1. Tours - If there's one city in the world where you need a tour guide, it is undoubtedly Luxor, Egypt. Thousands of years of Egyptian history and culture await, and a tour guide will allow you to enjoy more and learn more. Tour guide are also helpful in this city because English proficiency among the locals isn't as high and misunderstandings may arise.

2. West Bank vs East Bank - If you want to stay in a luxurious hotel with close access to restaurants and shops, it is wise to stay on the East Bank. If you want a local feel with a bit more Egyptian culture, choose the mostly rural West Bank. The East Bank has more access to taxis which may be important if you have not arranged for private transfer to and from monuments and temples. Our group stayed at a nubian-style house on the West Bank with a nice view of the Nile and farm animals next door, but we realized we couldn't call taxis or travel to the sites so we arranged for a tour with our host.

3. Entrance Fees - All monuments have entrance fees which are relatively inexpensive, but they can add up quickly. Additionally, some sites may have add-on tombs or rooms which may cost more. Do your research and figure out which ones you would like to see. If you are a student bring your ID, preferably an international student card, as some may not recognize your institution's ID.