How to get from Giza to Luxor
It’s hard to top the breathtaking pyramids of Giza.
However, Luxor, known as the world’s greatest open-air museum, continues to wow visitors year after year with ancient monuments, temples, royal tombs, and incredible views. It’s where you’ll find the famous Valley of the Kings and endless historic sites.
Luxor’s wonders are set against a dry, mountainous backdrop, making you feel like you’re in the midst of the Egyptian heyday.
But before you unlock these wonders, you must journey from Giza to Luxor via a bus, flight, or train. This ride is approximately 500 km (312.5 miles) and can take anywhere from 1 hour and 10 minutes to 10 hours. So, consider how much time you can spend on the road before booking.
When leaving Giza via land travel, you’ll likely depart from Giza Train Station (Post Office), On Time Bus Giza, or Go Bus Giza. Arrival points in Luxor include Go Bus Luxor, On Time Bus Luxor, and Luxor Train Station.
If you’re flying, you’ll depart from nearby Cairo Airport and arrive at Luxor Airport.
Ready and raring to go? Scroll down to get the lowdown.
Five fantastic historical wonders to see in Luxor
Getting ready to touchdown in Luxor? These are the top five things to do there:
Valley of the Kings — Here, you can explore over 60 ancient tombs, incredible Egyptian wall paintings, and breathtaking desert views. Arrive early to beat the midday heat and big tour groups.
Karnak Temple — The world’s second-largest religious building (the largest is Angkor Wat in Cambodia). With giant columns and detailed hieroglyphs, it’s easy to get lost in admiring this structure.
Dier el-Bahari — This is where the mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut is housed. It's a great spot to learn about one of the country's first female pharaohs.
Colossi of Memnon — Get ready to admire two 18-meter/26-foot-high statues that have survived the elements for over 3,400 years. This is a spectacular photo spot, so make sure you’re camera-ready!
Luxor Temple — Curious about the history of this city? Luxor Temple unveils its secrets. You’ll find this beautiful building on the east bank of the Nile.
How to get from Giza to Luxor
The three travel options from Giza to Luxor include buses, flights, and trains. Here’s the lowdown on each.
By bus
Buses from Giza to Luxor are popular thanks to their affordable prices. The cheapest bus starts at $9, ideal for a shoestring budget.
Buses to Luxor take around 10 hours. If you’re not keen on long journeys, this might not be the route for you. However, if you enjoy night buses and want to save money on a night of accommodation, this is a good route to consider.
Different bus classes available include:
Elite DD Bus | Comes with A/C, individual seats, food and drinks, and TV.
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Elite Plus Bus | Comes with individual seats and A/C.
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Tourist Bus | Includes A/C, WCs, individual seats, USB charging ports, and personal TV screens.
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Not all buses have onboard WCs. However, they stop on the way for bathroom breaks.
By flight
Another popular way to get from Giza to Luxor is via plane. This is an in-demand route thanks to its speed — plane journeys only take one hour and ten minutes. If you don’t have much time, flying is your best option.
Tickets start at $86, making this the most expensive mode of transportation.
Economy flights to Luxor depart from Cairo Airport and arrive at Luxor Airport. There’s only one departure a day in the morning, so make sure you arrive on time.
Flights are stocked with A/C and WCs, and all passengers are assigned seats.
By train
Last but not least, you can also travel from Giza to Luxor by train. Train journeys take around 10 hours, and there are five departures a day.
The cheapest tickets start at $68, much more than buses, but trains offer additional comfort.
The two train classes include:
Second Class Special Express Train | Provides comfortable wide seats, A/C, WCs, and chargers. One bag is allowed per passenger.
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First Class Special Express Train | Provides comfortable wide seats, A/C, WCs, and charger sockets (subject to availability). One bag is allowed per person.
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Pro tip: You need hard copies of your train tickets in Egypt. You’ll get instructions on your voucher when you buy the tickets. Ask your hotel or hostel to print them for you.
About the ride from Giza to Luxor
The journey from Giza to Luxor takes you southwest through Egypt along the west of the Nile River. Though you’re following the Nile, most routes don’t offer notable views. You’ll be along the highway or rail tracks for most of the route.
The views might not be groundbreaking, but the route has been voted safe and comfortable for all travelers. This includes solo travelers, female travelers, and groups of travelers.
Some bus drivers, train staff, and station staff will have English skills and are usually very helpful.
Don’t forget to load up on snacks and water before you depart. It’s always good to have something to nibble on a long ride.
The best time to travel from Giza to Luxor
The best time to visit Luxor, Egypt, is from January to May and September to December. These months are warm but not too hot to explore the amazing sites. Temperatures sit around 26°C to 33°C (78°F to 91°F).
If you want the coldest temperatures possible to ensure you’re comfortable, book in January and December.
From June to August, Luxor experiences highs of 42°C/108°F. Temperatures this high can be unpleasant, especially if you plan to visit all of the historical desert sites. It’s best to avoid the peak summer months unless you're used to high heat.
How safe is Luxor for tourists?
Luxor is a safe place for travelers thanks to its high tourist presence. This city is quieter than Cairo, making it easier to navigate and more relaxed. However, as with any new place, you should stay alert and avoid walking around at night or outside the main tourist areas.
Where to travel after Luxor?
Not ready to go home?
If you have enough time to continue your travels after Luxor, consider making Aswan your next stop. It’s another Egyptian city on the banks of the River Nile and home to more incredible ruins, temples, and a chilled-out atmosphere. Luxor to Aswan takes three hours via train or minivan.
