4 daysfrom $1,099
November to February
Egypt in Winter
Winter is Egypt's high season for a simple reason - it is when the country is most comfortable to walk around. The cost is company: this is when everyone else comes too.
Last updated: October 2026·Reviewed by the Cairo planning team
At a glance
- Months
- November to February
- Cairo
- 9-25 C depending on the month
- Luxor & Aswan
- Cold mornings, warm afternoons
- Crowds
- Highest of the year
- Prices
- Peak, especially Christmas and New Year
- Rain
- Occasional in Cairo and on the coast
- Sea temperature
- 22-26 C
- Best for
- First visits, Nile cruises, photography
From November to February the daytime temperature sits where you want it for long days on your feet, and the light is at its clearest. It is the obvious choice for a first visit, and it prices accordingly.
November and early December are the value sweet spot: essentially the same weather as January, with slightly fewer people and noticeably lower prices.
The thing visitors consistently get wrong is warmth. Evenings are cold, Upper Egypt mornings are colder, and a Nile cruise deck under way after dark is colder still. Pack for that.
Winter Nile Cruises
Winter is when every boat runs, so this is about choosing the right one rather than taking what is left.
4 daysfrom $949
4 daysfrom $799
4 daysfrom $649
Peak-Season Packages
The classic winter trip: Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel, at the time of year the country is most comfortable to walk around.
8 daysfrom $3,250
10 daysfrom $2,299
10 daysfrom $2,199
5 daysfrom $1,549
Private & Tailored Tours
Private guiding matters more in high season, when getting to the big sites before the coaches is the difference between days.
11 daysfrom $2,949
8 daysfrom $1,899
5 daysfrom $799
What winter is actually like
- The most comfortable walking weather of the year.
- Christmas and New Year on the Nile books out furthest ahead.
- The Abu Simbel sun alignment falls on 22 February.
- The clearest light of the year for photography.
- November and early December give most of the benefit with less of the crowd.
What to pack for winter
- Real layers - mornings and evenings are cold.
- A warm jacket for cruise decks.
- Sun protection for the midday sun, which is still strong.
- A light rain layer for Cairo and Alexandria.
- Closed shoes; temple ground is cold and uneven early.
Frequently asked
Is winter the best time to visit Egypt?
For weather, yes. For value and quiet, no. November and early December give most of the benefit with slightly less of the crowd.
Do I need warm clothes?
More than most people pack. Cairo evenings and Upper Egypt mornings are genuinely cold, and a moving Nile cruise deck after dark is colder still.
Does it rain in Egypt in winter?
Rarely, and mostly in Cairo and along the Mediterranean coast. Luxor and Aswan see almost none.
Which winter month is cheapest?
Early December before the festive rush, and late November. January and the Christmas fortnight are the most expensive.