Luxor

Currency budget Egypt

The same volatility as Cairo — exchange small amounts often. Bank branches on the corniche give the official rate. Carry a stack of small notes, because baksheesh is expected at every tomb, every toilet and every photograph.

ATMs & cards

CIB and Banque Misr on the east bank corniche. There are very few machines on the west bank, so withdraw before crossing. Machines empty over public holidays.

Withdraw on the east bank corniche before crossing. Carry a stack of small notes: baksheesh is expected at every tomb and every toilet.

Wherever you are: if the machine offers to charge you in your home currency, decline. That is dynamic currency conversion and the rate is set by the ATM's operator, not your bank.

Safety all of Egypt

Heavily policed and safe for visitors; the hassle is the issue, not danger. Expect constant approaches from caleche drivers, felucca captains and would-be guides — a firm la, shukran and continuing to walk is the technique. Summer heat is genuinely dangerous, which is why the tombs and the balloons start at dawn.

Our own assessment, not a sourced index.

Entry & visa Egypt visa rules

Health & emergencies all of Egypt

Required to enter

• Yellow fever certificate, but only if you are arriving from a country where yellow fever is present

Orientation, not medical advice — entry rules change and what you need depends on your own history. Check with a travel clinic four to six weeks before you go.

Food tip

Koshari and taameya as everywhere in Egypt, plus grilled pigeon, which is a local speciality and better than it sounds. Eat away from the corniche for a third of the price.

Nightlife

Hotel bars, a corniche of shisha cafés and a 4am alarm for the balloons. Nobody comes here for the evening.

• Luxor Corniche — the cafés and the felucca touts
• Luxor Temple — lit at night, and open late

Closing: Midnight.

A beer in a bar: EGP 60–120

Luxor Temple is floodlit and open into the evening, and is a far better hour than the middle of the day.

Getting around

• Ferry across the Nile — a few pounds, runs constantly, and how locals cross to the west bank
• Taxi by the half-day — the practical way to see the west bank tombs, agreed in advance
• Bicycle — flat and pleasant on the west bank in winter, punishing any other season
• Caleche — horse carriage along the corniche, charming and relentlessly overpriced; agree the fare
• Airport: Luxor (LXR) is 15 min out, or arrive on the overnight train from Cairo

Internet speedall of Egypt

Getting online: Airalo or Holafly — a data eSIM for Egypt, installed before you fly and working the moment you land.

Source: Ookla Speedtest Global Index · measured June 2026

Must-see

Nearby day trips

Say a few words

Arabic

• Helloمرحبا — MarhabaMAR-ha-ba
• Pleaseمن فضلك — Min fadlakmin FAD-lak
• Thank youشكرا — ShukranSHOOK-ran
• Yes / Noنعم / لا — Na’am / LaNA-am / la

Inshallah, meaning God willing, follows nearly any statement about the future and is conversational rather than religious.

Religion

Sunni Muslim, with a Coptic Christian minority

Around 90% Muslim and 10% Coptic Christian, one of the oldest Christian communities on earth. Cover shoulders and knees at mosques and churches alike; women cover their heads at mosques.

Do's and don'ts

Do

• Use your right hand for eating, greeting and handing anything over
• Dress modestly away from resorts — shoulders and knees covered, and a scarf for women entering mosques
• Agree a price before accepting any service, including a photograph with a camel
• Carry small notes for baksheesh; it is expected constantly and is part of how the economy works

Don't

• Do not photograph military or police installations, bridges or airports — this is taken seriously
• Do not show the sole of your foot to anyone, or point with your feet
• Do not show public affection beyond hand-holding; it is illegal in some readings and always poorly received
• Do not accept an unsolicited guide at the pyramids who then demands a fee — say la, shukran, firmly and keep walking