Best Season to Visit Egypt
The best time to visit Egypt is October to April, when afternoon highs in Luxor and Aswan range from about 23°C (73°F) in January to 36°C (97°F) in October, instead of the 40°C (104°F) and above of high summer. For the best mix of comfortable weather, manageable crowds and fair prices, choose November or March. If you can cope with heat and want to spend less, May to September brings lower package prices and quieter temples.
Below: weather by month for Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and the Red Sea, crowds and prices through the year, the 2026 and 2027 holiday dates, and how far ahead to book.
Best Time to Visit Egypt at a Glance
- Best overall: November, March and early April. Warm days, cool evenings, and fewer people than at Christmas.
- Coolest sightseeing: December to February. Pleasant days in Upper Egypt, chilly early mornings, and the busiest weeks of the year.
- Lowest prices: May to September. Package prices drop and sites are quieter, but Luxor and Aswan regularly pass 40°C (104°F).
- Red Sea swimming: May to November, when the sea at Hurghada sits around 24°C to 28°C (75°F to 82°F).
- Nile cruise: October to April. See our separate guide to the best time for a Nile cruise for the river-specific details.
Egypt Weather and Crowds Month by Month
The figures are long-term average daily highs and lows. Cairo sits near the Mediterranean climate zone and is noticeably milder than the Nile Valley to the south; Luxor and Aswan are desert cities with large gaps between day and night temperatures. The Red Sea column uses Hurghada.
| Month | Cairo high / low | Luxor high / low | Aswan high | Red Sea air / sea | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19 / 10°C (66 / 50°F) | 23 / 7°C (73 / 45°F) | 23°C (73°F) | 22°C / 22°C | High in the first week, then busy | High season |
| February | 21 / 11°C (70 / 52°F) | 25 / 9°C (77 / 48°F) | 26°C (79°F) | 24°C / 21°C | Busy; mid-February school holidays in the UK | High season |
| March | 24 / 13°C (75 / 55°F) | 30 / 13°C (86 / 55°F) | 30°C (86°F) | 26°C / 21°C | Busy, peaking around Easter | High season |
| April | 28 / 16°C (82 / 61°F) | 35 / 17°C (95 / 63°F) | 35°C (95°F) | 30°C / 22°C | Moderate after Easter | High season |
| May | 32 / 19°C (90 / 66°F) | 39 / 22°C (102 / 72°F) | 40°C (104°F) | 34°C / 24°C | Quiet in the Nile Valley | Summer rates |
| June | 35 / 22°C (95 / 72°F) | 41 / 25°C (106 / 77°F) | 42°C (108°F) | 36°C / 26°C | Quiet | Summer rates |
| July | 35 / 24°C (95 / 75°F) | 42 / 26°C (108 / 79°F) | 42°C (108°F) | 37°C / 27°C | Quiet in Upper Egypt | Summer rates |
| August | 35 / 24°C (95 / 75°F) | 41 / 26°C (106 / 79°F) | 42°C (108°F) | 38°C / 28°C | Quiet in Upper Egypt | Summer rates |
| September | 34 / 23°C (93 / 73°F) | 39 / 23°C (102 / 73°F) | 40°C (104°F) | 35°C / 27°C | Quiet, picking up late in the month | Summer rates |
| October | 30 / 20°C (86 / 68°F) | 36 / 20°C (97 / 68°F) | 36°C (97°F) | 32°C / 26°C | Moderate, rising | High season |
| November | 25 / 15°C (77 / 59°F) | 29 / 13°C (84 / 55°F) | 30°C (86°F) | 28°C / 25°C | Busy but not peak | High season |
| December | 21 / 11°C (70 / 52°F) | 24 / 9°C (75 / 48°F) | 24°C (75°F) | 24°C / 23°C | Peak from mid-December | High season, highest at Christmas |
Rain is rare everywhere south of Cairo, and even Cairo sees only a handful of wet days in winter. The bigger variables are heat, wind and dust: in spring, hot winds from the desert (the khamsin) can bring hazy, sandy days to Cairo and the Nile Valley.
Egypt Season by Season
October and November: warm days, rising demand
October still feels like summer in Luxor and Aswan, with afternoons in the mid-30s Celsius (mid-90s Fahrenheit), but mornings are fresh and the temples are far easier to enjoy than in August. By November, highs settle around 29°C to 30°C (84°F to 86°F) in Upper Egypt and 25°C (77°F) in Cairo. The Red Sea is still warm enough for long swims. For many travelers this is the sweet spot: proper sightseeing weather without the Christmas crowds. On 22 October, the sun reaches the inner sanctuary of the Great Temple at Abu Simbel, which draws large crowds to that one site.
December to February: the coolest and busiest months
Winter is when Egypt is easiest on the body. Days in Luxor and Aswan are in the low to mid-20s Celsius (70s Fahrenheit), so you can spend a full morning in the Valley of the Kings and still feel fresh. The trade-off is people. The two weeks around Christmas and New Year are the busiest of the year, hotels and Nile ships charge their top rates, and the big sites fill by mid-morning. Pack a warm layer: desert nights drop below 10°C (50°F), and a sunrise balloon flight or an early start at Giza can feel genuinely cold. The Red Sea is mild rather than warm, at around 21°C to 22°C (70°F to 72°F).
March and April: spring warmth and Easter crowds
March is one of the most comfortable months of the year, with highs near 24°C (75°F) in Cairo and 30°C (86°F) in Luxor. April warms quickly to the mid-30s Celsius in the south. Easter weeks are busy with European families, and in some years spring dust storms cut visibility for a day or two. Book Easter travel as early as you would Christmas.
May to September: hot, quiet and cheaper
Summer in Luxor and Aswan is serious heat, often above 40°C (104°F) by midday. Sightseeing still works if you start early: aim to be at the temples soon after they open and back in air conditioning by noon. Cairo is hot but more manageable, and the Grand Egyptian Museum and other indoor sites make good afternoon visits. The Red Sea coast is at its warmest, with the sea near 27°C to 28°C (81°F to 82°F) in July and August. For more on the coast, see our Red Sea travel guide.
What Is the Best Month to Visit Egypt?
If we had to pick one month, it would be November: temperatures are comfortable across the whole country, the sea is still warm, and the holiday peak has not started. March is a close second. The right answer depends on what matters most to you:
- First trip, sightseeing focus: November, February or March. You will cover Cairo, Luxor and Aswan in comfortable conditions.
- Lowest cost: May, June or September. Package prices are lower, and May and September are less extreme than July and August.
- School holidays: Christmas and Easter are popular but book up early. The summer holidays work if you plan early starts and add a few days on the Red Sea.
- Beach plus history: October or early November, when the Nile Valley has cooled but the sea has not.
- Abu Simbel sun alignment: 22 February or 22 October, with smaller crowds on the days either side, when the light still reaches most of the way into the sanctuary.
Holidays and Events in 2026 and 2027
Islamic holidays follow the lunar calendar and move about 11 days earlier each year. The exact dates depend on the sighting of the moon, so treat them as expected dates that can shift by a day.
| Event | 2026 | 2027 | What it means for travelers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coptic Christmas | 7 January | 7 January | Public holiday; falls inside the busy New Year period |
| Abu Simbel sun alignment | 22 February and 22 October | 22 February and 22 October | Very busy at Abu Simbel; book transport and hotels early |
| Ramadan | Mid-February to 19 March | Expected about 8 February to 8 March | Sites open with shorter hours; lively evenings |
| Eid al-Fitr | From 20 March | Expected from about 9 March | Several days of public holiday; domestic travel is busy |
| Western Easter | 5 April | 28 March | Peak demand from Europe; book well ahead |
| Coptic Easter and Sham el-Nessim | 12 and 13 April | 2 and 3 May | Public holiday; parks, gardens and the Nile banks fill with families |
| Eid al-Adha | From about 27 May | Expected from about 16 May | Several days of public holiday; Red Sea resorts fill with Egyptian visitors |
| Christmas and New Year | Late December | Late December | Busiest and most expensive weeks of the year |
Traveling during Ramadan
Ramadan is not a reason to avoid Egypt. Museums and archaeological sites stay open, usually closing earlier in the afternoon, and hotels continue to serve meals through the day. Many Egyptians fast from dawn to sunset, so eat and drink discreetly in public. Traffic peaks in the hour before sunset as people head home to break the fast, and the streets are at their most festive after dark. The days around Eid that follow are public holidays, when trains, flights and resorts are busy with local travelers.
How Prices Change Through the Year
Most Egypt tour packages are priced in two seasons: a higher rate from October to April and a lower one from May to September. On our own Cairo and Nile cruise packages, the difference for two people sharing a room looks like this:
| Package | October to April | May to September |
|---|---|---|
| Ptah, 9 days, Cairo and Nile cruise | $1,250 per person | $1,200 per person |
| King Tut, 9 days, Cairo and Nile cruise | $1,460 per person | $1,401 per person |
| Hathor, 8 days, Cairo and Nile cruise | $2,850 per person | $2,630 per person |
| Sun Ray, 10 days, with Abu Simbel | $3,965 per person | $3,180 per person |
The saving grows with the level of the trip: on budget packages it is around $50 per person, on luxury itineraries it can be several hundred dollars. International flights follow their own pattern, and fares from the US and UK are usually highest over Christmas, Easter and the summer school holidays. You can compare all our itineraries on the Egypt tours page.
How Far Ahead to Book Egypt Tours
The most popular hotels and Nile ships fill first, so the lead time depends on when you travel and how fixed your choices are. As a guide:
- Christmas, New Year and Easter: three to six months ahead. Balcony cabins, suites and hotels with Pyramid or Nile views go first.
- Other dates from October to April: two to four months ahead gives you a good choice of ships and hotels.
- May to September: a few weeks is often enough for the tour itself, though flights in school holidays still reward early booking.
- Abu Simbel on 22 February or 22 October: as early as possible, since flights and transfers from Aswan are limited.
- Visa: arrange it close to travel. The current options are covered in our Egypt travel guide.
For a tailor-made multi-day tour with us, a 50% deposit confirms the booking unless your quotation says otherwise; the details are on our payment policy page.
Tips for Traveling in the Heat
- Start sightseeing early. The West Bank in Luxor is best between opening time and late morning.
- Save museums for the afternoon. The Grand Egyptian Museum is air-conditioned and needs half a day.
- Fly rather than drive long distances in summer, especially for Abu Simbel.
- Book a sunrise hot air balloon flight in Luxor, which runs in the coolest part of the day.
FAQ
What is the best time to visit Egypt?
October to April, when temperatures in Luxor and Aswan are comfortable for sightseeing. November and March offer the best balance of weather, crowds and price.
What is the best month to visit Egypt?
November, followed closely by March. Both have warm days, cool evenings and fewer visitors than the Christmas and New Year period.
What is the worst time to visit Egypt?
June to August, if you plan to spend your days at the temples of Luxor and Aswan, where highs regularly pass 40°C (104°F). The same months are good for the Red Sea and for lower prices.
Is it cheaper to visit Egypt in summer?
Yes. Package prices from May to September are lower than from October to April. On our 9-day King Tut tour, for example, the price drops from $1,460 to $1,401 per person.
How far ahead should I book an Egypt tour?
Two to four months ahead for October to April, and three to six months for Christmas, New Year and Easter. Summer trips can often be arranged a few weeks before travel.
Is Egypt worth visiting during Ramadan?
Yes. Sites remain open with shorter hours, hotels serve food as normal and the evenings are lively. Ramadan 2027 is expected to run from about 8 February to 8 March.
When is the Abu Simbel sun festival?
On 22 February and 22 October each year, the rising sun lights the statues in the inner sanctuary of the Great Temple. The effect is also visible, slightly reduced, a day or two either side.
Once you have chosen your dates, we can build the route, hotels and pace around the season you travel in. Tell us when you would like to go and we will plan a tailor-made Egypt tour for those dates.
Traveling over the festive season? See our Christmas and New Year tours in Egypt and book early for late December.
