Luxor from Safaga: how to plan a cruise day to the Valley of the Kings

If your cruise calls at Safaga on Egypt's Red Sea coast, the big question is whether to make the trip to Luxor, ancient Thebes. It is one of the most rewarding days you can spend in Egypt, but it is also a long one. Here is how to decide, and how to plan it so you are back on board in good time.

How far is Luxor from Safaga?

The road crosses the Eastern Desert and reaches the Nile Valley near Qena before following the river south. Allow roughly 3 to 3.5 hours each way by private vehicle, with a comfort stop. That means around six to seven hours of the day are spent on the road, so the time ashore printed in your cruise documents matters more here than at any other Egyptian port.

How much time ashore do you need?

As a rule of thumb, a Luxor day works when your ship is in port for about 11 hours or more. Our sample itineraries need between 12.5 and 13.5 hours between arrival and all-aboard, because the return is planned with a margin for traffic and checkpoints. On a shorter call we will tell you plainly that Luxor is not realistic, rather than rush it.

Before you enquire, look up two times in your cruise documents: the scheduled arrival and the all-aboard time. They decide which itinerary fits.

What fits into one day

Luxor has two banks. The East Bank holds Karnak and Luxor Temple; the West Bank holds the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. In one day you can choose between three shapes:

• Both banks: Karnak, then the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut and the Colossi. The classic, fullest day.
• West Bank in depth: more time in the royal tombs, with Medinet Habu if time allows.
• East Bank and the Nile: Karnak, Luxor Temple and, when the margin allows, a short felucca sail. Flatter walking and a gentler pace.

You can compare all three on our Safaga port page, and check each one against your own ship times.

Planning the return to your ship

The most important decision of the day is when to leave Luxor. We set it first, working backwards from your all-aboard time, and then fit the sightseeing around it. If the day runs late, optional stops are dropped, never the margin before all-aboard.

Practical tips

• Wear comfortable shoes: tomb entrances involve ramps and some steps.
• Bring sun protection; the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut's temple have little shade.
• Carry some small Egyptian pound notes for tips and small purchases.
• Which royal tombs are open varies; your guide chooses the best available on the day.

If your call is too short for Luxor, Safaga still has the Red Sea itself. And if you would like more time in Luxor, a Nile cruise before or after your voyage turns one long day into several unhurried ones.