This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Luxor.
Luxor is a medium-sized city located in central Egypt on the Nile River. Luxor is, of course, famous all over the world for the vast amount of ancient Egyptian temples, tombs, artifacts, and museums. Temples include Luxor, Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, Kabu, Abydos, and Karnak. All the sites are easily reached by car or by inexpensive tours that leave daily. The Luxor Museum and Mummification Museum are located in the city centre and are easily reached by foot, taxi, or horse-drawn carriage. All archaeology and museum sites are half price for students with a valid ID card. Other tours, such as hot air balloon ride or jeep tours, are available. Remember to haggle and shop around, as Luxor has a reputation of trying to get the most out of tourists.
Luxor is easily reached by train, bus, minibus, private car, a Nile cruise, or by a felucca (sailing boat) from nearby ports such as Edfu, Om Kombo, or Aswan. Luxor is also a city with a population of half a million, and amenities such as groceries, markets, banks, currency exchange, laundry, and pharmacy are easily found.
The hostels in Luxor are mostly in the downtown core and easily accessible by foot, taxi, or horse-drawn carriage. Make sure you know the address of your Luxor hostel, as the town is very busy and the streets can be confusing at first arrival. Luxor is a must-do for any traveler wishing to experience the most from the ancient past of Egypt, but since the recent revolution, Luxor's tourist economy has dropped substantially. Due to this, Luxor has experienced an increase in muggings and other crimes, so always exercise caution when in Luxor.
Written by local enthusiast for Luxor hostels
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