The best time to visit Egypt is from October to April, when days are warm and sunny and evenings are cool. That is the short answer. The longer answer depends on what you want from your trip: the lowest prices, the fewest crowds, beach time on the Red Sea, or a festive holiday on the Nile.
We are a family-run agency in Egypt, and we plan trips in every month of the year. Here is how each season really feels on the ground.
Egypt's climate in one paragraph
Egypt is a desert country with almost no rain outside the Mediterranean coast. Temperatures rise as you travel south. Cairo is always a few degrees cooler than Luxor, and Aswan is the hottest of the three. So a pleasant 27°C day in Cairo can be 33°C in Aswan on the same date. Keep this in mind when you choose your month.
October to November: our favourite months
The summer heat breaks in October, but the winter crowds have not yet arrived. Expect around 28–32°C in Cairo and the low 30s in Luxor, falling through November. The Red Sea is still warm enough for long swims. Hotel and Nile cruise prices are lower than in December. If your dates are flexible, this is the window we recommend most.
December to February: peak season
Winter is Egypt's busiest season, and for good reason. Days are sunny and around 20–24°C in Cairo and 23–26°C in Luxor and Aswan, which is perfect for long days at the temples. Nights are cold, especially in the desert, so pack a warm layer.
The weeks around Christmas and New Year are the most popular of the year. Nile cruise cabins and good hotels sell out months ahead, and prices are at their highest. Book early, ideally by the summer before. See our Christmas and New Year tours and Christmas Nile cruises.
March to April: spring
Spring brings warmer days, 25–30°C in Cairo and higher in the south. March is excellent for sightseeing. In April the temperature climbs and you may meet the khamaseen, a hot, dusty wind that blows a few days at a time. Easter is busy with European families, so book early if you travel then.
May to September: summer
Summer is hot. Luxor and Aswan often pass 40°C, and sightseeing is best done early in the morning and late in the afternoon. In return you get lower prices, quieter temples and more choice of cabins and hotels. Summer is also the best season for the Red Sea, where the sea breeze keeps the coast comfortable. A good summer plan is Cairo and the Pyramids, a short Nile cruise, then a week on the beach. Browse our Red Sea tours.
In 2027 there is a special reason to visit in August: the total solar eclipse over Luxor on 2 August, the longest of the century. Read our eclipse guide.
Month by month at a glance
| Month | Weather | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Mild days, cold nights | High | High |
| February | Mild, sunny | High | High |
| March | Warm, ideal | Medium | Medium |
| April | Warm to hot, some dust | Medium (busy at Easter) | Medium |
| May | Hot | Low | Low |
| June | Very hot | Low | Low |
| July | Very hot | Low | Low |
| August | Very hot | Low (high for the 2027 eclipse) | Low |
| September | Hot | Low | Low |
| October | Warm, ideal | Medium | Medium |
| November | Warm, ideal | Medium | Medium |
| December | Mild, sunny | Very high at Christmas | Highest |
What about Ramadan?
During the holy month of Ramadan, sites, hotels and cruises stay open. Some sites close a little earlier, and evenings come alive after sunset with family meals and lantern-lit streets. It can be a lovely time to see local life. Ramadan moves about 11 days earlier each year, so check the dates for your travel year.
Our advice
For a first visit with the best balance of weather and price, choose late October, November or March. If you can only travel in summer, do not worry: with early starts and a pool at the end of the day, it works well. Whatever your month, we can build the right route for it on our Tailor-Made page, or start from one of our classic Egypt tours.
