Field guide · 04 of 20
Best time of year to visit Egypt
October to April. Daytime highs in Luxor and Aswan run 23–36 °C in those months against 39–42 °C in summer. The sweet spots are late October to November and late February to March: warm, bright, and quieter than the Christmas and February peaks. The Abu Simbel sun alignment falls around 22 February and 22 October.
The short version
Egypt has two seasons that matter to a traveller: a long, hot summer from May to September, and a mild, dry winter from October to April. Rain is negligible everywhere south of Cairo. The decision is really about heat and crowds.
Month-by-month temperatures
Average daily low to high, in °C, from 1991–2020 climate normals. Luxor and Aswan are the figures that decide your tomb days.
| Month | Cairo | Luxor | Aswan | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 10–19 | 7–23 | 10–23 | Cool mornings, perfect afternoons, busiest month after Christmas |
| Feb | 11–21 | 9–25 | 11–26 | Peak English-speaking season; Abu Simbel alignment ~22 Feb |
| Mar | 13–24 | 13–30 | 15–30 | Warm, occasional khamsin dust wind |
| Apr | 16–28 | 17–35 | 20–35 | Khamsin peaks; Easter crowds |
| May | 19–32 | 22–39 | 25–40 | Hot in the south, thinning crowds |
| Jun | 22–35 | 25–41 | 27–42 | Summer |
| Jul | 24–35 | 26–42 | 28–42 | Hottest |
| Aug | 24–35 | 26–41 | 28–42 | Hottest; European school holidays |
| Sep | 23–34 | 23–39 | 26–40 | Still hot, quiet |
| Oct | 20–30 | 20–36 | 22–36 | Season opens; Abu Simbel alignment ~22 Oct |
| Nov | 15–25 | 13–29 | 16–30 | Arguably the best month |
| Dec | 11–21 | 9–24 | 11–24 | Christmas and New Year peak |
Treat these as ranges, not promises. Individual days in Aswan in late October still reach the high 30s.
Crowds, by season
Peak demand runs from mid-December through February, with a second rise at Easter. December bookings for good hotels and boats are made four to five months ahead; February, three to four. The Valley of the Kings and Giza are at their fullest between 9am and noon in these months.
Late October and November are the quiet version of the high season: the same weather, fewer coaches. Late February to mid-March after the half-term rush is similar. September is hot but almost empty.
Summer, honestly
May to September is hot. Luxor and Aswan sit above 40 °C most afternoons in July and August, and tombs, though cooler than the valley floor, are airless. It is not unbearable with the right shape: sites at 6–7am, the hotel pool from noon, temples again at 4pm, a boat with good air conditioning. Prices are lower and the sites are empty. We plan summer trips, but we plan them differently, and we say so.
Ramadan
Ramadan 2027 is expected to run from about 9 February to 10 March, subject to the moon sighting; it moves roughly eleven days earlier each year. Egypt does not close. Sites open as normal though some close earlier in the afternoon, restaurants serve non-fasting visitors, and hotels are unaffected. What changes is the rhythm: streets are quiet until sunset, then very much alive. Your guide and driver will be fasting; a thoughtful itinerary gives them the hour of iftar. Some travellers find Ramadan evenings in Cairo the most memorable of the trip. If you would rather avoid it, aim for late October to January or late March onward.
The Abu Simbel sun alignment
Twice a year, around 22 February and 22 October, the rising sun reaches the inner sanctuary of the Great Temple at Abu Simbel and lights the seated statues of Ramesses II, Amun and Ra-Horakhty, leaving Ptah in shadow. The dates can shift by a day. The 22nd itself draws very large crowds and a higher ticket; the 21st and 23rd show nearly the same effect with far fewer people. If the alignment matters to you, we book Aswan months ahead and aim for the shoulder day.
Other dates to know
- Coptic Christmas, 7 January and Eid holidays bring domestic travel and fuller sites for a few days.
- Khamsin, the hot dust wind, blows on scattered days from March to May, peaking in April. It is a nuisance for a day, rarely more.
- Luxor's West Bank is best in the early morning year-round. In winter that means 6–7am opening for the cool and the light; in summer it is simply necessary.
Our recommendation by traveller
| If you want | Go in |
|---|---|
| Best weather and the fewest people | Late October to November, or late February to mid-March |
| Christmas or New Year in Egypt | Book by August; accept full sites |
| The Abu Simbel alignment | 21–23 February or 21–23 October |
| Low prices and empty temples, heat tolerated | May, or September |
| Comfortable Cairo and warm, not hot, Luxor | January, dressed in layers for mornings |
FAQ
What is the hottest month in Egypt? July and August. Luxor and Aswan average highs of 41–42 °C, Cairo around 35 °C. June and September are only slightly cooler in the south.
Is Egypt worth visiting in summer? Yes, if you start at dawn, rest at midday and accept the heat. Sites are empty and prices are lower. It is not the right choice for anyone who struggles in heat.
Does it rain in Egypt? Almost never south of Cairo. Aswan records under 1 mm a year. Cairo and the coast see a few showers between November and February.
If you have a window in mind, we will tell you what that month is really like on the ground. Message us your dates and we will plan around the heat and the crowds.