March is where Egypt starts to warm up: average highs reach 23.4°C / 74°F in Cairo and 29.5°C / 85°F in Luxor, while nights stay mild (Luxor 11.8°C / 53°F). It is still inside the October–April window listed on Egypt Top Tours’ package pages, but daytime heat in Upper Egypt is already 4.4°C higher than in February.
Key Takeaways
- Luxor’s average high rises from 25.1°C / 77°F in February to 29.5°C / 85°F in March and 35.3°C / 96°F in April.
- Cairo averages 23.4°C / 74°F by day and 12.3°C / 54°F at night; Hurghada 25.4°C / 78°F and 14.4°C / 58°F.
- Spring is a transition month: plan temple visits for the morning in Luxor and Aswan.
- Ramadan 2027 is expected to end around March 8, and Eid al-Fitr is expected on March 9 or 10 (it depends on the moon sighting).
March weather in Egypt by city
| City | Average high | Average low |
|---|---|---|
| Cairo | 23.4°C / 74°F | 12.3°C / 54°F |
| Alexandria | 20.6°C / 69°F | 11.2°C / 52°F |
| Luxor | 29.5°C / 85°F | 11.8°C / 53°F |
| Aswan | 29.4°C / 85°F | 14.9°C / 59°F |
| Hurghada | 25.4°C / 78°F | 14.4°C / 58°F |
| Sharm El Sheikh | 25.8°C / 78°F | 16.6°C / 62°F |
Figures are monthly climate normals (long-term averages), not a forecast for a specific week. Luxor and Aswan sit in the desert of Upper Egypt, which is why their days are hotter and their nights cooler than Cairo’s or the coast’s.
How March compares with February and April
| Luxor | February | March | April |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average high | 25.1°C / 77°F | 29.5°C / 85°F | 35.3°C / 96°F |
| Average low | 7.8°C / 46°F | 11.8°C / 53°F | 16.9°C / 62°F |
| Cairo | February | March | April |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average high | 20.3°C / 69°F | 23.4°C / 74°F | 28.2°C / 83°F |
| Average low | 10.3°C / 51°F | 12.3°C / 54°F | 15.4°C / 60°F |
Luxor’s average high is 29.5°C / 85°F in March, against 25.1°C / 77°F in February and 35.3°C / 96°F in April (changes of 4.4°C and 5.8°C). Cairo moves from 20.3°C / 69°F to 23.4°C / 74°F to 28.2°C / 83°F over the same three months. Neighbouring guides: Egypt in February and Egypt in April.
Crowds and prices in March
March is inside the October–April window our USA packages recommend and outside the two busiest months our best-time guide names (December and January). Crowd levels around Eid and school holidays can still be high, so check the dates below before you book.
Holidays and events in March
- Ramadan ends around March 8, followed by Eid al-Fitr (expected March 9 or 10). Islamic dates depend on the moon sighting and can move by a day; Egypt’s Dar al-Ifta announces the official date. Government offices and banks close for the Eid holiday, whose length is set by the Prime Minister close to the date (the 2026 holiday ran five days, March 19–23). Egyptian families travel during Eid, so expect busier coasts and hotels.
- Dust-laden khamsin winds. Wikipedia says the khamsin typically arrives in April but can occur between March and May, lasting a few hours. On March 18, 2026 the governor of Aswan closed Nile and Lake Nasser navigation for a dust storm and strong wind, so allow for weather delays.
- Luxor African Film Festival. Held in late March into early April (the 2026 edition ran March 29–April 4); 2027 dates are not yet confirmed.
There is no fixed-date national public holiday in March.
What to pack for Egypt in March
Pack light layers, a hat and sunscreen for daytime, and a light jacket for evenings (Luxor’s average low is 11.8°C / 53°F). Dress modestly at mosques and in rural areas (UK FCDO advice). See what to pack for Egypt and what to wear in Egypt.
Best things to do in Egypt in March
- Cairo, Giza and Saqqara. A 23.4°C / 74°F average high keeps full days outdoors comfortable. See the Giza Pyramids and Grand Egyptian Museum.
- Luxor temples and tombs. With a 29.5°C / 85°F average high, start early at the Valley of the Kings and Karnak Temple.
- Alexandria. At 20.6°C / 69°F, Alexandria is mild for walking the waterfront.
- Red Sea. Hurghada (25.4°C / 78°F) and Sharm El Sheikh (25.8°C / 78°F) are warm by day and mild at night.
Plan your March trip
Browse the Egypt tours in March page, or compare Nile options on our Nile cruises page.
Before you book
Government travel advice for Egypt and the wider region has changed during 2026. Read the current status in our travel advisory guide and check your government’s live advisory before you pay for flights or tours.
Sources: monthly temperature averages from the WMO World Weather Information Service (data supplied by Egypt’s national meteorological service; averages, not forecasts) – worldweather.wmo.int; dress guidance – UK FCDO travel advice; Eid al-Fitr – Wikipedia: Eid al-Fitr and Egypt Independent on the 2026 Eid al-Fitr holiday; khamsin – Wikipedia: Khamsin; Luxor African Film Festival – Luxor African Film Festival; Aswan navigation closure – Youm7 (Arabic news report, March 18, 2026). Checked October 5, 2026.
Image: Holger Uwe Schmitt, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.