Why visit
Luxor is ancient Thebes. Karnak's temple complex, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's temple, and a Nile bank where you can hot-air balloon at dawn.
How to use this result
Use it as a travel-city prompt
Luxor is included because it has traveler appeal beyond being a dot on the map. Use the themes, neighborhoods, notes, and season guidance to decide whether it fits a weekend, longer route, or writing prompt.
Build a realistic route
For a real trip, check how Luxor connects with nearby cities, airports, rail or bus routes, local costs, weather, and entry rules for Egypt.
Luxor at a glance
City population
422k
Elevation
89 m
292 ft
Time zone
UTC+2 (UTC+3 DST)
Africa/Cairo
Airport
LXR
Luxor International Airport
Egypt at a glance
Country center
27.0°, 30.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
1,002,450 km²
387,048 mi²
Country population
114.5 million
114/km²
Subregion
Northern Africa
Currency
Egyptian pound (£)
EGP
Dial
+20
Language
Arabic
Demonym
Egyptian
Internet
.eg
UN
Member state
ISO code
EG / EGY
Where in the world
27.0° - 30.0°
Egypt
Open in Google Maps
Click the map to open in Google Maps. Outline via svg-maps/world - CC BY 4.0
Did you know
- Modern Luxor sits on the site of ancient Thebes, capital of Egypt during the New Kingdom.
- The Valley of the Kings contains 63 royal tombs, including Tutankhamun's, which was found almost intact in 1922.
- Karnak Temple's Great Hypostyle Hall has 134 columns, each up to 21 m tall, and is the largest religious building ever constructed by area.
- The Giza Pyramid was the tallest human-made structure on earth for ~3,800 years, until the Lincoln Cathedral was finished in 1311.
- Cleopatra lived closer in time to the moon landing (1969) than to the building of the Great Pyramid.
Bordering Egypt
Traveler notes
- Balloon over West Bank at sunrise
- Karnak + Luxor temples east bank
- Fly or overnight train from Cairo
Plan checks
- Build a three-day plan before extending. Most travel cities are easy to undersell to yourself.
- Check seasonal timing: high season can triple costs on some coastal destinations.
- Check opening days. Major sites close on Mondays or Tuesdays in many countries.
Explore more
Facts last reviewed June 2026 against GeoNames and national statistics sources. See the editorial policy for how destination data is maintained.
Frequently asked about Luxor
What currency is used in Luxor?
Luxor uses the Egyptian pound (£), ISO code EGP.
What languages are spoken in Egypt?
The primary language is Arabic.
What is the international calling code for Egypt?
The calling code is +20.
What airport serves Luxor?
Luxor International Airport (IATA: LXR).
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