Plan by month
Egypt Weather by Month
Typical temperatures for Cairo, Luxor and the Red Sea in every month, with crowds, events and our verdict, so you can pick the right time for your Egypt trip.
In short
Egypt is best from October to April, when Cairo is 19–30°C and Luxor 23–35°C by day. November and March are the sweet spots. June to August is very hot in the Nile Valley (41°C or more in Luxor) but a good time for the Red Sea, where the water reaches 28°C.
Dots show our verdict for touring the Nile Valley: ideal, too hot for most.
Egypt in January
Cool, clear days and cold desert nights: pack a warm layer for early starts.
Cairo & Giza
Pyramids, museums, Old Cairo
19°Caverage high
9°Caverage low
Ideal
Luxor & Aswan
Temples, tombs, Nile cruises
23°Caverage high
7°Caverage low
Ideal
Red Sea
Hurghada, Marsa Alam, Sinai
22°Csea temperature
21°Cair, daytime high
Good
Egypt in February
Perfect touring weather in the south; the Red Sea is at its coolest.
Cairo & Giza
Pyramids, museums, Old Cairo
21°Caverage high
10°Caverage low
Ideal
Luxor & Aswan
Temples, tombs, Nile cruises
26°Caverage high
9°Caverage low
Ideal
Red Sea
Hurghada, Marsa Alam, Sinai
21°Csea temperature
22°Cair, daytime high
Good
Egypt in March
Warm and bright; one of the best all-round months.
Cairo & Giza
Pyramids, museums, Old Cairo
24°Caverage high
12°Caverage low
Ideal
Luxor & Aswan
Temples, tombs, Nile cruises
30°Caverage high
13°Caverage low
Ideal
Red Sea
Hurghada, Marsa Alam, Sinai
22°Csea temperature
24°Cair, daytime high
Very good
Egypt in April
Lovely in Cairo and on the coast; Luxor turns hot by midday.
Cairo & Giza
Pyramids, museums, Old Cairo
28°Caverage high
15°Caverage low
Ideal
Luxor & Aswan
Temples, tombs, Nile cruises
35°Caverage high
18°Caverage low
Good
Red Sea
Hurghada, Marsa Alam, Sinai
23°Csea temperature
28°Cair, daytime high
Ideal
Egypt in May
Hot in the Nile Valley: temples at dawn, afternoons by the pool.
Cairo & Giza
Pyramids, museums, Old Cairo
32°Caverage high
18°Caverage low
Good
Luxor & Aswan
Temples, tombs, Nile cruises
39°Caverage high
22°Caverage low
Hot: go early
Red Sea
Hurghada, Marsa Alam, Sinai
25°Csea temperature
31°Cair, daytime high
Ideal
Egypt in June
Low season and very hot in the south; quiet sites for early risers.
Cairo & Giza
Pyramids, museums, Old Cairo
34°Caverage high
20°Caverage low
Hot: go early
Luxor & Aswan
Temples, tombs, Nile cruises
41°Caverage high
24°Caverage low
Too hot for most
Red Sea
Hurghada, Marsa Alam, Sinai
26°Csea temperature
33°Cair, daytime high
Very good
Egypt in July
Peak heat. Short Nile stays and long Red Sea stays work best.
Cairo & Giza
Pyramids, museums, Old Cairo
35°Caverage high
22°Caverage low
Hot: go early
Luxor & Aswan
Temples, tombs, Nile cruises
41°Caverage high
25°Caverage low
Too hot for most
Red Sea
Hurghada, Marsa Alam, Sinai
27°Csea temperature
34°Cair, daytime high
Very good
Egypt in August
The warmest sea of the year; Cairo is at its most humid.
Cairo & Giza
Pyramids, museums, Old Cairo
35°Caverage high
22°Caverage low
Hot: go early
Luxor & Aswan
Temples, tombs, Nile cruises
41°Caverage high
25°Caverage low
Too hot for most
Red Sea
Hurghada, Marsa Alam, Sinai
28°Csea temperature
34°Cair, daytime high
Very good
Egypt in September
Still hot, easing late in the month. Great value and warm water.
Cairo & Giza
Pyramids, museums, Old Cairo
33°Caverage high
21°Caverage low
Good
Luxor & Aswan
Temples, tombs, Nile cruises
38°Caverage high
23°Caverage low
Hot: go early
Red Sea
Hurghada, Marsa Alam, Sinai
28°Csea temperature
32°Cair, daytime high
Ideal
Egypt in October
The season begins: warm days, cooler evenings and a warm sea.
Cairo & Giza
Pyramids, museums, Old Cairo
30°Caverage high
18°Caverage low
Ideal
Luxor & Aswan
Temples, tombs, Nile cruises
34°Caverage high
19°Caverage low
Very good
Red Sea
Hurghada, Marsa Alam, Sinai
27°Csea temperature
29°Cair, daytime high
Ideal
Egypt in November
Arguably the best month of all: ideal everywhere.
Cairo & Giza
Pyramids, museums, Old Cairo
25°Caverage high
14°Caverage low
Ideal
Luxor & Aswan
Temples, tombs, Nile cruises
29°Caverage high
14°Caverage low
Ideal
Red Sea
Hurghada, Marsa Alam, Sinai
25°Csea temperature
26°Cair, daytime high
Ideal
Egypt in December
Mild and sunny; book 9–12 months ahead for the holidays.
Cairo & Giza
Pyramids, museums, Old Cairo
21°Caverage high
10°Caverage low
Ideal
Luxor & Aswan
Temples, tombs, Nile cruises
24°Caverage high
9°Caverage low
Ideal
Red Sea
Hurghada, Marsa Alam, Sinai
22°Csea temperature
23°Cair, daytime high
Good
The year at a glance
Temperatures through the year
| Month | Cairo high / low | Luxor high / low | Red Sea air | Red Sea water | Crowds | Nile touring |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19 / 9 | 23 / 7 | 21 | 22 | Peak | Ideal |
| February | 21 / 10 | 26 / 9 | 22 | 21 | High | Ideal |
| March | 24 / 12 | 30 / 13 | 24 | 22 | High | Ideal |
| April | 28 / 15 | 35 / 18 | 28 | 23 | Shoulder | Good |
| May | 32 / 18 | 39 / 22 | 31 | 25 | Shoulder | Hot: go early |
| June | 34 / 20 | 41 / 24 | 33 | 26 | Low | Too hot for most |
| July | 35 / 22 | 41 / 25 | 34 | 27 | Low | Too hot for most |
| August | 35 / 22 | 41 / 25 | 34 | 28 | Low | Too hot for most |
| September | 33 / 21 | 38 / 23 | 32 | 28 | Low | Hot: go early |
| October | 30 / 18 | 34 / 19 | 29 | 27 | High | Very good |
| November | 25 / 14 | 29 / 14 | 26 | 25 | High | Ideal |
| December | 21 / 10 | 24 / 9 | 23 | 22 | Peak | Ideal |
Rounded long-term averages for Cairo, Luxor and Hurghada. Aswan runs a degree or two warmer than Luxor; Alexandria is cooler and breezier. For more detail see Egypt’s climate by region.
Egypt weather: FAQs
What is the best month to visit Egypt?
For sightseeing along the Nile, January, February, March, November and December are ideal, with warm, dry days and cool nights. November and March are the sweet spots: excellent weather with fewer crowds than Christmas and January. See our best time to visit Egypt guide.
How hot does Egypt get in summer?
From June to August, Luxor and Aswan typically reach 41–42°C by day, and Cairo about 35°C. Sightseeing is still possible at dawn, but most travellers from Australia and New Zealand find October to April far more comfortable.
Does it rain in Egypt?
Hardly ever in the south: Luxor and Aswan can go years without meaningful rain. Cairo sees a handful of showery days in winter, and Alexandria on the Mediterranean is the wettest city, with most of its rain between November and February.
When is the Red Sea warm enough for swimming?
The water stays above 20°C all year, ranging from about 21°C in February to 28°C in August and September. From April to November it’s comfortable for long swims and snorkelling; in winter many divers wear a thicker wetsuit.
Is Egypt cold in winter?
Days are mild to warm (about 19°C in Cairo and 23–24°C in Luxor in January), but nights in the desert drop to single figures. Bring a warm jacket for sunrise starts, hot-air balloon flights and evenings on the Nile.
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