Best Travel Time & Climate

Egypt has a hot desert climate — summers are brutally hot (40–50 °C in Upper Egypt), winters pleasantly mild. The best travel time depends greatly on what you plan to do.

🟢 Best Travel Time: October – April

The absolute recommendation for most Egypt travelers:

• October/November: Perfect sweet spot. Temperatures in Cairo at 25–30 °C, Luxor 28–33 °C, Red Sea water temperature still 26–27 °C. Fewer tourists than in December/January. Prices still moderate.
• December – February: High season. Cairo 15–22 °C (at night it can get quite chilly!), Luxor/Aswan 20–28 °C during the day, nights 5–12 °C. Perfect for temple visits and Nile cruises. Red Sea: Water temperature 21–23 °C — still good for diving, but a wetsuit is needed. Christmas/New Year: Highest prices, book early!
• March/April: Spring in Egypt. Temperatures rise quickly. CAUTION: In March/April, the Khamsin — a hot sandstorm from the Sahara, which can last for days and reduce visibility to a few meters. Can delay flights and make excursions impossible.

🔴 Summer: May – September

Upper Egypt (Luxor, Aswan) reaches 40–50 °C — temple visits become torture. Cairo at 35–40 °C with high humidity. The Red Sea is fantastic in summer: Water temperature 27–29 °C, excellent visibility for diving, and prices drop by 30–50%. Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh are also an option in summer — the dry heat (38–42 °C) is bearable with air conditioning and a pool.

⭐ Ramadan Travel Time

The fasting month of Ramadan (date shifts annually by about 11 days) noticeably changes travel in Egypt: Many restaurants are closed during the day, opening hours shortened, the mood subdued. BUT: After sunset, life explodes — the Iftar meals are festive, the streets lively, the atmosphere unique. Those who embrace it experience a special Egypt.

Climate Table: Cairo / Luxor / Hurghada

Month	Cairo °C	Luxor °C	Hurghada Air	Sea °C	Rating
January	10–19	6–23	12–22	21	⭐⭐⭐⭐
February	10–21	8–25	12–23	21	⭐⭐⭐⭐
March	13–24	12–29	15–25	22	⭐⭐⭐
April	16–28	17–35	19–29	23	⭐⭐⭐
May	20–33	22–39	23–33	25	⭐⭐
June	23–35	24–41	25–35	27	⭐⭐
July	24–36	25–41	27–37	28	⭐ (only sea)
August	24–35	25–41	27–37	29	⭐ (only sea)
September	22–33	23–39	25–34	28	⭐⭐
October	19–30	19–35	22–31	27	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
November	15–25	12–29	17–27	25	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
December	11–20	7–24	13–23	22	⭐⭐⭐⭐