October is a transition month in Egypt: the average maximum is still 35.5 °C (96 °F) in Luxor, 30 °C (86 °F) in Cairo and 32 °C (90 °F) on the Red Sea, but the heat drops quickly as the weeks go by. Verdict: ⚠️ with reservations for Upper Egypt early in the month, ✅ for the Red Sea and Cairo. It is an excellent month for combining temples and beach, especially in the second half.
The sea is still very warm and the Abu Simbel sun phenomenon takes place around 22 October. This page covers October 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 October: key facts
- Verdict: ⚠️ hot early in the month in Upper Egypt, ✅ pleasant at the end of the month
- Luxor: 35.5 °C (96 °F) in the afternoon, 19.6 °C (67 °F) at night, 1.1 mm (0.0 in) of rain
- Cairo: 30 °C (86 °F), 20 °C (68 °F) at night; Aswan: 36.4 °C (98 °F), 22.3 °C (72 °F)
- Red Sea: 32 °C (90 °F) in Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh, warm sea, ideal for the beach and diving
- Event: sunlight reaches the back of the Abu Simbel sanctuary around 22 October
- Crowds: moderate, then heavy around school holidays
Weather in Egypt in October
October marks the return of the tourist season. The monthly averages hide a rapid drop: early October still looks like September (39 °C (102 °F) in Luxor), while late October comes close to November (29 °C (84 °F)). The table compares the five stations on our best time to visit page. Since late October in Luxor is already close to November, compare with the weather in Egypt in November before fixing your dates.
| City | Max | Min |
|---|---|---|
| Cairo | 30.0 °C (86 °F) | 20.0 °C (68 °F) |
| Luxor | 35.5 °C (96 °F) | 19.6 °C (67 °F) |
| Aswan | 36.4 °C (98 °F) | 22.3 °C (72 °F) |
| Hurghada (Red Sea) | 32.1 °C (90 °F) | 22.2 °C (72 °F) |
| Sharm El Sheikh (Sinai) | 32.5 °C (90 °F) | 24.1 °C (75 °F) |
It almost never rains (1.1 mm (0.0 in) in Luxor). The difficulty is the midday heat in the Nile valley: visit outdoor sites before 11 a.m., drink plenty of water and keep the hot hours for the boat, the pool or air-conditioned museums.
Where to go in Egypt in October
The Red Sea: the best option of the month
October is one of the best months for the beach and diving in Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Sharm El Sheikh: the air is hot without the furnace of summer (32 °C, 90 °F) and the sea has stored up heat from June to September.
Cairo and Giza
At 30 °C (86 °F) in the afternoon, Cairo is pleasant again, especially at the end of the month. Start your visit to the pyramids early in the morning.
Luxor, Aswan and the cruise
A cruise is possible in October if you schedule visits early in the morning; the ideal season starts in November. If you have the choice, go in the second half of the month. Aswan is the hottest (36 °C, 97 °F); the excursion to Abu Simbel means a departure before dawn.
Things to do in Egypt in October
- A circuit and beach combination: Cairo, Luxor, then a few days on the Red Sea
- The Abu Simbel sun phenomenon around 22 October: the sun’s rays reach the back of the sanctuary. Very popular, so book early
- Warm-water diving on the Red Sea reefs
- The temples of the west bank of Luxor at sunrise, by hot-air balloon or on foot
What to avoid in October
- Outdoor visits in the middle of the day in Upper Egypt, especially early in the month
- The desert and the oases, still hot: aim for November to February instead
- Booking late for the school-holiday period, when demand rises sharply
Crowds and prices in October
Crowds are moderate early in the month and become heavy around school holidays; prices are average according to our calendar. For school-holiday weeks and for 22 October at Abu Simbel, book early. Outside holidays, 1 to 2 months ahead is generally enough.
What to pack for Egypt in October
- Very light, covering clothes in cotton or linen
- A wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- A water bottle: drink plenty of water throughout the day
- Swimsuits and snorkelling gear
- A light sweater for boats and hot-air balloon flights at dawn
Before you go
Entry formalities (visa and passport) depend on your nationality: see our page on the entry requirements for Egypt. The UK FCDO advises against travel to some areas, including the Egypt-Libya border area and North Sinai, and sets conditions for the Western Desert; check its current advice before any excursion (GOV.UK, updated 4 August 2026). Time difference: Egypt is on UTC+2 in winter, which makes it 2 hours ahead of London (GMT) and 7 hours ahead of New York (EST); Egypt has applied daylight saving time again since 2023 and the UK and US clocks change in late October and early November, so the gap varies during the month: check it for your dates.
If October does not suit you
Neighbouring months: November is more balanced (29 °C (84 °F) in Luxor) and opens the cruise season. September is still very hot (39 °C (102 °F) in Luxor), with few visitors. For Upper Egypt at its most pleasant, see Egypt in December or Egypt in February; for another temples-and-Red-Sea combination, Egypt in April.
Other destinations in October: compare with Morocco in October, Crete in October or Sicily in October. All our ideas are on the page where to go in October. To plan your circuit, read our Egypt travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the weather like in Egypt in October?
Hot and dry: around 35.5 °C (96 °F) in the afternoon in Luxor, 30 °C (86 °F) in Cairo and 32 °C (90 °F) on the Red Sea, according to the 1991-2020 normals. The heat drops noticeably through the month.
Is it too hot in Egypt in October?
Early in the month, Upper Egypt is still very hot: visit before 11 a.m. At the end of the month, conditions become pleasant. Cairo and the Red Sea are comfortable.
What is the sea temperature in Egypt in October?
The Red Sea is still very warm after the summer: October is one of the best months for swimming and diving, with air around 32 °C (90 °F) in Hurghada.
Is the weather good in Hurghada in October?
Yes: around 32 °C (90 °F) in the afternoon and 22 °C (72 °F) at night, and it almost never rains. It is one of the best periods for a beach stay.
When can you see the Abu Simbel sun phenomenon?
Around 22 October and 22 February, the rising sun lights up the back of the sanctuary. These dates are very popular: book the excursion and accommodation in advance.
Is it safe to travel to Egypt right now?
The main tourist regions are accessible, but some areas are subject to FCDO advice against travel or all but essential travel. Check the current UK FCDO advice and the U.S. State Department information just before you leave.
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); U.S. Department of State, Egypt country information (travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025)
- Clock-change rules: GOV.UK, When do the clocks change, and NIST, Daylight Saving Time
- Data already published on our page the best time to visit Egypt
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.
