Cheap flights to Luxor depart from Manchester Airport, as well as Heathrow and Gatwick airports near London. UK citizens will require a visa to enter Egypt, but may be able to purchase a visa on arrival at the airport. Check with the Egyptian Consulate in London before leaving for Egypt. Flights to Luxor will arrive at Luxor International Airport. Some hotels may provide shuttle services to ferry their guests from the airport to the hotel. Visitors without this option can take a taxi into Luxor city centre. Be sure to negotiate with the driver and settle on a fare before getting into the taxi.

Taxis are plentiful, and most can be recognised by their blue and white livery. They are not metered, so be sure to negotiate and settle on the price before getting into one. Minibuses (also in blue and white) can be flagged down by raising an arm as it approaches. Routes are not listed, so check with a local if unsure about where a bus is headed. Bicycles and motorcycles can be hired from several shops around the city. Feluccas (sailboats) are a great method of travelling between the East and West banks of the Nile. Private feluccas can alsobe hired for trips up and down the Nile. Fares on the local ‘National’ ferry are much cheaper, but the service may be slower.

With its wealth of historic sites, Luxor has been a classic holiday destination for a long time. A visit to the Valley of the Kings is a must. The ancient necropolis is the resting place for the Egyptian rulers of antiquity. Explore the Tomb of Tutankhamun, perhaps the most famous of the pharaohs. The stunning Temple of Hatshepsut is an impressive sight from any angle. Find out more about Hatshepsut and other rulers at the Luxor Museum, where there is a comprehensive collection of artefacts spanning millennia. Those with a more macabre bent may enjoy a trip to the Museum of Mummification. Other popular attractions include the ruins of Deir al-Medina, the famed Temple of Luxor as well as the Temple of Karnak and its attached museum.

A dose of patience is essential when visiting the crowded Luxor Market. Its bustling lanes are lined with stalls selling all kinds of goods, as well as a perpetual crowd of people, both locals and tourists. Souvenirs can be picked up from the market, but remember to haggle! There is a fruit and vegetable market near the train station where many locals go for their groceries. Visit the Tutankhamum Restaurant on the West Bank for French-influenced Egyptian dishes. Sofra, on the East Bank, is housed in a traditional Egyptian-style building, and features an extensive selection of local dishes. After dinner, head to the Metropolitan Café to enjoy the cool night air and a relaxing drink.