Summary
A 3-night Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor costs $700 to $1,225 per person with us, sharing a cabin; 4 nights from Luxor cost $950 to $1,650, and a 7-night cruise $1,175 to $2,400. The price depends on the ship (Standard, Deluxe or Luxury) and the season: winter, October to April, costs about 25–40% more than summer on the cruise ships. A dahabiya, a small sailing boat with only a few cabins, costs $1,525 to $2,660. Every cruise includes full board, a private Egyptologist guide, entry tickets and transfers; flights and tips are extra.
Prices are taken from our own Nile cruise programmes in October 2026, per person sharing a double cabin. Winter is 1 October to 30 April and summer 1 May to 30 September.
Nile Cruise Prices at a Glance
| Cruise | Nights | Price per person |
|---|---|---|
| Aswan to Luxor | 3 | $700 – $1,225 |
| Luxor to Aswan | 4 | $950 – $1,650 |
| Luxor round trip or Aswan round trip | 7 | $1,175 – $2,400 |
| Dahabiya from Aswan | 3 | $1,525 – $1,785 |
| Dahabiya from Luxor | 4 | $1,875 – $2,135 |
| Dahabiya, Aswan or Luxor | 7 | $2,225 – $2,660 |
| Lake Nasser: Aswan to Abu Simbel | 3 | $915 – $1,175 |
| Lake Nasser and Abu Simbel | 4 | $1,145 – $1,405 |
| Cairo to Aswan or Aswan to Cairo | 12 – 14 | On request |
The lower figure is a Standard ship in summer; the higher one is a Luxury ship in winter. Three people sharing a triple cabin pay $50 less each, and a single traveller pays only $25 more than the sharing price.
The classic Nile cruise sails between Luxor and Aswan and stops at the temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo on the way. Three nights is enough to see the main sights; seven nights gives you a slower pace and more time in Luxor and Aswan.
Standard, Deluxe, Luxury or Elite: Which Ship?
The route, the sightseeing and the guide are the same on every level. What you pay for is the ship: the size of the cabin, the food, the sun deck and pool, and how quiet it is on board.
| Level | Example ship | 3 nights, winter | 7 nights, winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | Princess Amira or similar | $865 | $1,560 |
| Deluxe | Amwag or similar | $985 | $1,840 |
| Luxury | Mövenpick MS Sunray or similar | $1,225 | $2,400 |
| Elite | Historia or similar | On request | On request |
- Standard suits travellers who spend the day at the temples and want a clean, comfortable cabin for the night.
- Deluxe adds a little more space and better food for about 15% more.
- Luxury ships have larger cabins, a better pool deck and more refined dining, for about 40–55% more than Standard.
- Elite boutique ships carry fewer guests and are priced for each date.
See all Nile cruise ships we work with, with their cabins and photos.
Winter or Summer: How the Season Changes the Price
Winter (1 October to 30 April) is the main season, when the weather is mild and most travellers come. Summer (1 May to 30 September) is cheaper because Aswan and Luxor are very hot, often above 40°C in the afternoon.
- A 3-night Standard cruise costs $700 in summer and $865 in winter, about 24% more.
- A 7-night Luxury cruise costs $1,700 in summer and $2,400 in winter, about 41% more.
In summer the sightseeing starts early in the morning and the afternoons are spent on board, so a cruise is one of the most comfortable ways to see Upper Egypt in the hot months. In winter, and above all at Christmas, New Year and Easter, the best ships fill first, so book early.
Dahabiya or Cruise Ship?
A dahabiya is a traditional sailing boat with a few cabins. It visits the same temples as a cruise ship but moves slowly, moors at quiet islands and riverbanks, and feels like a private yacht. A cruise ship is a floating hotel with dozens of cabins, a pool and a lounge.
| Dahabiya | Cruise ship | |
|---|---|---|
| Guests | A few cabins, a small group | Dozens of cabins |
| How it travels | Sails, moors at small islands and villages | Engine, moors in the temple towns |
| 3 nights from | $1,525 per person | $700 per person |
| 7 nights from | $2,225 per person | $1,175 per person |
| Best for | Couples, families and friends who want calm and privacy | Best value, a pool and more facilities |
Our dahabiya programmes use the Jubal dahabiya or a similar boat. If you are deciding between a cruise and a land tour, read Nile cruise vs land tour.
Cairo, Alexandria & Nile Cruise
Want to see this for yourself? This trip covers it.
View This TripLake Nasser Cruises: The Abu Simbel Option
Lake Nasser cruises sail south of the Aswan High Dam, between Aswan and Abu Simbel. They visit Nubian temples that the Nile ships never reach and end, or start, at the great temples of Abu Simbel.
- 3 nights, Aswan to Abu Simbel: $915 – $1,175 per person.
- 4 nights, Lake Nasser and Abu Simbel: $1,145 – $1,405 per person.
The ships on the lake, such as the Mövenpick MS Prince Abbas, are few and small, so they are a good choice for a second cruise or for travellers who want to see Abu Simbel without the early-morning road trip from Aswan.
What the Price Includes and What It Does Not
Included in our Nile cruise prices:
- Your cabin on the ship or dahabiya, with full board on cruise days
- A private Egyptologist guide for the sightseeing
- Entry tickets to the sites in the itinerary
- Meet and assist and transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle
- Our 24/7 support during the trip
Not included:
- International and domestic flights
- Optional extras such as the hot-air balloon in Luxor
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Tips for the crew and guide
For a full trip budget, including Cairo, hotels and flights, see how much a trip to Egypt costs.
How to Choose Your Nile Cruise
- Decide how many nights. Three or four nights covers Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan. Seven nights is for a slow, relaxed trip.
- Choose the season. Winter is the most comfortable; summer is the cheapest.
- Pick the level. The sightseeing is the same, so pay for a better ship only if time on board matters to you.
- Cruise ship or dahabiya. Choose a dahabiya for calm and privacy, a cruise ship for value.
- Add the rest of Egypt. Most travellers combine the cruise with Cairo and the Pyramids; see our Egypt tour packages, most of which include a Nile cruise.
For route ideas, read the best Nile cruise itineraries, or ask us to plan a cruise around your dates.
