Luxor Travel Forum

Hello

Two friends and I are off to Luxor in January. We have quite a few questions!

1. Which is the best currency to take?
2. Can a Solo/Cirrus debit card be used in the ATM's in Egypt?
3. We desperately want to go on a hot air balloon ride. Is it best to book in the UK or in Egypt?
4. Also, we heard it was possible to book a quad-biking excursion but haven't seen anything on the net about this. Does anyone have any idea?
5. We plan to fly to Cairo, is it best to book just the flights or to book a whole tour?
6. We're quite big drinkers and smokers. Being an Islamic country, how much would one expect to pay for say a pint of lager? And how much and how good are the cigarettes?

Many thanks in advance.
Much appreciated.
Billy

Luxor is incredible from there to travel up the Nile to Answar is worth everything!
Cairo is less, though of course there are the pyramids.
you can fly direct to Luxor, see the sites of Karnak,across the river to the Valley of the Kings and the Queens then hope a boat
they are like floating hotels ; you can inquire if they have accommodations OR
book a package deal
remember January is full on season!
some of your question I don't know
BUT getting a drink can be difficult
Outside the major hotels and boats it will be a chore!

1. I think you are from the UK, so just take your own currency and change some of it at the airport of arrival, while you are buying your visa. Note: the visa costs 15$ or the equivalent of that in GBP. Will be about 10 GBP. Many touragents will try to sell it to you for much more!

2. A cirrus debit card is OK.

3. Book it in Egypt. Many travelagencies can help you. Compare prices!!

4. I never heard of quad-biking in Luxor. There is in Sharm el Sheikh, but that is quite far away from Luxor.

5. I always book my own flights and have a travel agent in Cairo to organize my trip. Give him your itinerary and he will arrange everything for you from accomodation, transportation, entrance fees to a possible Nile Cruise, even the hot air balloon
bahaa94@hotmail.com
m.bahaa2@usa.net

6. You can buy beer in hotels and such. Prices differ, from 10 up to 25 LE depending where you buy it. You can buy it on the streets if you know where to get it. Ask one of the waiters in your hotel.
Cigarettes are very cheap and wide available. Egyptians are heavy smokers. They have Western brands like Marlboro. But the cheapests are the local cigarettes, but they are of less quality. Just try them. I always have Cleopatra.

And I disagree with the former replier that Cairo is less than Luxor. I love Cairo!!! The only bad thing is the traffic and the polution.

Good luck, Dora.

AND you can buy liquor, wine and beer at the airport of arrival in the tax free shop. Within 24 hours after arrival you are allowed to buy 2 bottles of liquor per person.
Don't buy or drink Egyptian copies of liquor with names like Johnny Talker and such! They are pure poison!

Have a look at my Eqypt page for tips on what to do.
1) Bring at least 300 $US, Euros, or pounds. This is your emergency cash. But pay everything in Egyptian lbs if possible and your hotel by credit card.
2) ATMs are everywhere.
3) I took an excellent hot air ballon ride in Luxor. Book directly through the company and save yourself extra cash without dealing with the middle man. See my Luxor page for contact details.
4) I havent heard of quads in Luxor but you can check out Cairo. The best quad to take is an Egyptian quad ( camel).
5) If you're not one to preplan and research yourself then book a tour. However, the most fun is in the adventure of going off on your own. Get the Lonely Planet Eqypt for how to get around and just book your flights. It'll be cheaper too.

Check out my Egypt pages for tips and ideas and please rank them when you're done. Thanks.

Hi Billy,
You'll have a great time in Luxor, have been twice and can't wait to go back.
In answer to your questions:
Take a few Egyptian Pounds for tips. Be careful at Luxor airport as the locals will try and carry your cases to the coach or taxi and of course they want tipping!
I'd suggest taking the rest in Dollars as the exchange rate is so good at the moment.
Solo cards are fine in the atm machines.
If you are looking for a hot air balloon ride use Magic Horizons (www.magic-horizon.com), I've been with them twice and they are great. The owners are called Bob and Aladdin and they make it a very special trip. I'd book from the UK (via their website) or in their office in Luxor as we found it works out cheaper. Their office is opposite the Nile Palace Hotel.
Afraid I have no idea about Quad biking - sorry!
If you are going to Cairo it's best to book the entire trip. Not sure which travel company you are going with but most do Cairo in a day. It's a long one but well worth it, watch your valuables at the Pyramids though.
Drinking and smoking is widely accepted, fags are cheap and you can buy all the UK brands in 200s. At a guess I'd say you'd spend around £1/£1.50 a pint.
There are two great restuarants one called Jems and one called Maximes both are between the Nile Palace and Sheraton. They are well worth a visit and the staff are really friendly.
Be prepared to get hassled as soon as you step outside the hotel!
If you get the chance take a felucca trip to see the sunset, it's amazing.
I hope this has helped, if you want to know anything else give me a shout.
Toskey