Egypt month by month
Egypt in October
In short: October is a very good month for Egypt. The summer heat has gone and the winter crowds have not yet begun. Daytime temperatures are 29°C (84°F) in Cairo, 34°C (93°F) in Luxor and Aswan and 29°C (84°F) on the Red Sea, where the sea is 27°C (81°F). You can combine culture and beach without compromise, and around 22 October the sun lights the innermost sanctuary of Abu Simbel. It suits couples, friends and families, including at the October half-term.
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Culture and beach in one trip, without it being too hot or too cool.
Abu Simbel sun festival around 22 October.
October half-term: popular, so book dahabiyas and family rooms early.
The weather in Egypt in October
Cairo reaches 29°C (84°F) by day and cools to 18°C (64°F) at night. Luxor and Aswan are 34°C (93°F) to 35°C (95°F) by day and 18°C (64°F) at night. On the Red Sea it is 29°C (84°F) by day and 21°C (70°F) at night, and the sea is 27°C (81°F). Expect 9 hours of sunshine a day and no rain. Early October still feels like summer; by the end of the month the mornings are fresh.
Egypt in the October half-term
The October half-term is a good moment for families to visit Egypt: warm enough for the sea, cool enough for the pyramids and Luxor. A week of Cairo plus the Red Sea works well, and so does a ten-day tour with Luxor and Aswan. Because many families know this, hotels and dahabiyas fill quickly in those weeks. More on travelling with children is in our guide to Egypt with kids.
Our advice for October
If you want to see the Abu Simbel sun festival around 22 October, book early and expect crowds at the temple in the early morning. If you travel with children, choose a pace of one sight each morning and swimming time in the afternoon. If you travel outside the school holidays, the first two weeks of October are quieter and slightly cheaper.
Figures
Temperatures in Egypt in October
Average daytime highs and night-time lows per destination in October, 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 | 29°C (84°F) | 18°C (64°F) | Pleasantly warm, dry, comfortable evenings |
| Luxor & Aswan | 34°C (93°F) | 18°C (64°F) | Warm in the afternoon, comfortable morning and evening |
| Red Sea (Hurghada) | 29°C (84°F) | 21°C (70°F) | Sea 27°C, 29°C by day, good beach weather |
Averages over several years; a single year can differ slightly. About 9 hours of sunshine a day, sea water at Hurghada around 27°C (81°F).
Other months
Egypt month by month
Practical
What to pack
Summer clothes, a hat and sun cream. A thin cardigan for evenings on the water and in Cairo, where it cools to 18°C after sunset. A snorkel set for the Red Sea.
What you can do
Everything: complete tours, Nile cruises, dahabiyas, the desert and the Red Sea. October is the start of the dahabiya season on the Nile between Esna and Aswan. Walking in Cairo is pleasant again, even in the middle of the day.
Booking and prices
October is the start of high season. The October half-term is busy. Book four to six months ahead for dahabiyas and the better hotels in Luxor and Aswan.
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Frequently asked questions
How hot is Egypt in October?
Daytime temperatures in Egypt in October average 29°C (84°F) in Cairo, 34°C (93°F) in Luxor and Aswan and 29°C (84°F) on the Red Sea. Nights are between 18°C (64°F) and 21°C (70°F). The sea is 27°C (81°F) and there are about 9 hours of sunshine a day.
Is October a good time to visit Egypt?
Yes, October is a very good month for Egypt. The summer heat has passed, the sea is still warm and it is not yet as busy as around Christmas. Culture and beach are both easy to combine.
Can you visit Egypt at the October half-term?
Yes, the October half-term is a good time to go. Expect 29°C in Cairo and on the Red Sea and 34°C in Luxor. Book early: it is a popular period for families.
What happens at Abu Simbel around 22 October?
At sunrise the light reaches deep into the inner sanctuary of the Great Temple and lights the seated statues of Ramesses II, Amun-Ra and Ra-Horakhty, while the statue of Ptah, a god linked with darkness, stays in shadow. This happens around 22 February and 22 October only. It draws many visitors, so plan well ahead. More on the visit is in our Abu Simbel guide.
Where is it warmest in Egypt in October?
In October it is warmest in Luxor and Aswan: 34°C (93°F) by day. Next come Marsa Alam at 31°C (88°F) and Sharm el-Sheikh at 31°C (88°F). Cairo reaches 29°C (84°F) and Alexandria 28°C (82°F). The sea is 27°C (81°F) at Hurghada and 27°C (81°F) at Marsa Alam.
What is the weather like in early and late October in Egypt?
Early October is still close to September: about 32°C (90°F) in Cairo and 38°C (100°F) in Luxor. By late October the figures move towards November: about 24°C (75°F) in Cairo and 28°C (82°F) in Luxor. Over the month the Red Sea water is between about 25°C (77°F) and 28°C (82°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.
Egypt with kids
Which family tour fits, the best school holidays and how to handle sun, food and water on a private tour.
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