Is it better to stay on the East Bank or the West Bank in Luxor?

The East Bank for walking to Luxor Temple, restaurants and the cruise moorings. The West Bank for a quiet, rural stay close to the Valley of the Kings and the balloon launch site.

Where should I stay in Aswan?

On the Corniche to walk to the souk and the boats, with the Old Cataract as the classic hotel; on Elephantine Island for peace in the middle of the river; or in a Nubian guesthouse on the West Bank for colour and character.

Should I add a night before or after my Nile cruise?

After, in most cases. You board at lunchtime on the first day and leave after breakfast on the last, so a night at the end gives you a full free day in Luxor or Aswan. Add a night before only if your flight arrives late.

Can I stay on the cruise ship the night before it sails?

Usually not, because the boat is finishing its previous sailing. Book a hotel night in Luxor or Aswan and we transfer you to the boat for lunch.

Is the Old Cataract worth it?

For a special occasion, yes: it is one of the great historic hotels of Africa, with a terrace over the Nile and Elephantine Island. If it is beyond the budget, book afternoon tea on the terrace instead.

Before and after the boat

Where to stay in Luxor and Aswan, before or after your cruise

In Luxor, stay on the East Bank Corniche to walk to Luxor Temple and the cruise moorings, with the 1886 Winter Palace as the classic choice; stay on the West Bank for quiet fields and the closest base for the Valley of the Kings. In Aswan, the Old Cataract above the river is the famous address, Elephantine Island is the peaceful option, and a Nubian guesthouse on the West Bank is the most memorable. Add one night at the end of the cruise if you can, because the boat sees the main sites in a hurry and both towns reward a slower day.

Ask for a cruise with hotel nights

Luxor

Where to stay in Luxor

Areas to stay in Luxor
Area	Why stay here	Typical hotels
East Bank, on the Corniche	Walk to Luxor Temple and the cruise moorings; Karnak is a short drive	The Winter Palace, the historic hotel of 1886, and large riverside hotels
East Bank, north towards Karnak	Quieter resort hotels with gardens and pools on the river	Hilton Luxor Resort and similar resort hotels
West Bank	Village life, fields and mountains; closest to the Valley of the Kings and an early balloon pick-up	Small hotels and guesthouses near the temples

With an extra night in Luxor you can see what the cruise programme leaves out, such as the tomb of Seti I, the Ramesseum or Medinet Habu, or simply watch the sunset from the Corniche. See the West Bank beyond the big sites and Luxor at night.

Aswan

Where to stay in Aswan

Areas to stay in Aswan
Area	Why stay here	Typical hotels
The Corniche	Walk to the souk and the cruise moorings	The Old Cataract, built in 1899, with its terrace over the river
Elephantine Island	Quiet, green and in the middle of the river, reached by a free hotel boat	Large resort hotels on the island
West Bank and the Nubian villages	Colourful Nubian houses, camels and sand dunes over the river	Nubian guesthouses, simple and full of character

Aswan is the best place to add a night: it is the natural base for Abu Simbel, which starts before dawn, and for a slow day of felucca sailing and the Nubian villages. Tea on the Old Cataract terrace is worth booking even if you sleep elsewhere.

Planning the nights

A night before or a night after?

1After is usually better. Boats welcome guests at lunchtime on the first day, so you rarely need the night before unless your flight lands late. On the last morning you leave the boat after breakfast, which leaves a whole free day in town.
2Before, if you fly in late. A late arrival in Luxor or Aswan means a hotel night first, then boarding at lunchtime the next day.
3Two nights in Aswan for Abu Simbel. One for the early road trip to Abu Simbel and back, one to enjoy Aswan itself.
4Match the boat's day. Historia and Sonesta St George leave Luxor on Mondays, so a Sunday night in Luxor fits; the Oberoi Zahra leaves Luxor on Tuesdays and Aswan on Saturdays.

See where the boats moor and how boarding works and how many days a Nile trip needs.

Prices

Booking hotel nights with the cruise

We add hotel nights to the cruise and quote them together with the transfers, so the car that collects you from the boat takes you straight to your hotel. Nile cruise ships run about US$120 to US$1,500 per person per night and dahabiyas about US$140 to US$1,500, depending on the boat, cabin and season.

Asked often

Hotels in Luxor and Aswan, answered

Is it better to stay on the East Bank or the West Bank in Luxor?: The East Bank for walking to Luxor Temple, restaurants and the cruise moorings. The West Bank for a quiet, rural stay close to the Valley of the Kings and the balloon launch site.
Where should I stay in Aswan?: On the Corniche to walk to the souk and the boats, with the Old Cataract as the classic hotel; on Elephantine Island for peace in the middle of the river; or in a Nubian guesthouse on the West Bank for colour and character.
Should I add a night before or after my Nile cruise?: After, in most cases. You board at lunchtime on the first day and leave after breakfast on the last, so a night at the end gives you a full free day in Luxor or Aswan. Add a night before only if your flight arrives late.
Can I stay on the cruise ship the night before it sails?: Usually not, because the boat is finishing its previous sailing. Book a hotel night in Luxor or Aswan and we transfer you to the boat for lunch.
Is the Old Cataract worth it?: For a special occasion, yes: it is one of the great historic hotels of Africa, with a terrace over the Nile and Elephantine Island. If it is beyond the budget, book afternoon tea on the terrace instead.

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