Budget — Luxor

Luxor is one of the most affordable cultural destinations in the world for the heritage on offer. A budget of €65 per person per day comfortably covers a stay: double room in a 4-star Nile-view hotel, meals in good restaurants, taxi or felucca transport, shared English-speaking guide and all entry fees.

Accommodation covers every band. A bed in a family guesthouse on the west bank (quieter, more authentic) runs €15-30 a night. A 4-star hotel on the Nile Corniche (Sofitel Old Winter Palace, Steigenberger Nile Palace) sits around €80-150 a night. The Sofitel Old Winter Palace (1886), where Agatha Christie stayed while writing Death on the Nile, is one of the most history-laden hotel experiences in all Egypt (from €180 a night in season). Luxor-Aswan cruises (3 or 4 nights) start around €60 per person per night in classic 4-star format, €120-200 per night on premium 5-star boats (Oberoi, Sanctuary Sun Boat).

Food is very affordable. A meal in a small local restaurant on the Corniche runs €5-10 per person. Dinner in a tourist restaurant (Sofra, 1886 Restaurant) costs €15-25. Upmarket hotels offer gastronomic dinners at €40-70. Local cuisine is less varied than in Cairo but delivers excellent grills, tagines and Nubian dishes.

Entry fees pile up quickly in Luxor — it's one of the main budget items. Karnak: €12. Luxor Temple: €10. Valley of the Kings (3 tombs of your choice): €15. Tutankhamun's tomb: €18 extra. Seti I's tomb: €50 extra (but well worth it). Valley of the Queens + Nefertari's tomb: €12 + €50. Deir el-Bahari: €8. Ramesseum: €6. Luxor Museum: €10. Karnak sound and light show: €25-30. Hot-air balloon: €80-130. Total ticket budget over 3 days: €80-180/person depending on options. A Luxor Pass exists (USD 200 adult standard, USD 350 with premium tombs) — worthwhile if you visit everything, calculate against your programme.

Local transport is inexpensive: east-bank/west-bank taxi €5-8, felucca for the Nile crossing €2-3, calèche on the Corniche €5/hour. A car with driver for a full west-bank day costs €30-50.