A free guide from someone who has actually been there
Five days in Luxor & Aswan, mapped out for you
Temples, tombs, felucca rides, and a hot air balloon at sunrise — everything from getting there to what to skip, built from real trips down the Nile, not a guidebook.
Written by Mayar | Luxor to Aswan, down the Nile
Before you go
Four things to lock in first:
Luxor and Aswan reward a little prep — Upper Egypt runs on cash, heat, and pre-booked tombs. Sort these four and everything else on the ground gets easier.
Flights
Almost every route into Luxor goes through Cairo first. Fly into Cairo International (CAI), then a short domestic hop to Luxor (LXR) — or straight to Luxor from Cairo, Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh. $70–$150 USD.
Search flights →Trains
The overnight sleeper from Cairo is a private cabin with beds — simple and safe if you would rather not fly. 12–15 hours, leaves evening, arrives Luxor in the morning. $90–$140 for foreigners (covers Luxor & Aswan).
Booking link →Nile Cruise
The most relaxing way to link Luxor and Aswan — meals included, temples drifting past at sunset. Mövenpick runs the best-regarded boats for long routes. $6,000–$8,000 USD per person, double occupancy, all-inclusive.
Mövenpick booking →Bus
The budget survival option — Cairo to Luxor, 12–15 hours, no onboard toilet, limited stops. $7–$11 USD.
Bus booking link →Best time to visit
Upper Egypt is n't just hot — it's desert hot. Go between November and March for sunny days, cooler evenings, and temple-hopping weather that will not melt you by 11am.
Booking direct
Booking.com and Agoda are great for comparing prices, but book directly through a hotel's own site when you can. Hotels pay heavy commission to booking platforms, so direct bookings often come with better rates, free upgrades or breakfast thrown in.
Arrival in Luxor: temples by sunset
Luxor Temple
Beautiful at sunset and magical again once it is lit up at night — go twice if you can. Book skip-the-line tickets →
Karnak Temple
An absolute must-see — give it at least two hours. Linked to Luxor Temple by the 3km Avenue of Sphinxes, free to walk between the two. Book tickets →
Avenue of the Sphinxes
Walk it instead of taking a taxi between the temples — ram-headed sphinxes line the entire route.
Evening walk at the Corniche of Luxor — beware of tourist scams and overpriced offers, always agree a price first.
West Bank wonders & a sunrise balloon
Hot air balloon ride
The single best thing to do in Luxor. Book with a reputable operator through your hotel or GetYourGuide. Best option → · Best option + tours →
Valley of the Kings
An absolute must — the standard ticket lets you choose 3 tombs (KV2 Ramesses IV and KV11 Ramesses III are our favourites). Tutankhamun's KV62 is +700 EGP extra. Book tickets →
Valley of the Queens
Smaller and quieter than the Kings — one tomb here has a remarkably preserved royal embryo painted on the walls. Book tickets →
Temple of Hatshepsut
Unique terraced architecture unlike any other temple in Egypt — go early, before the heat and the crowds. Book tickets →
Dinner back at the hotel tonight — an early start tomorrow for the drive to Aswan.
The road to Aswan & a Nubian welcome
Private car to Aswan
Comfortable and fast — ask your hotel to arrange a local driver. Skip the train for this leg, it is rarely on time.
Nubian Village (Gharb Soheil)
Shop handmade crafts, taste hibiscus tea, and take in some of the warmest hospitality in Egypt.
Check into your hotel first — the Nubian Village visit works well as a late-afternoon stop before dinner.
The best of Aswan, by felucca
Philae Temple
A magical island temple — best around sunset. Book tickets →
Mohamed Mounir House
His artistic life and Nubian roots, with stunning Nile views — reachable by felucca.
Botanical Garden
Green, tropical and quiet — one of the best spots in Aswan for photos.
Nobles Tombs
Fewer crowds than Luxor's tombs, with some of the best river views in Aswan.
These are best arranged as one local felucca day trip through your hotel or a felucca driver — around 2,000–3,000 EGP per person, plus entrance fees. Dinner tonight at King Jamaica for the Nile views and live Nubian coffee station, then a felucca over to Aswan Souq for the best prices on souvenirs and spices. King Jamaica location →
Abu Simbel, and a last night on the Nile
Abu Simbel
One of Egypt's most iconic sights and worth the early start. It is genuinely in the middle of the desert, so a private car or tour is the only way there. Book the day trip →
Nubian Museum
Small but genuinely interesting — worth an hour if you are back from Abu Simbel with time to spare. Book tickets →
Return to Aswan in the evening and enjoy your final night with a relaxed dinner by the Nile at Kanakato.
Good to know
Getting around, staying safe, and sounding local
Getting around
In Luxor: Uber does not work here, but the local ferry between the East and West Banks is the cheapest way across — every few minutes, 1–5 EGP. Walk short distances on the East Bank; hire a taxi or book a full-day tour for the Valley of the Kings or Hatshepsut. Book a West + East Bank tour →
Luxor to Aswan: if you are already on a Nile cruise the trip is included. Skip the train — it is often delayed and uncomfortable. A private car takes 3–4 hours and runs 1,000–2,000 EGP; ask your hotel for a local driver.
Where to stay
Luxor has two sides along the Nile — the West is close to Luxor Temple, Karnak and the cruise docks; the East is close to the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut and the hot air balloon launch, and is quieter and more local.
Moon House of Luxor
~1,000 EGP/night
Booking link →Jolie Ville Kings Island
~6,000 EGP/night
Book direct →Sofitel Winter Palace
~16,000 EGP/night
Book direct →Nubian Popeye
~1,000 EGP/night
Booking link →Anakob
Scam alerts + safety notes
Felucca overpricing
Boat guys at the Corniche start VERY high. Always bargain, or pre-book.
The “free souvenir” trick
Someone hands you a “gift” then demands money. Do not accept anything handed to you.
“I know a shortcut”
Someone tries to lead you to a shop or papyrus store for commission — politely decline.
Fake guides inside temples
People follow you pretending to help, then ask for tips. A firm “La, shokran” works.
Taxi price trap
Drivers avoid meters — agree on a price BEFORE getting in. Take an Uber if you are in Aswan.
Safety tips
- Book activities like the hot air balloon and felucca rides through GetYourGuide or your hotel reception for safety and fair prices.
- Do not flash large cash amounts in markets.
- Keep your phone zipped away when walking the Corniche at night.
- Respect local culture — dress modestly at temples and villages.
- Stay hydrated — Upper Egypt is hot year-round.
- Avoid political conversations with strangers.
Useful Arabic phrases for Upper Egypt
English
Arabic (Egyptian)
Pronunciation
Hello
أهلاً / السلام عليكم
Ahlan / Salam Aleykom
Thank you
شكراً
Shokran
No thank you
لا، شكراً
La, shokran
How much?
بكام؟
Bekam?
Too expensive
غالي قوي
Ghali awi
I do not want
مش عايز / مش عايزة
Mesh 3ayez / Mesh 3ayza
I am just looking
بتفرج بس
Batafarag bas
I do not understand
مش فاهم / مش فاهمة
Mesh fahem / fahma
Enough / Stop
خلاص
Khalas
No hassle please
من غير زن لو سمحت
Men gheer zann law samaht
Let’s go
يلا
Yalla
Stop here
وقف هنا
Wa’ef hena
Hidden gems: here is a link to everything I have personally saved — things to do → · restaurants →
Ready to book
Lock in the trip
Flights
Compare fares to Luxor via Cairo.
Search Skyscanner →Nile Cruise
Link Luxor and Aswan in style.
See Mövenpick →Hotels
Moon House, Jolie Ville or Sofitel.
Check stays →Tours & tickets
Balloon rides, Abu Simbel, more.
See GetYourGuide →Guide by Mayar. Some links on this page are affiliate links — we may earn a small commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you.