Weather in Egypt in December and January: Two Winter Months, Compared City by City

Weather in Egypt in December and January looks similar on paper, but a gap of a few degrees changes your plans. This guide compares Egypt weather in December and January by city, sea temperature and crowds.

Weather in Egypt in December and January: Two Winter Months, Compared City by City

Two travelers book the same ten days: Cairo, a Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan, then the Red Sea. Dana flies on December 12. Theo flies on January 16. Neither knows the other exists.

Dana and Theo are composites, built from how a typical winter looks on the ground, not real clients. Their trips are useful because the route is identical and only the month changes.

Dana swims in Hurghada on day nine, briefly and with a towel ready. Theo reads by the pool with a fleece on. Dana pays holiday rates for a Nile boat. Theo gets a cabin with a spare week to choose from. In Luxor, both wear the same shirt at noon and the same jacket at dawn.

The gap is small, and it still shapes the trip. Here is what the weather in Egypt in December and January actually looks like, and where the difference matters.

Weather in Egypt in December and January: The Short Version

December and January are Egypt’s two coolest months. Both are dry, sunny and comfortable for sightseeing. January is a few degrees colder than December in most places, and the sea is cooler too.

• Warmer: December, by roughly 2 to 4°C on average, especially at night on the coast.
• Colder: January, particularly in the first half, with the lowest night temperatures of the year.
• Rainier: both are the wettest months for the north, though still dry by European standards.
• Busier: December’s second half and January’s first week.
• Quieter: mid to late January.

If you want the single sentence: December is slightly milder and much busier, and January is slightly cooler and calmer after the New Year rush. For the full picture of the second month, our guide to egypt in january is a good companion.

Side by Side: Egypt Weather in December and January by City

The figures below are typical daily highs and night lows in °C. They are averages, not forecasts. Individual days can run a few degrees either way, so check a live forecast before you pack.

The pattern is consistent. Every location is a little cooler in January, and the night lows fall further than the daytime highs.

Cairo and Giza

In December, Cairo reaches the low 20s°C at midday and drops to the low teens at night. In January, the highs slip to the high teens and nights approach single digits. Cold snaps can push January nights lower, and a windy day feels colder than the number.

For sightseeing, both months are comfortable. December gives you slightly longer, warmer afternoons at the Pyramids of Giza. January gives you the same open-air comfort with fewer people after the first week. For an hour-by-hour view of the later month, see weather in cairo egypt in january.

Luxor and Aswan

Upper Egypt is the warmest part of the country in winter. December afternoons often reach the mid-20s°C, while January eases to the low or mid-20s. The nights are the more important change. They are cool in December and distinctly cold in January, which matters for dawn balloon flights and early temple starts.

For city-level detail, read weather in luxor egypt in january. The Valley of The Kings, Karnak Temple and Philae Temple are all comfortable in both months, and neither month brings the heat that makes midday visits difficult in summer.

Alexandria

The coast is the cool, grey exception. Highs sit near 20°C in December and a couple of degrees lower in January, with the strongest wind and the best chance of rain of any major destination. The sea is too cold for most people in both months.

It still works as a day or overnight stop with a proper coat. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina is indoors and suits a wet afternoon. See Alexandria Tours for options.

Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh

The Red Sea coast shows the clearest December-to-January shift. December afternoons are warm enough for a sunbed. January afternoons are pleasant but cooler, with a stronger feel when the wind blows. The sea drops from about 23 or 24°C to about 22°C, and many swimmers feel that difference immediately.

Sharm El Sheikh runs a degree or two warmer than Hurghada in both months. For coast-specific numbers, see weather in hurghada in december and january and january weather in sharm el sheikh.

Boat days still run in both months. Giftun Island Hurghada and Ras Mohammed are workable, and divers go year-round with the right exposure protection. Browse Diving for trip types.

The Desert

Desert days are warm and clear in both months. Nights are the story. December nights can be near freezing in open desert, and January nights can be colder still. The White Desert is spectacular in winter, but a camping trip needs a winter sleeping setup. Options are listed under Egypt Desert Safari Tours.

What Really Changes Between December and January

Temperature

The shift is about two to four degrees, and it lands hardest on nights and on the coast. Midday in Cairo, Luxor and Aswan feels nearly identical in both months. The difference shows up at 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Daylight

Day length hardly changes, at roughly ten hours in Cairo, but timing does. In December, Cairo’s sunset is around 4:55 p.m. In January, it drifts closer to 5:15 and later by the end of the month. The shortest days of the year fall in late December, so December has the least usable light of the winter.

Plan outdoor sites for the middle of the day in both months, and keep the last hour of light for somewhere sheltered.

Rain and Wind

Rain is infrequent across Egypt. It is most likely on the Mediterranean coast and in the delta, where both months can bring several wet days. In Cairo it is a short shower on a couple of days. In Luxor and Aswan, it is close to zero.

Wind has more impact on comfort than rain. A steady northerly makes a 15°C afternoon feel cold, particularly on boats, riverbanks and open plateaus. A windproof layer matters more than a thick sweater.

Sea Temperature

The Red Sea is warmer in December and cooler in January, though neither is warm by summer standards. If swimming is a priority, December gives you a better chance of a comfortable dip, and a heated pool is a good backup in either month. The Mediterranean is cooler still.

Crowds and Prices Follow the Calendar, Not the Thermometer

Weather is similar across the two months, but demand is not.

Second half of December. Christmas and New Year drive the highest hotel rates and the tightest Nile boat availability of the year. Resorts decorate, and many visitors travel in families. Note that December 25 is not an Egyptian public holiday. Coptic Christmas falls on January 7.

First week of January. Still busy. Visitors extending New Year trips, plus travelers who celebrate Orthodox Christmas, keep hotels full.

Mid to late January. Crowds thin out, queues shorten and rates usually ease.

If your dates are fixed to the holidays, see Christmas and New Year Egypt Tour Packages, egypt christmas holidays and Cairo Christmas Holidays. For coastal holiday stays, see hurghada christmas holidays and sharm el sheikh christmas holidays. If your dates are flexible, the calmer weeks of holidays to egypt in january are worth comparing with holidays to egypt in december.

Egypt Weather in December and January, Activity by Activity

Matching the activity to the month removes most of the guesswork.

• Hot air balloon at Luxor. Both months work, but January dawns are colder. Bring gloves and a hat for a Hot Air Balloon flight. Flights depend on conditions on the day.
• Nile cruise. Both months suit river travel. December is warmer on deck, and January is quieter. Start with the Nile Cruise overview and compare Luxor To Aswan Nile Cruises. For the festive weeks, see christmas nile cruise and luxury christmas nile cruise.
• Felucca at sunset. Comfortable in December with a light layer, and cold in January without a sweater. See Felucca Ride.
• Evening shows. The Pyramids Sound and Light Show is on an open plateau and feels colder in January than the number suggests.
• Camel and horse rides. Midday is pleasant in both months. See Camel Ride.
• Swimming and snorkeling. December is gentler. In January, plan for a heated pool or a thicker wetsuit.
• Museums. The The Grand Egyptian Museum - GEM and other indoor sites suit both months and are the best rainy-day choice.

Four Slices of the Winter Season

“December” and “January” are too broad to plan around. Four slices describe the real winter better.

• Early December (1 to 14). Mild, calm and relatively quiet. Often the best value of the winter, with warm afternoons and thinner crowds.
• Late December (15 to 31). Same weather, but the busiest and most expensive period. Book early.
• Early January (1 to 14). The coldest nights of the year, with high demand for the first week, then a clear drop in crowds.
• Late January (15 to 31). Stable weather, easy booking and slightly warmer afternoons toward the end. It is the calmest part of the season.

If you want to avoid both the heaviest crowds and the coldest nights, early December and the second half of January are the two sweet spots.

Packing for Egypt Weather in December and January

One list covers both months. Adjust the warm layers up in January.

• Midday layer: t-shirt or light shirt.
• Mid layer: a fleece or a light sweater.
• Outer layer: a windproof jacket. Add a warmer coat for January evenings and desert nights.
• Bottoms: long trousers for sightseeing. Shorts are rarely practical.
• Footwear: closed, broken-in walking shoes.
• Extras: hat, gloves and a scarf for balloons, evening shows and boat decks.
• Sun: sunglasses and sunscreen. The winter sun is still strong in Upper Egypt.
• Coast: swimsuit, quick-dry towel and a light layer for the boat ride back.
• Respectful dress: shoulders and knees covered at mosques and churches.

Which Month Should You Choose?

Choose December if:

• You want the warmest sea and the gentlest evenings.
• You want Christmas atmosphere in a resort or hotel.
• Your dates are fixed to school holidays.

Choose January if:

• You want fewer people at major sites, especially after the first week.
• You prefer cooler daytime sightseeing and do not mind cold nights.
• You want better availability on Nile boats and hotels.

Choose mid-January or early December if you want the best balance of weather, crowds and price.

For a wider seasonal view, see egypt winter holidays, and for the month after, holidays in egypt in february. If you are weighing winter against spring, our post on easter break egypt compares the two. For the bigger question of the later month, read is january a good time to visit egypt.

Two formats help in either month. A river trip such as the 7 day Nile cruise or 5 star nile cruise ships gives warm days on deck, and a split trip such as nile cruise and red sea holiday pairs temples with a rest stop. For families, see egypt family holidays.

Pick Your Month

• If you chose December. Book the Nile boat and flights first, since the best cabins sell out early. Ask your hotel about Christmas-week minimum stays, and keep a light jacket for evenings by the sea.
• If you chose January. Pick the week. Week one is festive and full. Weeks two to four are calmer and easier to book. Add a heavier coat for dawn starts and desert nights.

If you are still undecided. Send us your rough dates and the places you want to see. Bastet Travel will reply on WhatsApp with a suggested month, a route and the order to book things. Prefer to build it yourself? Use Plan Tailor-Made Egypt Trip. Prices exclude international flights, and our customer service team can help you book those as well.

Frequently Asked Questions about Weather in Egypt in December and January

What is the weather in Egypt in December and January?

Both months are mild and dry. Daytime highs range from the high teens in Cairo to the mid-20s in Luxor and Aswan, and nights are cool to cold. January is a few degrees cooler than December, especially at night and on the coast.

Is December or January colder in Egypt?

January is colder. The difference is usually two to four degrees, and it is most noticeable at night, in the desert and by the sea.

Is Egypt weather in December and January warm enough to swim?

On the Red Sea, the water is around 22 to 24°C. December is more comfortable than January, but both are cool, so a heated pool is a good backup.

Does it rain in Egypt in December and January?

Rarely. Alexandria and the delta see the most rain, Cairo gets a few short showers, and Luxor and Aswan are close to dry.

Which is better for Luxor, December or January?

Both work well. December is warmer, and January is cheaper and quieter after the first week. Dress warmly for dawn balloon flights in either month.

Is Egypt weather in December and January good for the Pyramids?

Yes. Open-air visits are comfortable, but arrive early for the lightest crowds and bring a windproof layer for the plateau.

Do I need different clothes for December and January?

Mostly the same, with a warmer jacket and gloves for January evenings and desert nights. Layers cover both months.