When to go
The best month for a Nile cruise, by the kind of trip you want
For most people the best months are October, November, February and March: warm dry days, cool evenings and every boat sailing. Families do best in the October, February and Easter school holidays; anyone who dislikes heat should go from December to February; and budget travellers find the lowest prices from May to September.
At a glance
The best months for each kind of traveller
| Traveller | Best months | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First-timers | October, November, February, March | Warm, dry days and the full fleet sailing, without the very peak crowds of the holidays. |
| Families with children | October half-term, Christmas, February half-term, Easter | The school holidays fall in the good season; book early, as they are the busiest weeks. |
| Couples and honeymooners | November, late January to early March | Pleasant days, cool evenings on deck and fewer families on board. |
| Anyone who dislikes heat | December to February | The coolest months: comfortable days in Luxor and Aswan, but cold nights, so bring a warm layer. |
| Budget travellers | May to September | The lowest prices of the year and quieter temples, in exchange for real heat by midday. |
| Photographers | November to February | Low winter sun, long shadows in the temples and clear sunsets over the West Bank. |
| River and Red Sea together | October, November, March, April | The Nile is warm rather than hot and the sea is warm enough for long swims. |
| Dahabiya travellers | October to April | The main dahabiya season; sailing days on deck are at their most pleasant. |
For what each season feels like on the river, see when to cruise the Nile and Egypt weather by month.
With children
Families: the school holidays
The October half-term and the Easter holidays are the best of the family weeks: warm enough for the pool, not too hot for the temples. Christmas and New Year are the busiest and most expensive weeks of the year. A ship with a pool and family cabins is the easy choice, such as Sonesta St George or Historia; a dahabiya chartered for two or three families is the special one. See the best Nile cruises for families and Easter 2027 on the Nile.
For two
Couples: November and late winter
November and the weeks from late January to early March are calm, comfortable and outside most school holidays. Evenings on deck are cool enough for a jacket. For two, think of a suite on the Oberoi Zahra or Sonesta Star Goddess, or a small dahabiya such as The Orient. See a honeymoon on the Nile.
Value
Budget travellers: May to September
Prices are at their lowest from late spring to early autumn, and temples are far quieter. Luxor and Aswan are very hot by midday, so visits start at dawn and the afternoons are for the pool and the sun deck. The lull in early January after the New Year rush can also be good value. Ships run about US$120 to US$1,500 per person per night across the year. See the cheapest time to cruise the Nile.
Calendar
Dates worth planning around
- 22 February and 22 October: the sun reaches the inner sanctuary at Abu Simbel. See the Abu Simbel sun festival.
- Ramadan, about 8 February to 8 March 2027: boats sail and serve meals as normal. See a Nile cruise during Ramadan.
- Easter, 28 March 2027: one of the busiest weeks. See Easter on the Nile.
- 2 August 2027: a total solar eclipse over Luxor. See the eclipse on the Nile.
- Christmas and New Year: festive dinners on board and the highest prices. See Christmas and New Year on the Nile.
Asked often
The best month, answered
- What is the best month for a Nile cruise?
- October, November, February and March suit most travellers: warm dry days, cool evenings and every boat sailing. December and January are coolest but busiest.
- What is the best month for a Nile cruise with kids?
- The October half-term and Easter holidays, when it is warm enough for the pool but not too hot for the temples. Christmas works too but is the busiest and most expensive week.
- What is the cheapest month for a Nile cruise?
- May to September, when prices are lowest and temples quietest, in exchange for midday heat in Luxor and Aswan. Early January after New Year can also be good value.
- When is it too hot for a Nile cruise?
- June to August are the hottest months, often above 40°C at midday in Luxor and Aswan. Boats still sail and visits start at dawn, but anyone who dislikes heat should go from November to February.
