When to go
Best time to visit Egypt
The best time to visit Egypt is October to April. From November to February, daytime temperatures in Luxor and Aswan sit between 23 and 26°C, pleasant for long temple visits, while in summer they regularly climb above 40°C. Cairo is comfortable in the same months. Summer is possible too, with an adjusted programme. Which month suits your route depends on heat, crowds and budget; the month-by-month table below shows exactly what to expect, per destination.
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October to April is usually the most comfortable period for a cultural trip.
Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel need extra care in the heat.
Summer is possible, but calls for early visits and a slower pace.
Culture needs different weather from a beach holiday
For temples, tombs and city visits, mild weather matters more than guaranteed sunshine. A temple visit in Luxor easily takes two to three hours in the open air, and the Valley of the Kings offers hardly any shade. At 25°C that is a pleasure; at 40°C it is an effort. That is why, when we plan a trip to Egypt, we weigh the weather per destination, not just the national average.
November to February: the ideal winter months
This is the most pleasant period for a complete tour. In Cairo daytime temperatures are around 20°C, in Luxor and Aswan 23 to 26°C: perfect for long temple visits and quiet hours on the deck of a dahabiya. The nights can be chilly, especially in the desert, so a warm layer for the evening is welcome. Around Christmas and New Year it is noticeably busier, and good hotels and ships fill up earlier.
March, April and October: the best of both worlds
The shoulder seasons combine pleasant weather with slightly smaller crowds than the winter peak. In March and April the south climbs towards 30 to 35°C, but with a sensible daily schedule everything remains very doable. In spring the khamsin, a warm desert wind, can occasionally bring dust and extra heat. October is the mirror image: the summer heat ebbs away and the Nile is at its most beautiful.
May to September: can you go, and how?
Summer is hot, above all in Luxor and Aswan, where the thermometer regularly passes 40°C. Even so, people travel to Egypt in these months, for instance because of the school holidays. We then plan visits early in the morning, build in a midday rest and choose hotels and vehicles with reliable air conditioning. Cairo and the Red Sea are easier in summer than the deep south; a change to the route can make a big difference.
Which months suit which route
A compact route such as our 10-day Egypt itinerary, with Cairo, Aswan, three nights on the Nile and Luxor, is at its most comfortable between October and April, when the long days at the temples are a pleasure rather than a test. Egypt Highlights follows that route in 10 days and ends with two nights at the Red Sea; the longer routes, such as Classic Egypt in 12 days and Complete Egypt in 15 days with five nights by the sea, place their beach days at the end, where the coast is cooler and windier than Luxor and Aswan. Travelling in a warmer month? Then a route with more Cairo and Red Sea and fewer hours in the open air in the south is the sensible choice, and we build it that way.
When to book
For beautiful hotels, good guides and small dahabiyas it is wise to start a few months ahead. For travel between October and April, and certainly around Christmas and the school holidays, we recommend planning three to six months in advance. Outside high season there is more flexibility and attractive rates are more common. None of our trips has fixed departure dates: we build the route around the dates you can travel and, if a Nile cruise is part of it, around the sailing schedule of the ship.
Month by month
Temperatures per month and per destination
Average afternoon temperatures. The south (Luxor and Aswan) is warmer than Cairo all year round; on the Red Sea coast it is often a little windier.
| Month | Cairo | Luxor & Aswan | Red Sea | Our advice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19°C | 23°C | 22°C | Ideal for culture |
| February | 21°C | 26°C | 23°C | Ideal, popular |
| March | 24°C | 30°C | 25°C | Very good, occasional khamsin wind |
| April | 28°C | 35°C | 28°C | Good, the south gets warm |
| May | 32°C | 39°C | 31°C | Warm, early starts |
| June | 34°C | 41°C | 33°C | Hot in the south |
| July | 35°C | 41°C | 34°C | Hot, adjusted programme |
| August | 34°C | 41°C | 34°C | Hot, adjusted programme |
| September | 32°C | 38°C | 32°C | Warm but quiet |
| October | 29°C | 34°C | 29°C | Very good |
| November | 24°C | 28°C | 26°C | Ideal for culture |
| December | 20°C | 24°C | 23°C | Ideal, busy around Christmas |
Temperatures are average daytime maxima and can vary slightly from year to year. Nights are chilly in winter, especially in the desert.
Typical route
The places that often come together in a strong Egypt trip.
Cairo works all year round, but spring and autumn feel more pleasant.
Luxor and Aswan are more comfortable for temple visits in the winter months.
We prefer to schedule Abu Simbel early in the day.
The Red Sea works well as a quiet finish to the trip.
Sample itinerary
One possible structure, always adapted to your pace.
Most comfortable
A good period for complete tours with plenty of culture and sightseeing in the open air.
Warmer, but workable
Travelling works well, provided the daily schedule and the rest breaks are planned sensibly.
Hot in southern Egypt
For Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel this is the most demanding time. We then plan early starts and a calmer pace.
Busier, so book earlier
Christmas, Easter and the school holidays call for timely planning.
Practical
Crowds
In popular periods there is more demand for good hotels, guides and ships.
Temperature
The south is warmer than Cairo. That mainly dictates the pace of your excursions.
Budget
High season can be more expensive. Flexible dates help you make better choices.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Egypt?
October to April is the best time for a tour of Egypt. The weather is then pleasant for temple visits in Luxor and Aswan, and temperatures in Cairo are comfortable. November, February and March are particularly popular and comfortable.
Can I visit Egypt in summer?
Yes, but southern Egypt is very hot in June, July and August. Temperatures in Luxor and Aswan rise to 40 to 45°C. Travelling is possible if you start early, build in a midday rest and keep the programme less intensive. Cairo is easier in summer than the south.
Is December a good month for Egypt?
Yes, December is excellent for a tour. It is dry, pleasantly mild (around 20°C in Cairo and 24°C in Luxor and Aswan during the day) and ideal for sightseeing in the open air. Around Christmas it is busier and hotels and dahabiyas are booked up sooner, so plan in good time.
Is November a good month for Egypt?
Yes, November is one of the best months for a tour. It is dry and pleasant: around 24°C in Cairo during the day and around 28°C in Luxor and Aswan. That is ideal for long temple visits and cultural excursions, before the crowds of the Christmas period arrive.
When is high season in Egypt?
High season runs from October to April, with peaks around Christmas, New Year, Easter and the European school holidays in February and April. In those periods good hotels, dahabiyas and private guides fill up faster. Book a few months ahead.
What is the best time for a Nile cruise or a dahabiya?
October to April is ideal for a Nile cruise or a trip on a dahabiya. Temperatures are pleasant for sailing and for excursions. In summer sailing is technically possible, but the heat on deck and at the temples makes it less comfortable.
What is the best time to visit Egypt for culture?
November to March are the best months for cultural trips with many temple visits, walks and museums. The sun is less intense then, excursions can last longer and you have more energy for the content of the trip.
When is Egypt cheapest?
May, June and September are usually the cheapest: outside high season hotels and flights are priced more keenly. It is warm then, though, especially in Luxor and Aswan. If you want to combine price and comfort, look at October or March, just outside the busiest weeks.
Read on
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