Summary
The best time to visit Egypt is October to April. Days are sunny and warm without the summer heat, which makes it the best season for the pyramids, the temples of Luxor and Aswan, and a Nile cruise. October, November, March and April give you the best balance of weather and crowds; December and January are the busiest and most expensive months. Summer (June to August) is very hot inland but the cheapest time to travel, and the best time for the Red Sea, when the water is at its warmest.
The Best Time to Visit Egypt: October to April

From October to April, Egypt is at its most comfortable: daytime temperatures of 20–30°C, clear skies and almost no rain. It is the season for sightseeing, with long days at the Giza pyramids, the temples of Karnak and Luxor, and a cruise between Luxor and Aswan.
- October and November are the sweet spot: the summer heat has gone, the Red Sea is still warm, and the Christmas crowds have not arrived.
- December and January are the peak. The weather is at its mildest, but hotels, cruises and flights are at their busiest and most expensive, especially from 24 December to 6 January.
- February to April brings warmer days and spring festivals; book around Easter early, when demand rises again.
Nights are cool in winter, around 10°C in Cairo and down to 6–9°C in the desert around Luxor and Aswan, so pack a warm layer. Our winter packing list has the details, and our Egypt tour packages run all season.
Egypt Weather by Month
Approximate average daytime highs, with the Red Sea sea temperature and how busy each month is. Rain is rare everywhere; Alexandria and the north coast see a few wet days in winter.
| Month | Cairo | Luxor & Aswan | Red Sea (air) | Sea | Crowds & prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19°C / 66°F | 23°C / 73°F | 22°C / 72°F | 22°C | Peak · high |
| February | 21°C / 70°F | 25°C / 77°F | 22°C / 72°F | 21°C | High |
| March | 24°C / 75°F | 29°C / 84°F | 24°C / 75°F | 22°C | High (Easter) |
| April | 28°C / 82°F | 35°C / 95°F | 27°C / 81°F | 23°C | Medium |
| May | 32°C / 90°F | 39°C / 102°F | 31°C / 88°F | 25°C | Low |
| June | 34°C / 93°F | 41°C / 106°F | 33°C / 91°F | 27°C | Low |
| July | 35°C / 95°F | 41°C / 106°F | 34°C / 93°F | 28°C | Low inland · busy coast |
| August | 35°C / 95°F | 41°C / 106°F | 35°C / 95°F | 29°C | Low inland · busy coast |
| September | 33°C / 91°F | 39°C / 102°F | 33°C / 91°F | 28°C | Low |
| October | 30°C / 86°F | 35°C / 95°F | 30°C / 86°F | 27°C | Medium–high |
| November | 25°C / 77°F | 29°C / 84°F | 26°C / 79°F | 25°C | High |
| December | 20°C / 68°F | 24°C / 75°F | 23°C / 73°F | 23°C | Peak · highest |
Inland, temperatures climb quickly from April. In June, July and August, Luxor and Aswan regularly pass 40°C (104°F) in the afternoon, so sightseeing happens at sunrise and the middle of the day is for shade or the pool.
The Cheapest Time to Visit Egypt
The cheapest months to visit Egypt are May to September. Nile cruises and hotels in Cairo, Luxor and Aswan cut their prices, and you will share the temples with far fewer people. The trade-off is the heat: plan early starts, guided visits before 11 am, and afternoons indoors or on deck.
The exception is the Red Sea. July and August are the busiest months on the coast, when European summer holidays fill Hurghada, El Gouna and Sharm El Sheikh. For a low price on both Nile and sea, travel in May, early June or September.
Best Time for a Nile Cruise
The best time for a Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan is October to April, when you can spend the afternoons on deck and visit the temples in comfortable heat. December and January are the busiest weeks on the river. Summer cruises are cheaper and quieter; ships keep their programmes but start the temple visits at dawn.
Compare our Nile cruises, or sail on a dahabiya for a quieter trip with only a handful of cabins.
Best Time for the Red Sea and Diving

The Red Sea is a year-round destination. The water is warmest from June to October, at 27–29°C, which is the best time for snorkelling and diving. In winter the air is a pleasant 22–23°C and the sea stays around 21–23°C, warm enough to swim for most travellers and ideal for combining a beach week with sightseeing in Luxor.
See our guide to the Red Sea’s beaches and our day trips from Hurghada.
8-Day Cairo, Siwa and White & Black Desert Adventure
Planning the trip itself? Start here.
View This TripSpring in Egypt: March to May

Spring is warm and bright, with greener fields along the Nile and lively festivals. March and April are excellent for sightseeing; by May the heat inland is building. Spring is also the season of the khamsin, a hot, dusty wind from the desert that can blow for a day or two at a time, so keep a scarf and sunglasses handy.
Egyptians celebrate Sham El-Nessim, the ancient spring festival, on the Monday after Coptic Easter (3 May in 2027), with picnics in parks and along the Nile.
Autumn in Egypt: September to November

Autumn is many travellers’ favourite season. The heat fades through September, October brings perfect sightseeing weather while the Red Sea is still at its warmest, and November is mild and clear before the peak-season crowds. On 22 October, the sun lights the inner sanctuary at Abu Simbel in the Abu Simbel Sun Festival.
Festivals and Events by Month
- 7 January: Coptic Christmas, a national holiday.
- 22 February: the Abu Simbel Sun Festival, when sunlight reaches the statues in the temple’s sanctuary.
- Spring: Sham El-Nessim, the day after Coptic Easter.
- 2 August 2027: a total solar eclipse crosses Luxor, one of the longest of the century.
- 22 October: the second Abu Simbel Sun Festival.
- October: the El Gouna Film Festival on the Red Sea.
- November: the Cairo International Film Festival.
- 31 December: New Year’s Eve at the Pyramids. See our guide to celebrating New Year in Egypt.
Ramadan, Christmas and Other Dates to Plan Around
Ramadan is expected to run from about 8 February to 9 March 2027 (the dates follow the moon). Sites stay open, but opening hours can be shorter, traffic peaks just before sunset, and evenings are lively. It is a rewarding time to visit if you plan around it.
Christmas and New Year (24 December to 6 January) is the busiest fortnight of the year: book early and check gala dinner supplements. Summer brings the highest temperatures in Upper Egypt, so choose early starts and air-conditioned transport.
Best Time to Visit Egypt: FAQ
What is the best month to visit Egypt?
October, November, March and April give the best balance of comfortable weather and smaller crowds. December and January have the mildest weather but are the busiest and most expensive months.
What is the cheapest month to visit Egypt?
May to September is the cheapest time to visit, especially for Nile cruises and hotels in Cairo, Luxor and Aswan. July and August are still busy and more expensive on the Red Sea coast.
What is the hottest month in Egypt?
July and August. Cairo reaches around 35°C (95°F) and Luxor and Aswan often pass 40°C (104°F) in the afternoon.
Does it rain in Egypt?
Very rarely. Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and the Red Sea are dry almost all year; only Alexandria and the Mediterranean coast see a few rainy days in winter.
Is summer a good time to visit Egypt?
Yes for the Red Sea, when the water is at its warmest, and for lower prices on the Nile. Inland, plan sightseeing for early morning, as afternoons in Luxor and Aswan are very hot.
When is the best time for a Nile cruise?
October to April, when the weather on deck and at the temples is comfortable. Summer cruises run too and are cheaper, with temple visits at dawn.
































