How Many Days In Luxor Is Enough?

Thinking about planning a trip to Luxor? It’s time to start thinking about how many days in Luxor will be enough.

You may hear Luxor described as the ‘world’s greatest open-air museum’ – which gives you a pretty good idea of what to expect when you visit this incredible city.

Luxor is filled with extraordinary monuments from ancient Thebes, including magnificent tombs and temples so grand they defy description. 

Divided by the River Nile – which separates the older parts of the city from the new – it is a place of wonders that has attracted western tourists since the 18th century. 

So how many days do you need in Luxor to see the best of its attractions and soak up the city’s atmosphere?

Are 2 days enough to visit the major highlights or will you need longer? 

To answer this, first ask yourself how busy you want your itinerary to be.

If you don’t mind being on the go the entire time – moving quickly from one experience to the next – then yes, you can see a lot of Luxor in 2 days.

But if you’d prefer to do your sightseeing at a more relaxed pace, then I’d recommend planning on spending 3 or even 4 nights in the city.

There are a few other things to think about when deciding how many days for Luxor you’ll need.

How To Choose How Long To Stay In Luxor

Here in this guide, I’ve listed everything you need to take into consideration when planning your first visit to Luxor.

To help you put together your itinerary, I’ve also included some of the city’s best attractions and most exciting experiences, along with how long you’ll need for each one.

To help you figure out exactly how long you’ll need in Luxor, make a list of the things you want to do in Luxor, and consider the time of arrival and departure.

Then, look at the distance between places to keep it realistic.

At the end of this exercise, you’ll know how many days in Luxor you’ll need.

Time Of Arrival, Hotel Check-In Time, And Time Of Departure

Does your arrival time in Luxor allows for a full day’s sightseeing? Or is your departure time late enough to enjoy some activities on your final day?

If not, then you might need to add an extra night to your stay to compensate for the limited amount of time available to you on those days.

Consider the times at which you check into and out of your hotel, too.

If these don’t match your arrival or departure times, you may find yourself stuck with your luggage. This, of course, will prevent you from getting around and seeing the city.

To avoid this, first ask your hotel or accommodation provider if they will allow you to leave your bags with them. Most will happily do so, although some might charge a fee.

If it turns out that you can’t leave your bag at your hotel, you might want to find a private company online offering luggage storage.

These companies tend to use a network of local shops and restaurants, with the convenience of being able to book in advance and pay online. 

Activities In Luxor

There are so many wonderful things to see and do in Luxor that it’s essential you decide on the places you want to visit in advance. 

Using this guide and your own research, work out how long each activity will take. This will make it easier to decide how many days in Luxor is enough to do all the things you want to.

Note that many travelers prefer to book tours and activities in advance to save time, skip the queues and make the most of their holidays.

Browse Tours In Luxor

Pace Of Activities

When visiting a new destination for the first time, it’s natural to want to see everything!

But do make sure that you don’t schedule every minute of your time unless you’re absolutely sure that a fast-paced break will suit you.

If you fit in too many activities, you might find yourself having to move on from some attractions far sooner than you’d like to!

Remember that part of experiencing a new culture is taking the time to observe its people and enjoy its food.

So make sure your schedule allows you some downtime for people watching and enjoying a long meal or two in a traditional restaurant.

Don’t forget to account for time spent traveling from one attraction to the next when planning your itinerary.

You should also allow for time spent queueing – some of Luxor’s highlights can be very busy during peak season, which runs from June to August.

Transportation

You have lots of different options when it comes to getting around in Luxor.

If you like to be independent, then the most convenient option is to rent a car. But Egyptian drivers are known for their aggressive driving and the number of road accidents is high, so this option won’t suit everyone!

So you might like to consider renting a bike instead. There are lots of hotels and bike shops in Luxor offering this service, some offering rentals by the day and some by the hour.

The city’s tour buses are a good option too. There are a variety of companies offering these and you get the benefit of an experienced guide so you can learn about the places you’re seeing. 

You’ll also come across public minibusses in Luxor. These are much cheaper, but there are no route maps – so knowing where to get on and off can be a challenge!

They are also very small, so it is not easy to travel as part of a large group.

Although neither Uber nor Lyft operates in Luxor, there are numerous local taxis available and they can be a very convenient way to get around. Always agree on the fare with your driver before starting your journey.

And should you want to travel between the city’s East and West Banks, then there is a public ferry that runs from a pier near the Temple of Luxor over to the West Bank’s Al Qarna Road.

What To Do In Luxor

These are some of the very best things to see and do in Luxor, along with how much time you’ll need to set aside for each activity.

Visit Edfu And Kom Ombo

As two of Egypt’s oldest and most important structures, the Temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo are a ‘must see’!

During this experience, you’ll have your own personal Egyptologist to accompany you and bring the country’s history – and mythology – to life.

You’ll visit the Temple of Horus then travel 1.5 hours to the Temple of Kom Ombo, where you’ll learn all about the two great divinities in whose honor it was built.

This fascinating tour finishes with a tasty lunch in Aswan.

Suggested time: 9 to 11 hours

Go Quad Biking In The Desert

No previous experience is required for this action-packed adventure that is guaranteed to rev up your adrenaline!

Your quad bike experience starts with a comfortable pick-up, then – after your safety briefing – a 10-minute test drive under the supervision of an experienced instructor.

After that you’re free to hit the desert on your quad bike, enjoying views of the mountains as you speed among the dunes.

Suggested time: 1 to 2 hours

Take A Hot Air Balloon Ride At Sunrise And Visit The Nile’s West Bank

For one of your trip’s most spectacular memories, climb into the basket of a hot air balloon and enjoy a bird’s eye view of the city as the sun comes up.

Once back on terra firma your tour of the West Bank will begin.  It includes a visit to the Valley of the Kings, filled with royal tombs and the imposing temples of pharaohs.

For an additional fee, you’ll even get the chance to explore the tomb of King Tutankhamun himself!

You’ll also see the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and the Mortuary Temple of Amenhotep, then finish the experience off with a delicious lunch at a local restaurant.

Suggested time: 7 hours

Sail Down The Nile On A Felucca

Get a whole new perspective when you view Luxor from the water on this magical private boat trip.

Sailing in a traditional felucca you can enjoy a drink as you watch the sun set over the city, taking in views of all the local flora and fauna.

You’ll also spot traditional farmers at work and the local children enjoying their games in the cooling water.

Suggested time: 3 hours

Experience The Magic Of A Light Show At Karnak Temple

The light show at Karnak Temple is a unique experience, combining the history of Egypt’s Pharaohs and their achievements with a modern show of sound and lights.

The special effects are breathtaking – adding another dimension to the stories you’ll hear as you wander through the temple complex.

Suggested time: 3 to 4 hours

Go Snorkeling At Utopia Island

This day trip to Utopia Island is a great chance to explore part of Egypt’s underwater habitat. It starts with a boat trip from Hurghada on the Red Sea out to Utopia Island.

A delicious seafood buffet lunch is served for you to enjoy onboard as you pass views of a protected area and its reefs, warm lagoons, and pristine beaches.

You’ll stop at various spots to jump into the water and see the dazzling colors of the world beneath, filled with beautiful coral, fish, and marine plants.

Suggested time: 12 hours

Final Thoughts On Luxor Getaways

I hope that this guide has helped you decide how many days in Luxor you will need and that you enjoy your visit to this captivating city.

Visiting the Middle East soon? Read one of the following blog posts:

• How many days in Cairo
• Jerusalem Itinerary
• Egypt SIM card