Day tourfrom $360
Emptiest temples
Egypt Tours in August
August is the hottest month and the quietest at the ancient sites. It suits beach-first trips and travellers who will trade midday heat for temples they have almost to themselves.
Last updated: October 2026·Reviewed by the Cairo planning team
At a glance
- Cairo temperature
- 24-36 C (75-97 F)
- Luxor & Aswan
- 26-42 C (79-108 F)
- Crowds
- Lowest at ancient sites
- Prices
- Low inland, peak on the coast
- Sea temperature
- About 29 C
- Daylight
- About 13 hours
- Rain
- None
- Best for
- Red Sea, diving, quiet sightseeing
We are straightforward about August: if you want a full Cairo-Luxor-Aswan itinerary, another month will be more comfortable. It is the hardest month inland, and no amount of scheduling changes that.
What August does offer is the warmest sea of the year, at around 29 degrees, and ancient sites at their least crowded. For divers and snorkellers it is close to ideal.
The coast is busy with European and Gulf visitors, so book resorts early even though inland pricing is at its floor.
Diving & Snorkelling Trips
The warmest sea of the year, around 29 degrees. If you dive or snorkel, August is the month the coast is built for.
Day tourfrom $300
Day tourfrom $85
Day tourfrom $45
Slow Dahabiya Cruises
Small boats with shaded decks and short hops between moorings - the most bearable way to sail the Nile in August.
6 daysfrom $2,879
4 daysfrom $949
4 daysfrom $799
Low-Season Egypt Packages
Inland prices bottom out in August. These itineraries assume dawn starts and long afternoon breaks, because that is what works.
11 daysfrom $2,399
8 daysfrom $1,899
7 daysfrom $1,800
6 daysfrom $1,499
What August is actually like
- The warmest Red Sea water of the year, around 29 C.
- Ancient sites at their least crowded of any month.
- Coastal resorts at their busiest with European and Gulf visitors.
- The hardest month inland - we will say so rather than sell you a difficult trip.
- Dawn starts and long afternoon breaks are not optional this month.
What to pack for August
- Lightweight long sleeves - they beat bare arms in this sun.
- Hat, sunglasses, high-factor sunscreen.
- Swimwear and snorkel kit.
- Electrolytes.
- A second set of light clothes; you will want to change midday.
Frequently asked
Is August a bad time to visit Egypt?
It is the hardest month inland and the best month on the coast. If you want the full ancient-Egypt itinerary, choose another month. If you want the Red Sea with a taste of ancient Egypt, August works well.
How do you handle the heat on tours?
Dawn starts, air-conditioned vehicles, shaded rest stops, and afternoons deliberately left free. It changes the shape of the day rather than the content.
Is the water warm in August?
Around 29 C - the warmest of the year, and excellent for long snorkelling and diving days.
Will the pyramids be empty?
Close to it, early in the morning. August has the lowest visitor numbers at the ancient sites of any month.