Hi Vix,

We booked through the hotel we're staying at and it's LE300 (~£30?). If it gets us off the coach (and maybe out of the convoy) it's well worth it!!

__________________
Roger
There are only three types of people in the world - those who can count and those who cannot.
Pandora's Box

Yes it is def worth it if flights to Lux are more easily obtainable. I'm gonna check this out. Not sure how this convoy system works, tho I'm sure G will be able to answer that one. Do you have to sit and wait till theres enuf' for the lead vehicle to take? Are taxis exempt from the convoy then?

Just had a quick look re flights to Lux. 23rd June /14 nites £211.00
both from Gatwick 16th July /14 nites £196.00
Thats First Choice with the Charter flight center.

Vix car from luxor a taxi will charge you 250 to 300 L.E

Well I think thats very reasonable for 2 people. George, my house in the UK is in a small village, 12 miles from the nearest town. A taxi wld cost me £24. GB to pick me up from home to take me to town. Can you believe that?

I have travelled in the convoy many times in private taxis and private vehicles. The convoy meets at a set place and set times with police escort at front and back. The logic behind it is beyond me because if you want to attack the tourists just wait in the desert until the convoy from Hurghada passes the convoy from Luxor and you could blow up about 500 vehicles in one go! I have heard a rumour that they are stopping the convoys because there are too many accidents?

My British friend has a dodge ram truck and quite often he has been allowed through without the convoy when he just shows his Egyptian driving licence and not his passport with annual tourist visa. But if I am in the truck then we are not allowed to go without the convoy.

The convoy stops half way for half an hour at a nice clean rest place with toilets and cafe and locals with camels and baby goats standing on the humps wanting baksheesh. I love baby goats.

The thing that scares the life out of me is the driving. You cannot overtake the police escort in the front yet all along the line everyone is overtaking each other. And driving about one inch from the bumper infront to stop anyone joining the line again after having pulled out to overtake. I took the 8pm convoy from Luxor once in the dark and that was terrifying with coaches overtaking and not being able to squeeze back in again and cars approaching from the other direction without any lights on.

And as for finding a safe driver well a friend told me his uncle is the best driver in Egypt! "How come?" I asked. "Because he can drive for three days without sleeping" was the reply

I have also travelled on the bus which is very cheap but takes a long time stopping at all the towns and villages inbetween and the toilet stop is (was?) a hole in the ground toilet.

Last time I flew via Cairo from Hurghada to Luxor and back

__________________
..............O...O
.................O
...><)))*>.....O..
...............O.......><)))*>
............o.....o
................O
............o
........o
Georgina

__________________

Thanks G. Think I will give it a try. Will cover up and show my Jordanian passport. No visa needed. Re the baby goats, My ex loves them too. He loves to eat them. Nasty man.

Does anyone know what has happened to easyjet and flights to Hurghada - have they stopped now for definite?

I spoke to Easyjet a few months ago and they said that their winter schedule would be released at the end of June. So fingers crossed they do Hurghada as a winter route.

Lyndsay