Egypt can be visited all year, but the month changes the trip: temperatures range from a cool 7°C night in Luxor in January to 42°C at midday in July. This guide shows what each month is like and how to choose.
The short answer
The best time for most people is October to April, with November and the weeks after the holidays the most comfortable. From May to September it is hot inland but quiet, cheaper and good for the coast.
Choose a month
By season
- Egypt in winter (November to February): the classic season, with mild days, cold nights and the highest prices.
- Egypt in summer (May to September): hot inland, quiet at the sites, and the warmest sea.
By what you want to do
- Temples and a Nile cruise: October to April. November to February has the coolest days for long temple visits; March and April are warmer in Upper Egypt.
- Beaches, snorkelling and diving: The Red Sea is warm from April to November. The sea is warmest, 26–29°C, from June to September; from December to March it is cooler, about 20–23°C, and a wetsuit helps.
- The desert: November to March, when the days are warm and the nights are cold. Summer is too hot for most desert trips.
- Fewer crowds and lower prices: May to September at the temples and museums, and September to early October before the season starts. Beach resorts are busiest in summer.
- The sun festival at Abu Simbel: 22 February and 22 October, around sunrise.
- The 2027 total solar eclipse: 2 August 2027, across southern Egypt. Luxor is among the best-placed cities, with about six minutes of totality.
Questions
What is the best month to visit Egypt?
For sightseeing, November is hard to beat: warm days, cool nights and the winter crowds still to come. December to February is also excellent but busier and more expensive.
What is the cheapest time to visit?
Inland, May to September, when the heat keeps visitors away. September and early October are good value just before the season starts.
Does it rain in Egypt?
Very little. Alexandria and the north coast get some rain in winter, and Cairo a few showery days; Upper Egypt and the Red Sea are almost always dry.
Is Ramadan a bad time to visit?
No. Tours generally run as normal, though some restaurants open later in the day and opening hours can shift. Ramadan moves about 11 days earlier every year, so check the dates for your trip.
Not sure which month suits you? Tell us what you want to see and roughly when, and we will suggest the best dates. Plan my trip