Month by month
Egypt in March
Arguably the best month in Egypt. Warm, not hot, and the light is good.
What Egypt in March is actually like
If someone asks for one month, Egypt in March is usually the answer. Luxor at 29C is warm enough to feel like a proper holiday and cool enough that a full morning on the West Bank is comfortable.
Crowds are still substantial but below the January peak, and prices have come off their highest. The Nile is at its most photogenic, with low sun and green banks.
The one variable is the khamsin, a hot southerly wind that can bring sand for a day or two at a stretch, usually from late March. It is unpredictable and rarely ruins a trip, but it can flatten visibility for photographs.
What Egypt in March is good for
- ▲Everything. This is the month where no activity is compromised by weather.
- ▲Felucca sailing at Aswan is at its best — warm afternoons, cool evenings and reliable wind.
- ▲Balloon flights over the Luxor west bank, which need calm mornings and get them more often now.
One thing to plan for
Khamsin winds can arrive from late March, bringing sand for a day or two and flattening visibility. It is unpredictable and rarely ruins a trip, but it can spoil photographs.
Egypt in March at a glance
| Cairo | 24°C |
| Luxor and Aswan | 29°C |
| Red Sea water | 23°C |
| Crowds | Busy |
| Prices | High season |
Typical daytime highs. Sea temperature is Hurghada. Approximate.
Common questions
Is March a good time to visit Egypt?+
Arguably the best month in Egypt. Warm, not hot, and the light is good. Expect about 24C in Cairo and 29C in Luxor, with the Red Sea around 23C.
How hot is Luxor in March?+
Typical daytime highs are around 29C. Upper Egypt is consistently hotter than Cairo, and the Valley of the Kings has almost no shade, so morning visits are better than afternoon ones whatever the month.
Can you swim in the Red Sea in March?+
The sea is around 23C, which is swimmable but cool. It is fine for a quick swim and less pleasant for a long snorkel without a shortie wetsuit.
Is March expensive?+
High season. Prices sit between the summer floor and the winter peak.
Official sources
Entry rules, opening hours, security advice and exchange rates all move. Check them at the source, not here.
- UK FCDO travel advice for Egypt ↗It updates continuously, and most UK travel insurance follows it.