How to Get to Luxor from Cairo

Luxor is home to some of the country's most famous sites, including the colorful tombs of the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the colossal Karnak Temples. It's no wonder that trips to this world-famous historic site are one of the most popular excursions from Cairo.

Cairo is 504 km (314 miles) from Luxor. The road distance is 614.4 km (614.4 miles). Options for getting to Luxor from Cairo include plane, bus, night train or day train, sleeper train. The Nile cruise option can also be considered, as both cities face the river; however, this, rather than a means of transportation, is a way to enjoy the ride along the Nile.

Opting for an excursion to Luxor from Cairo is a recommended option if you are looking to enjoy an unforgettable trip, quiet, comfortable and with everything covered. Imagine what it is like to focus only on the experience of knowing the city of Luxor and all its attractions, forgetting all the worries like how to get there, where to eat, how to move and what to consider when visiting each particular place.

The organized tours include:

• Round triptransfer by plane.
• Accompaniment of an expert guide.
• Visit to some of the tourist attractions such as the Valley of the Kings, the Colossi of Memnon, the Temple of Luxor, the Temple of Karnak or Deir el Bahari.
• Exquisite lunch at a local restaurant.

Several trains run daily between Cairo Ramses train station and Luxor train station from 8 am to 11 pm. If you are staying in a hotel in Giza, you can also take advantage of the proximity and take a train from Giza train station. There are two types of trains: "Special" class trains (five daily services) are more modern and comfortable. The "Standard" class trains (four daily services) are cheaper and older. A total of 9 trains depart daily.

Travel time between Cairo and Luxor is about 10.5 hours, although it may take up to 12 hours. You'll definitely want to try a window seat, as one of the great joys of traveling by train along this route is watching the lush Nile-side countryside of green fields and date palms pass by. Take one of the two morning trains to make the most of the view. If you plan to travel on one of the evening services, be aware that both types of trains only have regular seats, there are no sleeper cars.

All trains offer a beverage and food cart service intermittently throughout the trip, but it's a good idea to bring snacks or a picnic lunch. First class carriages in both come with more spacious seats and better toilet facilities, so it's worth paying for. First class tickets range from 114 EGP (€6.56) to 202 EGP (€11.63) depending on the train.

Disadvantage of going by train to Luxor

The main disadvantage of traveling by train along this route is that, unfortunately, some staff at both Ramses train station and Luxor train station will try to convince you that you are only allowed to use the (much more expensive) sleeper service. This dates back to a previous official travel restriction in order to give locals more options to travel on cheap trains. However, this law is no longer in effect, so try to book early to avoid any unforeseen events.

If you have trouble booking a train ticket, note that most hotels can send someone to the station to do it for you for a small fee.

Night trains to Luxor

The night train costs about 8 € for 2 class and almost 15 € for first class. Of the 9 departing in 24 hours, 3 depart at night. The first one departs from 7:45pm. For more information visit the official website of the company.

The Watania Sleeper Train is a comfortable option for those who don't like to spend 12 hours in a seat. It departs every night from Ramses Train Station in Cairo at 7:45 pm (and 20 minutes later from Giza Station) and travels overnight to arrive in Luxor at 6.15 am.

Tickets can be purchased at the Watania Sleeper Train office at Ramses Train Station, or online. It costs about €80 for a bed in a two-bed cabin or, if you are traveling alone and don't want to share a compartment, you can opt to pay €120 for a single cabin. There is also room for good sized seats that can recline, the latter ticket costs 40 euros. Either of these tickets includes both dinner (with a choice of chicken, beef, fish or vegetarian) and breakfast.

Sleeping compartments are neat with a small sink and bunks that fold out from the wall. Bed linen is provided and included meals are brought up to the room. For children there is a 15% discount and if you book online you can enjoy a 5% discount.

The most luxurious way to travel from Cairo to Luxor is a Nile cruise. More than a means of transportation, it is a way of harking back to the early days of tourism in Egypt, when European travelers explored the country by boat. This Nile cruise takes 12 days (including sightseeing days in both Cairo and Luxor).

This is a hassle-free all-in-one sightseeing tour and transportation with an elegant touch, stopping at all the important historical sites, such as Tell El Amarna and Abydos. Only a few larger Nile cruise operators, such as Mövenpick, operate this route, departing from Cairo once a month from February to June and September to November, so you can enjoy this option whether you travel to Cairo in spring or autumn.

The price to be paid includes all meals and sightseeing, as well as a variety of evening events on board, the price starts from 650 euros.

Egypt Air flies four times daily direct to Luxor International Airport from Cairo International Airport. Flights last one hour, and ticket prices start at around 120 euros in the high season from December to February.

As Egypt is not a very famous summer destination, if you travel in the months of June or November(just before summer and winter respectively), flight prices will be more affordable.

Flights to Luxor depart from Terminal Three at Cairo Airport. In minimal traffic conditions (before 7 am and late at night) a cab to Cairo Airport from the central city only takes about 30 minutes. In any case, be sure to add an hour for the time allotted for transfers between the airport and downtown Cairo. Luxor airport is seven kilometers from the center of Luxor. There is no public transportation immediately in that area, so you must use one of the airport cabs or book a private transfer.

Several bus companies offer bus services between Cairo and Luxor. Most of the services are overnight. Go Bus, Super Jet and Upper Egypt Travel are the main companies operating this route. Go Bus departs from Cairo from its conveniently located office just off Tahrir Square in the center of the city. Super Jet and Upper Egypt Travel buses depart from Cairo Gateway Bus Station, also in the city center.

All bus companies arrive in Luxor and stop at their respective individual offices, which are conveniently located in downtown Luxor, near the train station. Travel time is about 11 hours, and tickets cost between 220EGP**(€12.67**) and 385EGP**(€22.17**). The advantage is that there are 12 bus trips available each day.

Buses stop every three hours or so at highway service stations, these include restrooms and restaurants. However, it is a good idea to bring snacks or other food to save money, as the gastronomic services offered at these stations are expensive. Note that even if you go during the day, you won't get many views on this route, as the buses take the desert road instead of following the Nile.