East Bank

The East Bank is where Luxor does its everyday work. The railway station sits near the middle of it, and the roads north leave from here, so this is the side you arrive on and the side you leave from. Most of the city's hotels, shops and services are on this bank as well, and Luxor Temple stands within the built-up area rather than out beyond it. The result is a base where the practical parts of a trip, arriving, sleeping, eating, buying a ticket, are all close together and can be done without a crossing.

Daily life here runs along the riverfront and through the streets behind it. In the morning, the Corniche al-Nil is busy with people moving between the temple, the museum and the places that serve them. By afternoon, the Luxor Souq takes over a stretch of the centre, and the riverfront is a place to walk rather than to pass through. Evenings stay open and lit: the centre does not shut down early, and people keep moving along the water and through the streets behind it, which makes the bank feel inhabited rather than simply toured.

The trade this area asks you to make is a river crossing each time you want the West Bank. The tombs and temples are not at hand; they are on the other side, and every morning you plan to see them begins with a transfer. In exchange, you get the station, the roads, the hotels, Luxor Temple and the museum on one side, and evenings that stay active. For a first trip, that is the stronger arrangement, because the parts of the visit that need organising are already around you.

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Luxor Temple Avenue of Sphinxes Banana Island

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Neighbouring areas

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0 km Luxor City Center 0 km Corniche al-Nil 3 km Karnak

Is the East Bank a good base for a first trip to Luxor?+

It is the strongest option for a first trip, because the temples, the station and most of the hotels are on one side. You get services and transport on the doorstep, and the West Bank is a short crossing away. The trade-off is that every West Bank morning starts with a transfer.

Where to Stay in Luxor →

How do I get from the East Bank to the West Bank?+

There are three ways: the public ferry, which runs every few minutes; a private boat, available on demand from the Corniche; and the road bridge south of the city. The ferry and private boats are the usual choice for foot passengers. Check the last crossing of the day with the operator, as times change seasonally.

Getting Around Luxor →

Can I walk to Luxor Temple and the Avenue of Sphinxes from the East Bank?+

Yes, both stand inside the built-up area, so they are reachable on foot from much of the centre. Mornings begin early there, with the day's first groups passing the Avenue of Sphinxes. Hours change seasonally, so check the operator's page for your date.

Luxor Temple →

What is there to do on the East Bank itself?+

Beyond Luxor Temple and the Avenue of Sphinxes, the Corniche al-Nil runs along the river, Karnak lies to the northeast, and Banana Island is an easy trip on the river. The Luxor Museum and the Mummification Museum are also on this side. Evenings stay busy in the centre, with people moving on foot along the riverfront.

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Is the East Bank busier than the West Bank?+

Yes. The East Bank holds Luxor's town centre, and the centre remains open and lit into the evening. The West Bank is quieter, with dark nights and the tombs and temples directly at hand. If quiet matters more to you than having services on the doorstep, look at the West Bank instead.

West Bank →