Luxor Cruise Port
The Basics
The East Bank of the Nile, where ships dock, is the site of Luxor city, Luxor Temple, and the Karnak Temple. The barely inhabited West Bank houses the enormous Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, the giant statues known as the Colossi of Memnon, the Valley of the Kings, and more.
For most visitors, Luxor port is the starting or ending point on a cruise on the Nile from Luxor to Aswan, from Aswan to Luxor, or round trip between the cities. River cruise ships span the gamut from the steam ship Sudan, a heritage paddlewheel steamer where Agatha Christie wrote Death on the Nile in 1933, to tiny felucca sailboats, elegant dahabiya yachts, and classic river cruisers.
Things to Know Before You Go
Luxor is an essential stop for anyone with an interest in history.
Most Nile cruises spend at least one night in Luxor. Packages often include a guided tour of the ancient sights.
The Egyptian sun can be fierce all year round, so bring a hat and protective clothing, and wear sunscreen on any excursion.
Egypt is a conservative, Muslim-majority country. Women traveling in Luxor will feel most comfortable in loose clothing that covers arms, legs, midriff, and cleavage.
Egypt is not an easy destination for travelers who use wheelchairs but a handful of the pricier Nile cruise ships offer wheelchair-friendly staterooms.
How to Get There
Cruise ships can dock anywhere along a lengthy stretch of Luxor’s East Bank waterfront known as the Corniche. Most cruise packages include transfers from the airport, the train station, or your hotel. With no formal public transportation, getting around Luxor can be a major challenge; book a tour or hire a private driver/guide to avoid hours of haggling.
Trip ideas
When to Get There
Spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) are the best times to take a Nile cruise from Luxor, with warm days and comfortable nights. During winter, the desert nights can be surprisingly cool.
Port Information
Egyptians in Luxor (and elsewhere) speak Egyptian Arabic, but you’ll find that most people also speak English, and many guides (and hustlers) have other languages too. Local signs are in both international and Arabic script. The local currency is the Egyptian pound, and ATMs are readily available. If changing money before you arrive, try and get a stack of small notes for tipping and smaller purchases.
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- Luxor Temple
- Avenue of Sphinxes
- Mummification Museum
- Luxor Museum
- Colossi of Memnon
- Karnak Temple
- Medinet Habu (Temple of Ramses III)
- Ramesseum (Mortuary Temple of Ramses II)
- Deir el-Medina (Valley of the Artisans)
- Valley of the Nobles (Tombs of the Nobles)
- Temple of Hatshepsut (at Deir el-Bahari)
- Tomb of Ramses VI
- Tomb of Ramses III
- Valley of the Kings
- Tomb of Tutankhamun