Taxi or private transfer at a glance
Luxor International Airport is on the East Bank of the Nile, a short drive from the city. Most visitors stay in one of three places: an East Bank hotel along the Corniche or near Karnak, a Nile cruise boat moored at the East Bank docks, or a hotel on the quieter West Bank across the river. The two usual ways to get there are a taxi from the airport or a private transfer booked before you travel.
| Taxi from the airport | Private transfer | |
|---|---|---|
| Booking | Found on arrival outside the terminal | Requested before you travel, with your flight number |
| Price | Agreed with the driver on the spot | Quoted for your trip on WhatsApp before you book |
| Timing | Depends on which cars are waiting when you land | Planned around your landing time |
| Vehicle | Whatever car is available | Sedan, SUV, minivan or Coaster bus, chosen for your group and luggage |
| Drop-off | You explain the address to the driver | Your hotel or cruise boat name is in the booking |
| Return to the airport | Arrange another car for departure day | Can be booked at the same time |
Drive times from Luxor Airport
These are the usual times by car. They depend on traffic and the exact address, and they are the same whether you take a taxi or a private car.
- East Bank hotels and the Corniche: about 9 km, 15–20 minutes.
- Nile cruise boats (East Bank docks): about 9–12 km, 15–25 minutes.
- Karnak area hotels: about 10 km, about 20 minutes.
- West Bank hotels: about 20–25 km, 30–40 minutes.
- Aswan (hotel or Nile cruise): about 240 km, about 3.5 hours.
- Hurghada: about 280–290 km, about 4 hours.
East Bank or West Bank: where is your hotel?
The East Bank is the city side of Luxor. Luxor Temple, Karnak, the Corniche, most large hotels and the cruise docks are here, and the airport is on the same side of the river, so the ride is short.
The West Bank is home to the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon, with smaller hotels and guesthouses among the fields and villages. To reach it from the airport the road has to cross the Nile, which is why the drive takes 30–40 minutes instead of 15–20. If you are staying on the West Bank, check the exact name and location of your hotel before you land, as many are small and not all drivers know them.
If you are joining a Nile cruise, use the boat’s name as your drop-off, the same way you would a hotel. Boats moor side by side at the East Bank docks, so the name of the boat matters more than the street.
Taking a taxi from Luxor Airport
Taxis wait outside the arrivals area. They are a reasonable choice for a short ride to an East Bank hotel if you travel light and are happy to sort it out on arrival. Agree the price and the exact drop-off with the driver before you get in, and have the hotel’s name and location ready on your phone, especially for the West Bank.
A taxi is less convenient when you land late after a long flight, travel with children or a lot of luggage, or are a group that will not fit in one car. In those cases it helps to have the ride arranged before you arrive.
Booking a private transfer
With a private transfer the ride is only for you and your group, with no other passengers, and every vehicle is air-conditioned. You send your flight number, landing time, hotel or cruise boat, passengers and luggage, and we reply on WhatsApp with availability and the price. Nothing is paid on this website, and the transfer is booked once we confirm it in writing.
Choose the vehicle by group size: a sedan takes up to 3 passengers and 3 bags, an SUV 5 and 5, a minivan 7 and 7, and the Coaster bus 22 and 22. If your flight is delayed, message us in the same WhatsApp chat so the pickup can be moved. You can also add a stop on the way, for example to buy water or a SIM card, in the notes of your request.
See the Luxor Airport transfer page for the full route table and the departure transfer back to the airport.
Which option should you choose?
- Solo travellers or couples with light luggage going to an East Bank hotel: a taxi works, as long as you agree the price first.
- West Bank hotels: a private transfer, so the driver already has the hotel’s name and location.
- Nile cruise passengers: a private transfer with the boat’s name as the drop-off.
- Families and travellers with a lot of luggage: an SUV or minivan, so everyone and every bag fits in one vehicle.
- Groups: a minivan for up to 7, or the Coaster bus for up to 22, so the group travels together.
- Going straight on to Aswan or Hurghada: book it as one transfer from the airport instead of two rides.
Tips for your arrival
- Send your flight number with the request, so the pickup matches your landing time.
- Save your hotel’s or boat’s name and location on your phone before you fly.
- Book the return to the airport at the same time: choose “Return trip” in the form and add the pickup time for your departure.
- Plan your first day: the East Bank temples, the West Bank or a sunrise balloon ride all include hotel pickup.