Is Luxor safe?
Low violent crime and a heavy police presence at sites. Touts, pushy carriage and felucca drivers and overpriced 'tours' are constant; heat is the bigger health risk.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 3/5, take real precautions.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2025-07-14.
- Homicide rate in Egypt: 1.3 per 100,000 people (2017, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Egypt: 10.1 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 122 · Ambulance 123 · Fire 180 · Tourist police 126.
Safety in Luxor at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Crime | Petty theft is uncommon; persistent hassle from touts, overcharging by carriage drivers and fake guides is the main issue. |
| At night | The Corniche and Luxor Temple area stay busy and calm in the evening. Side streets empty quickly; use a hotel-arranged driver on the West Bank. |
| Solo women | Harassment is mostly verbal and constant near sights and the Corniche. Cover shoulders and knees, avoid empty lanes and be firm with touts. |
| Other risks | Extreme heat May–Sep; Hot-air balloon accidents; Traffic and unlit rural roads at night |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Calèche drivers quoting a low fare, then adding charges
- Unlicensed 'guides' at Karnak or the West Bank offering tickets
- West Bank taxi drivers steering you to alabaster shops
- Felucca or hot-air balloon prices changing after you board
Take care
- Hot-air balloons: check the operator's safety record and insurance
- Walking alone on dark West Bank country lanes
- Midday sightseeing May–Sep: heat exhaustion is common
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Photographing people needs their consent; children, officials and military sites, including the Suez Canal, are off-limits.
- Importing or flying a drone without Defence Ministry permission can mean up to 7 years in prison.
- Criticising the government, including in social media posts, can lead to detention.
How Luxor compares in Egypt
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Hurghada | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Sharm El Sheikh | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Aswan | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Dahab | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Marsa Alam | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| El Gouna | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Siwa Oasis | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Cairo | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Luxor | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Alexandria | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Luxor safe for solo female travelers?
Harassment is mostly verbal and constant near sights and the Corniche. Cover shoulders and knees, avoid empty lanes and be firm with touts.
Is Luxor safe at night?
The Corniche and Luxor Temple area stay busy and calm in the evening. Side streets empty quickly; use a hotel-arranged driver on the West Bank.
What is the crime rate in Luxor?
Petty theft is uncommon; persistent hassle from touts, overcharging by carriage drivers and fake guides is the main issue. Nationally, Egypt records 1.3 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2017).
What number do I call in an emergency in Luxor?
Police 122 · Ambulance 123 · Fire 180 · Tourist police 126.
More about Luxor
Going to Luxor solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Egypt Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
- EgyptAir
- UK FCDO travel advice: Egypt
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.