Egypt month by month
Egypt in January
In short: January is the coolest month of the year in Egypt, which makes it a pleasant one for a cultural trip. By day it is around 19°C (66°F) in Cairo, around 23°C (73°F) in Luxor and Aswan and 22°C (72°F) on the Red Sea. You visit the temples without breaking a sweat, and the Nile looks lovely in the winter sun. The nights are cool, especially in the desert, so January suits culture and history far better than a beach holiday.
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Comfortable temperatures for the pyramids, the temples and the Valley of the Kings.
After the Christmas crowds it gets quieter and cheaper from the second week.
Sea water of 22°C: snorkelling is possible, sunbathing is pleasant, swimming feels cool.
The weather in Egypt in January
Cairo reaches 19°C (66°F) by day on average and cools to about 9°C (48°F) at night. The odd rainy day happens, usually a short one. Luxor and Aswan are dry and sunny at 23 to 24°C (73 to 75°F) by day, but the nights fall to 6 to 8°C (43 to 46°F). On the Red Sea it is 22°C (72°F) by day, with sea water at 22°C (72°F). Expect about 7 hours of sun a day and a sunset around five o'clock.
Who is January right for?
For travellers who come mainly for culture and history, January is a very good month. If you want a beach holiday, April or October suits you better, although the Red Sea is good for divers and snorkellers now too, with a thin wetsuit. Families who avoid the Christmas holidays will find peace and space at the sights from mid-January.
Our advice for January
Combine Cairo with Luxor and Aswan and plan the southern temples around midday, when it is warmest. Choose a dahabiya or a small Nile cruise if you want to enjoy the winter sun on the water. On 7 January Coptic Christians celebrate Christmas; some churches in Cairo are especially atmospheric then, but also busier.
Figures
Temperatures in Egypt in January
Average daytime highs and night-time lows per destination in January, in Celsius and Fahrenheit. You can see at a glance where it is comfortable and where you adjust the programme.
| Destination | Daytime | At night | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cairo | 19°C (66°F) | 9°C (48°F) | Cool in the morning, pleasant in the afternoon, the odd shower |
| Luxor & Aswan | 23°C (73°F) | 6°C (43°F) | Dry and sunny, good for long days at the temples |
| Red Sea (Hurghada) | 22°C (72°F) | 11°C (52°F) | Sea water 22°C, sunny by day, cool evenings |
Averages over several years; a single year can differ slightly. About 7 hours of sunshine a day, sea water at Hurghada around 22°C (72°F).
Other months
Egypt month by month
Practical
What to pack
Layers: a T-shirt for the afternoon, a jumper or cardigan for morning and evening, and a windproof jacket for a felucca or dahabiya. In the desert and on the water the temperature drops quickly after sunset to 6 to 10°C.
What you can do
Complete tours with Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel. The Valley of the Kings and Karnak are very pleasant in January. A Nile cruise or a dahabiya is comfortable now too, with cool mornings on deck.
Booking and prices
The first week is still part of the Christmas holidays, so it is busy and expensive. After that prices fall and dahabiyas and good hotels are easier to book. For a trip in January, ideally book before October.
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Frequently asked questions
How warm is Egypt in January?
In January it is on average 19°C (66°F) by day in Cairo, 23°C (73°F) in Luxor and Aswan and 22°C (72°F) on the Red Sea. The nights are cool at 6 to 11°C (43 to 52°F). It is the coolest month of the year, but still sunny and dry.
Is January a good time to visit Egypt?
Yes, January is a very good month for a cultural trip. The temperatures are comfortable for the pyramids, the temples and the Valley of the Kings, the days are dry and sunny, and from the second week it is quieter than over Christmas. If you mainly want a beach holiday, April or October is a better choice.
Can you swim in the Red Sea in January?
Yes, the sea water is around 22°C. Snorkelling and diving are fine with a thin wetsuit; without one it feels cool. For sunbathing and walks along the sea it is pleasant by day.
Is January a good month for a Nile cruise?
Yes. The temperatures in Luxor and Aswan are ideal for temple visits, and the mornings on deck are cool and clear. Bring a jumper for the evenings on the water. Our guide to a Nile cruise in Egypt shows how the route works.
Is Egypt expensive in January?
Only in the first week. That week is still part of the Christmas holidays, so it is busy and pricey. From the second week of January prices fall and there is more choice in hotels and dahabiyas.
Where is it warmest in Egypt in January?
In January it is warmest in Marsa Alam: 24°C (75°F) by day. Next come Luxor and Aswan at 23°C (73°F) and Sharm el-Sheikh at 22°C (72°F). Cairo reaches 19°C (66°F) and Alexandria 18°C (64°F). The sea is 22°C (72°F) at Hurghada and 23°C (73°F) at Marsa Alam.
What is the weather like in early and late January in Egypt?
Early January is still close to December: about 20°C (68°F) in Cairo and 24°C (75°F) in Luxor. By late January the figures move towards February: about 21°C (70°F) in Cairo and 26°C (79°F) in Luxor. Over the month the Red Sea water is between about 21°C (70°F) and 23°C (73°F).
Read on
Best time to visit Egypt
Month by month: when Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and the Red Sea are at their most comfortable.
Weather in Egypt
Temperatures per month for Cairo, Luxor, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Sharm el-Sheikh, with the sea temperature.
Nile cruise in Egypt
Classic ship or dahabiya between Luxor and Aswan: nights, route, prices and how to fit a cruise into your trip.
Egypt Highlights (10 days)
Private tour through Cairo, Luxor and Aswan with the great sights of ancient Egypt.
How many days in Egypt?
10 to 12 days suits most first trips; see what fits into 5, 10, 12, 14 and 15 days, with the matching tour.
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