Luxor is one of the most spectacular cities in Egypt. It is a huge open-air museum. Luxor is home to the area known as Thebes, the ancient capital of Egypt. Here are the largest temples, tombs and monuments of ancient Egypt. Located on the eastern bank of the Nile River, Luxor is a paradise for history buffs as well.
When you step into the historical texture of Luxor, one of your first stops will undoubtedly be Luxor Temple. It was built in the 14th century BC, during the reign of Amenhotep III. As you reach the temple, the Avenue of Sphinxes will take you deep into history. This road, once lined with 700 sphinxes, connects Luxor Temple to the Karnak Temples. After passing the first pylon of the Luxor Temple, you are greeted by large statues and obelisks from the reign of Ramses II. In the second courtyard, there are papyrus-shaped columns.
The Karnak Temples, one of the most magnificent structures in Luxor, are of great importance as the religious and political center of Egypt. These temples have turned into a large complex with additions since 2,000 BC. The Karnak Temples were built for the important gods of Egypt, such as Amun, Mut and Montu. The Temple of Amun is the largest temple among them.
While visiting Karnak, be sure to stop by the Hypostyle Hall. 134 huge columns give visitors a glimpse into Egypt’s religious beliefs and culture. These columns were once decorated with colorful frescoes and showcase the visual elegance of ancient Egypt. The Karnak Temples were used not only as temples, but also as the living quarters and administrative center of the pharaohs.
The Temple of Hatshepsut on the West Bank of Luxor is dedicated to Hatshepsut, one of the only female pharaohs in history. This temple has majestic terraces and a corridor carved into the rocks. The power and independence of Hatshepsut’s government is reflected in the splendor of this temple.
On the West Bank of Luxor, there are not only temples, but also the tombs of the great pharaohs of Egypt. The Valley of the Kings of Egypt is one of the most important burial sites of ancient Egypt. The tombs in this valley include not only the tombs of pharaohs, but also those of high-ranking officials. In particular, this valley, where Tutankhamun’s tomb is located, is of great archaeological importance. Nearby, in the Valley of the Queens, there are tombs for female pharaohs and members of royalty.
After your historical tour in Luxor, you should take a felucca tour on the Nile River. A trip on the felucca boats allows you to feel the calm and beauty of ancient Egypt.
Luxor has been of great importance as a cultural center throughout history. Each temple, each tomb and each stone tells of the greatness and splendor of Ancient Egypt.
Getting from Cairo Airport to Luxor
The distance between Cairo and Luxor is 610 km. There are various means of transportation from Cairo Airport to Luxor. Each type of transportation offers different advantages in terms of travel time, comfort and cost.
Travel by Airplane
The flight between Cairo International Airport and Luxor Airport takes only 59 minutes. Flight prices vary between 200 and 400 dollars. Airlines such as Neos, Nesma Airlines, Nile Air operate regular flights between Cairo and Luxor. In addition, major airlines such as Egyptair and Air Cairo operate flights every 3 hours.
Travel by Bus
You can travel from Cairo to Luxor by bus operated by Blue Bus. The bus journey takes approximately 10 hours. Ticket prices are between 30 and 50 dollars. Blue Bus operates services from Ramsis Station to Luxor Station. However, it is not possible to take a bus directly from Cairo Airport to Luxor. First you need to get to Ramsis Station and from there take the bus to Luxor.
Travel by Train
Another option is to travel by train. The train journey between Cairo and Luxor takes approximately 11 hours. Train tickets cost between 40 and 70 dollars. The train provides a more comfortable travel compared to the bus, but the journey by train takes longer.
Traveling by Car
The driving distance between Cairo and Luxor is 651 km. This journey takes approximately 8 hours. You can rent a car from Cairo Airport and drive to Luxor.