Egypt
Best Time to Visit Cairo
Cairo's climate swings from scorching summer heat (40°C+) to mild, pleasant winters (15–20°C). The best visits fall between November and February, when temperatures are comfortable and humidity is low. Summer months are brutally hot and energy-sapping, making sightseeing exhausting.
✦ Visit in November or February for the optimal mix of cool weather, lower prices than December–January peak, and manageable crowds.
✅ Best months
November to February. Winter offers 15–22°C daytime temperatures, low humidity, and manageable crowds outside peak Christmas/New Year weeks. December and January see higher hotel rates but remain the most comfortable months for sustained outdoor exploration of the pyramids and museums.
🔥 Peak season
December and January. These months coincide with Northern Hemisphere winter holidays and ideal weather, driving hotel prices up 20–40% and crowding major sites (Giza, Egyptian Museum, Khan el-Khalili bazaar) by mid-morning. Booking 2–3 months ahead is advisable.
💷 Shoulder (best value)
October and November. Temperatures drop from summer's 38°C to a manageable 25–28°C; crowds thin considerably after the summer tourist exodus. Hotels offer 10–20% discounts compared to peak winter. March and April are also viable but increasingly warm (28–32°C) and dusty with khamsin winds.
🌙 Quietest & cheapest
June to August. Temperatures exceed 40°C regularly; humidity is punishing; many locals flee the city. Hotel rates drop 30–50%, attractions empty by afternoon, and taxis are plentiful. The trade-off: heat makes walking uncomfortable, many shops and restaurants close midday, and heatstroke risk is genuine. Spring (May) is marginally better but still hot.
Cairo season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Weather: March 20–26°C, April 25–30°C, May 32–38°C; increasing khamsin dust storms and low humidity
Crowds: low to medium
Pleasant in March; rapidly warms and becomes dusty by May. Unpredictable wind storms can reduce visibility at Giza.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Weather: 38–42°C; low humidity but oppressive heat; occasional thunderstorms
Crowds: very low
Cheapest season but virtually unbearable midday. Early morning or evening sightseeing only. Air-conditioning essential.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Weather: September 28–35°C cooling to November 22–28°C; increasingly clear skies and dry
Crowds: low to medium
Sweet spot: September–October see fewer crowds and dropping prices; by November, weather is ideal but prices creep up.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Weather: December 15–22°C, January 14–20°C, February 16–24°C; clear, dry, occasional light rain
Crowds: high (Dec–Jan), medium (Feb)
Most comfortable for sightseeing. December peak; January expensive; February offers better value without much temperature loss.
🎭 Events worth timing a trip around
Cairo International Film Festival (November/December) draws cinephiles and industry figures; Egyptian Museum ticketing and access can be affected during openings tied to the new Grand Egyptian Museum exhibitions (ongoing). Neither is essential to plan around, but December crowds reflect Christmas-New Year tourism more than events.
🧳 What to pack
Carry high-SPF sunscreen (40+) and a lightweight long-sleeved layer year-round. Winter mornings are cool (14–16°C) but midday sun remains intense; summer requires head coverage and maximum protection against reflected heat from sandstone and urban surfaces.
Found your dates? Get your hotel briefing.
Room tips, the 14-day forecast for your exact stay, dining, transport and more — free for any Cairo hotel.
Researched & reviewed by the TripSage editorial team · Updated July 2026.