Nile Cruises in Egypt – Luxor & Aswan

What is a Nile cruise?

A Nile cruise is a river journey between Luxor and Aswan aboard a vessel that also serves as your hotel for the length of the sailing. You unpack once, and the ship moves between the temple sites while you are on board.

Sightseeing is organised as guided excursions ashore, usually with an Egyptologist, and the ship moors close to the sites so transfers are short. This is the reason most travellers choose a cruise rather than basing themselves in hotels and travelling overland.

The main Nile cruise routes

Almost all cruises sail the same stretch of river between Luxor and Aswan, in one of two directions. The direction changes the order of the sightseeing and where your trip starts and ends, rather than the sites themselves.

• Luxor → Aswan: begins with the Luxor monuments — typically Karnak, Luxor Temple and the West Bank — then sails upstream past Esna towards Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan.
• Aswan → Luxor: begins in Aswan with sites such as Philae Temple and the High Dam, then sails downstream via Kom Ombo and Edfu, finishing with the Luxor monuments.

3 nights or 4 nights?

The two standard cruise lengths are three and four nights, and they usually follow the direction of travel: three nights typically runs Aswan → Luxor, and four nights typically runs Luxor → Aswan.

A four-night sailing gives more time in Luxor, which has the greatest concentration of monuments, and is the more relaxed choice for a first visit. A three-night sailing is the easier add-on when Egypt is a shorter trip or the Nile is only part of a longer holiday.

The exact programme depends on the selected vessel and its sailing schedule, so we confirm the itinerary for your dates rather than publishing a fixed timetable.

Standard 5-star cruise, luxury cruise or Dahabiya?

Three quite different styles of Nile travel exist, and they suit different travellers rather than simply costing different amounts.

• Standard 5-star cruise ship: a larger vessel with a sun deck and pool, a fixed sightseeing programme and full board. The most popular and most widely available option.
• Luxury cruise: a smaller number of larger cabins and suites, higher service ratios and a more refined dining experience. Vessel-specific features are confirmed at the time of quoting.
• Dahabiya: a small traditional sailing boat, typically with a handful of cabins, travelling at a slower pace with stops that larger ships cannot make.

What is normally included

Nile cruises are normally sold on a full-board basis, meaning breakfast, lunch and dinner are served on board for each full day of the sailing. Drinks and personal extras are generally not included.

Guided sightseeing and the accompanying Egyptologist are part of the standard cruise programme, while entrance fees, optional excursions and tipping vary by programme. The exact inclusions and exclusions for each product are listed on its own page.

Getting to your Nile cruise

Most travellers join their cruise from Cairo, and there are three usual ways to reach Luxor or Aswan. The right one depends on your budget, your available time and how you like to travel.

• By domestic flight: the fastest option, keeping the travelling day short at both ends of the cruise.
• By sleeper train: the overnight train between Cairo and Luxor or Aswan, which saves a daytime transfer and is a memorable journey in itself.
• By private road transfer: used mainly from the Red Sea, for example from Hurghada, where the drive to Luxor is practical.

Combining Cairo, Abu Simbel, Luxor and Aswan

A Nile cruise is rarely a stand-alone trip. Most itineraries pair it with Cairo for the Pyramids of Giza and the museums, which is why our Cairo and Nile cruise packages exist as complete programmes with the transport already arranged.

Abu Simbel sits far south of Aswan and can often be added before or after the Aswan end of a cruise, depending on the programme and your arrival or departure times. It is only included where the product page states so.

Cabins, comfort and who a cruise suits

Cabins on standard ships are compact but well equipped, and most have a window or French balcony; upper decks are usually quieter and have better views. On a Dahabiya the cabin count is much lower, which changes the whole atmosphere on board.

Cruises work well for first-time visitors, for travellers who dislike repeated packing and for families who want short transfers between sites. Travellers who prefer very small groups and a slower rhythm usually prefer a Dahabiya.

Practical planning

Egypt's cooler months are the busiest for Nile cruising, so cabins on preferred vessels are taken early. Beyond that, a few simple points make the trip easier.

• Arrive in the embarkation city in good time — most travellers plan a night there before the sailing.
• Pack light, breathable clothing plus something warmer for evenings on deck.
• Comfortable walking shoes matter more than anything else you bring.
• Disembarkation is normally in the morning, so plan onward flights or trains for later in the day.
• All of our cruises are operated privately with your own guide unless the product page says otherwise.