How safe is it for a young man and a woman in her 60's to walk the streets of Luxor, Egypt?

Question

this includes In the Daytime AND Nighttime. Also, is there any Do's and Dont's in Luxor in terms of respect and safety

Answer 1

It’s perfectly safe to go around Luxor, day or night, provided you use your common sense, and bear in mind some of the oddities of the town. In Luxor you never really need to be afraid of violence. Avoiding touts and scams are more realistic concerns.

> Touts. BE FIRM. Avoid the main tout hotspots (some of these you won’t be able to and just have to be determined and go for it)

* The corniche from Salah El Din to the Luxor Museum (use Sharia Karnak instead, dropping down to the Nile only if and when you need to)

* By the National Ferry and Bus Station on the West Bank

* Sharia Mat-Haf (road linking Karnak Street and a very useful bus stop to Luxor Museum and the Nile). Beggers and kalesh touts mostly

* Temple Square. Mostly beggars but also taxi and some kalesh touts

* West Bank – Gurna village (Theban Tombs/Nobles Valley)

* El Souk (obvious)

* Around the National Ferry (East Bank) and on the ferry itself.

>  Take care when on Sharia Kalid Bin Walid (“Sheraton Road”). Just use common sense and don’t flash valuables, make too much eye contact etc. Use transport if on this road late at night, taxi or bus. Don’t talk to people who approach you at random here.

> If you take a trip on a Felucca, leave your money behind with someone, or at the very least only carry the exact money you agreed to pay. Same applies to any donkey/camel/pony treks.



> To cross the river use the National Ferry which lands just north of the temple.

> Local buses in Luxor are flat fare 25pt (Mar 2008, so allow for some changes). On the East Bank main routes you should have no problems. West Bank buses are notorious for magically becoming “specials” (i.e. private taxi) when a foreigner gets on. *Never get on an empty bus in the West Bank*.

> If taking a bus to Karnak, don’t ask if he’s going to Karnak, but rather towards the New Corniche. Otherwise you risk getting a “special” again. Pick up buses for Karnak from the Sharia Karnak / Sharia Mat-Haf junction (north side). Saves confusion.

> Dress decently, keep arms and legs covered. There’s no need to cover your head in Egypt.

>  Never ever try to buy a genuine antiquity. If you get found out at customs they will throw the book (quite rightly) at you.

> Never respond to temple touts. They will distract you from what you really want to see and will give inaccurate (often wildly so) tales of the building, and charge you for the privilege.

> Tap water is pretty much safe, tastes like swimming pool though

> Chicken on the West Bank is best avoided.

> Always carry water and food with you. It’s not easy to get at temple sites and where it is available, it’s usually overpriced. Café by Ramesseum is the exception, it’s excellent.

> Allow much more time than the tour groups give you. At least half a day for each temple, except Karnak which needs 2 days. Double that if your serious about the history.

DO make sure you see the following sites, not everyone does:

*Medinet Habu (mortuary temple of Ramesses III)

*Ramesseum (mortuary temple of Ramesses II)

*Gurna Ta’Rif Temple (mortuary temple of Seti I in Luxor West Bank, not Abydos)

*The Festival Court of Thutmose III at Karnak, preferably late in the day

*Luxor Museum (be sure not to miss the statue of Thutmose III)

*Take the train to Abydos and visit properly in your own time, not on the convoy.

*Edfu Temple. Very well preserved and humbling architecture.

DON’T bother with:

*Felucca trips to Banana Island

*Tomb of Tutankhamun KV62

*Organised tour of Valley of the Kings. Travel independently and later in the day, avoid the morning crush.

*The convoy to Dendera and Abydos. You get barely an hour in each. Go by train

*Esna Temple.

*Kom Ombo Temple.

Just keep your wits about you and you will be safe and have a truly wonderful experience. As much as Egypt sometimes infuriates me, I always go back and never fail to stand in awe.

Answer 2

i think it's safe, just don't be late out side, don't trust locals and don't you both go alone to an isolated place with anybody.

Answer 3

OFC ITS VERY SAFE

just dont hang out a lot at night and make sure that she can bear the high temprature

Answer 4

don,t worry all Egypt safe not only luxor and i think the most important think to respect there culture and religion

Answer 5

it is safe enough..i went there befor and the people there are very kind and  they respect  their  tourists...

Answer 6

Very safe! Luxor's economy is really based on tourism so it's a very friendly place. The only problem is people bothering you to buy things but it's definitely not dangerous.

DO go to the museum if you have time. It's small but it's a lovely thing to do in the evening. Take the ferry to get across the Nile, it's only 1 L.E. and if you are interested, it's fun to rent a bicycle and explore. Hutshepsut's temple is amazing, the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens is a must. Carnac is fun but I didn't enjoy it as much as the other sights.

have fun!

Answer 7

Extremely safe! Nothing to worry about at all. As in any other city in the world, just use your common sense. For the woman, try to avoid "very" revealing clothes.

Answer 8

well if you mean a " young egyptian man" then the only hassle you will get will be from the police as they may ask if you are "married" thats usually what they stop you for, I am 25 but I did get stopped alot when I was walking with my partner who is egyptian, apart from that you should be fine Luxor is a very safe and friendly city

Answer 9

VERY safe.. all Egypt is very safe

and they are welcomed and will be well treated and they will experience the Egyptian hospitality them self's

about the Do's and Dont's.. i think there are no many Dont's

*Dont walk in the street late at night DRUNK.. like all countries

*Dont take a Nile trip all by your self. it might be dangerous

*Dont wear really revealing clothes or completely see through.

*Do take a Nile trip with a guide or the boat man is enough, you will just love it!

*Do see ALL the monuments that you can, tour till you drop!

*Do but souvenirs to remember

*Do attend the Sound and Light show in the Luxor temple

*Do wear light cotton clothes at the day, and take a hat with you.

Good luck and enjoy your time! ( I'm sure you will :)

Answer 10

Luxor is perfectly safe for both women.

in terms of respect , dont expose too much of your bosom or legs .

dont walk in empty streets at night .

go to the Sound and Light show .

go to the West bank to see the important monuments .

the East bank also has important monuments .

go to the Karnak temple .

it was saved from the rising Nile Waters after the High Dam was constructed .

go to shows in hotels to see a variety of shows .