The complete Nile fleet
Sail the Nile. We know every boat.
Every Nile cruise ship and dahabiya on the Luxor to Aswan route, in one place, with real photos, cabins and routes for each.
250+ boats catalogued · Photos & specs · Complimentary concierge
The route at a glance
One corridor, sailed both ways: Luxor to Aswan in 4 nights, or the reverse, Aswan to Luxor, usually in 3.
- Day 1LuxorKarnak · Valley of the Kings
- Day 1Esnathe lock · dahabiyas embark here
- Day 2EdfuTemple of Horus
- Day 2–3Kom OmboSobek & Horus double temple
- Day 3–4AswanPhilae · the High Dam
220 km · Luxor ↔ Aswan · most sail it in 4 nights
The fleet
Find your boat
The complete Nile fleet: 249 vessels, 139 cruise ships and 110 dahabiyas, each with real photos, cabins, route and operator. Filter by type, size or length, then get live quotes on live chat or instantly by email.
Lazuli Karnak
Ten cabins under lateen sails, Esna to Aswan
Historia the Boutique Hotel Nile Cruise
A boutique hotel afloat, in 1920s spirit
Kleos
Panoramic Nile-facing cabins and a pool deck, refitted in 2024
Alma
A polished mid-size cruiser on the classic route
Amoura
Ten cabins under sail, Esna to Aswan
Azhar
Twelve guests under lateen sail
Bens
A modern dahabiya with a plunge pool on deck
Princess Cleopatra
Ten cabins, forty metres, Esna to Aswan
Akhnaton
Six cabins under sail, Esna to Aswan
Al Kahila
72-cabin Sabena Nile cruiser
Alexander the Great
An all-suite sailing on the Luxor–Aswan reach
Altesse
An elegant dahabiya under sail from Esna
Amwaj
2014-built five-star ship, Aswan to Luxor
Champollion II
Four-deck Nile ship, Aswan and Luxor
Cleopatra
Small 2025-built boutique Nile ship
Davinci
Five-deck Nile cruiser, Luxor and Aswan
H/S Radamis II
A refurbished classic on the Esna corridor
Jasmine
Ten cabins, two masts, quiet water
Jaz Regent
Suite-led sailing, renovated in 2022
Jaz Senator
An all-suite ship for 32 guests
Jaz Viceroy
Balconies and suites, built in 2022
Karim
Historic 1917 steam paddle cruiser
Kon Tiki
Five-deck Nile ship with two-level spa
M/S Salacia
An all-suite ship for 59 guests
Mövenpick MS Darakum
Moroccan-styled interiors on the Nile
Mövenpick MS Royal Lotus
Observation bar over the Luxor–Aswan reach
Mövenpick SB Feddya
Four suites, the closest thing to a private yacht
Mövenpick SS Misr
A restored 1918 royal steamer on the Nile
MS Acamar
A step-free ship with accessible cabins
MS Chateau Lafayette
Refurbished five-star sailing the Luxor–Aswan reach
MS Royal Serenade
22-suite boutique Nile cruiser
Nile Bride
Seventy-five cabins on the Aswan–Luxor Nile
Nile Crown III
Comfortable cruising between Aswan and Luxor
Nile Excellence
Intimate 30-cabin Nile cruiser
Nonia
Powered by wind and tradition
Radamis I
72-cabin Nile cruiser with family cabins
Royal Esadora
Modern Nile cruiser with pool and fitness centre
Salima
All-suite Sabena Nile cruiser, 25 suites
Tulip
2018-built five-deck ship, Nile-view cabins
Abundance
Ten guests, no engine, only sail
Concerto
64-cabin cruiser on the classic route
Etoile d'Egypte
Eight cabins under sail, Luxor to Aswan
Hadeel
Eight cabins under sail, El Kab to Aswan
Iberotel Helio
50-cabin cruiser with two-level sun deck
Lazuli Albatros
Eight cabins, sixteen guests, Esna to Aswan
Lazuli Gordon Pacha
Six cabins, twelve guests, Esna to Aswan
Le Fayan Suites
All-suite sailing along the Luxor–Aswan Nile
Loulia
Twelve guests, four cabins and two suites
Meroe
Larger cabins, lingering sunsets, Esna to Aswan
Mövenpick MS Royal Lily
Deluxe cabins and Jacuzzi suites
MS Esplanade
Art-deco accents on the Luxor–Aswan Nile
MS Mayflower
Khedive-era design between Luxor and Aswan
MS Medea
A classically furnished Luxor–Aswan sailing
MS Nile Premium
A 2008-built cruiser in calm neutral tones
Najafa
Newly crafted, spacious decks, Esna to Aswan
Nile Carnival
Seventy cabins, renovated for the Aswan–Luxor Nile
Nile Crown I
58-cabin ship between Luxor and Aswan
Nile Dolphin
2007-built five-deck ship with gym and spa
Nile Jewel
59-cabin ship on the Aswan-Luxor Nile
Poppee
Ten cabins under sail, Esna to Aswan
Queen Cleopatra
Four cabins, whole boat, Esna to Aswan
Queen of Hansa
Easygoing Nile cruiser with pool and lounge bars
Royal Cleopatra
Eight cabins under sail, Esna to Aswan
Royal Ruby
Well-appointed Nile cruiser with several bars
Sila
Under sail through the quiet Nile villages
Soleil Nile Cruise
A 2024 all-modern ship on the temple route
Sonesta Moon Goddess
Private-balcony cabins on the Luxor–Aswan Nile
Sonesta Nile Goddess
A five-deck Sonesta cruiser, Luxor to Aswan
Sonesta Sun Goddess
A thirty-suite ship on the Upper Nile
Swan
Twelve cabins, three decks, quiet excursions
Adelaïde
Ten cabins under sail, Esna to Aswan
Aida
A 2018 two-mast sailer to Aswan
Al Nabilatan
A well-kept three-night Luxor to Aswan cruiser
Alyssa
A bright, comfortable Nile cruiser
Amarante
Intimate 37-cabin Nile cruiser
Anoush
Seven nights under sail to Aswan
Armonia
Five cabins, Mondays from Esna
Asiya
A two-mast sailer for eighteen guests
Assouan
Six days under sail, Esna to Aswan
Aton Sun
A 2021 dahabiya, Esna to Aswan
Dahabiya Dream
Six cabins, no engine, peaceful under sail
El Bey
Six named cabins under sail to Aswan
El Hanem
Six cabins, Aswan to Luxor
Elephantine
Ten cabins in Egyptian wood, Aswan to Esna
Fantasia
Twelve cabins under two masts, Luxor to Aswan
Gardenia
Larger dahabiya on the Esna-Aswan reach
Gorgonia
Twelve cabins, sail and a tender
Grand Rose
Comfortable cruiser with panoramic lounge
H/S Solaris I
A 66-cabin cruiser built to Germanischer Lloyd survey
H/S Solaris II
A 74-cabin sister ship on the Aswan–Luxor route
Hathor
A sailing dahabiya, Luxor and Aswan
Iberotel Amara
Small cruiser with sun-deck plunge pool
Jaz Bahareya
Five-star Nile cruise ship
Jaz Crown Jubilee
A larger five-star deluxe cruiser, Aswan–Luxor
Jaz Nile Monarch
Contemporary comfort between Luxor and Aswan
Jaz Royale
A two-level sun deck on the Aswan–Luxor run
Kazazian
Nine cabins, eighteen guests, Luxor to Aswan
King of Thebes
A comfortable, good-value Luxor to Aswan ship
Lazuli Abydos
Ten cabins under twin masts, Esna to Aswan
Lazuli Highness
Just ten guests, Esna to Aswan under sail
Lazuli Luxor
Five cabins under sail, Esna to Aswan
Lazuli Roi Farouk
A 2001 wooden dahabieh, Esna to Aswan
Lazuli The East
A twin-masted sailboat on the quiet Nile
Lumiere
A private sail from Luxor to Aswan
Magic Nile
Twelve cabins on the Karnak-to-Aswan run
Malika Merit
A two-mast sailer for fourteen guests
Mazaj SIA
Nine smart cabins, Luxor to Aswan
Merit I
Ten cabins under sail, Luxor to Aswan
Merit II
Eight cabins on the quiet Nile reach
Merit Star II
A 2024-built two-mast dahabiya, Luxor to Aswan
Minya
Nile-view cabins, Esna to Aswan
Miran
Mondays from Esna, largely wooden
Molouky
Six suites, Luxor to Aswan under sail
Mövenpick MS Hamees
A 72-metre ship with Nile-view fitness
MS Blue Shadow
A deluxe cruiser on the Esna lock corridor
MS Eugenie
Period-styled Lake Nasser cruiser
MS Kasr Ibrim
Art Deco Lake Nasser cruiser
MS Mayfair
Classic-contemporary cruising from Luxor to Aswan
MS Nile Capital
A spa-focused cruiser between Luxor and Aswan
MS Nile Crown II
A five-star classic on the Luxor–Aswan run
MS Viking Ra
An all-suite Nile ship for 52 guests
Nebyt
A nostalgic sailing boat, Luxor and Aswan
Per Ba Merkaba
Twelve cabins, chartered whole, with a sound dome aboard
Princess Donia
Six cabins under sail, Esna to Aswan
Queen Charlotte
Twelve cabins on the Aswan-Esna circuit
Queen Isis
Twelve cabins, Luxor round trip under sail
Rihana
Eight cabins under sail to Aswan
Roman
A bright dahabiya drifting to Aswan
Royal Elite
Modern 64-cabin Nile cruiser, built 2022
Royal Olivia Signature
Newly built Nile cruiser with pool and spa cabins
Royal Princess
Comfortable Nile cruiser with pool and open-air gym
Safiya 1
Ten outside suites, Esna to Aswan
Safiya 3
Two large sails, Esna to Aswan
SAÏ
Handmade six-cabin Lake Nasser safari boat
Saray El Nil
An 1882 dahabiya, still under sail
Sonesta Amirat Dahabeya II
Nine cabins, full-service and step-free
Sonesta St. George I
Five-star sailing on the Luxor–Aswan reach
Sonesta Star Goddess
An all-suite ship named for composers
Steigenberger Legacy
Balconied cabins on the Luxor–Aswan Nile
Steigenberger Omar El Khayam
A Lake Nasser ship to Abu Simbel
Steigenberger Regency
Panoramic-window cabins on the Upper Nile
Storia the Dahabeya
Ten cabins under sail, Luxor to Aswan
Sunrise Nile Saray
57-cabin ship, Luxor to Aswan
Sunrise Semiramis II
70-cabin ship, Luxor to Aswan
The Oberoi Philae, Luxury Nile Cruiser
An intimate Oberoi cruiser, Luxor to Aswan
The Oberoi Zahra, Luxury Nile Cruiser
Oberoi comfort on the southern Nile reach
Viking Amun
A new Scandinavian-styled ship for the Nile
Viking Aton
Scandinavian-designed Nile sailing, Cairo to Cairo
Viking Hathor
River-facing staterooms on the Luxor-Aswan reach
Viking Osiris
The lead ship of Viking's Nile fleet
Viking Sobek
Suites and river views past Upper Egypt
Viking Thoth
Veranda and Explorer suites on the Nile
Zahra
Six cabins, flower-named, under sail
Zeina
Five-star cruiser, panoramic-window cabins
Zekrayaat
Weekly sail on the Esna to Aswan reach
A Sara
A relaxed seven-night sailing, Aswan to Luxor
AmaCleo
AmaWaterways' new small-ship Nile debut
Amunet
A 2018 dahabiya, Esna to Aswan
Dendera
The fleet's largest cabins, Esna to Aswan
El Nil
The most traditional, Esna to Aswan
Ellie Nile Cruise
A 74-cabin Sabena ship on the Luxor–Aswan run
Grand Mandarin
An upper-tier cruiser with a strong sun deck
Iris
Panoramic cabins and a heated pool afloat
Jaz Crown Prince
Balconied sailing on the Aswan–Luxor reach
Jaz Imperial
Fifty cabins and 41 m2 suites on the Nile
La Rose
Lateen sails, Esna to Aswan
Malouka
Compact cabins, classic charm, Esna to Aswan
Merit Star
Twelve cabins and suites, sailing engine-free
Mr. Ben
A small sail for couples and quiet stops
MS Miriam
Refreshed cruising between Luxor and Aswan
MS Tosca
Intimate all-suite cruising on the Nile
Sanctuary Nile Adventurer
A teak-decked cruiser between Aswan and Luxor
Sanctuary Sun Boat IV
Art-deco-influenced sailing, Aswan to Luxor
Sonesta Amirat Dahabeya
A five-star sail, Luxor to Aswan
Steigenberger Minerva
French-balcony cabins, all outside, Luxor–Aswan
Sunrise Mahrousa
1999 ship, Luxor to Aswan
Sunrise Semiramis I
70-cabin ship, three route lengths
Sunrise Semiramis III
2007 ship, Luxor to Aswan
Agatha
A newer build, ten cabins, Esna to Aswan
Esmeralda
A comfortable five-star Nile cruiser
Eyaru
Ten cabins under sail, Luxor to Aswan
Farah Nile Cruise
French-balcony cruising between Luxor and Aswan
Gemma
Small modern Nile ship, 27 cabins
Grand Sun
A five-star cruiser on the Luxor to Aswan temples
Iberotel Crown Emperor
Large five-deck cruiser, Aswan to Luxor
Iberotel Crown Empress
Large cruiser with panoramic cabins
Jaz Al Horeya
Outside cabins on a week-long Nile round trip
Jaz Celebrity
A 2022-built ship on the Aswan–Luxor Nile
Jaz Crown Jewel
Five-star deluxe Nile cruise ship
Mabrouka
Ten cabins, each a private balcony
Mazaj Seba
Five keys and silent sailing to Aswan
Mövenpick MS Prince Abbas
Movenpick Lake Nasser cruiser
Mövenpick MS Sun Ray
Classic Nile sailing on the Luxor–Aswan reach
MS Nubian Sea
Lake Nasser cruiser to Abu Simbel
Nefertiti
Relaxed 40-cabin Luxor-Aswan cruiser
Nile Majestic
Five sails between Luxor and Aswan
Noor El Din
Newly built, ten rooms under sail
Nuun
A wooden dahabiya under sail
Nuut
Fifty metres under two lateen sails
Qamar
Eight cabins under three sails
Queen Nefer
Two masts, no engine, Esna to Aswan
Rois
Seven nights under sail, Luxor to Aswan
S.S. Sphinx
An all-suite Uniworld ship, Cairo to Cairo
Sacred Lotus
Ten cabins under sail, Luxor to Aswan
Sanctuary Sun Boat III
A 1920s-styled sailing between Aswan and Luxor
Sanctuary Zein Nile Chateau
A private dahabiya charter, Luxor to Aswan
Turquoise
Two masts, sixteen guests, Esna to Aswan
Viking Anubis
A 2027 Osiris-class ship for the Nile
Viking Geb
A 2027 addition to Viking's Egypt fleet
Viking Sekhmet
Debuting November 2026 on the Nile
AmaDahlia
A small AmaWaterways ship, round-trip Cairo
AmaLilia
Small-ship Nile cruising with an onboard Egyptologist
Domina Prestige Emilio
Modern cruiser with French-balcony cabins
Golden
Four-deck Nile ship, Aswan and Luxor
Judi
Wind-powered, engines only for light
Mövenpick SB Hayah
Eight suites between Luxor and Aswan
MS Amwaj Living Stone
A 2014 deluxe ship with suites to 50 m²
Nebu Nile Cruise
Forty French-balcony cabins on the Luxor–Aswan reach
Nile Dream
Good-value four-star cruiser, Aswan to Luxor
Nile Holiday
A whole-boat charter, Aswan to Luxor
Nofret
Twelve guests under sail to Luxor
Nora
A 19th-century dahabiya, faithfully rebuilt
Papyrus
Twelve cabins under sail to Aswan
Princess Farida
Sixteen guests in royal suites under sail
Queen Anat
Fourteen cabins under sail on the Nile
Sekhmet
Ten cabins under sail, Luxor to Aswan
The Orient
Ten guests on a two-masted sailing boat
Three Pyramids
Eight cabins under a lateen sail
Viking Ptah
Debuting September 2026 on the Nile
Yalla Bina
New in 2024, ten cabins for twenty
Nile Quest
2002-built five-deck ship with panoramic elevator
Ra II
Well-equipped Nile cruiser with two Jacuzzis
Royal Ruby II
Modern 70-cabin cruiser, Luxor to Aswan
African Queen
Ten cabins under sail, Luxor to Aswan
AmaNubia
A 2026 AmaWaterways ship shaped by Nubian design
Diamond Boat
Five-deck Nile ship with pool deck
Farouz El Nil I
Small sailing dahabiya, six cabins
Farouz El Nil II
Small sailing dahabiya, six cabins
Farouz El Nil III
Small sailing dahabiya, six cabins
Hapi
Deluxe dahabiya, Luxor and Aswan
Jamila
A seven-night cruiser on the full Nile route
Le Yacht
Ten-suite sailing yacht, Luxor and Aswan
Mahrosa
A quiet sail between Aswan and Luxor
MS Royal Vision
The long two-week Cairo–Aswan Nile route
Musk
Six cabins under a lateen sail
Nile Azur
Five-deck Nile cruiser between Luxor and Aswan
Nile Beauty
A 46-cabin cruiser on the Aswan–Luxor Nile
Nile Diva
Small four-deck ship, Aswan to Luxor
Voyager
Renovated 70-cabin Nile cruiser
The short version
What is a Nile cruise, and who is it for?
A Nile cruise is a 3 or 4-night sailing between Luxor and Aswan on a floating hotel, with Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae visited along the way with an Egyptologist, and meals, guiding and temple tickets in the fare. There are 139 cruise ships and 110 sailing dahabiyas to choose from; a 4-night cruise costs a median of US$937 per person in summer and US$1,109 in winter, and October to April is the season.
139 ships · 110 dahabiyas
catalogued with real photos, cabins, routes and operators
3, 4 or 7 nights
114 ships sail 3 nights, 111 sail 4, 87 sail 7
US$948 to US$1,872
the middle half of ships, 4 nights in winter, per person
October to April
the season; November, February and March the best value
It suits first-time visitors best of all, because the boat is transport, hotel and restaurant at once and the temples of Upper Egypt sit on the river in a line. It also suits anyone who does not want to pack and unpack between Luxor and Aswan, families who want a pool between temple visits, and older travellers who want the sights without the logistics. It suits least the traveller who wants to linger for days in one place, or who wants Cairo and the pyramids on the same boat: those are 700 km north and reached by a flight, or by one of the rare long sailings described below. This page is the whole topic on one page: the route, the lengths, the ships, the prices, the months, what is included, where to start and how to book, drawn from our own directory and 2,296 published fares checked in September 2026.
The case
Why do a Nile cruise at all?
Because the temples of Upper Egypt are strung along the river like beads, and a ship visits them in order without a single hotel change, airport transfer or coach day. You unpack once; the sights come to you.
Kom Ombo stands on the bank. Edfu is a short carriage ride inland. Karnak, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings cluster around Luxor; Philae and the High Dam anchor Aswan. A cruise strings them together with a licensed Egyptologist handling tickets, timings and the story, and between sites you are on a sun deck watching farmers, egrets and fishing skiffs slide past, which is the part everyone remembers. Egyptians and visitors have done this for a long time: Thomas Cook ran his first Nile steamer trips in the 1870s, and the paddle steamer Sudan, launched in 1921, still sails from Luxor.
The alternative is a land tour, hotels in Luxor and Aswan with day trips out, which gives more flexibility and more choice of restaurants but adds transfers and admin. We compare the two honestly in Nile cruise vs land tour; for most first visits the cruise wins on ease, and the quieter, slower dahabiya wins for anyone who has already done the big ship.
Stop by stop
The route: Luxor to Aswan, and every stop on it
Every standard cruise sails the 220 km between Luxor and Aswan, in one direction or the other. Southbound you start with Luxor’s big temples, lock through Esna, visit Edfu and Kom Ombo and finish at Aswan; northbound you do it in reverse. The same temples, the same ship, one night shorter northbound.
- 1Day 1, Luxor, East Bank. Board around midday and take lunch on board. The afternoon is the two great East Bank temples, Karnak and Luxor, before the ship stays moored at Luxor for the first night.
- 2Day 2, Luxor West Bank, then sail south. An early West Bank morning — the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's terraced temple at Deir el-Bahari, and the Colossi of Memnon. The ship casts off around midday and passes through the Esna lock in the afternoon. Most ships spend the night at Esna or Edfu; the exact mooring depends on how long the lock queue runs.
- 3Day 3, Edfu and Kom Ombo. The best-preserved temple in Egypt, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, reached from the mooring by horse-drawn carriage. Later the ship reaches Kom Ombo, the twin temple shared by Sobek and Haroeris, usually visited in the late afternoon with its crocodile museum.
- 4Day 4, Aswan. A morning of the High Dam, the granite quarries with the Unfinished Obelisk, and the Temple of Philae on its island. The afternoon is usually free, often a felucca sail around the Aswan islands, before the last night on board.
- 5Day 5, Disembarkation at Aswan. Breakfast and an early disembarkation around 08:00, with a transfer to Aswan airport or the station.
The stops are worth reading up on before you go: Karnak, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut’s temple, Kom Ombo, Philae and the High Dam. The full day-by-day for every length is on the itineraries page, and the Nile river map guide puts the whole valley in context.
The long cruise. A few ships, the Mövenpick Darakum and the AmaWaterways fleet among them, sail the roughly 900 km of river between Cairo and Aswan over 11 to 14 nights, adding Beni Hassan, Amarna, Abydos and Dendera. Departures are rare and the fares are package prices, so we quote them on request. Lake Nasser is the other exception: a separate small fleet sails the reservoir from Aswan to Abu Simbel, arriving at the great temple by water. Both are second cruises rather than first ones.
Trip length
How many nights? 3 vs 4 vs 7
Four nights from Luxor to Aswan is the cruise the ships were built around and the one we recommend for a first visit; three nights from Aswan to Luxor covers the same temples one day faster; seven nights is the two sailings back to back, with more deck time and, on a few ships, Dendera and Abydos.
| Length | Ships offering it | Typical route | Usual departure | Median fare, double, per person |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 nights / 4 days | 114 of 139 ships | Aswan to Luxor (northbound, downstream) | Most often Friday from Aswan (varies by ship) | US$772 summer · US$920 winter |
| 4 nights / 5 days | 111 of 139 ships | Luxor to Aswan (southbound, upstream) | Most often Monday from Luxor (varies by ship) | US$937 summer · US$1,109 winter |
| 7 nights / 8 days | 87 of 139 ships | Luxor to Aswan and back (round trip); some upper-end ships run a 7-night one-way via Dendera | Usually the Luxor departure day of the 4-night rotation | US$5,235 summer · US$7,930 winter (one ship published) |
Ships work a fixed weekly rotation, so the departure day follows the ship: most sail south from Luxor on a Monday and north from Aswan on a Friday, with Saturday and Wednesday the other common days. That matters more than direction. Ending in Aswan puts you an easy morning from Abu Simbel; ending in Luxor puts you at the airport with the most flights. A 7-night round trip is usually priced as the two sailings combined, which is why so few 7-night fares are published. Compare ships by length on the 3-night, 4-night and 7-night pages.
The fleet
Choosing a ship: the three tiers, and why the star ratings mislead
Almost every Nile cruiser calls itself five-star, and the sellers’ labels (standard, superior, deluxe, luxurious) barely move the price: a 4-night winter sailing costs about US$1,046 on a “budget” ship and US$1,150 on a “luxurious” one. What separates the ships is who runs them, how many guests they carry and when they were last rebuilt. We sort the 139 ships into three honest tiers on those facts.
68 ships
Luxury flagships
The hand-picked flagships of the river, the boats we would put our own family on. Bigger cabins and suites, more crew per guest, the best dining afloat, and the polish that makes a first Nile cruise feel effortless.
Best for: First-timers doing it properly, honeymoons, once-in-a-lifetime trips
Typical fare: $800 to $1,700+ per person for 3 to 4 nights
- Historia the Boutique Hotel Nile Cruise · 88 guests
- Alexander the Great
- H/S Radamis II
- Jaz Regent · 90 guests
- Jaz Senator · 32 guests
30 ships
Deluxe fleet ships
Ships run by the established Egyptian cruise groups that we have not flagship-listed. A fleet brand maintains a floor of quality across its boats, so this is the dependable middle of the river: pools, sun decks and full board as standard, at a clear saving on the flagships.
Best for: Repeat visitors, couples, value-minded travellers who still want comfort
Typical fare: roughly $500 to $1,000 per person for 3 to 4 nights
All deluxe fleet ships41 ships
Standard & independent
Independently operated cruisers sailing the same 220 km and mooring at the same temples as the flagships, for less. Comfort varies more from boat to boat at this end of the river, which is exactly why we catalogue each one with real photos and specs before you commit.
Best for: Budget-focused travellers who care more about the temples than the thread count
Typical fare: $250 to $800 per person for 3 to 4 nights
- Kleos
- Alma
- Amwaj · 100 guests
- Champollion II · 106 guests
- Cleopatra
The international lines. Viking (eight ships since 2022), Uniworld and AmaWaterways sell the Nile only inside 11 to 12-day escorted packages from Cairo, from about US$5,800 to US$7,000 per person with hotels, flights within Egypt and touring included. They are excellent ships; the price is for the whole holiday, not the river leg. See the Viking fleet and our Viking Nile cruise guide. For a ranked shortlist of the best ships on the river, read the 10 best luxury Nile cruises; for every hull afloat, Nile cruise ships 2026. Browse by cruise line on the operator pages.
Prices, 2,296 fares, checked September 2026
What a Nile cruise costs in 2026/2027
Per person in a double cabin, boat only, a 4-night Nile cruise costs a median of US$937 in summer and US$1,109 in winter, with the middle half of ships between US$948 and US$1,872 in winter. The cheapest ships start near US$815; the top end (Sanctuary, Oberoi) reaches about US$4,964. Winter costs about 23 per cent more than summer on the same ship, and a single cabin about 1.67 times the per-person double fare.
| Sailing | Budget end (25th pct) | Typical (median) | Top end (75th pct) | Cheapest to dearest | Median per night | Sample |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 nights, summer (May to Aug) | US$690 | US$772 | US$1,084 | US$557 to US$3,144 | US$258 | 105 ships |
| 3 nights, winter (Oct to Apr) | US$818 | US$920 | US$1,470 | US$660 to US$3,272 | US$307 | 105 ships |
| 4 nights, summer | US$790 | US$937 | US$1,411 | US$632 to US$4,039 | US$234 | 109 ships |
| 4 nights, winter | US$948 | US$1,109 | US$1,872 | US$815 to US$4,964 | US$277 | 109 ships |
| 4 nights, Christmas, New Year, Easter | US$2,640 | US$4,200 | US$6,230 | US$1,800 to US$6,734 | US$1,050 | 7 ships, top end only |
| 7 nights, round trip | – | US$5,235 summer / US$7,930 winter | – | published for one ship only | – | from-prices on request |
The top of the river, named
Median published fare for 4 nights in winter, per person in a double. These are the ships that stretch the range above.
- 1Sanctuary Sun Boat IIIUS$4,964
- 2Sanctuary Sun Boat IVUS$4,964
- 3Sanctuary Nile AdventurerUS$4,964
- 4Mövenpick SS MisrUS$4,209
- 5The Oberoi Philae, Luxury Nile CruiserUS$4,016
- 6The Oberoi Zahra, Luxury Nile CruiserUS$3,968
- 7Soleil Nile CruiseUS$3,700
- 8Le Fayan SuitesUS$3,510
- 9Historia the Boutique Hotel Nile CruiseUS$3,445
- 10Mövenpick MS DarakumUS$3,289
The value end
- MS Nile Crown IIUS$880
- Royal RubyUS$882
- A SaraUS$882
- ZeinaUS$884
- Grand RoseUS$886
- Royal PrincessUS$888
What moves the price
- Season. Two rates on most ships: summer (May to August) and winter (October to April), about 23 per cent apart. September is priced as winter by some sellers and summer by others, so ask. Christmas, New Year and Easter carry their own premium: on the seven top-end ships that publish festive fares, 4 nights runs a median of US$4,200.
- The ship. The spread is US$815 to US$4,964 for the same 4 winter nights. Guest count, cabin size, dining to order and the year of the last rebuild are what you pay for; the star label is not.
- Cabin. Upper-deck and suite cabins cost more; a single cabin about 1.67 times the per-person double rate; a third adult in a triple a little less.
- What is inside the fare. Most fares include full board, temple tickets and the guide; drinks, tips, the Abu Simbel excursion and the flights to Luxor or Aswan are usually extra. A cheap headline fare that bills the tickets separately can add US$60 to US$100 per person.
- Who sells it. The same cabin on the same date is sold by the operator and by dozens of agencies at different prices. We quote live and show you the published range on each ship’s page where sellers disagree.
Method: 2,296 published fares across 139 ships from operator rate sheets and Egyptian agencies, normalised to per person per trip in US dollars; each cell uses every ship’s cheapest fare. Full detail, including hidden costs and a budget worksheet, on the cost page.
Month by month
When to go: the Nile month by month
October to April is the season: Luxor highs run from about 23 C in January to 35 C in October, every ship is sailing and the sun deck is usable all day. November, February and March give the best balance of weather, crowds and price; December and January have the coolest days, the fullest temples and the highest fares. From May to September highs reach 39 to 42 C, fares drop to the summer rate and sightseeing moves to dawn.
| Month | Luxor high / low °C | Aswan high / low °C | Crowds | Price season | Typical 4 nights | Premium windows | Dates to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22.8° / 7.1° | 23.2° / 10° | high | Winter | US$1,109 | Festive rates to 1 Jan 2027 at The Oberoi Zahra (peak band 22 Dec 2026 to 1 Jan 2027) | 1 Jan New Year's Day; 7 Jan 2027 Coptic Christmas (public holiday) |
| February | 25.3° / 8.9° | 25.9° / 11.7° | high | Winter | US$1,109 | – | About 8 Feb 2027 start of Ramadan (moon-sighting dependent); 22 Feb Abu Simbel sun alignment (Abu Simbel is south of Aswan, off the dahabiya route). |
| March | 29.7° / 12.8° | 30.3° / 15.5° | sources differ | Winter | US$1,109 | Easter peak band 23 Mar to 2 Apr 2027 at The Oberoi Zahra | About 8 Mar 2027 last day of Ramadan; 9 to 11 Mar 2027 Eid al-Fitr holiday |
| April | 35° / 17.5° | 35.5° / 20.1° | medium | Winter | US$1,109 | Easter peak band to 2 Apr 2027 (The Oberoi Zahra) | 25 Apr 2027 Sinai Liberation Day (public holiday). |
| May | 39.1° / 22.1° | 39.5° / 24.6° | low | Summer | US$937 | – | 1 May Labour Day; 2 May 2027 Coptic Easter |
| June | 41.2° / 24.6° | 41.6° / 26.7° | low | Summer | US$937 | – | 6 Jun 2027 Islamic New Year; 30 Jun 2027 June 30 Revolution Day. |
| July | 41.4° / 25.7° | 41.9° / 27.8° | low | Summer | US$937 | Eclipse band 27 Jul to 2 Aug 2027 at The Oberoi Zahra, priced above its peak band | 23 Jul 2027 Revolution Day. |
| August | 41.2° / 25.6° | 41.9° / 27.9° | low | Summer | US$937 | Eclipse band to 2 Aug 2027 (The Oberoi Zahra) | 2 Aug 2027 total solar eclipse, Luxor in the path of totality (about 6 min 22 s at Luxor; maximum 6 min 23 s in Egypt) |
| September | 39.3° / 23.3° | 40° / 25.5° | low | sellers differ | US$937 | – | – |
| October | 35.5° / 19.6° | 36.4° / 22.3° | sources differ | Winter | US$1,109 | – | 6 Oct 2026 Armed Forces Day (public holiday); 22 Oct Abu Simbel sun alignment (south of Aswan, off the dahabiya route). |
| November | 29.1° / 13.4° | 29.8° / 16.2° | high | Winter | US$1,109 | The Oberoi Zahra high band starts 3 Nov 2026 | – |
| December | 24.2° / 8.6° | 24.5° / 11.4° | high | Winter | US$1,109 | Christmas and New Year peak band from 22 Dec 2026 (The Oberoi Zahra) | 25 Dec 2026 Christmas; Dahabiya Nile Sailing prices departures from 23 Dec 2026 to 10 Jan 2027 at a holiday premium. |
Winter, October to April
Prime cruising. Book three to six months ahead for the popular ships, and six to nine for Christmas, New Year and Easter (28 March 2027), which the top ships price in their own peak band. The khamsin, a hot dusty southerly, can blow for a day or two between March and May. Ramadan runs from about 8 February to 8 March 2027; ships sail as normal and the temples open as normal.
Summer, May to September
Hot, empty and about 23 per cent cheaper on the same ship. Ships are air-conditioned and pools are full; the pattern is temples at 6 am, the ship by 11, the deck after 5. A few flagships use the summer for dry dock (the SS Misr did in 2026), so confirm the ship is sailing on your dates.
Two dates for the diary
On 2 August 2027 a total solar eclipse crosses Luxor with about six minutes of totality; the Oberoi Zahra already prices an eclipse band above its Christmas rate. And from the end of December each year the winter irrigation shutdown lowers the river for about a month (in Luxor, 31 December 2025 to 6 February 2026 last season); ships sail, but check January dates with the operator.
Temperatures are WMO 1991 to 2020 normals for Luxor and Aswan. Crowd levels combine two operator season guides; where they disagree the cell says so. The Esna lock: a second lock, built in 2008, keeps traffic moving during maintenance, and reports of a long closure from September 2026 were denied by the Esna authorities; we recheck before every quote. Month-by-month detail on the when to go page.
Read the fine print
What is included in a Nile cruise, and what is not
A standard fare covers your cabin, three meals a day, guided visits to the temples on the itinerary with a licensed Egyptologist, the temple tickets and the transfers between ship and site. It does not usually cover drinks, tips, the Abu Simbel excursion, the hot-air balloon, Wi-Fi or the flights to and from Luxor and Aswan.
Usually included
- Cabin with private bathroom for the nights of the cruise
- Full board: breakfast, lunch and dinner (buffet on most ships, à la carte on the flagships)
- Guided visits to the temples on the itinerary with a licensed Egyptologist
- Temple entrance tickets on the standard itinerary
- Transfers between the ship and each site
- Evening entertainment: a galabeya night, a Nubian show
Usually extra
- Drinks: water is sometimes free, soft drinks and alcohol are billed and marked up
- Tips for the crew (a collected amount per person per day) and a separate tip for the guide
- Abu Simbel from Aswan, by road or air, about US$85 to US$120 by road
- The sunrise hot-air balloon over Luxor's West Bank
- Wi-Fi, spa treatments, laundry
- Domestic flights, the Cairo days, visas and travel insurance
Two quotes for the same ship can differ by the value of the tickets and transfers alone, and a few budget ships quote a low fare and bill the temple tickets separately, which adds US$60 to US$100 per person over four nights. Before you compare two boats, ask each seller the same four questions: are the temple tickets in, is the Egyptologist in, are the transfers in, and is Abu Simbel in.
The three ways
Nile cruise ship vs dahabiya vs land tour
Take the ship for facilities, fixed weekly departures and the lowest per-person fare; take a dahabiya for silence, sails, 8 to 24 guests and moorings the ships cannot reach, at roughly double the price; take a land tour if you want to linger in Luxor and Aswan, choose your own restaurants and skip the boat altogether.
| Cruise ship | Dahabiya | Land tour | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guests | 60 to 150 | 8 to 24 | You and your guide |
| Nights | 3 or 4 (7 round trip) | 3 to 7 | As many as you like |
| How you move | Diesel, day and night | Sail on the north wind, tug when it drops | Car, train or flight between Luxor and Aswan |
| Where you sleep | Town quays, often rafted | Sandbanks, islands, village banks | Hotels of your choice |
| 4 nights, per person, winter | US$1,109 median | about US$2,240 median | Hotels + guide + transfers, varies |
| Facilities | Pool, bars, restaurants, some spas | Sun deck, saloon, a plunge pool on a few | Whatever the hotel has |
| Guiding | One Egyptologist per coach group | One per boat | Private, if you book one |
| Best for | First visits, families, anyone who wants ease | Couples, small groups, second visits | Slow travellers, photographers, long stays |
The dahabiya deserves its own page, and has one: every dahabiya on the Nile, with prices by season and length, the Esna to Aswan route and boat-by-boat notes. The land-tour case is made in full in Nile cruise vs land tour. Plenty of travellers do both: a ship or dahabiya for the river, then two extra nights in Aswan or Luxor on land.
Logistics
Where to start: Luxor, Aswan or Cairo?
Start in Luxor for the 4-night cruise and the most flights; start in Aswan for the 3-night cruise and an easy Abu Simbel add-on; start in Cairo only if you are on one of the rare long sailings. From the UK you can fly direct to Luxor; from the US you fly to Cairo and connect, so a Cairo stop first is the natural shape.
| Sailing | Embark | Disembark |
|---|---|---|
| 4 nights, Luxor to Aswan | Luxor | Aswan |
| 3 nights, Aswan to Luxor | Aswan | Luxor |
| 7 nights, round trip | Luxor | Luxor |
| Dahabiya, upstream | Esna | Aswan |
| Dahabiya, downstream | Aswan | Esna, then road to Luxor |
Getting from the airport to the boat
From Luxor airport (LXR) the docks are close: roughly 8 km and 10 to 20 minutes by road, depending on traffic and which mooring your ship has. A berth at the southern end of town, near the Luxor bridge, is at the longer end.
From Aswan airport (ASW) allow a little more: the cruise port is roughly 16 to 21 km away, about 15 to 25 minutes.
Dahabiya guests almost always reach Esna by road from Luxor. Pick-up is typically from any Luxor address around 9am, and the drive is about an hour (45 to 60 km). Your representative meets you, handles the bags and takes you straight to the boat.
Where the boats actually dock
Luxor has no single cruise terminal. Ships tie up across several mooring areas on a first-come basis: the lucky ones berth on the Corniche near Luxor Temple, right in town; others end up at the southern Boghdadi area near the bridge, a less pleasant walk into the centre. It is worth asking your operator where their ship berths.
At Aswan most boats moor opposite Elephantine Island, at what is often called the New Cruise Port, a few minutes from the centre, though some berth further out. Berth quality tends to track what the operator pays.
Flying in from the US
There are no nonstop flights from the US to Luxor or Aswan. Most travellers fly nonstop to Cairo (EgyptAir from New York JFK, Newark and Washington Dulles, under 11 hours) and take the hour-long domestic flight south to join the ship, which makes two or three Cairo days for the pyramids the natural start. The US State Department rates Egypt Level 2, exercise increased caution, with its warnings aimed at Sinai and the Western Desert, not the Nile Valley. A tourist visa is US$30 in cash on arrival or US$36 as an e-visa or by card at Cairo airport; passports need six months’ validity.
Flying in from the UK
You can fly direct to Luxor: easyJet and TUI from Gatwick and TUI from Manchester, seasonal from roughly October to May, about five to six hours. Aswan has no direct UK flights, so a Luxor start on the 4-night cruise is simplest, with Cairo as an optional add-on rather than a necessity. The FCDO advises against travel to parts of Sinai, the Libyan border and much of the Western Desert, and explicitly excepts Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel and the Nile Valley. January is the UK booking peak, so winter cabins go early.
Full detail on transfers, docks, embarkation times and what to do with a spare half day on the embarkation page; the Luxor and Aswan days themselves are covered in Luxor in one day and Aswan in one day.
Shortlists
The best Nile cruise for your kind of trip
First visit: a hand-picked five-star on the 4-night Luxor to Aswan run. Honeymoon: an Oberoi or a chartered dahabiya. Family: a deluxe ship with a real pool deck. Budget: a well-kept mid-market ship from about US$880 for 4 winter nights. Second visit: a dahabiya, or a 7-night round trip that adds Dendera and Abydos.
First-time visitors
You want every headline temple, a comfortable ship and nothing to organise.
Our pick: A hand-picked five-star on the 4-night Luxor to Aswan run: Mövenpick Royal Lily, Sonesta St George, Steigenberger Minerva or, with a bigger budget, an Oberoi.
Best Nile cruises for first-timersLuxury and honeymoons
Small guest counts, big cabins, dining to order and a spa.
Our pick: The Oberoi Zahra or Philae, Sanctuary Sun Boat III, Historia, Soleil or Le Fayan Suites; or a chartered dahabiya for total privacy.
Best luxury Nile cruisesFamilies
A pool, space to spread out, connecting cabins and a crew used to children.
Our pick: Larger deluxe ships with a real pool deck: Mövenpick Sunray, Jaz Regent, Sonesta Sun Goddess, Le Fayan Suites for the family suites.
Best Nile cruises for familiesValue and budget
The same temples and the same Egyptologist, on a simpler ship.
Our pick: Well-kept independent and branded mid-market ships from about US$880 for 4 winter nights: Nile Crown II, Royal Ruby, Grand Rose, Royal Princess.
Best value Nile cruisesCouples and second-timers
You have done the big ship or you never wanted one; you want quiet moorings and sails.
Our pick: A dahabiya of six to ten cabins on the Esna to Aswan reach, or a 7-night round trip on a boutique ship that adds Dendera and Abydos.
Best Nile cruises for couplesNot sure which you are?
Answer five questions and the cruise finder shortlists ships and dahabiyas for you, or put any two boats side by side in the comparison tool.
Ask a specialistAvoiding a bad one
How to choose a good Nile cruise
Judge the ship by its last rebuild date, its guest count and recent reviews, never by its stars; confirm the Egyptologist and the temple tickets are in the fare; pick the ship first and let the departure day follow; and compare like with like on inclusions before you compare prices.
- 1Read the refurbishment date, not the brochure. A ship relaunched in the last three years is a different experience from a tired 2005 hull with the same star rating. Historia, Soleil, Le Fayan Suites and the Viking ships all launched between 2021 and 2025; the SS Misr, a 1918 steamer, was relaunched as a five-star ship in 2006.
- 2Count the guests. Under 60 guests (Sun Boat III, the Oberois, SS Misr) means quiet decks and small excursion groups; 60 to 90 buys more facilities; 120 to 150 is a floating hotel with coach-sized groups at the temples.
- 3Confirm the Egyptologist and the tickets are included. Guided visits, not free time at the temples, and the entrance fees on the standard itinerary. The guide makes or breaks the trip.
- 4Ask where the ship moors. Luxor has no single terminal; a berth on the Corniche near Luxor Temple is a different holiday from one at the southern Boghdadi mooring. Operators know where their ships berth.
- 5Choose the cabin deck. Upper decks have the views and the sun deck above; lower decks are cheaper and steadier. Avoid a cabin over the engines at the stern.
- 6Book the ship, then the itinerary. A good ship on a 3-night schedule beats a mediocre one on 4. Most travellers land on a 4-night Luxor to Aswan sailing in the deluxe tier, which is the best balance of comfort, coverage and cost on the river.
Two more things seasoned Nile cruisers know: pack layers, because December to February mornings on the West Bank and evenings on deck are cool; and carry small notes, because the crew tip box, the guide, the felucca boatman and the carriage driver at Edfu all expect cash. Wi-Fi is patchy and often paid; a local SIM at the airport is the better buy.
Why book with us
Why book a Nile cruise with This is Egypt
We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator (Licence No. 393/21, IATA accredited, Dokki, Cairo, operating since 2012) with the most complete independent Nile directory anywhere: 139 ships and 110 dahabiyas catalogued with real photos, cabins, routes and named operators, and guest quotes attributed to their source on 68 of them. You message a specialist on WhatsApp, we quote the exact fare live, and there is no booking fee to ask.
Licensed and accredited
Egyptian Ministry of Tourism licence No. 393/21 and IATA accreditation, shown in our footer and in our schema, not just claimed.
The directory nobody else has
139 cruise ships and 110 dahabiyas, each hull catalogued once under its operator with specs and photographs, so you compare the actual boat, not an agency's name for it.
Prices you can check
2,296 published fares behind the tables on this page, and the published range shown on each ship where sellers disagree. We quote live; we do not print a headline fare and bill the tickets later.
A person, not a form
A Cairo-based specialist answers on WhatsApp, checks live availability with the operator and builds the Luxor, Aswan and Cairo days around the cruise. No booking fee, no pressure.
What to look for in any Nile cruise seller, ours included: a Ministry of Tourism licence number you can see, a named ship on your confirmation rather than “a five-star boat”, the inclusions in writing, and a person who answers. Guest reviews of the ships themselves are quoted on each vessel page with their source; we do not publish a company review count of our own here, because the only honest numbers are the ones on the platforms.
Good to know
Nile cruises questions, answered
How much does a Nile cruise cost?
Per person in a double cabin, boat only, a 4-night Nile cruise costs a median of US$937 in summer (May to August) and US$1,109 in winter (October to April), with the middle half of ships between US$948 and US$1,872 in winter. Three nights runs US$772 to US$920. The cheapest ships start near US$815 for 4 winter nights; Sanctuary and Oberoi reach about US$4,964; Christmas, New Year and Easter departures on the top ships pass US$4,200. A cabin on a dahabiya costs roughly double a mid-market ship. Figures from 2,296 published fares across 148 ships, checked September 2026.
How many nights is a Nile cruise?
Three or four nights on almost every ship: 4 nights from Luxor to Aswan (the classic, usually departing Monday) or 3 nights from Aswan to Luxor (usually Friday). Of the 148 ships we list, 114 offer a 3-night sailing, 111 a 4-night and 87 a 7-night round trip. A handful of ships run 11 to 14 nights between Cairo and Aswan.
Is a Nile cruise worth it?
For most first-time visitors, yes. A cruise is your hotel, restaurant and transport between Luxor and Aswan, and the fare normally includes full board, entry to the major temples and a licensed Egyptologist guide. It is the easiest way to see the temples between the two cities, which is why most first visits to Upper Egypt are built around one.
What is the best month for a Nile cruise?
October to April, when Luxor and Aswan highs run about 23 to 35 C and every ship is sailing. November, February and March give the best balance of weather and price; December and January have the coolest days but the highest fares and the busiest temples. From May to September highs reach about 39 to 42 C, fares fall to the summer rate (about 23 per cent lower on the same ship) and the sun deck is for early morning and evening only.
Can you see the pyramids on a Nile cruise?
Not on a standard cruise. The Giza pyramids are near Cairo, around 660 km north of Luxor, while most cruises sail only between Luxor and Aswan. To see both, most travellers spend time in Cairo and fly to Luxor or Aswan, about an hour's flight. A few long Cairo to Aswan sailings of around 14 nights also include Giza.
Is Abu Simbel included on a Nile cruise?
Usually not. Abu Simbel is about 280 km south of Aswan, so the standard Luxor to Aswan cruise does not sail there. It is an optional excursion from Aswan, either by road (three to four hours each way, with pick-ups around 4 to 5 am) or a 45-minute flight. Lake Nasser cruises are the exception and do moor at Abu Simbel.
Can you take a Nile cruise from Cairo?
Yes, but only on a small number of long sailings. These run between Cairo and Aswan over about 14 nights, with extra stops such as Beni Hassan, Amarna, Abydos and Dendera, and depart on limited dates. Most travellers instead fly from Cairo to Luxor or Aswan, about an hour, and join a three to four night cruise.
What is included in a Nile cruise?
A typical fare covers your cabin with private bathroom, full board (three meals a day), entry to the main temples on the itinerary and a licensed Egyptologist guide. Not usually included: drinks, tips, Wi-Fi, flights, visas and optional excursions such as Abu Simbel or a sunrise balloon flight over Luxor. Always check the inclusions list for the specific ship.
Nile cruise or dahabiya: which is better?
It depends on what you value. A dahabiya carries around 8 to 20 guests, sails quietly and can moor at smaller sites such as El Kab and Gebel el Silsila, with small guided groups. A cruise ship carries around 50 to 150 guests and costs far less per night. Choose a dahabiya for peace and flexibility, a ship for value and facilities.
Is a Nile cruise safe?
Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel and the Nile Valley are not among the areas the UK Foreign Office advises against visiting. The US State Department rates Egypt as Level 2, exercise increased caution, and lists no-go areas in Sinai, the Western Desert and border zones, not the Nile Valley. Security is visible at major sites. Check current advice before you travel.
Do I need a visa for a Nile cruise in Egypt?
Yes. British and US passport holders normally need a tourist visa for a Nile cruise. You can apply online for an e-visa before travel or buy a visa on arrival at the airport. Your passport should be valid for at least six months after arrival and have a blank page. Check the official government advice for current fees and rules.
What is the Esna lock?
The Esna lock lets ships pass the Esna Barrage, about 55 km south of Luxor, on the stretch between Luxor and Edfu. Ships are raised or lowered to the new water level, and at busy times they queue, which can add a few hours. Local traders often row alongside and throw goods up to the deck in bags, which many guests enjoy watching.
How much should I tip on a Nile cruise?
About US$10 per person per night for the crew, collected in an envelope at reception on the last day (sources range from US$5 to US$15), plus US$5 to US$15 per person per day for your Egyptologist, handed over separately. Tips are included in the fare on Viking, Uniworld and Nour el Nil. Carry small notes in dollars or Egyptian pounds; the crew tip box is cash only.
Is there Wi-Fi on a Nile cruise?
Most ships offer Wi-Fi, but it is often slow, drops out and can be expensive, especially while sailing. Travellers on forums recommend buying a local SIM or eSIM data bundle on arrival instead, which usually gives better coverage along the river. If you need to work while travelling, do not rely on the ship's connection.
Can I take a Nile cruise as a solo traveller?
Yes. Almost every ship takes solo guests, though dedicated single cabins are rare, so you usually have a twin cabin to yourself and pay a single supplement. Forum users report paying well above the per-person rate quoted to couples, so compare ships. Shared excursions and mixed dining tables make it easy to meet other travellers.
How far in advance should I book a Nile cruise?
For standard sailings, two to three months ahead is usually enough. For peak season, roughly October to April, and for popular ships and dahabiyas with few cabins, book six months or more in advance. High-demand sailings, such as 2027 total solar eclipse packages, are best booked six to eight months ahead.
Which is the best Nile cruise ship?
It depends on what you value. For refinement and small numbers the Oberoi Zahra and Philae lead; for intimacy Sanctuary Sun Boat III (32 guests); for design at a fair price Historia; for space Le Fayan Suites and the Sonesta Star Goddess; for a packaged trip with Cairo included, Viking. The dependable middle of the river is the Mövenpick, Sonesta, Jaz and Steigenberger fleets. We compare all 148 ships with real photos and specs on this page.
How do I book a Nile cruise with This is Egypt?
Message us on WhatsApp with your dates, how many of you and the kind of ship you have in mind. We check live availability with the operator, quote the exact fare for your cabin and dates, and can add Cairo, Luxor and Aswan hotels, domestic flights and a private guide around the cruise. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator (Licence No. 393/21) and there is no booking fee to ask.
Prefer to sail slowly?
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Small wind-powered sailboats of a handful of cabins, for travellers who want the Nile at its quietest.
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