The 2027 total eclipse
Can you see the 2027 eclipse from Cairo, Hurghada or Sharm?
Not the total eclipse. Cairo (94.8%), Giza (95.22%), Hurghada (98.54%), Sharm el-Sheikh (95.55%) and Aswan (99.82%) all see only a partial eclipse on 2 August 2027, so the sky never goes dark and glasses stay on throughout. To see totality, travel into the path: from Cairo to Luxor or Bahariya Oasis, from Hurghada to Luxor or Marsa Alam, from Aswan north to Kom Ombo or Edfu.
Partial only
How much of the sun each place loses
| Place | Sun covered | Maximum at | Nearest totality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cairo | 94.8% | 12:55 | Path is 210 km south |
| Giza pyramids | 95.22% | 12:55 | Path is 196 km south |
| Alexandria | 93.34% | 12:51 | Path is 253 km south |
| Hurghada | 98.54% | 13:05 | Path is 81 km south |
| Safaga | 99.57% | 13:06 | Path is 34 km south |
| Sharm el-Sheikh | 95.55% | 13:05 | Path is 193 km south |
| Aswan | 99.82% | 13:08 | Path is 18 km north |
| Abu Simbel | 92.01% | 13:08 | Path is 306 km north |
From the capital
From Cairo and Giza
The path is about 210 km due south of Cairo. The easiest way in is a one-hour flight to Luxor; the most reliable sky is at Bahariya Oasis in the Western Desert.
- 1Fly to Luxor. About an hour, for 6m 20s of totality and the temples. Or take the overnight sleeper train, about 9 to 10 hours.
- 2Drive to Bahariya. Bawiti, the oasis town, has about 6m 17s of totality and among the clearest skies on the whole track. Plan to stay overnight rather than drive there and back on the day.
- 3Middle Egypt. Minya is just inside the northern edge with 4m 07s; Asyut has 6m 07s. Both are long drives and far less set up for visitors.
From the Red Sea
From Hurghada, El Gouna and Safaga
Hurghada is about 81 km north of the path and Safaga about 34 km. El Quseir is only just inside, so go further: Marsa Alam down the coast, or Luxor inland.
- 1Luxor. About 3.5 to 4 hours by road, for 6m 20s of totality. Stay the night before rather than driving on the morning itself.
- 2Marsa Alam. Down the coast road, inside the path with 5m 30s of totality from 13:08.
- 3Not El Quseir town. It is inside, but only about 13 km from the northern edge, for about 2m 27s. Further south is safer and longer.
From the south
From Aswan and Abu Simbel
Aswan misses totality by about 18 km. Kom Ombo, about 45 km north, has 3m 39s, but it sits close to the edge; Edfu, about 105 km north, has 5m 31s, and Luxor 6m 20s. A Nile cruise from Aswan that leaves on the morning of 2 August starts outside the path, so check where your boat will be at midday. Abu Simbel, far to the south, sees 92.01%.
Asked often
Seeing the eclipse from outside the path, answered
- Can I see the total solar eclipse from Cairo in 2027?
- No. Cairo sees a partial eclipse, 94.8% of the sun covered at 12:55. The path of totality is about 210 km to the south; Luxor is an hour's flight away.
- Will the 2027 eclipse be total at the pyramids?
- No. Giza sees about 95.22% coverage. The nearest totality is in Middle Egypt, around Minya and Asyut, or at Bahariya Oasis.
- Can I see the 2027 total eclipse from Hurghada?
- No, Hurghada gets about 98.54%. Luxor, about 3.5 to 4 hours by road, and Marsa Alam, further down the coast, are both inside the path.
- Is Sharm el-Sheikh in the path of the 2027 eclipse?
- No. Sharm el-Sheikh sees a partial eclipse of about 95.55%. Fly to Luxor or Marsa Alam to see totality.
- Is Marsa Alam in the path of totality?
- Yes, with about 5m 30s of totality, from 13:08:00 to 13:13:29 local time.
