Across our own published cruises, three-night sailings start from $549 per person and five-night sailings from $949, with the top dahabiya and five-star boats reaching $2,879. The single biggest factor is not the length but the boat: the same three nights between Luxor and Aswan can be a standard cruiser or a small dahabiya under sail, and the gap between them is wider than the gap between three nights and five.
What our cruises actually cost
| Length | From | Upper end | What changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 nights | $549 | $1,949 | Luxor to Aswan or reverse; boat standard drives the range |
| 4 nights | $779 | $860 | An extra night, usually the same route |
| 5 nights | $949 | $2,879 | More sites, slower pace, includes the dahabiyas |
Figures are our own from-prices, read from our live cruise listings and reviewed September 2026. Browse the boats behind these numbers under best Nile river cruises.
What moves the price
- The boat. A standard five-star cruiser carries 100+ passengers. A dahabiya carries a dozen and sails. That is most of the range above.
- Cabin position. Upper decks and suites cost more than a lower-deck cabin on the same sailing.
- Season. October to April is peak on the Nile; summer sailings are cheaper and much hotter.
- Direction. Luxor to Aswan and the reverse are not always priced the same.
- Solo travel. Cabins are priced on two sharing; travelling alone attracts a supplement.
What is normally included — and what is not
Full board, your cabin, guided excursions with an Egyptologist and entrance fees to the cruise sites are typically in the price. Drinks, tips for the crew, optional excursions such as the Abu Simbel trip from Aswan, and your flights to Luxor or Aswan usually are not. Our guide to what is included in a Nile cruise goes line by line.
Is it worth it against a hotel?
A cruise is not simply a floating hotel with a higher price. It removes the transfers between Luxor and Aswan, the packing and repacking, and the daily negotiation of transport, and it puts you at the temples that sit on the river. For three or five nights it usually replaces a more expensive and more tiring land arrangement rather than adding to it.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Nile cruise cheaper than staying in hotels?
Often comparable once you count hotels, transfers, guiding and entrance fees separately. The cruise buys convenience more than savings.
How many nights should I choose?
Three nights covers the essential temples. Five gives you a slower pace and more sites. Our cruise versus dahabiya guide helps with the boat choice.
Do prices include flights to Luxor?
Not normally. Domestic flights are usually added separately — see flight versus train from Cairo.
When is the cheapest time to sail?
Summer, by a wide margin, at the cost of considerable heat.
All prices our own from-prices, reviewed September 2026, and subject to season and availability.