Getting to Luxor: the main routes
Most visitors arrive from Cairo or from the Red Sea coast. Cairo is linked to Luxor by an overnight sleeper train and by flights to Luxor International Airport. Hurghada has no train to Luxor. From there you travel by road, either on a bus or in a private car or van.
The figures below are published examples for 2026. Train times, flight schedules and transfer prices change, so confirm them for your travel date before you book.
Routes to Luxor compared
Published examples. Check the current offer for your date.
| Route | Time | Cost example |
|---|---|---|
| Cairo to Luxor, sleeper train | 12 h 15 min overnight | 110 USD per person (two-bed standard), 150 USD alone |
| Cairo to Luxor, flight | See the airline timetable | – |
| Hurghada to Luxor, private transfer | 3.5–4 hours | From 160–170 USD per vehicle |
| Hurghada to Luxor, bus | 3–4 hours | – |
Once you are in the city, the Nile ferry and the bridge connect the two banks. See the section on crossing the river below, and our guide to where to stay in Luxor for the choice of bank.
Luxor tours with pickup
Guided day trips and sightseeing tours in and around Luxor, many with hotel pickup, with live prices and availability.
Cairo to Luxor by train or plane
Two ways to cover the distance from the capital.
The sleeper train
A 2026 rail guide lists train 86 leaving Cairo Upper Egypt station at 19:45 every day and reaching Luxor at 08:00 the next morning. That is 12 hours 15 minutes. Treat it as a timetable example and confirm the departure for your date.
Which station
The same source names Abela as the sleeper operator and Cairo Upper Egypt, also called Bashtil, as the departure station, not Ramses. Check the station on your ticket before you leave for the platform.
Fares for foreign visitors
The guide lists 110 USD per person in a standard two-bed compartment and 150 USD for one traveler alone. Elite class costs 125 USD and 170 USD. It also mentions a 2.5 percent surcharge for card payments, and children follow separate rules.
Flying
EgyptAir serves Luxor and publishes a timetable by date. Look up flight times and fares for your day. The German Foreign Office notes regional risks of escalation and flight disruption, so check the status of your flight directly with the airline.
Hurghada to Luxor by bus or transfer
The road trip from the Red Sea coast.
Private transfer
One provider quotes about 4 hours. Another lists 3.5 to 4 hours for roughly 300 km, via Safaga and Qena, from 160 to 170 USD per vehicle as of 22 September 2026. The price is for the car or van, not per person.
Bus
Go Bus is listed on the route, with travel times of 3 to 4 hours. Check the operator for the timetable and fare on your date.
Pickup times
One transfer provider mentions controlled departure times for foreign travelers. Confirm your pickup time and place when you book.
No train
There is no train connection from Hurghada to Luxor. Rail travelers start in Cairo.
Crossing the Nile in Luxor
The main sights are split by the river. Karnak and Luxor Temple lie on the East Bank, the tombs and mortuary temples on the West Bank. A tourism brochure describes a public ferry between the pier in front of Luxor Temple and the West Bank, running from 06:00 to 23:00. Check the current times, as the brochure is undated.
Guides give different fares, from 5 EGP up to 25 EGP, and place the pier either near Luxor Temple or near the Luxor Museum. Ask at your hotel which pier is in use and what locals pay. The bridge lies about 12 km south of the city. The tourism authority also lists feluccas, the traditional sailboats, as a way to get around and see the river. Agree on the price before you board.
Visa and money basics
Entry rules depend on your nationality and route.
Visa fee
German government travel advice, dated 11 September 2026, names 30 USD for a single-entry visa on arrival. Another tourism page lists 25 USD in its FAQ, so check the amount before you travel.
Cairo airport change
Since 1 September 2026, Cairo airport has been moving from visa stickers to QR codes. The cost is described as 30 USD plus 6 USD for processing. This applies to Cairo, so do not assume the same at Luxor Airport.
Currency
The currency is the Egyptian pound, EGP, also written LE. Keep cash for small expenses such as drinks, tips and the ferry. Cards are accepted for monument tickets.
Plan the rest of your trip
Once you arrive, these guides help you pick a base and a first day.
Getting to Luxor: frequently asked questions
Is there a train from Hurghada to Luxor?
No. There is no train connection from Hurghada to Luxor. From Hurghada you go by bus or private transfer, which takes about 3 to 4 hours. Trains to Luxor start in Cairo.
How long does the sleeper train from Cairo take?
A 2026 timetable example lists a departure from Cairo Upper Egypt at 19:45 and arrival in Luxor at 08:00 the next morning, a journey of 12 hours 15 minutes. Confirm the time for your travel date.
How much does a Hurghada to Luxor transfer cost?
One provider advertises prices from 160 to 170 USD per vehicle for a trip of 3.5 to 4 hours and about 300 km, as of 22 September 2026. The price covers the vehicle, not each passenger.
Can I fly to Luxor?
Yes. EgyptAir serves Luxor International Airport. Flight times and fares depend on the date, so check its timetable and the flight status shortly before you travel.
How do I get to the West Bank?
Take the public ferry from the pier near Luxor Temple, which a tourism brochure lists as running from 06:00 to 23:00, or use the bridge about 12 km south of the city. Check the current ferry times and fare locally.
How much is the visa?
German government advice dated 11 September 2026 names 30 USD for a visa on arrival. Another tourism page lists 25 USD. Entry rules depend on your nationality, so check them before you fly.