Flying straight into Luxor (LXR) is the easiest way to reach Egypt’s temples, but it isn’t always the cheapest. Depending on where you start, flying into Cairo or Hurghada and covering the last leg yourself can cut the fare. It can also add a night, a transfer and a headache that cancel the saving.
This guide compares the three main routes, shows which airlines to check and when to book, and points out a seasonal visa perk at Luxor airport that few guides mention. For every way of reaching Luxor, including train, bus, car and Nile cruise, see how to get to Luxor.
The Short Version
- Simplest: fly direct to LXR if a flight exists from your city.
- Usually cheapest from far away: fly into Cairo with a major airline, then take a domestic flight of about an hour.
- For low-cost carriers: fly into Hurghada or Sphinx (Giza) and continue to Luxor, but price the extra leg before you commit.
Which Airport Should You Fly Into?
| Route | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Direct to Luxor (LXR) | Travelers from European cities with a direct service, who want the shortest trip | Fewer direct international flights than Cairo, many of them seasonal. Fares can be high unless booked early |
| Cairo (CAI) plus a domestic flight | Most long-haul travelers, since more airlines compete into Cairo | Separate tickets aren’t protected if your first flight runs late |
| Hurghada (HRG) plus a road transfer | Low-cost airlines from Europe, or beach-and-temples trips | A long transfer that can cost more than the saving |
Direct to Luxor (LXR)
You land, clear immigration and are on your way. The airport is a short ride from the city centre, and you can be at your hotel in around 20–30 minutes. The catch is choice. Luxor has direct flights from a number of European cities, but far fewer than Cairo, and many are seasonal. Airlines that have flown the route include EgyptAir, Air Cairo and, in some seasons, easyJet. Timetables change, so check the airlines’ current routes before ruling direct out. If you can book months ahead, direct is worth checking first. Airport details are in our Luxor International Airport guide.
Via Cairo (CAI) Plus a Domestic Flight
Cairo is Egypt’s main gateway, so more airlines compete there and international fares tend to be lower. Fly in with a major carrier such as Emirates, Lufthansa or Turkish Airlines, then book a separate domestic flight.
The hop from Cairo to Luxor takes about an hour and is flown by EgyptAir, Air Cairo, Nile Air and Nesma Airlines. Domestic fares vary a lot by date, so check a fare calendar for your dates rather than relying on a “from” price.
On separate tickets, leave a buffer. If your international flight is late and you miss the domestic one, the airline owes you nothing. Book a domestic flight several hours after you land, or sleep a night in Cairo. For a full comparison of ways to get from Cairo to Luxor, see how to get from Cairo to Luxor.
Via Hurghada (HRG) Plus a Road Transfer
Hurghada is popular with European visitors, and low-cost carriers such as easyJet and Wizz Air serve it. From there it is a road trip to Luxor:
- By bus: the trip is advertised at about four hours, but some traveler reviews of the Go Bus service report journeys closer to six.
- By private transfer: get quotes for your group size, because prices vary.
- By air: a short flight is also possible.
Add a night in Hurghada, or plan a very early start and a late finish. Choose this route only if the flight saving is bigger than the transfer cost plus the extra night. Our Luxor and Hurghada guide compares the two destinations.
A Tip Most Guides Skip: Sphinx Airport
Some low-cost airlines use Sphinx International Airport on the Giza side of Cairo, and Air Cairo has flown from Sphinx to Luxor. That means you may be able to fly low-cost into Sphinx and connect to Luxor without using Cairo’s main airport. Check the current timetable, the total price and your ticket protection before you book.
A Free Summer Visa at Luxor Airport
Between May and October in 2026 and 2027, tourists arriving by air at Luxor or Aswan airports are eligible for a free emergency-entry visa. The government extended the scheme in late 2025, under the same conditions as before. Those conditions have been reported to cover arrivals on Egyptian airlines from nationalities that already qualify for a visa on arrival, so confirm your passport and airline before you rely on it. This year’s window closes at the end of October.
Otherwise, a single-entry tourist visa costs $30. Apply for an e-visa only on the official portal, visa2egypt.gov.eg, because look-alike sites add fees. Full requirements are in our visa and passport guide.
Best Time to Fly to Luxor
- October to April (peak season): sunny days and cool nights, and the highest fares. Book at least four to six months ahead.
- May and September (shoulder season): fewer tourists, warmer weather and airline sales to fill seats. May to October is also when the free-visa perk at Luxor airport applies.
- June to August (summer): the lowest flight and hotel prices of the year, but Luxor gets very hot in July. Sightsee at opening time and rest through the afternoon.
- Peaks to avoid: Christmas and New Year, and the late-January school break, when Egyptian families travel and fares often jump.
For weather and crowds month by month, see the best times to visit Luxor.
Airlines to Check
Routes and schedules change, so confirm on the airline’s site.
| Airline | What to know |
|---|---|
| EgyptAir | The national carrier. Flies Cairo–Luxor and has run seasonal direct routes from some European cities |
| Air Cairo | The low-cost arm of the EgyptAir group. Flies Cairo–Luxor and has flown Sphinx–Luxor, plus seasonal direct routes from some European cities |
| Nile Air | An Egyptian private airline on domestic routes. In one comparison site’s data it was among the cheapest and most punctual on Luxor–Cairo |
| Nesma Airlines | Appears on Cairo–Luxor in 2026 fare listings |
| easyJet | Low-cost flights from Europe into Hurghada, and seasonal flights to Luxor from some cities |
| Wizz Air | Low-cost flights from Europe into Hurghada and Sphinx |
Five Ways to Pay Less
- Price all three routes for your dates. Add the fare, the transfer and any extra hotel night, then compare totals rather than headline fares.
- Book at the right time. Book international flights three to four months ahead, or four to six for peak season. Domestic fares within Egypt often stay steadier until roughly five to six weeks before departure, then rise.
- Test departure days. Use the fare calendar. Midweek departures are often cheaper than Fridays and Sundays, but the saving varies by route and season, so check your own dates.
- Set a price alert. In Google Flights, enter your route (for example London to Luxor) and turn on “Track prices” to get an email when the fare drops.
- Mix airlines on separate one-ways. Search two one-way tickets rather than a return, for example out with EgyptAir and back with Air Cairo. Use a tool that mixes airlines, such as Google Flights or Skyscanner, and leave a buffer between tickets.
From Luxor Airport to Your Hotel
Don’t hand your savings to the first person who approaches you at arrivals. Pre-book a shuttle through your hotel, agree a taxi fare before you get in, or use a ride-hailing app such as inDrive, which sets the fare before the ride. More in our getting around Luxor guide and our guide to avoiding scams in Luxor.
The Overnight Sleeper Train from Cairo
If domestic flights are expensive on your dates, the sleeper train doubles as a night’s accommodation: you board in the evening and wake up in Luxor. Compare the current sleeper fare with a domestic flight before you assume it saves money, and read recent traveler experiences, since opinions on the cabins differ. Details are in our sleeper train guide.
Before You Book
Airline schedules can change at short notice. If your route connects through a Gulf hub, check your airline’s current status again shortly before departure.
The Bottom Line
Price the three routes for your exact dates, add the transfer and any extra night, and choose the lowest total, not the lowest headline fare. From Europe, look at direct flights first. From further afield, Cairo plus a short domestic hop is usually the safest bet. If you land at Luxor between May and October, check whether the free visa applies to you. Planning your spending? See our Luxor travel cost guide.