Best time to visit · Egypt
The best time to visit Egypt
Egypt's seasons differ by place. Here is the best time for each destination, month by month.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Wael El Sisi, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Quick answer
October–May suit most of Egypt. Cairo is at its best in October–March; Luxor is at its best in October–March; Sharm El Sheikh is at its best in March–May and October–November.
Key facts
- Best months overall
- October–May
- Destinations compared
- 4
Best months by destination
| Destination | Best months | Warmest month | Wettest month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cairo | October–March | July (35°C) | January (1 days) |
| Luxor | October–March | June (41°C) | January (0 days) |
| Sharm El Sheikh | March–May and October–November | July (37°C) | January (1 days) |
| Hurghada | March–May and October–November | July (36°C) | January (0 days) |
Egypt month by month
| Month | At its best | Usually avoided |
|---|---|---|
| January | Cairo, Luxor | — |
| February | Cairo, Luxor | — |
| March | Cairo, Luxor, Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada | — |
| April | Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada | — |
| May | Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada | — |
| June | — | Luxor |
| July | — | Cairo and Luxor |
| August | — | Cairo and Luxor |
| September | — | — |
| October | Cairo, Luxor, Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada | — |
| November | Cairo, Luxor, Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada | — |
| December | Cairo, Luxor | — |
What the seasons are like
- Cairo: Cairo has a hot desert climate: long, hot and dry summers with highs around 35°C, mild winters with cool nights, and almost no rain.
- Luxor: Luxor has a hot desert climate with almost no rain.
- Sharm El Sheikh: Sharm has a hot desert climate with almost no rain.
- Hurghada: Hurghada has a hot desert climate with almost no rain and strong northerly winds much of the year.
Crowds and hotel prices
Relative levels from our destination research: when each place is busiest, and when rooms usually cost least.
| Destination | Busiest | Quietest | Lowest hotel prices | Warm & dry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cairo | December | May | May | November |
| Luxor | January | June | June | February |
| Sharm El Sheikh | December | February | January | February |
| Hurghada | December | January | January | March |
Events worth timing a trip around
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- Cairo, January: Coptic Christmas (7 January)
- Cairo, January: Cairo International Book Fair (usually late January to early February)
- Luxor, January: Egyptian International Marathon around the West Bank temples (usually January)
- Luxor, March: Luxor African Film Festival (usually late winter or early spring)
- Sharm El Sheikh, January: Coptic Christmas (7 January)
- Sharm El Sheikh, April: Sinai Liberation Day public holiday (25 April)
- Hurghada, January: Coptic Christmas (7 January)
- Hurghada, October: El Gouna Film Festival (in recent years usually October)
Questions travellers ask
+When is Egypt cheapest and quietest?
Cairo: May; Luxor: June; Sharm El Sheikh: January; Hurghada: January.
+What is the best month to visit Egypt?
October, when 4 of the 4 destinations in this guide are at their best.