I'm only finding somewhat old info on the TT about getting from Luxor to the desert oases.
Are service taxis still plying the direct route from Luxor to Al-Kharga? Barring that, is it possible to catch an early train or bus to Asyut then some form of public transport to Al-Kharga on the same day?
Cheers.
Jon
Hi,
my luxor hotel who run tours told me that their desert tour from Luxor is no longer being run since the revolution. They did not let me know when/if it will start to be run again.
I would also be interested in any up to date info; regarding luxor to western dsert trips.
Cheers
I can't say for Luxor as the 'starting' point of the circuit, but around this time last year I happened to be travelling a bit further north after Luxor, visiting places like Dendera, and then took a later afternoon public bus from Assyut terminal to Kharga Oasis for the start of a circuit of the Oases. Getting to Kharga was fine by public bus, as was from Dakhla onwards to Farafra then onwards to Bahariya and from there back to Cairo.
Only in Kharga in the early stages when wishing to take a bus to Dakhla the next morning did public transport links wobble a bit after expecting a morning bus to be ticking over the next morning in the terminal to leave at 7am, but the kiosk never opened and a few bored locals indicated the morning service ceased in early 2011 due to lack of demand. Eventually I ended up taking a service taxi to Dakhla. It didn't feel like a 'switch' scam at all, as there was never anybody with an immediate 'ready to go' alternative. Even a local pharmacist confirmed about the morning bus issue and he assisted me in getting a good price with a service taxi even though he had lots of customers waiting. I forget how much the service taxi was, but it wasn't excessive. If you find that it is isn't possible to go direct 'from' Luxor, just take a train up to Assyut from Luxor, and onwards from there.