Best Time to Visit Egypt: Ultimate Guide for Ideal Travel Dates

Name: Best Time to Visit Egypt and When to Book!
Brand: Egypt Tours Plus
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With your eyes set on a vacation in Egypt, all you need to do is choose the best time to visit Egypt and the places you plan to go. This guide will take you through the best months to visit all the historic destinations and other points of interest in Egypt.

Egypt is hot… but how hot exactly?

The month you choose to visit Egypt (and the destinations you plan to peruse) makes a huge difference to the experience you’ll have.

With varying temperatures and even freezing conditions at night in some areas, it’s best to choose when you visit Egypt carefully. This guide covers the best times to visit Egypt, month by month, including peak tourist seasons to avoid and other national holidays to be aware of.

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When is the Best Time to Visit Egypt?

The very short answer is October to April. Following the seasons in the Northern Hemisphere:

Late November to February is typically the winter months
March to May is springtime
June to August is summertime
September to early November is fall.

Looking at rough temperatures in Cairo, Egypt’s primary tourist destination, you can see why peak seasons are always in the cooler months!

Spring average temperatures: 23°C (73°F)
Summer average temperatures: 29°C (84°F)
Fall average temperatures: 24°C (75°F)
Winter average temperatures: 16°C (61°F)

So, if you struggle to tolerate heat then go to Egypt in the winter. If you can handle a little heat and want to avoid the crowds, choose the early spring and late autumn months.

Peak Tourist Season in Egypt

The peak tourist season in Egypt is typically winter, especially in Cairo where the primary attractions are located (including the pyramids). If you visit over the New Year and Christmas, you’ll also be able to enjoy the celebrations.

The coastal areas, including Alexandria and numerous destinations along the Red Sea, have their peak season in fall, spring, and early summer. Like inland Egypt destinations, these areas get very hot in the middle of summer with extra humidity. They also get quite rainy during the winter months.

To avoid peak season, visit in October, November, February, March, and April.

Should You Visit Egypt in the Summer?

It is extremely hot in the summer months. Cairo is sweltering and trips to the Western Desert are unadvisable. Even the locals, who are more accustomed to the heat, can suffer from the heat during July and August. On the coast, the water makes the heat a little more bearable… but there’s also a lot more humidity that you won’t find inland.

Even if you can tolerate high temperatures at home, we do not recommend going to Egypt in the height of summer!

Best Time to Visit Egypt by Location

Egypt has a lot to offer, with historic sites and attractions that have been attracting visitors for thousands of years. But not all sites in Egypt share the same best time to visit.

Archaeological Destinations

The Archaeological destinations in Egypt are primarily inland. This includes the Giza Pyramids and the Valley of the Kings, as well as other sites around Cairo, Aswan, and Luxor.

Best time for inland Egypt: October and November when the heat becomes comfortable but before the December crowds.

Worst time for inland Egypt: June to August is completely unbearable. May and September may also be too hot for heat-sensitive travelers.

Nile Cruise

A Nile cruise is one of our most popular itineraries for an Egypt vacation. These cruises typically stop at Cairo, Luxor, and/or Aswan, so the best time of year for a Nile cruise is like other inland destinations.

Best time for a Nile cruise: March and April. These ‘shoulder’ months miss the peak tourist season but are still cool enough for excursions. October and November are also good for comfortable temperatures but are busier.

Worst time for a Nile cruise: June to August is too hot. Even with the water of the Nile and a light breeze as you sail, it is too hot for most travelers.

Mediterranean Coast

The primary destination along the Mediterranean coast is Alexandria. Whether you are staying in the city or a nearby resort, you’ll experience quite a different climate from inland Egyptian destinations.

Best time to visit Alexandria: Summer months of May and June, when the temperatures are warm (average highs of 24°C to 28°C) and rainfall is at its lowest.

Worst time to visit Alexandria: Late July and August when the humidity makes the heat unbearable. Likewise, December and January are rainy and have low temperatures dropping to 10°C.

Red Sea Coast

Destinations along the Red Sea Coast include Sharm el-Sheikh, Hurghada, Marsa Alam, and El Gouna. These spots are great for spending a vacation at a resort and enjoying the benefits of the Red Sea: Diving, snorkeling, swimming, and sunbathing.

Best time for the Red Sea Coast: Late October and November, or April and May. Temperatures at these times are certainly warm (24°C to 34°C (75°F to 93°F) but not scorching.

Worst time for the Red Sea Coast: July, August, and September may be too hot. December also brings choppy waters that are less suitable for watersports and diving.

Western Desert

The Western desert area of Egypt has a special kind of draw, with the remote Siwa Oasis feeling almost mystical. However, you should expect a desert climate! This means extremely hot days in the summer and freezing cold nights in the winter.

Best time to visit Siwa Oasis: Late September, October, and early November are the sweet spots for temperatures. Spring months may also be attractive, but there’s a higher chance of Khamsin bringing sandstorms.

Worst time to visit Siwa Oasis: Both mid-summer months and mid-winter months should be avoided for their temperature extremes.

Month-by-Month Breakdown of when to visit Egypt

Need a calendar view to work out the best time to visit Egypt? Here’s our month-by-month breakdown.

January – a great time for inland Egypt, a bad time for coastal and desert areas. Christmas and New Year are busy times!
February – best for Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan, when temperatures are moderate, and sandstorms are yet to arrive.
March – the perfect month for a Nile cruise or a slightly cooler coastal vacation.
April – any destination on the Red Sea Coast will be comfortably hot before the summer months.
May – a good month for visiting the Egyptian Mediterranean coast, and the last month of moderate heat across inland Egypt.
June – avoid inland Egypt (including Cairo) and stick to the coast. It’s going to be hot!
July – one of the hottest months of the year. Inland Egypt and Siwa Oasis will be unbearably hot.
August – like July, even the locals struggle inland with the heat. Stick to the coast!
September – entering fall, most areas of Egypt start to cool off, but inland Egypt (Cairo, Luxor, Aswan) will still be too much for those with poor heat tolerance.
October – the best month for the Western Desert, Siwa Oasis, and Cairo. Days won’t be too hot or crowded, and the nights won’t be too cold.
November – entering the winter months, it’s a good time for seeing the pyramids and other Cairo attractions.
December – too cold on the coast, but inland destinations will be at a comfortable warm temperature. This is peak season, so be prepared for crowds!

Important Dates When Traveling to Egypt

The best time to visit Egypt might coincide with one of these cultural events or seasons. They aren’t a reason to cancel your trip, just make sure you’re aware of what to expect!

During New Year and Christmas (celebrated on January 7^th) Egypt is incredibly busy with both tourists and celebrating locals. At this time of year, prices are typically higher too.

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is a period of fasting. During this time, tourist sites may have shorter opening hours and you won’t see many locals eating or drinking in public. It’s best to stay respectful and not eat or drink illustriously in front of others (though most tourist establishments serving food will operate as normal).

In 2024, Ramadan is expected to start around March 12^th and last for roughly a month. The 2025 Ramadan start date for Egypt is expected to be around March 2^nd.

The Khamsin wind can cause travel disruptions in March and sometimes April through June. It is hot, dry, and dusty wind blowing across Egypt from the Saharah desert, which can cause delayed flights. The Khamsin can also make the air cloudy for photography!

Even though Egypt is hot and dry, there are still rainy seasons. For coastal cities like Alexandria, there may be infrequent rain in November, December, and January. You’re unlikely to be caught in rainfall inland, however. Likewise, the Red Sea can get a little bit rough in December, so this is not the best month to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling.

Best Time to Book an Egypt Vacation

Finally, when is the best time to book an Egypt vacation? We recommend booking your vacation well in advance, especially if you plan to visit during the peak tourist season. Book a year in advance if you can!

At Egypt Tours Plus, our itineraries take care of everything once you land in Egypt. The only organization you need to do is your flights. You may have read that booking 20 to 40 days before your desired departure will help you get the cheapest price… and that’s true. But with Egypt being such a popular destination, we recommend booking as early as possible, so you don’t miss out!

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Other FAQs about visiting Egypt

Others often ask about:

What is The Best Month to Visit Egypt?

If we had to pick one month, it would be October. Fall brings moderate heat but avoids the crowds in winter and the potential sandstorms in spring.

What is The Hottest Month in Egypt?

August is the hottest month by a slim margin (July is almost as hot). Temperatures can soar above 40°C in some locations and the Western Desert is best avoided.

Which Month is Cheapest to Visit Egypt?

May to September are the cheapest months, as most tourists cannot handle the heat. December and January are the most expensive months. However, in general, Egypt can be an affordable vacation if you are traveling on a budget.

When Should You Visit the Pyramids in Egypt?

The pyramids are in Cairo, so the best month to visit them is either October or November. You can also visit in December, January, and February… but this is peak season, so you’ll be battling the crowds for a good shot.

Is Egypt Cheap or Expensive?

Egypt is, overall, quite a cheap vacation. You can get by on $20 per day in Cairo. However, there are plenty of luxury options available and some premium resorts along the coast if you are looking for a more expensive experience.

How Long Should You Stay in Egypt?

It depends on how much you want to see. Our itineraries run from 5 days to 15 days – a short stay is enough to get the most out of one destination, while stays over 1 week are great for hopping from one destination to another. We recommend 8-days or 10-days.

Best Times to Visit Egypt – Monthly Guides

Explore the best times to visit Egypt with our monthly travel guides, uncovering the ideal seasons for experiencing its ancient wonders and vibrant culture.