11 daysfrom $3,799
Festive season
Egypt Tours in December
December brings cool, clear weather and the busiest fortnight of the Egyptian tourism year. Christmas and New Year on a Nile cruise is the single most requested trip we run.
Last updated: October 2026·Reviewed by the Cairo planning team
At a glance
- Cairo temperature
- 11-21 C (52-70 F)
- Luxor & Aswan
- 8-25 C (46-77 F)
- Crowds
- Very high from mid-month
- Prices
- Peak over Christmas and New Year
- Rain
- Occasional light showers in Cairo
- Daylight
- About 10 hours
- Sea temperature
- About 24 C
- Best for
- Festive trips, cruises, clear-weather sightseeing
The first half of December is quietly one of the best windows of the year: winter weather, and prices that have not yet jumped. From about the 20th, everything changes.
Christmas and New Year sailings are the first thing to sell out each year, usually six to nine months ahead. If a festive cruise is the point of the trip, that is the timeline to work to.
Pack more warm clothing than you expect. Cairo evenings drop to around 11 degrees, Upper Egypt mornings are colder, and a moving cruise deck after dark is colder still.
Christmas & New Year Cruises
Christmas and New Year sailings. These are the first thing to sell out each year, usually six to nine months ahead.
8 daysfrom $2,749
7 daysfrom $2,749
Festive Egypt Packages
Festive-period boats, including the ones that run a formal New Year dinner on deck. Book these earlier than feels necessary.
4 daysfrom $1,049
4 daysfrom $879
4 daysfrom $799
4 daysfrom $699
Alexandria & Coastal Day Tours
Alexandria suits December: cool, occasionally wet, and far more interesting in winter light than under a summer haze.
Day tourfrom $150
Day tourfrom $80
Day tourfrom $60
What December is actually like
- Christmas and New Year sailings sell out furthest ahead of anything we run.
- The coolest, clearest sightseeing conditions of the year.
- Coptic Christmas falls on 7 January, not 25 December.
- The first half of the month is far better value than the second.
- Genuinely cold evenings. Most visitors underpack for this.
What to pack for December
- Proper layers and a warm jacket for evenings.
- Something smart for a New Year dinner on board.
- Sun protection for midday - the winter sun is still strong.
- A light rain layer for Cairo.
- Warm socks for early starts.
Frequently asked
Is Egypt good at Christmas?
Very. The weather is at its most comfortable and the festive Nile cruises are genuinely special. The catch is availability - Christmas and New Year sailings are usually gone months in advance.
How cold is Egypt in December?
Cairo evenings drop to around 11 C and Upper Egypt mornings can be colder. Days are pleasant. Pack more warm clothing than people expect.
When should I book a Christmas trip?
Six to nine months ahead for the festive dates, and earlier if you want a specific cruise or cabin category.
Is early December cheaper?
Considerably. The first two weeks give you winter weather without the festive premium.