Best Time to Visit Egypt: Cairo, Luxor & Nile Cruise

Quick answer

The best time to visit Egypt is October to April, when Cairo's highs are 19–30°C and Luxor and Aswan stay below about 32°C. December to February is peak season and the most comfortable for long days at temples and tombs. From May to September, Upper Egypt regularly passes 40°C, which makes Valley of the Kings and Abu Simbel hard going outside early mornings.

Month-by-month at a glance

Jan19°Best
Feb20°Best
Mar24°Good
Apr28°Good
May32°Fair
Jun34°Fair
Jul35°Avoid
Aug34°Avoid
Sep33°Fair
Oct29°Good
Nov25°Best
Dec20°Best

BestGoodFairAvoidTemperatures are average daily highs (°C).

Egypt weather, crowds and what to expect

Monthly weather, crowds and our verdict
Month	High / Low	Rain	Crowds	What to expect
JanuaryBest	19° / 9°	5 mm	high	Cool in Cairo; Luxor about 23°C. Ideal for temples and tombs.
FebruaryBest	20° / 10°	4 mm	high	Peak season. Abu Simbel sun festival on 22 February.
MarchGood	24° / 12°	4 mm	medium	Warming; occasional dusty khamsin winds. Ramadan likely into early March 2027.
AprilGood	28° / 15°	1 mm	medium	Hot afternoons in Luxor and Aswan. Khamsin dust storms possible.
MayFair	32° / 18°	1 mm	low	Luxor nears 40°C. Sham el-Nessim on 3 May 2027.
JuneFair	34° / 20°	0 mm	low	Cairo manageable early; Upper Egypt above 40°C.
JulyAvoid	35° / 22°	0 mm	low	Very hot in Luxor and Aswan, often 41–42°C. Red Sea resorts busy.
AugustAvoid	34° / 22°	0 mm	low	Hottest stretch in the south. Cruises run but decks are empty at noon.
SeptemberFair	33° / 21°	0 mm	low	Still hot. Good cruise prices late in the month.
OctoberGood	29° / 17°	1 mm	medium	Heat eases. Abu Simbel sun festival on 22 October.
NovemberBest	25° / 13°	4 mm	high	Excellent for Cairo and a Nile cruise. Diwali-week departures fill fast.
DecemberBest	20° / 10°	6 mm	high	Peak season. Christmas and New Year cruises sell out early.

Long-term monthly averages. Individual years vary — check a forecast in the week before you travel.

Festivals and events in Egypt

22 February and 22 October
Abu Simbel Sun Festival
At sunrise, light reaches the inner sanctuary statues of the Great Temple. Expect large crowds and a very early start from Aswan.
7 January
Coptic Christmas
Midnight services in Coptic Cairo churches; a public holiday.
Expected around 8 February to 9 March 2027
Ramadan
Sites open with shorter hours; Cairo's old quarters are lively after iftar. Dates depend on the moon sighting.
3 May 2027
Sham el-Nessim
Spring festival on the Monday after Coptic Easter. Parks and the Nile corniche are packed with picnicking families.
Usually mid-November
Cairo International Film Festival
One of the region's oldest film festivals, held at the Cairo Opera House.

Why October to April is the best time to visit Egypt

Most first trips to Egypt combine Cairo and Giza with a Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan, plus Abu Simbel. Cairo is warm rather than hot for much of the year, but Upper Egypt is a different story. Luxor averages about 23°C in January and 41°C in July, and the sites there, from Karnak to the Valley of the Kings, involve hours on foot with little shade. That is why October to April, and especially November to February, is the window most Indian travellers should aim for.

The climate table on this page shows Cairo. Add roughly 4–7°C for Luxor and Aswan.

Month-by-month: what to expect

November to February (peak)

Cool mornings, warm afternoons and the most comfortable conditions in Upper Egypt. Nile cruises, Abu Simbel slots and good Cairo hotels fill early for Christmas, New Year and the Diwali week, so book 8–10 weeks ahead.

October, March and April (shoulder)

Warmer, with occasional dusty khamsin winds in spring. Good value and still very workable if you start sightseeing by 7 am.

May to September (summer)

Luxor and Aswan regularly pass 40°C. Cruises run and prices drop, but temple visits are limited to early morning and late afternoon. Red Sea resorts like Hurghada stay popular, helped by sea breezes.

Ramadan 2027 in Egypt

Ramadan is expected from about 8 February to 9 March 2027. Monuments stay open, usually with shorter hours, and Islamic Cairo comes alive after sunset. Expect slower service during the day.

Ticket prices at major sites have risen several times since 2024, and the Grand Egyptian Museum was reported to be raising prices again from November 2026. Budget generously for entry fees.

Plan your route with things to do in Egypt, choose a Cairo neighbourhood on where to stay in Egypt, see the budget on Egypt trip cost, and check our Egypt visa guide before booking flights.

Frequently asked questions

Which month is best for a Nile cruise?

November to February is best for a Luxor–Aswan cruise. Days in Upper Egypt are 22–28°C, which suits long temple visits and the Valley of the Kings. October and March are good shoulder months at lower prices. Avoid June to August unless you are comfortable with 40°C-plus afternoons and early-morning sightseeing only.

Is Egypt too hot in summer?

Cairo is hot but manageable, with highs around 34–35°C. Luxor and Aswan are much harder, often 41–42°C in July and August, and the sites have little shade. If summer is your only window, start sightseeing at 6 am, rest through the afternoon, and consider adding a Red Sea beach stay.

When is the Abu Simbel Sun Festival?

It happens twice a year, on 22 February and 22 October. At sunrise, light enters the Great Temple and falls on the statues in the inner sanctuary. Crowds are large and convoys leave Aswan around 3 am. If you cannot match the date, the temple is still worth the trip on any day.

Is December a good time to visit Egypt?

Yes for weather, with Cairo highs around 20°C and Luxor about 24°C, but it is the most expensive month. Christmas and New Year cruise departures and Giza-view hotels sell out early. Book 8–10 weeks ahead, or travel in late November or late January for similar conditions at lower prices.

How we checked this page

Last reviewed 28 October 2026

Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.