Is Luxor Safe in January 2026?

Drivers agree on a price for a calèche (horse-drawn carriage) ride, then at the end demand double or triple, claiming the agreed price was per person or per hour.

How to avoid: Get the full price in writing or photographed on a note before departing. Agree explicitly: total cost, not per person.

Men hang around the Valley of the Kings and Karnak Temple claiming to be official guides. They attach themselves uninvited and demand $20–$50 afterward.

How to avoid: Hire guides only through your hotel or licensed tour companies. Say firmly "no thank you" and keep walking if approached.

Felucca and motorboat operators quote low prices to board, then demand much more on the water or refuse to return to shore until paid extra.

How to avoid: Fix the price firmly before boarding. Keep small change ready so you can pay exact amounts without over-tipping.

Drivers and guides take tourists to alabaster and papyrus shops where they earn a commission. Items are sold as antiques or handmade when mass-produced.

How to avoid: Decline any suggestion to stop at shops. If you want souvenirs, go to the Luxor souk independently.

Restaurants along Luxor's Corniche el-Nil waterfront routinely charge tourists three to four times the local rate, presenting English menus without prices or with prices that do not match what is charged at billing. Felucca and calèche drivers frequently steer tourists to specific restaurants where they earn a commission, meaning the food cost is inflated further to cover the kickback. Tourists are sometimes told a meal is "included" with a tour only to receive a bill afterward.

How to avoid: Avoid any restaurant recommended by your driver or boat operator — walk at least two streets inland to find locally-priced food. Always confirm prices before ordering and check that your bill matches what you ordered. The area around Luxor Temple on the east bank has fairer options a block off the main road.