The best time to visit Egypt is from October to April, when Cairo, Luxor and Aswan are warm rather than punishing. Within that window, our pick is late October to November or February to mid-March: comfortable days, and fewer people than at Christmas. If your trip is mainly about the Red Sea, you have more choice, because the resorts work all year and the water is warmest from June to October.
The right month depends on what you came for, so start with this table.
| What you want | Best months | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Pyramids and temples | October to April | December to February is the most comfortable in Luxor and Aswan |
| Nile cruise | October to April | Summer is cheaper, but temple visits are very hot |
| Red Sea beach holiday | April to June, September to November | Warm water and less heat than midsummer |
| Diving and snorkelling | All year, best spring to autumn | Bring a thicker wetsuit in winter |
| Western Desert camping | October to November, March to April | Winter nights can get close to freezing |
| Mount Sinai sunrise climb | March to May, September to November | The summit is cold at dawn in any season |
| Lowest prices | May to September | Except the Eid holidays |
These are rounded long-term averages in °C, so use them to compare months and check a forecast before you pack.
| Month | Cairo high | Luxor high | Red Sea water | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19 | 23 | 22 | Coolest month, great for Luxor and Aswan, cold nights |
| February | 21 | 25 | 22 | Clear and comfortable, Abu Simbel sun event on the 22nd |
| March | 24 | 29 | 22 | Warm days, first dusty winds possible |
| April | 29 | 35 | 24 | Hot in the south, lovely on the coast, dusty wind days |
| May | 33 | 39 | 26 | Heat builds and prices start to fall |
| June | 35 | 41 | 27 | Early starts only inland, good beach weather |
| July | 36 | 41 | 28 | Hottest stretch, lowest prices, busy Egyptian beach season |
| August | 35 | 41 | 29 | Warmest sea, very hot in the south |
| September | 33 | 39 | 28 | Still hot, but the sea is at its best |
| October | 30 | 35 | 27 | Season starts, Abu Simbel sun event on the 22nd |
| November | 25 | 29 | 25 | Our favourite: warm days, warm sea, pleasant nights |
| December | 20 | 24 | 23 | Mild, with a peak in crowds and prices from Christmas to New Year |
The country is not one climate. Alexandria and the north coast get most of Egypt’s rain, mainly from December to February, while Aswan almost never sees any. Luxor and Aswan are often above 40°C in summer, but the air is dry. High ground in Sinai is much colder than the coast below it. The interactive map of Egypt helps if you are working out how far apart these places are, and for one city at a time, see when to visit Luxor, Aswan or Dahab.
The summer heat fades, the sea stays warm and you can do temples in the morning and swim in the afternoon on the same trip. Expect more visitors from late October, so book Nile cruises and Abu Simbel early if your dates are fixed.
Days are mild, which suits long walks at Karnak and the Valley of the Kings. Nights are colder than most people expect, and many budget rooms have no heating, so pack a warm layer. Christmas and New Year are the busiest and most expensive weeks of the year. It also gets dark early, so start at sunrise. If you want a Luxor balloon flight, keep a spare morning, because wind can cancel it.
Spring is pleasant until the khamaseen arrives, a hot, dusty wind that can blow for a day or two at a time and turn the sky yellow. It does not stop a trip, but it can close the sea to boats for a day and spoil photos. Luxor and Aswan start to get seriously hot by late April.
Inland, plan sightseeing before 11 am and after 4 pm, and stay near air conditioning in between. The Red Sea and Alexandria are the places to be, though Egyptian families fill the north coast and resorts in July and August. Hotels and cruises are at their cheapest, which is why this is a good time for travellers who cope well with heat.
Whatever the season, the sun is strong and sites are dusty. Here is the short version of what to bring, and our packing guide has the full list.
Ramadan moves about 11 days earlier each year, so check it before you book. In 2027 it is expected from about 8 or 9 February to 9 or 10 March. The exact dates depend on the moon sighting and are announced close to the time.
| Date (2027) | Event | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| 7 January | Coptic Christmas | Public holiday, services in Coptic churches |
| 22 February | Abu Simbel Sun Festival | Book early, Aswan fills up |
| About 8 February to 10 March | Ramadan | Shorter hours at some sites, festive evenings |
| About 9 to 11 March | Eid al-Fitr | Several days off, beaches and trains get busy |
| 3 May | Sham el-Nessim | Spring holiday, parks and the Nile are crowded |
| Mid-May | Eid al-Adha | Another long holiday, resorts fill and prices rise |
| 22 October | Abu Simbel Sun Festival | Second sun event of the year |
Ramadan is a good time to come if you know what to expect. Sites stay open, and hotels and tourist restaurants serve food in the day, but smaller cafés may stay closed until sunset. Avoid eating, drinking or smoking openly in the street. Just before sunset the streets go quiet and taxis are hard to find. After iftar, the evening meal, Cairo comes alive, and the lanterns around Al-Hussein and Khan el-Khalili are worth staying up for.
May to September has the lowest hotel and cruise prices, apart from the Eid holidays. Late April and late September are the best value if you want lower prices without the worst of the heat. The most expensive period is mid-December to early January. For a wider view of what you will spend, see our notes on budget Egypt tours.
The Red Sea works all year, but it does not feel the same in every month. From April to June and from September to November, the air is warm and the water is around 24 to 28°C. In July and August it is very hot on land, though the sea is at its warmest. In January and February, the water drops to about 22°C and northerly winds can make evenings cool, so a sunny beach day is likely but not promised. Our top 10 beaches guide compares the main resorts.
You can dive all year. Visibility and sea life are usually at their best from spring to autumn, and a thicker wetsuit makes winter dives comfortable. Northern sites near Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada can be rough on windy days, so leave a spare day if a dive matters to you. Dahab is known for wind in the afternoons, which is good news for windsurfers.
For the Mount Sinai sunrise climb, March to May and September to November are the easiest months. Between December and February the summit can be close to freezing, and the area sees occasional snow, so bring proper layers if you join a sunrise trip from Dahab.
The White Desert is best from October to November and March to April. Summer days are too hot, and winter camping needs a warm sleeping bag. Siwa follows the same pattern, so avoid both midsummer and midwinter. Our 5-day oases tour runs through this part of the country.
October to April gives you comfortable temple visits and pleasant evenings on deck. Summer cruises cost less and cabins have air conditioning, but the shore visits are very hot. December and January nights can be cool on the sun deck. Read our guide to the best time for a Nile cruise, or see the 4-night cruise from Luxor to Aswan and other Nile cruise holidays.
November is hard to beat for a mix of temples and beach. February is the best choice if you are focused on Luxor and Aswan.
May to September, except for the Eid holidays. July and August usually have the lowest prices.
For Luxor and Aswan, it is very hot, often above 40°C, so you need early starts. For the Red Sea and Alexandria, July is a normal holiday month.
Rarely. Alexandria and the north coast get winter rain, Cairo sees only a few wet days, and Aswan almost none.
No. Sites stay open and evenings are lively. Expect shorter hours at some places and fewer open cafés in the day outside tourist areas.
Yes, the water stays around 22°C, though it feels cool when the wind blows.
A wonderful sunset was taking in Aswan.
Book October to April for a first trip, and aim for November or February if you can choose. Go in summer only if you are mainly coming for the Red Sea or if the price matters more than the heat. Check the Ramadan and Eid dates against your plans, then see the top attractions in Egypt and, if safety is on your mind, our advice on staying safe.
Book this experience: 4 Nights Nile Cruise from Luxor to Aswan from $775.
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