October is a good month for Egypt: average daytime highs are 29.7°C / 85°F in Cairo and 35.3°C / 96°F in Luxor, down from 39.3°C / 103°F in Luxor in September. It is also the first month of the October–April window that Egypt Top Tours’ own package pages list as the best season. Expect warm days, mild nights and full sightseeing schedules.
Key Takeaways
- Luxor’s average high falls from 39.3°C / 103°F in September to 35.3°C / 96°F in October (4.0°C lower), and to 29.0°C / 84°F in November.
- Cairo averages 29.7°C / 85°F by day and 19.0°C / 66°F at night; Hurghada 31.3°C / 88°F and 21.5°C / 71°F.
- Two dates to know: October 6 (Armed Forces Day, a national holiday) and October 22, when the sun’s rays reach the inner sanctuary at Abu Simbel.
- October is still 6.1°C cooler than July in Luxor (41.4°C / 107°F), so early starts remain wise at desert sites.
October weather in Egypt by city
| City | Average high | Average low |
|---|---|---|
| Cairo | 29.7°C / 85°F | 19.0°C / 66°F |
| Alexandria | 27.4°C / 81°F | 18.6°C / 65°F |
| Luxor | 35.3°C / 96°F | 18.4°C / 65°F |
| Aswan | 35.7°C / 96°F | 20.8°C / 69°F |
| Hurghada | 31.3°C / 88°F | 21.5°C / 71°F |
| Sharm El Sheikh | 31.9°C / 89°F | 23.5°C / 74°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 October compares with September and November
| Luxor | September | October | November |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average high | 39.3°C / 103°F | 35.3°C / 96°F | 29.0°C / 84°F |
| Average low | 22.2°C / 72°F | 18.4°C / 65°F | 12.3°C / 54°F |
| Cairo | September | October | November |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average high | 33.1°C / 92°F | 29.7°C / 85°F | 24.7°C / 76°F |
| Average low | 21.7°C / 71°F | 19.0°C / 66°F | 14.6°C / 58°F |
The drop is fastest between October and November: Luxor loses 6.3°C of average daytime heat, compared with 4.0°C between September and October. If you are heat-sensitive, late October is noticeably more comfortable than early October. See also the guide to Egypt in November.
Crowds and prices in October
October opens the season that Egypt Top Tours’ USA packages recommend (October to April, cool and dry). Our best-time guide treats the busiest months as December and January, so October is generally the calmer start to the season, with prices and crowds building toward winter. Book Nile cruises and popular guides early if you plan to travel around the October 22 Abu Simbel date.
Holidays and events in October
- October 6 – Armed Forces Day. A fixed-date national public holiday, so expect closed offices and busier local travel.
- October 22 – Abu Simbel sun alignment. The temples were built so that on October 22 and February 22 the rising sun’s rays penetrate the sanctuary and illuminate the statues inside; the alignment was preserved when the temples were relocated in the 1960s. Read more about Abu Simbel.
Islamic holidays follow the lunar calendar and shift each year, so check the current year’s dates before you book.
What to pack for Egypt in October
Pack light, breathable clothes for daytime, a light layer for evenings, sun protection and comfortable walking shoes. Dress modestly at mosques, in rural areas and in souqs (UK FCDO advice); resort dress norms do not apply elsewhere. Our full lists: what to pack for Egypt and what to wear in Egypt.
Best things to do in Egypt in October
- Luxor’s West Bank and temples. With a Luxor average high of 35.3°C / 96°F, start the Valley of the Kings and Karnak Temple early and finish before midday.
- A Luxor–Aswan Nile cruise. Cruise ships are based in Luxor and Aswan, and October is the start of the cooler cruising season. Browse the Nile cruises.
- Cairo and Giza. Cairo’s 29.7°C / 85°F average high makes long days at the pyramids more comfortable than in summer (Cairo’s July average high is 34.8°C / 95°F).
- The Red Sea. Hurghada (31.3°C / 88°F high) and Sharm El Sheikh (31.9°C / 89°F high) stay warm, which suits a beach stop after sightseeing.
Plan your October trip
Our Egypt tours in October page lists tours, cruises and packages that suit the month, and the 7-day Cairo and Nile cruise package covers Cairo, Luxor and Aswan with domestic flights included. If you are still choosing dates, compare September.
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; public holidays – Public holidays in Egypt; dress guidance – UK FCDO travel advice. Checked September 28, 2026.