Explore the Land of the Pharaohs with one of the most beautiful Nile Cruises in Egypt: the perfect adventure for those who want to visit the pyramids and other iconic Egyptian monuments, with excursions ranging from short trips to multi-day cruises.
Let’s find out together in this complete guide what are the best options for taking a beautiful Nile cruise, the tour prices, as well as the available departure points, and more!
Where do Nile cruises depart from?
If you are about to vacation in Egypt, know that there are several Nile cruises available to you, either one-day or multi-day. Each can offer different tours of Egypt, even beyond the banks of the river.
Nile cruises depart from different locations in Egypt. Let’s find out which ones they are together!
1 – Short Nile cruises from Cairo
A Nile cruise is one of the most traditional and fascinating ways to explore Egypt and its rich history. However, most traditional Nile cruises operate between Luxor and Aswan, further south, rather than from Cairo. This is because cruising between Cairo and Luxor can be problematic due to river conditions and locks.
If you are interested in a cruise that departs from Cairo, you might consider the following options:
Nile dinner cruise
A dinner cruise on the Nile is one of the most popular experiences for tourists to Cairo, the capital of Egypt. These cruises offer a unique view of the city at night as you cruise along the world’s longest river.
For a relaxing evening on the river, why not embark on an Nile evening cruise with dinner included. You’ll enjoy a buffet meal and live entertainment with traditional belly dance performers, plus see Cairo illuminated at night.
Felucca Tour in Cairo
Feluccas are small sailing boats that offer short trips on the Nile, ideal for those who want to experience the river without devoting too much time.
To get into the spirit of Egypt, hop on a traditional Felucca sailboat and follow in Cleopatra’s footsteps as you experience Cairo from the water. Some of the best felucca tours include a meal on board while watching the sunset over the city.
These Nile cruises from Cairo can be combined with a full-day tour to the Pyramids, the Egyptian Museum, and the Old City.
2 – Multi-day Nile cruises from Aswan
Nile cruises are one of the best ways to explore the ancient wonders of Egypt. Starting from Aswan, you can visit numerous historical sites as you sail north to Luxor or vice versa.
Nile cruises departing from Aswan usually last from 3 to 7 days. However, the duration depends on the final destination and intermediate stops.
3 – Multi-day Nile cruises from Luxor
Nile cruises from Luxor are the most popular and offer an excellent opportunity to immerse oneself in the history of ancient Egypt. These cruises usually sail between Luxor and Aswan, allowing passengers to explore some of the country’s most famous archaeological sites.
Most cruises between Luxor and Aswan last between 3 and 5 days, depending on the itinerary and stops.
What is the typical itinerary of a Nile cruise?
If you choose to visit Egypt and opt for one of the Nile cruises, you should know that there are always two main options available: from Aswan to Luxor or from Luxor to Aswan.
Both routes offer spectacular views and the opportunity to visit major archaeological and tourist sites, but the choice between one or the other often depends on the traveler’s personal preferences, planned travel schedule, or the day you want to leave.
In any case, whichever direction you choose, a trip up the Nile always promises to be unforgettable. Let’s find out together what options are available depending on the days you have available.
4-day Nile cruises
This is the shortest option of all and gives you a perfect tour of Egypt’s greatest attractions.
It is also a great basis for longer trips that include a few more days to explore Cairo. Always remember that you can depart from either Aswan or Luxor. Let’s get started!
Day 1
Fly from Cairo to Aswan and visit the Temple of Philae and the Aswan High Dam. Board the cruise ship for lunch, free time and afternoon tea. Enjoy dinner and evening entertainment before setting sail for Kom Ombo.
Day 2
Explore the Temple of Kom Ombo and then sail to Edfu for lunch. In the afternoon you will visit the Temple of Horus. Sail to Luxor in the evening.
Day 3
After breakfast cross the river to the west side of Luxor and visit the Valley of the Kings, the Hatshepsut Temple and the Colossi of Memnon.
Day 4
Enjoy an excursion to the east bank to visit the temples of Karnak and Luxor before transferring to the airport for your flight to Cairo or continue your stay in Luxor.
5-Day Nile Cruises
The 5-day Nile cruises are similar to the 4-day tours, but with an extra day in Aswan to visit the temples at Abu Simbel or to enjoy a traditional felucca ride around Kitchener Island.
6-day Nile cruises
If you want to add a few days in Cairo to your Nile cruise, you can easily do so in 6 days. The itinerary will be the same as the 4-day cruise, but with a couple of extra days in Cairo at the beginning. You will see the Pyramids of Giza, see the Sphinx and visit the Egyptian Museum, as well as take a tour of the Old City.
7-Day Nile Cruises
For an extended Nile cruise vacation, combine a few nights on the water with an extension ashore to see all the major attractions. This guided Nile tour includes all of the above plus a few nights in Cairo or Hurghada where you can spend the day relaxing on the beach and snorkeling in the Red Sea.
How do I get to the starting point of Nile cruises?
Both Luxor and Aswan can be easily reached by plane or train from Cairo, and many Nile cruise tours include flights or train tickets in the price. You can also book a private car transfer, whose rates are very reasonable.
From Cairo to Luxor
The best way to get to Luxor from Cairo by train is by overnight train, which takes 10 hours and is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Flights are cheaper and take less than 3 hours. In contrast, a trip by private car and driver will take about 8 hours.
From Cairo to Aswan
The overnight train between Cairo and Aswan is a comfortable and fun way to travel, and the journey takes about 13 hours. Dinner and breakfast are included in the ticket price. In contrast, direct flights are the fastest way to reach Aswan from Cairo, taking only 3.5 hours. There are no direct buses.
From Hurghada
Combining a stay in Hurghada with a Nile cruise is really easy. The best way to reach Luxor and Aswan from Hurghada is by minibus, cab or private car, with trips of 4.5 and 7 hours respectively. Of course, there are packages that include the cruise and transfer back to Luxor/Assuan.
From Marsa Alam
Marsa Alam is located between Luxor and Aswan, but on the Red Sea coast. You can reach both cities in about 4 hours by minibus, cab or private car. By bus, it takes a little longer. If you stay in a hotel in Marsa Alam and want to take a Nile cruise, you can find several packages that include the cruise and round-trip transfer to Luxor and Aswan from Marsa Alam.
How much do Nile cruises cost?
Short cruises on the Nile
The price for Nile dinner cruises from Cairo ranges from 30 € to 80 € per person, depending on the length of the tour and the size of the boat.
On the other hand, luxurious dinner cruises on the Nile come around 140 € per person.
If you feel like taking a ride on a traditional boat, the excursions on the Nile in Felucca cost from 25 € to 35 € or about 80 € per person for a private trip and a visit to the city.
Multi-day Nile cruises
The shortest version of the Nile cruise lasts 3 days (2 nights) and costs about €350 if you book for at least 2 passengers.
The cheapest 4-day Nile cruises start at €450, but prices change if you opt for a single or a double room, as well as if choose a private or a group tour. Of course, luxury cruises are more expensive.
For a 5-day trip, prices start at about €520 per person, rising to €850/1000 for luxury cruises (depending on the season).
Multi-day cruises departing from Cairo include a private guide that will accompany you to the main hotspots in Cairo and will allow you to enjoy the perfect Nile Cruise. The cost starts at €600 per person for 4 days and can get up to €1300 for an 8 days trip.
These packages may include visits to major attractions in the capital, a day in Hurghada, or additional activities such as hot air balloon flights. The price can vary widely depending on the extra services included.
Be sure to compare prices on TourScanner.
What does a Nile cruise include?
Most Nile cruises include transfers from the airport or hotel, as well as return flights or train tickets if you are starting your trip in Luxor or Aswan. Full board, entertainment, afternoon tea are usually included, and if you choose a luxury cruise, you will also enjoy deck pools.
Some Nile cruises include entrance fees for monuments, others do not-be sure to check the details of the tour you choose carefully so there are no surprises or extra charges!
Those tours that include tickets to monuments will give you access to the most important highlights of Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu, and Luxor.
In contrast, if admission is not included, you will have to pay on arrival while still enjoying the services of a tour guide from the cruise.
Finally, some tours offer optional excursions, including Abu Simbel Temple, sound and light shows at the temples of Karnak and Philae, hot air balloon rides, quad bike safaris near the pyramids, and camel rides. If you visit the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, there is an additional entrance fee for the Mummy Hall that is not included in the trip.
Things to see in Luxor
- Temples of Karnak and Luxor on the eastern shore
- Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
- Colossi of Memnon
- Valley of the Kings, where Tutankhamun’s tomb was discovered
Things to see in Edfu
- Temple of Horus, dedicated to the falcon-headed god
- Temple of Kom Ombo, which honors the crocodile god Sobek and Haroeris, the winged god of medicine
Things to see in Aswan
- High Dam
- Temple of Philae, discovered underwater during the construction of the dam
- Abu Simbel Temples
Are there luxury cruises on the Nile?
Absolutely! The beautiful boats used on luxury Nile cruises have excellent facilities on board, with large public spaces, vast sundecks and even a swimming pool. Cabins have panoramic windows and sometimes balconies. Buffet restaurants serve high-quality food, and there is usually a gift store.
Among the options, you can choose one of the superior luxury Nile cruises , perfect for those who like to receive super-exclusive service while on vacation. The elegant boats offer spa facilities with hot tubs, saunas, and sumptuous outdoor pools on deck. Rooms are spacious and well-appointed with a private balcony to enjoy the view. There may also be piano bars and hair salons.
Are there combined tours of Nile cruises and visits to Cairo?
For the best Egypt vacation, combine a few days of sightseeing in Cairo with a multi-day Nile cruise. Here is a 10-day itinerary you might follow.
- Day 1: Arrive in Cairo with check-in at your hotel.
- Day 2: Enjoy a private full-day tour to the Pyramids of Giza, Saqqara, and Memphis with an Egyptologist guide in English. Visit the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx, before heading to Saqqara to see Egypt’s oldest pyramid. Continue to Memphis to explore the ruins of this ancient capital, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Day 3: Spend the morning discovering the treasures of the Egyptian Museum, then in the afternoon sail down the Nile in the footsteps of Cleopatra aboard a traditional felucca. Enjoy the sunset over Cairo.
- Day 4: Visit the landmarks of Coptic Cairo and Islamic Cairo on a full-day tour. Highlights include the Suspended Church, and Abu Serga, where the Holy Family hid while fleeing Israel. Discover the Coptic Museum, the Mosque, and the Madrasa of Sultan Hassan, renowned for its sweeping views of the city. Board the overnight train to Aswan.
- Day 5: Arrive in Aswan and visit the Aswan Dam and the Temple of Philae. Transfer to your cruise ship and spend the afternoon at leisure.
- Day 6: After morning breakfast, you will explore Abu Simbel, home to some of the most historically important temples in the world. Toward evening you will sail to Kom Ombo.
- Day 7: Discover the unusual double temple at Kom Ombo, then continue your Nile cruise to visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu. Sail to Luxor in the evening.
- Day 8: Head to Luxor’s Western Shores and enjoy guided tours of the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon.
- Day 9: Explore the East Bank of Luxor and visit the Temple of Karnak, Luxor Temple and a local market before transferring to Luxor airport for your flight back to Cairo.
When is the best time to take a Nile cruise?
The best time to visit the Nile is between October and April, when temperatures are cooler and better for visiting the temples. Traveling during the peak summer months between June and August is not recommended because of the scorching heat in Luxor and Aswan.
Travel tips
- Check if you need a visa to travel to Egypt; you can often buy them online.
- Bring some cash for entrance to attractions or for souvenirs or tips.
- Pack cool clothes to combat the heat and keep yourself hydrated during excursions.
- Dress decently when visiting religious sites such as mosques.
- Drink only bottled water to avoid stomachaches.
- Some cruises hold a Galabeya festival where guests can dress up in traditional clothes: clothes can be purchased on board or at local markets at most stops.