Egypt welcomes tourists all year round, so the best time to go depends on the purpose of your trip. For a beach holiday without the heat, March–May and October–November are the most comfortable; for sightseeing, October to April; and prices are usually lowest from mid-January to mid-February and in summer. In winter it is +22…26°C during the day, which makes Egypt one of the few beach destinations nearby that you can fly to from Chisinau or Poland at this time of year. For a beach holiday in winter, Sharm El Sheikh and Marsa Alam are the best choice.
Below is a short guide: whether Egypt is worth visiting in each month, when it is cheapest, how to plan a New Year trip, the best time to go with children and which periods to avoid. Detailed air and sea temperatures are in our article Egypt weather by month, and current prices are in the search for tours to Egypt.
Seasons in Egypt
| Season | Months | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| High season | March–April, October–November | warm sea without the heat, the most tourists, higher prices |
| Winter | December–February | +22…26°C during the day, cool evenings and wind; prices peak at New Year and are lowest from mid-January to mid-February |
| Summer | June–August | heat of +35…38°C and the warmest sea; because of the heat, tours are usually cheaper than in autumn |
| Shoulder months | May, September | already or still hot, warm sea, moderate prices |
Is It Worth Going to Egypt in Each Month
| Month | Worth going? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| January | yes, for sightseeing and Sharm El Sheikh | the coolest month, windy on open beaches; prices drop after the holidays |
| February | yes, for a budget holiday | the lowest prices of the winter, but the sea is at its coolest of the year |
| March | yes | getting warmer, the sea is still fresh — a good time to combine the beach with excursions |
| April | yes, one of the best | warm without the heat — comfortable with children |
| May | yes | warm sea, the heat is still moderate; great for snorkelling |
| June | yes, for heat lovers | hot, but prices are lower than in autumn |
| July | for heat lovers | peak heat, hard with small children; El Alamein is an alternative |
| August | for heat lovers | the warmest sea of the year; school holidays push up demand |
| September | yes | the sea is very warm, the heat eases towards the end of the month |
| October | yes, one of the best | mild autumn season; demand is high, so book in advance |
| November | yes | comfortable for both the beach and excursions; prices drop at the end of the month |
| December | yes | good value early in the month, New Year prices from around the 20th |
The most comfortable months are marked in green. Temperatures by month and resort are in the article Egypt weather by month.
When Is the Cheapest Time to Go to Egypt
Tour prices depend not only on the weather but also on demand. The best-value periods are:
- mid-January to mid-February — demand drops sharply after the New Year holidays;
- late November to early December — before the New Year rush;
- July and August — because of the heat, tours are usually cheaper than in autumn.
The most expensive times are the New Year holidays, October and school holidays. Last-minute tours appear in any season, but there are almost none over the holidays, so it is best to book a New Year trip in advance. Current offers are on the last-minute tours page.
When Not to Go to Egypt
There is no bad season in Egypt, but some periods do not suit everyone:
- July and August — for small children, older people and anyone who does not cope well with heat: +36…38°C during the day.
- January and February — if you only want to swim at the open beaches of Hurghada: it is windy and cool there, so the bays of Sharm El Sheikh are a better choice.
- New Year holidays — if your budget is limited: prices are the highest of the year and the choice of hotels is small.
- March–May — if dust bothers you: khamsin winds carrying sand can blow for 1–3 days.
When to Go to Egypt Depending on Your Goal
- With children — in April–May and October–November; in winter, choose Sharm El Sheikh or Marsa Alam and hotels with heated pools. With babies, it is better to avoid July and August.
- For the beach and warm sea — from May to November, when the water warms up to +24…29°C.
- For snorkelling and diving — Marsa Alam and Sharm El Sheikh; the water is warmest from June to October.
- For sightseeing — from October to April, when Luxor and Cairo are free of exhausting heat.
- For kitesurfing and windsurfing — El Gouna, Soma Bay and Dahab, where the wind blows almost all year round.
- In summer without intense heat — El Alamein on the Mediterranean, with a season from May to October.
New Year and School Holidays in Egypt
At New Year, Egypt is one of the most popular destinations: it is warm and sunny, and the sea is +22…24°C. From the second half of December to mid-January, prices are the highest of the year, and popular hotels are booked weeks or even months ahead for the holidays, so a New Year tour is worth planning in advance. Demand also rises during school holidays, so dates before or after them are better value.
❓Frequently Asked Questions: When to Go to Egypt
When is the best time to visit Egypt?
For a beach holiday without the heat — March–May and October–November. For sightseeing — October to April; for the warmest sea — June to October.
When should you not go to Egypt?
There is no bad season, but July and August are hard for small children and anyone who dislikes heat, and in January–February the open beaches of Hurghada are windy and cool. On a tight budget, it is better to avoid the New Year holidays.
Is it worth going to Egypt in December?
Yes. It is +24…26°C during the day, the sea is +23…24°C, and tours are still inexpensive early in the month. From the second half of December, prices rise because of New Year.
Is it worth going to Egypt in January?
Yes, if you choose the right resort. It is the coolest month, so Sharm El Sheikh or Marsa Alam are better for the beach, while the weather is ideal for sightseeing. Prices drop after the holidays.
Is it worth going to Egypt in February?
Yes, especially for a budget holiday: prices are low after the holidays, and it is +24…25°C during the day. The sea is at its coolest of the year — +21…22°C, so it is better to swim in sheltered bays or heated pools.
Is it worth going to Egypt in March?
Yes. It warms up to +26…27°C, and prices are still moderate. The sea is cool — +21…23°C — and khamsin winds are possible, so March is a good time to combine the beach with excursions.
Is it worth going to Egypt in July?
If you like the heat, yes: the sea is +27…28°C, and tours are cheaper than in autumn. With small children, it is better to choose another month or El Alamein on the Mediterranean.
Is it worth going to Egypt in November?
Yes, it is one of the most comfortable months: +28…29°C during the day, with the sea at +25…26°C. At the end of November, prices fall ahead of the New Year season.
When is the cheapest time to go to Egypt?
From mid-January to mid-February, from late November to early December, and in summer. The most expensive times are New Year, October and school holidays.
When is high season in Egypt?
There are the most tourists in March–April, October–November and over the New Year holidays. In summer, demand is lower because of the heat, although it rises during school holidays.
When is the best time to go to Egypt with a child?
In April–May and October–November: it is warm without exhausting heat, and the sea is +22…28°C. In winter, families with children should choose Sharm El Sheikh or Marsa Alam and hotels with heated pools.
When is the best time to go to Egypt for sightseeing?
From October to April: Luxor, Cairo and Sinai are free of exhausting heat then. In summer, excursions start at dawn.
Can you go to Egypt during Ramadan?
Yes. At the resorts, hotels, beaches and restaurants work as usual, while in cities the opening hours of shops and sights may change. Ramadan dates shift by about 11 days every year.
