January is an excellent month to visit Egypt, especially Upper Egypt: afternoons are around 23 °C (73 °F) in Luxor and Aswan and it almost never rains, but nights are cool (7 °C, 45 °F in Luxor) and Cairo is cooler (19 °C, 66 °F). Verdict: ✅ ideal for the temples and a Nile cruise; with reservations for the beach, because the Red Sea is cool and windy.
This is high season: the sites are very busy and the first week, still part of the holidays, is the most expensive. This page covers January in detail; to compare with the rest of the year, see our page on the best time to visit Egypt.
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Egypt in January: key facts
- Verdict: ✅ ideal for the temples, a cruise and Cairo
- Luxor: 22.8 °C (73 °F) in the afternoon, 7.1 °C (45 °F) at night, 2.8 mm (0.1 in) of rain
- Cairo: 18.9 °C (66 °F), 10.1 °C (50 °F) at night; Aswan: 23.2 °C (74 °F), 10 °C (50 °F)
- Red Sea: about 22 °C (72 °F) in the afternoon in Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh, cooler water
- Event: Coptic Christmas on 7 January
- Crowds: very heavy, high prices, especially in the first week
- Time difference: Egypt (UTC+2 in January) is 2 hours ahead of London (GMT) and 7 hours ahead of New York (EST)
Weather in Egypt in January
January is the heart of the Egyptian winter: dry weather, clear light and mild afternoons, but a marked gap between day and night, especially in Upper Egypt. The table compares the five stations on our best time to visit page.
| City | Max | Min |
|---|---|---|
| Cairo | 18.9 °C (66 °F) | 10.1 °C (50 °F) |
| Luxor | 22.8 °C (73 °F) | 7.1 °C (45 °F) |
| Aswan | 23.2 °C (74 °F) | 10.0 °C (50 °F) |
| Hurghada (Red Sea) | 22.2 °C (72 °F) | 11.6 °C (53 °F) |
| Sharm El Sheikh (Sinai) | 22.2 °C (72 °F) | 13.8 °C (57 °F) |
Rain is almost non-existent: 2.8 mm (0.1 in) on average in Luxor in January. In Cairo, winter brings the few rare showers of the year (less than 7 mm (0.3 in) a month from November to March). In Luxor, departures for the Valley of the Kings or hot-air balloon flights take place at dawn, when it is around 7 °C (45 °F): bring a warm jacket.
Where to go in Egypt in January
Luxor, Aswan and the Nile cruise
This is the best period: maximums stay around 23 °C (73 °F), ideal for linking Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu and Kom Ombo. Aswan has milder nights than Luxor (10 °C, 50 °F, against 7 °C, 45 °F). On a cruise boat, evenings on deck are cool.
Cairo, Giza and Saqqara
At 19 °C (66 °F) in the afternoon, January is comfortable for the pyramids and the Egyptian Museum, even if October-November and March-April are milder. A jacket is useful in the evening.
The Red Sea: Hurghada, Marsa Alam, Sharm El Sheikh
The air stays mild (22 °C, 72 °F, in the afternoon, 12 to 14 °C, 54 to 57 °F, at night), but the water is cooler and the wind can make evenings and boat trips chilly. Diving is still possible with a thick wetsuit. For a beach-focused stay, April-May and October-November are better.
Things to do in Egypt in January
- A cruise from Luxor to Aswan, with the temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo
- A hot-air balloon flight at sunrise over the west bank of Luxor
- The pyramids of Giza and Saqqara, with bearable temperatures all day
- Abu Simbel, far to the south, as an excursion from Aswan
- The White Desert or Siwa, preferably from November to February: check the current UK FCDO advice for the Western Desert first, as some areas and roads are subject to restrictions (GOV.UK, updated 4 August 2026)
Events in January
Coptic (Orthodox) Christmas is celebrated on 7 January, mostly in Cairo. The end-of-year holidays carry over into the first days of the month, with prices at their peak. Ramadan follows the lunar calendar and moves forward by about 11 days each year; in 2027 it is expected to begin in February. Check the dates before you book.
Crowds and prices in January
January is part of the very high season: the Valley of the Kings, Karnak and Abu Simbel are very busy, and the best-rated cruise boats fill up quickly. Avoid the first week if you want gentler prices. Book flights and your cruise 3 to 5 months ahead for the most popular dates.
What to pack for Egypt in January
- Light clothes for the day and a warm jacket or fleece for the morning and evening
- A scarf, useful against wind and dust
- Comfortable closed shoes for the sites
- A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen: the sun is still strong
- A thick wetsuit if you dive in the Red Sea
Before you go
Entry formalities (visa and passport) depend on your nationality: see our page on the entry requirements for Egypt. The UK FCDO sets out areas of the Western Desert and Sinai where it advises against travel or all but essential travel; check its current advice before any excursion (GOV.UK, updated 4 August 2026). Time difference in January: Egypt (UTC+2) is 2 hours ahead of London and 7 hours ahead of New York.
If January does not suit you
Neighbouring months: Egypt in December is also mild and dry, and quiet until mid-December. Egypt in February is one of the best months for Upper Egypt (25 °C, 77 °F, in Luxor), with the Abu Simbel sun phenomenon around the 22nd. To combine temples with a warmer Red Sea, see Egypt in April.
Other destinations in January: for more winter sun, compare with the best time to visit Cape Verde or Oman. All our ideas are on the page where to go in January. To plan your route, read our Egypt travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the weather like in Egypt in January?
Mild, dry and sunny: around 23 °C (73 °F) in the afternoon in Luxor and Aswan, 19 °C (66 °F) in Cairo and 22 °C (72 °F) on the Red Sea. Nights are cool, around 7 °C (45 °F) in Luxor, according to the 1991-2020 normals.
Where is it warmest in Egypt in January?
In Aswan (23.2 °C, 74 °F, in the afternoon, 10 °C, 50 °F, at night) and Luxor (22.8 °C, 73 °F). On the Red Sea, Sharm El Sheikh has the mildest nights (13.8 °C, 57 °F).
Can you swim in Egypt in January?
Yes, on the Red Sea, but the water is cooler than in spring or autumn and the wind can chill you. A thick wetsuit is useful for diving.
Is January a good month for a Nile cruise?
Yes, it is one of the best periods (November to February): the heat is bearable for sightseeing. Bring a jacket for evenings on deck.
Is Egypt expensive in January?
Prices are high, especially in the first week, still part of the holidays. The rest of the month remains high season: book your cruise and flights early.
What should you wear in Egypt in January?
Light clothes for the day, a warm jacket for the morning and evening, closed shoes and sun protection. Covering clothes are appreciated in religious places.
Our sources
- Egyptian Meteorological Authority, via the World Meteorological Organization 1991-2020 climate normals (NOAA archive): Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh stations
- Safety information read on 26 October 2026: UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Egypt (GOV.UK, updated 4 August 2026)
- Data already published on our page the best time to visit Egypt
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.