Worst Time to Visit Egypt - When to Plan your Egypt Trip!
Visiting the Red Sea in Egypt during the summertime is a great way to escape the heat!
I've been living in Egypt off and on for 12 years, and I've been leading tours throughout Egypt for 4 years, and I'll let you in on a secret - the worst time to visit Egypt is over the Christmas Holiday and in the months of July and August, but there's more to it than that, so let's jump in and talk about the worst time to visit Egypt, why these times are not ideal for your Egypt trip, and what to keep in mind if you plan your trip during one of those times anyway.
Looking instead for the best time to visit Egypt? Check out my blog post to help plan your trip!
I offer several Egypt Group Tours per year, all during good times to visit Egypt!
If you don't know me already, my name is Gus, and I started Egypt Adventures Travel because I love Egypt, and want to help people have amazing trips there! I lead small group Egypt tours including a privately chartered Dahabiya Nile Cruise, and I also set up private tours. Check out my upcoming group tours here, or if you'd like help with a private tour, fill out my interest form. I'm excited to share how I can help with your Egypt adventure!
Worst time to visit Egypt - Christmas Break
The weather in Egypt is amazing all winter long, but during Christmas break through New Years (between December 20 - January 5), hordes of tourists descend upon Egypt, filling up the Red Sea resorts, Nile Cruise ships, and crowding out the temples and tombs. Places like Luxor, Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada, Abu Simbel, and Aswan are especially hectic during these times of year, with Cairo being busier than usual, but since it's a very large city, you only feel it at the Giza Pyramids and the main museums.
Christmas time is during peak tourist season for Egypt travel, but it also has the added draw of being a time when lots of folks have vacation from school and work. Europeans especially flock to Egypt during the Christmas Holiday, seeking sun and warm temperatures in places like Hurghada, and then do day trips up to Cairo and Luxor, crowding out the historic sites there, or jump on a Nile River Cruise at the tail end of their trip, with the stops along the way like Kom Ombo and Edfu Temple sometimes hosting several hundred people at once, all trying to glimpse the same reliefs and visit the same parts of the ancient temples.
Tips for visiting Egypt over Christmas Break
I get it - sometimes Christmas Break is the only time when everyone is able to make a trip to Egypt work, since it's often the biggest chunk of time that folks have off from work and school (aside from the summer, but that's also not an ideal time to go for an entirely different reason - more on that below), so here are some travel tips if you must plan your Egypt adventure between late December and early January:
Book a Dahabiya Nile Cruise instead of a giant Nile Cruise Ship
When we do a Dahabiya Nile Cruise on my tours, we visit less-often-seen places, like Esna Temple
Dahabiya Nile Cruises are small yachts that give a very intimate and personalized experience, compared to the gigantic Nile Cruisers that often have more than 100 guests on board. Plus, Dahabiya Yachts are allowed to follow different schedules than the large ships, meaning you can arrive at certain temples and sites when the large ships are not there, meaning fewer crowds, and Dahabiya boats can visit some sites that the large ships can't visit, like Gebel el Silsileh.
Even if you are facing crowds in Luxor, Aswan, and Abu Simbel (since these places are busy during the peak tourist season no matter what), at least being on a Dahabiya will help other places like Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Gebel el Silsileh feel special and intimate.
Gebel el Silsileh is an ancient rock quarry and has a small temple and some shrines. It cannot be visited by the large cruise ships, so there are always very few people here!
Focus on off-the-beaten-path places
Even with thousands of visitors, most tourists in Egypt stick to the main sites, like the Giza Pyramids and Sphinx, Abu Simbel Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Karnak, etc.
So if you are visiting Egypt during peak season, going to more unique places within each city you visit can give you the same experience as visiting during one of the less busy months. Here are some examples:
Less-visited places in Cairo:
The Dahshur Pyramids are almost never visited by tourists, so even if you’re in Egypt during peak tourist season, going to Dahshur means you’ll avoid the crowds
Dahshur Pyramids - this pyramid site was built in between Saqqara and Giza, and is seldom visited by tourists. You can go inside of both the Red Pyramid and Bent Pyramid, which always are way less crowded and hectic than trying to go inside any Pyramids in Giza. If you take a picture in front of the Red Pyramid, no one will know you aren't in Giza itself!
National Museum of Egyptian Civilization - the Egyptian Museum (old museum) and the Grand Egyptian Museum will always be busy, but the NMEC often has fewer crowds, and it has 22 royal mummies from the New Kingdom, making this small, compact museum a great stop.
Looking for a two day Cairo itinerary, including some off-the-beaten-path spots? Check out my 2-day Cairo video!
The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization is another spot that lots of tour groups don’t visit
Less-visited places in Luxor:
Deir el Medina or the Tombs of the Nobles - these tombs of ancient Egyptian workers and nobles are almost never visited by large tour groups, and their amazing level of preservation (check out all the colors that remain inside) make them worth a visit
Madinet Habu Temple - an ancient Egyptian Temple similar to Luxor Temple, Karnak Temple, or Hatshepsut's Temple, with one difference...almost nobody goes here! Madinet Habu also has some beautiful color that remains on the temple walls, columns, and ceilings
Less-visited places in Aswan:
Kalabsha Temple - Kalabsha is similar to Philae Temple, except Philae is almost always overrun by tourists during the peak season, whereas Kalabsha is seldom visited by anyone!
Nubian Museum - This small museum is well laid-out and curated, meaning you don't even need a tour guide to experience its collection of ancient Nubian artifacts. Plus it's walking distance from several hotels in downtown Aswan
Less visited places in Egypt - Alexandria
Alexandria has its low season in the winter time, due to cooler temperatures, more rain, and all the Egyptian tourists (the largest segment of tourists in Alexandria) opting to go during the gorgeous summer months. If you are in Egypt over Christmas Break, consider visiting Alexandria - want to see what to do there? Check out my guide to Egypt’s Mediterranean Jewel.
Worst time to visit Egypt - July and August
This photo was taken in late May - notice how we’re all wearing sun protection and light clothing - summer travel in Egypt means you need to think about what you will pack and wear during your trip to help with intense heat!
The summer months in Egypt are one of the worst times to visit, but not because of the crowds like in December and January! The reason the summer months, especially July and August, are not a good time to visit is the extreme heat and high temperatures that make it very difficult to enjoy many of the sites.
Temperatures will be well over 100 degrees F with intense sun every single day in Luxor, Aswan, and Abu Simbel, and in Cairo, if it only gets up to the 90s, that is considered a mild summer day. Since almost all the sightseeing in Egypt is outdoors in the desert, in the sun (Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Temples and Tombs of Luxor, Aswan, and the Nile Cruise, Abu Simbel), these temperatures make it very difficult to enjoy what you are seeing, and also can make extended sightseeing days dangerous if travelers don't pay attention to sun protection, water consumption, and over-exertion.
On the flip side though, the summer months in Egypt are the least busy, and there are no crowds at any of the historic sites. So for travelers who do not mind the heat, and who want to avoid the peak tourist season, traveling in the summer is a good option. Plus, the summer season often has more affordable prices than in the winter, so you can often get a better deal on a Nile Cruise or Egypt tour.
The only exception to this is in Cairo, tourists from across the Middle East (especially Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and other Gulf Nations) love to visit Cairo to party (Cairo is more open-minded and laid-back than many other places in the Middle East) and to escape even hotter temperatures in their home countries, so hotel rates in downtown Cairo stay pretty consistent, even in the summertime.
Here are my top travel tips if you end up planning a trip to Egypt in the summer:
Focus on early mornings and evening tours
Many sites in Egypt open as early as 6am, 7am, or 8am, so take advantage of these early opening times to visit sites before the sun and heat get too intense. Waking up early each morning and sightseeing for 3-4 hours, then taking a break in the afternoon (eat lunch, relax in the A/C at your hotel or on your cruise, go for a swim, take a nap, etc.), and then going out again in the evening is my preferred method for tackling Egypt in the summer heat. Or you can add on museums in the afternoon that have air-conditioning, like the Grand Egyptian Museum (which one day Egypt will finally full open!) and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Cairo, Luxor Museum, or the Nubian Museum in Aswan, so you can cool off when the sun and heat are at their peak.
Taking a swim in the Nile River (only an option if you are on a Dahabiya Nile Cruise) is a great way to beat the summer heat!
Visit places with more mild weather
Visiting the north of Egypt in the summer means you'll have more mild temperatures and also access to the beach! Alexandria and Egypt's North Coast are great places to go during the summer heat, but get ready for lots and lots of crowds, since local Egyptians love to spend their summers in Alexandria and along the North Coast!
Spend time on the Red Sea
Going to the Sinai Peninsula or the Red Sea in the summertime means you can enjoy other wonders that Egypt has to offer through scuba diving, snorkeling, or just enjoying the beauty of the beach. Since these areas are mostly visited by Europeans, the summer is a great time to go, since there are fewer European tourists, and hotel rates and tour costs will often be reduced.
Focus on what to pack
Packing for a trip in the summertime is very different from exploring Egypt in the winter! Creating a packing list that has lots of light, breathable clothing, sun protection, and things to stay cool (like a cooling scarf) are all good ideas. Check out my Egypt tour packing list to get some ideas for what to put in your suitcase!
Worst time to visit Egypt - Sun Festival in Abu Simbel
Abu Simbel is an amazing temple, but visiting it during the sun festival means you won’t be able to enjoy the experience due to intense crowds
This one not many travelers know about, but twice a year, on October 22 and February 22, the temple of Abu Simbel is penetrated by the sun, which lights up the statues in the temple's sanctuary. This amazing feat was pulled off by the ancient Egyptians, who were masters of astronomy and building, and it's something that is witnessed by thousands of tourists each year.
This means that trying to visit Abu Simbel on one of these days is an absolute no-no for me (unless you specifically are going for the sun festival). The intense crowds, early wake up (sometimes leaving Aswan as early as 1am or 2am to get through the lines of vehicles making their way down to Abu Simbel), and poor visibility (there are so many people there you can hardly even see the phenomenon) make these days ones that I would avoid.
The Best Time to Visit Egypt
With all this talk about the worst time to visit Egypt, you probably are wondering when the best time to visit Egypt is? You can read a more in-depth article on that topic here, but in general, the best time to visit Egypt depends on what your priorities are.
Best time to visit Egypt weather-wise - November - April
The best time to visit Egypt for the most comfortable weather is between November and April, when temperatures are more mild and the sightseeing at outdoor places is more enjoyable throughout the entire day. Of course, avoiding Christmas Break and also Spring Break are good ideas for fewer crowds.
Best time to visit Egypt for fewer crowds - September, October, mid-January, and May
If you want to avoid big crowds in Egypt, the best times to visit are the shoulder months, in between the hot summer and the more mild winter. September, October, and May will have way fewer crowds, but be careful, as these months can still be very, very hot! mid-January (think right after winter break is over) can also be a less hectic time to visit Egypt with everyone back at school and work, but this might not always be the case, as the winter time in general is always pretty busy, especially in Luxor, on a Nile Cruise, and along the Red Sea.
Best time to visit Egypt for families - June
Most families will have summer break sometime in late May to early June, and this is the best time for families with school-age children to visit Egypt. The temperatures will be very hot (with some days being extremely hot), but the weather in June is more bearable than in July and August, and following the tips I shared for visiting in the summer (early starts, take breaks in the afternoons, focus on more mild areas) will help!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the worst time to visit Egypt from the USA?
Travelers from the USA face longer flights with more stops than people visiting Egypt from other places like Europe or the Middle East, which makes it more tricky to choose the right time to go. The worst time to visit Egypt from the USA is the same as from any other country, though - avoid Christmas Break if you don't want intense crowds, and avoid July and August if you don't want intense heat.
What is the cheapest time to visit Egypt?
The cheapest time to visit Egypt is in the summer months, when prices for Nile Cruises and tours are reduced, but it's also a lot more difficult to enjoy the tourist sites when the temperatures are well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit each day!
Is it safe to travel to Egypt right now?
Yes! Egypt is totally safe for travel, but to read more, check out my full post on the topic of safety in Egypt.
Is February a good time to visit Egypt?
Yes, February is a good time to visit Egypt for more mild weather, and it's less busy than the peak times of Christmas Break and Spring Break, although the winter time in general is more busy than the shoulder months of May, September, and October.
Is May a good time to visit Egypt?
May is an excellent time to visit Egypt for travelers who don't mind some extreme heat (some days in May can get very hot, especially in southern Egypt), but who want very little crowds at the sites. Especially before summer break (when lots of families with children visit), May can be a very good time for an Egypt adventure!
When is the coolest time to visit Egypt?
The coolest time to visit Egypt is in the winter, with temperatures being the lowest in December, January, and February. Don't forget to pack warm clothes if you are going to Egypt during these months, as it can get chilly, especially at night!
When is the best time to go to Egypt for a Nile Cruise?
I love cruising the Nile in the winter, when the mild temperatures make the experience very enjoyable, although the sites can be much more crowded than in the shoulder season or during the summer. If you do a Nile Cruise in the shoulder season or in the summer, make sure you choose one with good air-conditioning, and take advantage of opportunities to swim in the Nile River (if you are on a Dahabiya Yacht Nile Cruise)!
Is December a good time to visit Egypt?
December has great temperatures for sightseeing at all the outdoor monuments, but it's best to avoid late December, as Christmas Break is the busiest time in Egypt, with intense crowds at most tourist sites.
Does Egypt have a rainy season?
No, in general it never rains in Egypt, except in the north (like in Alexandria). During the winter, it will rain a few times per year in places like Cairo, but in Luxor, Aswan, and on a Nile Cruise, you will almost never experience rain.
What questions do you have about the worst time to visit Egypt? Knowing these insider tips, when will you plan your Egypt trip? Did you visit Egypt during one of the times I said not to go, and what did you think? Leave a comment and let me know your thoughts and questions!
