As an independent traveler, you have a distinct advantage over tour groups. You have the ability to do whatever you want whenever you want. This means you can get to important sites before the mobs, only see what you want to see and also get off the beaten path to explore wonderful sites that aren’t on the typical tourist route. Here are some tips, based on my own experience, to help you along your journey.
Arriving By Air? Pre-Arrange Transportation to Luxor
Most people arriving in Luxor are part of larger tour groups. As such they have large buses waiting to take them to town. Luxor’s airport does not contain a flat-fee/organized taxi service for visitors. If you don’t have anything arranged, you’ll have to negotiate with one of the taxi drivers waiting outside the terminal. Given that there aren’t many people looking for taxis, these drivers tend to charge well above average and don’t negotiate. Make sure you arrange for someone to pick you up at the airport. Your hotel can probably help here. Though the hotel rate may be slightly higher than going with an independent company, the advantage is that there is accountability. If someone happens your hotel will have to make it right. An independent company may not.
Start Your Day Early
It gets very hot in Luxor. The earlier you start the better off you’ll be. In addition to avoiding the heat, you’ll also beat the crowds. The Luxor Temple, on the East Bank, is a great place to start. When I visited the site there were no other tourists. I was able to explore and take amazing photos. By the time I left it was difficult to get around without running into others. Hatshepsut Temple, on the West Bank, is another place worth seeing at the crack of dawn.
Use Taxis & The Ferry
Taxis are abundant in Luxor. As a result, they are quite cheap. Make sure you negotiate the rate before leaving. Using a taxi to see the sites of the East Bank, including Karnak and Luxor Temple, is a great option. Many taxi drivers will tell you they’ll wait until the end of your visit to take you somewhere else. There’s no need. They’ll likely try to get extra money from you for the wait time. If you’re staying on the West Bank, or you want to arrange for a tour of the West Bank
sites, use the ferry to cross the river. It’s extremely cheap and very fast. Taking a taxi from one side to the other will cost quite a bit because there aren’t many crossings near the center of town.
Find a Taxi/Tour Guide on the West Bank
Once you’ve reached the West Bank, you’ll find a number of taxi drivers waiting around if you arrive early in the morning or in the late afternoon. Some will try to approach you, as they are hoping to be your personal guide for a day. Most of them know the sites well and charge reasonable rates. Talk to a few of them, and make sure to ask about references. Many carry notes from other tourists endorsing their services. It’s important that you are comfortable with your driver, so don’t be afraid to ask questions.
The typical route will take you to Colossi of Memnon, Hatshepsut Temple, Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, Medinet Habu, and Ramesseum. It’s possible that your driver will try to convince you to stop and see an ‘alabaster factory’ along the route. These factories are built for tourists, and the driver will earn commission on anything you buy. They can be interesting to see, but just be aware that the prices tend to be higher than average.
Be Careful With Horse Buggy Operators
Taking a ride on a horse buggy on the East Bank sounds like a nice relaxing experience. It can be but know that many buggy operators will try to get you to take a ride and then make some additional money. If you’re going to take a ride, negotiate the price and ride time up front. It’s very likely that the driver will try to take you to an ‘art store’. Drivers will get commission if you purchase anything. They’ll also charge you extra at the end of the trip if you spend any time shopping. If you want to stop, make sure you clarify how the stop will impact the total charge before getting out.