Egypt in March: ✅ a very good compromise for a full circuit. It is mild in Cairo (23.8 °C (75 °F) in the afternoon) and already hot in Upper Egypt (29.7 °C (85 °F) in Luxor), without the furnace of April-May. It hardly rains. Two caveats: the khamsin, a hot wind laden with sand, can blow from March, and the heat climbs quickly at the end of the month.
This page details the weather in Egypt in March city by city, what changes compared with February and April, and how to organise your days. For the view across all twelve months, see our page on the best time to visit Egypt.
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Egypt in March: key facts
- Verdict: ✅ Cairo – Luxor – Aswan circuit; ⚠️ Red Sea still cool and windy
- Luxor: 29.7 °C (85 °F) in the afternoon, but 12.8 °C (55 °F) at night
- Cairo: 23.8 / 13.2 °C (75 / 56 °F), a few rare showers
- Red Sea: 26 °C (79 °F) in the afternoon in Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh
- To watch: khamsin (sandstorm wind), cool nights in Upper Egypt
- Entry: formalities depend on your nationality, see our entry requirements page
Weather in Egypt in March
| Station | Region | Max | Min | Day/night gap | Rain | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria | Mediterranean coast | 21.1 °C (70 °F) | 11.8 °C (53 °F) | 9.3 °C (17 °F) | 12.8 mm (0.5 in) | ⚠️ Mild, some rain |
| Cairo (airport) | Cairo, Giza | 23.8 °C (75 °F) | 13.2 °C (56 °F) | 10.6 °C (19 °F) | 6.3 mm (0.2 in) | ✅ Mild |
| Luxor | Upper Egypt | 29.7 °C (85 °F) | 12.8 °C (55 °F) | 16.9 °C (30 °F) | 1.7 mm (0.1 in) | ✅ Hot in the afternoon |
| Aswan | Upper Egypt, Nubia | 30.3 °C (87 °F) | 15.5 °C (60 °F) | 14.8 °C (27 °F) | 0.6 mm (0.0 in) | ✅ Hot in the afternoon |
| Hurghada (airport) | Red Sea | 26.2 °C (79 °F) | 15.1 °C (59 °F) | 11.1 °C (20 °F) | 1.1 mm (0.0 in) | ⚠️ Mild, windy |
| Sharm El Sheikh (airport) | South Sinai | 26.4 °C (80 °F) | 17.3 °C (63 °F) | 9.1 °C (16 °F) | 1.6 mm (0.1 in) | ✅ Mild |
Destination de Voyage calculation from these normals: the gap between day and night is largest in Upper Egypt in March, close to 17 °C (31 °F) in Luxor (29.7 °C (85 °F) in the afternoon, 12.8 °C (55 °F) at night), against about 9 °C (16 °F) in Sharm El Sheikh. In practice, you sightsee in a T-shirt in the afternoon but need a jacket when excursions leave at dawn. Rain is anecdotal everywhere except on the Mediterranean: 12.8 mm (0.5 in) in Alexandria, against less than 2 mm (0.1 in) in Luxor.
March compared with February and April
| Station | February | March | April |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cairo (airport) | 20.5 / 11.0 °C (69 / 52 °F) | 23.8 / 13.2 °C (75 / 56 °F) | 28.1 / 15.9 °C (83 / 61 °F) |
| Luxor | 25.3 / 8.9 °C (78 / 48 °F) | 29.7 / 12.8 °C (85 / 55 °F) | 35.0 / 17.5 °C (95 / 64 °F) |
| Aswan | 25.9 / 11.7 °C (79 / 53 °F) | 30.3 / 15.5 °C (87 / 60 °F) | 35.5 / 20.1 °C (96 / 68 °F) |
| Hurghada (airport) | 23.5 / 12.4 °C (74 / 54 °F) | 26.2 / 15.1 °C (79 / 59 °F) | 29.9 / 18.7 °C (86 / 66 °F) |
The heat builds quickly in spring: in Luxor, the maximum rises by 4.4 °C (8 °F) between February and March, then 5.3 °C (10 °F) between March and April (35 °C, 95 °F). March is therefore the last « comfortable » month for the Nile valley before the strong heat. In Cairo and on the Red Sea, the air stays mild and the rise continues in April. Our pages Egypt in February and Egypt in April cover the neighbouring months.
The khamsin, the weather risk in March
The khamsin is a hot, sand-laden wind from the desert, typical of the Egyptian spring. An episode can veil the sky and push the temperature up suddenly: keep half a day of slack in your schedule and follow the instructions of the local authorities.
Where to go in Egypt in March
- Cairo, Giza and Saqqara: one of the best times of year for the pyramids, with afternoons around 24 °C (75 °F).
- Luxor and Aswan: sightseeing is possible all day early in the month; from mid-March, start early (Valley of the Kings, Karnak) and rest during the hot hours.
- Nile cruise: still pleasant, with cool evenings on deck.
- Red Sea (Hurghada, Marsa Alam, Sharm El Sheikh): mild air but wind and still-cool water; better at the end of your stay, after the temples.
Things to do in Egypt in March
- A full circuit Cairo – Luxor – Aswan, then a few days on the Red Sea to finish.
- Sunrise on the west bank of Luxor, while it is still cool.
- Abu Simbel: the UK FCDO lists Abu Simbel, with Luxor, Aswan and the Valley of the Kings, among the areas excluded from its advice against all but essential travel in the Western Desert (GOV.UK, updated 4 August 2026). Do not drive outside main cities and resorts at night, the FCDO adds.
- Diving and snorkelling in the Red Sea, with a thicker wetsuit than in summer.
- The White Desert: the FCDO also lists it among the areas excluded from that advice, but check its current guidance and go with a reputable operator.
Events and calendar in March
March has no major fixed-date festival for travellers. Ramadan follows the lunar calendar and moves forward by about 11 days each year; depending on the year, its end can fall in March. The exact date is only confirmed once the moon is sighted: check it for your year of travel. During Ramadan, the UK FCDO says it is culturally insensitive to eat, drink or smoke in public during daylight hours (GOV.UK, updated 4 August 2026). The Abu Simbel sun phenomenon takes place around 22 February and 22 October, not in March.
Practical tip: arrive when the major sites open (Valley of the Kings, Karnak), before the afternoon heat. Our guide to the Valley of the Kings details tickets and access.
What to pack for Egypt in March
- Light clothes for the afternoon and a warm jacket for dawn and evenings
- A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- A scarf or shesh against sand during a khamsin
- Closed shoes for the sites
- Clothes covering shoulders and knees for mosques
Entry requirements and safety
Entry formalities (visa and passport) depend on your nationality: see our page on the entry requirements for Egypt.
On safety, the UK FCDO advises against all travel to within 20 km (12 mi) of the Egypt-Libya border and to the North Sinai Governorate, and against all but essential travel to parts of the Western Desert, the northern part of South Sinai and the east of Ismailiyah Governorate (GOV.UK, updated 4 August 2026). It describes travel to the Red Sea tourist areas in the south of the Sinai Peninsula as generally low risk. Check the current advice before you go. Time difference in March: Egypt (UTC+2) is 2 hours ahead of London until UK clocks go forward on the last Sunday of March (then 1 hour ahead), and 7 hours ahead of New York until US clocks go forward on the second Sunday of March (then 6 hours ahead).
If March does not suit you
Neighbouring months: Egypt in February is cooler and ideal for Upper Egypt; Egypt in April suits the Red Sea better, as the Nile valley gets very hot. For autumn, see Egypt in November.
Other destinations in March: Cape Verde in March, dry and windy, or Thailand for beaches. All our ideas: where to go in March. To plan the circuit: our Egypt travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the weather like in Egypt in March?
Mild to hot and dry: 23.8 °C (75 °F) in the afternoon in Cairo, 29.7 °C (85 °F) in Luxor, 26.2 °C (79 °F) in Hurghada, according to the 1991-2020 normals. Nights stay cool in Upper Egypt (12.8 °C (55 °F) in Luxor).
Is March a good month for Egypt?
Yes, it is a very good compromise for a full circuit: the heat is not yet extreme in the Nile valley. Start sightseeing early in Luxor and Aswan.
Can you swim in the Red Sea in March?
Yes, but the water is still cool and the wind can chill the day: a wetsuit is useful for diving.
What is the khamsin?
A hot, sand-laden wind that blows mostly from March to May. An episode can veil the sky and push the temperature up suddenly.
Is it too hot in Luxor in March?
No, but the heat is rising: 29.7 °C (85 °F) in the afternoon on average. Start sightseeing early from mid-March.
Do you need a visa for Egypt?
It depends on your nationality: see our page on the entry requirements for Egypt.
Our sources
- 1991-2020 climate normals from the World Meteorological Organization (NOAA NCEI archive), data from the Egyptian Meteorological Authority: Cairo (airport), Alexandria (Nouzha), Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada (airport) and Sharm El Sheikh (airport) stations
- Safety information read on 26 October 2026: UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Egypt (GOV.UK, updated 4 August 2026)
- Time-difference calculation from UTC offsets, with the UK and US clock-change rules from GOV.UK, When do the clocks change, and NIST, Daylight Saving Time
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.