Luxor information

Therefore if one visits Luxor at the right time especially if one travels with children or older people, will enjoy a fantastic weather! The coolest months are between November and April, but even then it’s advised to drink lots of water and rest often. However, even though the days remain warm all year, the nights can get rather chilly even in the summer, so make sure you are ready for both temperature extremes!

There are two kinds of taxi in Egypt, private ones (the usual one) which are more expensive, and shared taxi which go to fixed destinations with a group of people as passengers. Taxies are very cheap anyhow so it is the most convenient way to get around really. The only trick here is to agree on the price (maybe after some bargain) before you get in and head for your destination.

However if you want to rent a car there are many 24 hour car rental services that you can find in the airport, including major companies like National, Avis and Hertz.  Renting a car requires a minimum age of 25 and an international driver’s license. It also requires lots of attention since in Egypt traffic control and way of driving is somewhat different than we are used to in Europe!

Another easy and convenient way to get around is definitely by bus since they are passing from everywhere and are extremely cheap.  Bus schedules and fares you can obtain from your local hotel. 

If you are looking for something really local and exotic in terms of transportation then definitely go around by horse-drawn taxis, bikes, donkeys, camels, and boats.  Again make sure that you agree on the price before you commit.

Egypt has lots of celebrations and events mostly because it is a Muslim nation in its main part. The Muslim celebration of the Islamic New Year is the Ras as-Sana. In May they celebrate the birthday of their Mohammed, Moulid an-nabi, and for this celebration they have parades, music and very good food! Ramadan is celebrated on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Eid al-Adha is when Muslims make a pilgrimage to Mecca when the streets are decorated.

In November they honour the discovery of the boy-king's tomb in 1922 in Luxor's Valley of the Kings together with King Tutankhamen Festival. This is Luxor’s National Day. This is a very old and unexplained story about a young Egyptian king whose tomb had been lost to antiquity for centuries. As soon as it was discovered, it was surpisingly obvious how much different it was from all other tombs. The dead body of King Tutankhamen himself was preserved as it was the day he was entombed and also all the royal furniture, jewellery, items of gold and ivory that were entombed with him were like brand new.

Luxor also boasts many festivals that happen together with traditional ancient Egyptian practices, and religious holidays of different sects (including Egypt-wide festivals like Mohammed’s birthday).

There is also a festival that takes place every year, two weeks before Ramadan, the Moulid of Abu el-Haggag, and is celebrated with music and dance, boat parade, stick fighting, and horse races. Another commendable event takes place twice a year, when the Karnak temple just outside Luxor holds a Pharaonic Wedding Festival that marries 40 couples according to the ancient way and style, preserving all the customs of the ancient ceremony.

Even if you visit at a time of no celebrations or events, almost all of Luxor’s monuments (especially the Karnak / Luxor temple complex) throw performances and re-enactments every day of ceremonies that took place there centuries ago. 

In Egypt there are many major banks where you can exchange traveller checks or cash, or American Express and Thomas Cook offices where you can do the same. ATM cards, Visa and MasterCard can be also used. If you are not visiting one of the major cities, make sure you have enough local currency with you. Some hotels also have 24 hour banks.  Anyhow it is surprising that either way the UK pound is accepted.

Visitors to Egypt from the UK require a visa, which can be obtained on arrival at the airport for around £12 (Euros, Dollars or Egyptian currency only)