fascinating to see the columns painted in golden yellow by the first lights of the sun from the air. this tour is included in the lists of the best balloon tours in the world. The balloon tour lasts 45-60 minutes.
Nile Tours with Felucca: The most traditional outdoor activity to do in Luxor is to glide on the Nile with wooden paddle felucca boats. These tours usually take 1-2 hours. You can observe Elephantine Island, the green shorelines of the Nile and ancient temples from the water.
If you join the sunset cruises organised in the evening, you can see the orange sky and capture wonderful photo frames.
Desert Safari and ATV Tours: Luxor’s western desert is home to quad bike and ATV tours. Participants are taken by shuttle to the hotel or meeting point on the banks of the Nile.
After a short safety briefing, a trail ride at 40-60 kilometres per hour through desert valleys such as Wadi Ziad. These tours are usually organised at sunset.
How is the climate in Luxor?
Luxor has a real desert climate. It almost never rains here throughout the year. In summer, daytime temperatures reach up to 40°C. At night in summer, the temperature stays at 26 °C. The winter season lasts from December to February, but it is very short. In winter, daytime temperatures are between 23-24 °C and nighttime temperatures between 5-7 °C. Light showers rarely occur in winter. However, the days are mostly sunny and clear.
Why you should visit Luxor? According to my point of view
Luxor is known as ‘the largest open-air museum in the world’. The ancient ruins from Karnak Temple to Luxor Temple to the Valley of Kings and Queens are breathtaking. Take a hot air balloon ride at sunrise to capture unforgettable shots of the temples’ pillars painted gold as they soar over the green band of the Nile and the desert landscape.
On the newly resurrected Sphinx Avenue, you can walk among more than 600 monumental sculptures lined up along 1.2 kilometres, tracing the ancient festival processions.
Discover the pharaohs’ journey to the afterlife in the Valley of the Kings, with its funerary galleries, elaborate hieroglyphics and mysterious cave tombs.
On the banks of the Nile, you can spend a romantic evening by taking an evening tour on wooden paddle felucca boats. Desert safaris and ATV tours in the Theban hills offer adrenaline lovers a unique experience among the sand dunes. This is a must-visit destination for history lovers!
Transportation Options from Sphinx Airport to Luxor
The distance between Sphinx Airport and Luxor is approximately 700 km.
Flights
There is no direct flight from Sphinx Airport to Luxor. If you want to travel by plane, you need to go from this airport to Cairo Airport. You can reach Cairo Airport with a taxi journey of approximately half an hour.
There are a total of 77 weekly direct flights between Cairo and Luxor. Airline companies such as EgyptAir, Air Cairo, Nile Air, Nesma Airlines and Neos have regular flights on this route.
EgyptAir operates the busiest flights, while Air Cairo is the most economically viable option.
Price Ranges (One Way, Economy)
Air Cairo:
Initial: 27 USD
Average: 25-70 USD
EgyptAir
Start: 117 USD
Average: 117-240 USD
Nile Air:
Start: 85 USD
Average: 80-130 USD
Nesma Airlines & Neos:
Start: 90 USD for charter/private flights
Number of Weekly Flights
EgyptAir
Average: 5-6 flights/day
Total: 37 flights/week
Air Cairo
On certain days (Mon, Tues, Thurs, Sat, Sun)
Total: 16 flights/week
Nile Air
1 flight per day
Total: 7 flights/week
Neos
1 flight per day
Total: 7 flights/week
Nesma Airlines
Charter/intermediate quota
Total: 10 flights/week
Usually you can find the most affordable tickets on Tues-Thurs. Low-cost Air Cairo tickets usually only include cabin baggage allowance. You can pay for additional baggage. For a more comfortable flight, you can choose EgyptAir or Nile Air.
Travelling by Bus
Sphinx Airport is not served by local buses. You must first go from the airport to Giza (Ramsis) bus station. Companies such as LBlue Bus, Go Bus Egypt and Golden Horse operate regular bus services to Luxor.
There are night services on the Ramsis-Luxor line with Go Bus at 00:00, 01:30, 02:05. The average journey is 8-10 hours. Ticket prices are between 10-15 USD.
According to Busbud data, the average bus ticket starts from 9 USD. Night buses are both cheaper and advantageous in terms of being in Luxor in the morning upon arrival.
Go Bus Egypt’s Ramsis (Cairo) to Luxor bus timetable
00:00 – Midnight departure, arriving in Luxor at approximately 08:00
01:30 – Early morning departure, arriving in Luxor at approximately 09:30
02:05 – Late night departure, arriving in Luxor at approximately 10:05
White Bus – Ramses Bus Station to Luxor Services
Departure Point: Ramses Bus Station, Cairo
Destination: Luxor Central Bus Station
Departure Time: 23:30
Arrival Time: 09:30 (next morning)
Duration: Approx. 10 hours
Ticket Price: Approx. 11 USD
Bus Class: Premium Economy
Getting there by Train
There is no railway station in the immediate vicinity of Sphinx Airport. You must first take a taxi from Giza railway station (Ramses Station) or CAI to the city centre.
From Ramses Station to Luxor you can travel in comfortable, air-conditioned carriages such as ‘First Class Special Express’ and ‘VIP Special Express’. Trains depart every 3 hours.
Train Services and Duration
The fastest trains are the ‘First Class Special Express’ services departing between 01:20-12:05. The journey time is approximately 10 hours.
Sleeper trains (No. 84, 86) depart around 20:00 in the evening. It reaches Luxor at 05:05 the next morning. These trains are sleeper trains. You can book this train for a comfortable journey.
Cabin/Type and Price Ranges:
Tourist: EGP 2,100-4,000
Sleeper: EGP 3.400-5.000
Talgo: EGP 2.500-2.800
VIP Special Express: EGP 1,700-2,400
Spanish Express: EGP 1,300-1,800
Train Timetables
00:00 (midnight)
03:00 (03:00 am)
06:00 (06:00 am)
09:00 (09:00 am)
12:00 (12:00 noon)
15:00 (15:00 pm)
18:00 (18:00 pm)
21:00 (21:00 pm)
Car Hire
You can rent a car at Sphinx Airport and travel to Luxor. There are offices of many car hire companies at the airport. Here you can rent the car you want according to your needs and budget. I recommend you to rent your car before landing at the airport.
Route Information from Sphinx Airport to Luxor
Total Distance: Approximately 700 kilometres
Estimated Driving Time: 8 to 9 hours depending on traffic and stopovers.
Main Route: Sphinx Airport → Giza → Beni Suef → Minya → Asyut → Sohag → Qena → Luxor
Directions:
After exiting Sphinx Airport, head towards Giza. Connect to E75 highway from Giza. Drive south on E75 and pass through Beni Suef, Minya, Asyut, Sohag and Qena cities respectively. After Qena, you can reach the city by following the Luxor signs.
Important Points on the Road:
Beni Suef: Located on the west bank of the Nile River, this city is important in terms of agriculture and industry.
Minya: It is known for its ancient Egyptian tombs and historical ruins.
Asyut: It is one of the largest cities in Egypt and has a rich cultural heritage.
Sohag: The ancient city of Abydos is located in this region and is famous for the Temple of Osiris.
Qena: This city, where the Temple of Dendera is located, attracts attention with its historical and religious buildings.
My personal recommendations
Booking: Remember to book your plane and bus tickets early, especially during peak travel periods.
Navigation: If you are travelling by renting a car, you can determine the most suitable route by using up-to-date maps and navigation applications.
Safety: You may encounter security checks while travelling between cities in Egypt. You should keep your passport and car hire documents with you.