Luxor is far hotter than the coast in summer. October to April is the easier half of the year.
The short answer
The best time for a Luxor trip from Hurghada is October to April, and above all October, November, February and March. In October and November average highs in Luxor fall from about 33 to 28 °C; February and March lie between January (about 23 °C) and April (about 33 °C). From May to September daytime highs average above 37 °C, about 41 °C in July, which is hard going in the Valley of the Kings.
In winter the sites are pleasant at midday, but the early pickup is cold. Ramadan 2027 is expected from about 8 or 9 February to 9 March, and a total solar eclipse passes over Luxor on 2 August 2027.
Pick a day, or the first and last day of your stay on the Red Sea coast. We check the booking calendar of every Luxor tour from Hurghada and show which ones still take bookings.
Tutankhamun's tomb: Optional extra
Duration: 48 h
Hurghada has a sea breeze; Luxor, 290 km inland on the Nile, does not. The heat in the Valley of the Kings and on the open terraces of the Temple of Hatshepsut decides more about the day than anything else. Climate averages based on data of the Egyptian Meteorological Authority give the hot season in Luxor from early May to September.
The figures are long-term averages of daytime highs and night-time lows in Luxor, rounded, from published climate tables. A single day can be hotter.
| Months | High / low | On the day trip |
|---|---|---|
| December to January | About 23 to 24 °C / 8 to 9 °C | Mild at the sites, cold at the 4:00 pickup and after dark |
| February to March | Rising towards 30 °C | Good conditions; Ramadan in 2027 |
| April | About 33 °C / 17 °C | Warm by midday |
| May to September | Above 37 °C, about 41 °C in July and August | Very hot from late morning; balloon flights often cancelled |
| October to November | About 33 °C falling to 28 °C | Good conditions |
Climate averages for Luxor (Egyptian Meteorological Authority data 1991 to 2020 as published by travel weather guides, and exploreluxor.org). Rounded.
The tours run all year, and in summer the operators adjust: Book Tour Egypt says pickup is earlier in summer because of the heat. The sites open at 6:00. One reviewer on the Nice Tours highlights day describes the guide giving the briefing on the tombs before the group stepped out into the intense heat. Take a hat, sunscreen and more water than you think you need; most tours hand out water on the bus. Reviewers on the Nice Tours two-day tour report that the sunrise balloon flight did not run between June and September, with a refund or another activity instead. If you book a balloon tour for summer, ask before you pay.
Midday in Luxor is comfortable in winter, but the van picks you up before dawn and brings you back after dark, when it is much cooler in the desert. Take a jacket or a warm layer for the drive. Days are shorter, so the time at the sites is fixed by daylight too; Book Tour Egypt also moves pickup earlier in winter.
Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin on 8 or 9 February and to end around 9 March, followed by Eid al-Fitr, which Egypt usually marks with a public holiday of about three days. The exact dates depend on the sighting of the moon and are announced shortly before. Many Egyptians fast from dawn to sunset during the month, and opening hours of shops and restaurants can change; ask the operator whether the programme or the lunch stop is different on your date.
On 2 August 2027 a total solar eclipse crosses Egypt, and Luxor lies close to the point of longest totality, about 60 km to the south-east. Over Luxor the sun is fully covered for about 6 minutes and 22 seconds, shortly after 13:00 local time. That is in the hottest month of the year, at midday. If you want to see it from Luxor, plan for heat of around 40 °C and use eclipse glasses for the partial phases. A two-day tour or a night of your own in Luxor saves you a 4:00 start on that day.
October, November, February and March. Average highs in Luxor are about 33 °C in October and 28 °C in November, and between about 23 and 33 °C from January to April. December and January are mild at midday but cold in the early morning.
It is very hot: average highs are above 37 °C from May to September and about 41 °C in July and August. The tours still run, with earlier pickups on some; take a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water.
Often not. Reviewers on the Nice Tours two-day balloon tour report that the flight did not run between June and September and was refunded or replaced.
It is expected from about 8 or 9 February to around 9 March 2027, depending on the sighting of the moon, followed by the Eid al-Fitr holiday.
Yes. On 2 August 2027 Luxor is in the path of totality, with about 6 minutes and 22 seconds of total eclipse shortly after 13:00 local time.
