A Nile cruise is the simplest way to see the temples between Aswan and Luxor. Here is what a 3-night cruise includes, what costs extra, and when hotels make more sense.
For most first-time visitors, yes. A Nile cruise is the simplest way to see the temples between Aswan and Luxor: the boat is your hotel and stops at the sites along the way. Our 3-night cruise from Aswan to Luxor starts at $450 per person. It is not worth it if you only have a few days in Egypt, or if you would rather set your own pace.
Key Takeaways
- Nile cruise ships sail between Luxor and Aswan. That is where the cruise fleet operates, so you reach the boat by flight or train from Cairo.
- Our 3-night cruise starts at $450 per person. That includes full-board meals, an Egyptologist guide and entry to Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Karnak, Luxor Temple, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Valley of the Kings.
- Abu Simbel and the sunrise balloon cost extra. On our packages they are add-ons at $250 and $120 per person.
- The train is the main alternative. Sleeper trains from Giza take about 12½ to 13½ hours to reach Aswan.
- Summer is hard going. Luxor and Aswan average 106°F in August, compared with 84°F in November.
What a 3-night cruise actually covers
| Day | Where | What you see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aswan | Board the ship, then Philae Temple by boat and a Nubian village |
| 2 | Kom Ombo, sailing to Edfu | Optional early trip to Abu Simbel, then Kom Ombo Temple at sunset |
| 3 | Edfu, the Esna lock, Luxor | Edfu Temple early, then Karnak and Luxor Temple at sunset |
| 4 | Luxor West Bank | Optional sunrise balloon, then the Temple of Hatshepsut, the Valley of the Kings and the Colossi of Memnon |
That is seven of Egypt's major ancient sites in four days, with no hotel changes and no driving between Aswan and Luxor. This is the 3-night Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor.
Cruise or hotels?
The alternative is to stay in hotels in Aswan and Luxor and travel between them by road. This is how the two compare:
| Nile cruise | Hotels in Aswan and Luxor | |
|---|---|---|
| Where you sleep | One cabin for the whole stretch. You unpack once. | Two hotels, with a check-out and check-in in between |
| Getting from Aswan to Luxor | The ship sails there while you eat and rest | You arrange a car or a train |
| Kom Ombo and Edfu | Stops on the way | Stops on the drive, or a separate day trip |
| Meals | Full board on the ship | Paid separately |
| Timing at each site | Set by the sailing schedule | Your choice |
| Evenings | On board | In town, with restaurants and markets |
The cruise wins on ease. Hotels win on freedom, and on time at the big sites if you want to spend a whole morning at Karnak or in the Valley of the Kings.
What costs extra
| Item | On the 3-night cruise | Price where we publish one |
|---|---|---|
| Abu Simbel | Optional extra | $250 per person as an add-on to our 7-Day Luxury Nile Cruise package |
| Sunrise balloon over Luxor | Optional extra | $120 per person as an add-on on the same package |
| Drinks with meals | Not included | Not published |
| Wi-Fi on board | Not included | Not published |
| Tips for guides, drivers and crew | Not included | Up to you |
3 nights or 4?
Our 3-night cruise sails from Aswan to Luxor. The 4-night options give you an extra day on the river:
- The 5-Star Luxury Nile Cruise sails the other way, from Luxor to Aswan, over 4 nights, from $2,000 per person. It adds the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk in Aswan.
- The 7-Day Luxury Nile Cruise package puts a 4-night cruise from Aswan to Luxor between two nights in Cairo, with the domestic flights included.
The practical differences between the two directions and the two lengths are covered in our Nile cruise planning guide.
When a cruise is not worth it
- Your trip is five days or shorter. A cruise plus the flights to reach it uses four of those days. When we counted how long travelers actually stay in Egypt, the short trips lasted 2 to 4 days, which is about what Cairo and Giza alone need.
- You want a small, quiet boat. A cruise ship is a floating hotel. A traditional dahabiya sailing boat costs more but stops at places the large ships pass by.
- You want long, unhurried visits. If you would rather spend three hours in the Valley of the Kings than follow a boat's timetable, stay in hotels.
- You are traveling in high summer. In July and August the heat shapes every day, on the boat and off it.
Where to start
If this is your first trip and you have at least a week, a cruise is the easiest way to see the south. Compare the options on our Nile river cruises page.
Tell us how many days you have in Egypt, and we will tell you whether a cruise fits them.
