Weather in Egypt in January 2024: Travel Tips for First-Timers

January in Egypt is "mid-winter", and thus one of the best months to visit as temperatures are much cooler than in the summer months and those around summer.

"Winter" in Egypt isn't like winter in many North American and European cities, as much milder temperatures make it a pleasant time of year to visit.

To see whether you want to plan your trip to Egypt in January, read on for average temperatures, best places in Egypt to visit in January, as well as some tips on what to wear for the weather in Egypt in January.

Egypt Weather in January: Overview

• Average temperature range in Cairo and Alexandria (north of the country): 9°C–19°C (48°F–66°F)
• Average temperature range in Hurghada and Luxor (middle to south of the country): 11°C–23°C (52°F–73°F)
• Rainfall: 0–70 mm on average in January (0–3 inches) depending on location
• Rainy days: around 11 days in the north (Alexandria, Cairo) but 0 days in the south
• Sunny days: most days (rain is usually light and brief)

In January, most days will be either sunny, or a mix of sunny with a little bit of rain. Mostly, the weather in Egypt in January is very moderate and pleasant, making it one of the most popular times of year to visit.

Get to know more ideas about planning a trip to Egypt>>>

Egypt Regional Weather in January: Averages

Alexandria is the place with the most rain in Egypt, but most days that you'll be there in January, even if it rains, you'll see the sun too. The rest of Egypt sees very little rain, particularly the further south you go, where Egypt generally gets drier. This includes cities like Luxor, Aswan and Hurghada.

In terms of the temperature, the further south you go, the warmer your days will be. Beachside cities like Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh will be warmer than Alexandria or Cairo, but nowhere in Egypt is particularly cold in the daytime. If you're out in the evening you might want to wrap up to make sure you don't get cold.

You could get some ideas about how long to spend when planning your Egypt trip>>>

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Best Places to Visit in Egypt in January

In Egypt in January, we recommend visiting Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, and Aswan, as mild/warm temperatures mean that it is pleasant to be out exploring the sights that Egypt has to offer…

1. Cairo

the Mosque of Muhammad Ali

Cairo is Egypt's capital, and probably where you'll start your travels in Egypt as this is where the main international airport is. January is a great time to visit Cairo as the days are less hot, and you'll be able to walk around outside for longer and explore more that the city has to offer.

There is a lot to see in the city, including the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, the famous Tahrir Square, as well as Khan Al-Khalili for a little bit of souvenir shopping.

See our handpicked itineraries including Cairo for various durations: 5 days, 7 days, 8 days, 10 days, 12 days, 14 days, and 21 days...

2. Alexandria

Citadel of Qaitbay

Located in the north of Egypt, Alexandria is Egypt's second largest city.

Being along the Mediterranean Sea meant that it played an important part in both Egypt's and the region's history. January is a good time to visit the city, explore Alexandria National Museum, and walk the streets that Alexander the Great walked in 331 BC.

Get to know more ideas about planning a family trip to Egypt>>>

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3. Luxor

Temple of Luxor

As home to many tombs and temples, Luxor is an important sight to visit during your time in Egypt, and is best visited in the winter months (such as January), when the temperatures are more bearable.

It is a dry city, and walking around the ruins, temples and tombs can be exhausting in the summer heat, so we highly recommend visiting in January to see the Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings, amongst many other sights. (Tips for Taking the Hot Air Balloons in Luxor)

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4.Aswan

The View of Aswan

In the south of Egypt, Aswan is a hub along the Nile that is well-known for its Nile cruises and felucca rides (the traditional wooden sailing boats that sail the Nile). (Best Times to Take a Nile Cruise: Aswan–Luxor)

In January, temperatures are nice there and not too hot, so you'll be able to enjoy the sights and boat rides around Aswan without feeling the heat too much.

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Is January a Good Time to Enjoy the Beach in Egypt? (Sharm el-Sheikh, Hurghada)

While the other (more seaside) cities — Sharm el-Sheikh, Hurghada, etc. — aren't necessarily best visited in January, it doesn't mean that you can't visit them in January.

Temperatures are still high enough to enjoy your time by the beach, but you would probably be better to visit during another month when there are fewer tourists and prices are lower, as the higher temperatures won't matter as much on the beach (in fact they might be welcomed).

Check out the Best and Worst Times to Visit Egypt.

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Crowds and Cost

January is an expensive time of year to visit Egypt, as it is one of the most popular times to visit due to the lower temperatures in many of the main tourist cities. Apart from December, January is the busiest month due to a combination of school holidays and weather.

It being a peak time to visit also means that there will be bigger crowds at the most popular sites, including the Pyramids of Giza, for example, or in the Valley of the Kings.

For a better understanding of the cost of an Egypt tour, read How Much Does a Trip to Egypt Cost?

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What to Wear in Egypt in January

During your time in Egypt, you'll want to make sure you've got an additional layer with you, like a sweater or a fleece jacket.

If you are going to be out in the evenings, we recommend wearing a coat or a jacket, too, as temperatures can drop a little lower. This is especially the case for Cairo, Alexandria, and Luxor. You will also want to wear closed shoes during the evenings, but you can wear sandals during the daytime.

For those visiting the beach, you'll be less chilly in the evenings, but it is still a good idea to bring an additional layer to wrap up when you're out at dinner or at your evening activities.

UV levels will be high regardless of where you are in the country, so we also recommend bringing sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses for your time in Egypt.

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Monthly Weather in Egypt

Travel to Egypt with Global Highlights

Global Highlights can help you plan your trip to Egypt, and we can give you suggestions on when is the best time of the year to travel to the specific places that you want to visit! Just contact us, and let us know where you'd like to go and when you had in mind, and we can work with you to make sure that you don't get surprised by bad weather conditions and make the best of the weather.