Find the Right Egypt Christmas Tour for You
The best Egypt Christmas tour depends on your time and the experience you want. Choose the 4-day Nile cruise for a short festive escape, the 8-day Cairo and Nile itinerary for a first visit, or the 10-day Cairo, Nile and Red Sea package for a complete Christmas holiday. Respect Tours has arranged Egypt holidays since 1978.
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Compare Our Top Egypt Christmas Tour Packages
| Best For | Recommended Tour | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Short festive escape | Aswan to Luxor Christmas Cruise | 4 days |
| Christmas and New Year | Luxor to Aswan Nile Cruise | 5 days |
| First-time visitors | Cairo, Luxor and Nile Tour | 8 days |
| Complete Egypt holiday | Cairo, Nile and Red Sea | 10 days |
These are the starting prices listed on each programme page. The final price depends on dates, number of travellers, hotel or ship category, room or cabin type and availability.
Best Egypt Christmas Tours
4-Day Aswan to Luxor Christmas Cruise
Choose this cruise if your time is limited. It covers 3 nights on a Deluxe 5-star Nile cruise, full-board meals and a festive atmosphere on board. You visit:
- Philae Temple and the Aswan High Dam
- Kom Ombo and Edfu temples
- Karnak and Luxor temples
- Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple
An English-speaking Egyptologist guides the sightseeing, and transfers are included.
5-Day Christmas and New Year Nile Cruise
Choose this cruise to welcome 2027 on the river. It sails from Luxor to Aswan on a 5-star Nile cruise, with the first departure on 29 December. The programme includes a New Year’s Eve gala dinner with music and entertainment on board.
Gala dinners and entertainment depend on the ship and the final programme, so we confirm the details with you before you pay.
8-Day Cairo, Luxor and Nile Christmas Tour
This is the best choice for a first visit to Egypt. You combine:
- The Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx
- Cairo and the Grand Egyptian Museum
- Luxor’s temples and tombs
- A luxury Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan
- A Christmas Eve dinner on board
Domestic flights between Cairo, Luxor and Aswan are part of the programme.
10-Day Cairo, Nile Cruise and Red Sea Holiday
This is our most complete Christmas programme. It runs from 22 to 31 December and includes:
- Cairo and the Pyramids
- A Deluxe 5-star Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor
- 3 nights in Hurghada beside the Red Sea
- A Christmas gala dinner
Which Egypt Christmas Tour Should You Choose?
| If You Want | Choose |
|---|---|
| A short Christmas break | The 4-day Aswan to Luxor cruise |
| Your first trip to Egypt | The 8-day Cairo, Luxor and Nile package |
| Christmas and New Year together | The 5-day festive Nile cruise |
| History and beach time | The 10-day Cairo, Nile and Red Sea package |
For Families With Children
Choose the 10-day package. It adds Red Sea resort days with free time, so children are not sightseeing every day. We can also adjust the pace of any programme.
For Couples and Honeymooners
Ask us for a luxury or private Nile cruise, with a private dinner or celebration arranged on request. See our Egypt honeymoon tours for more ideas.
What Is Christmas in Egypt Like?
Egypt celebrates Christmas twice, so you can plan around either date. Coptic Orthodox Christians celebrate on 7 January, with the Christmas Eve liturgy on the evening of 6 January. Other communities celebrate on 25 December. Read our guide to Christmas traditions in Egypt for food, customs and church traditions.
Christmas Day on December 25
Hotels, Nile cruises and tourist areas mark 25 December with decorations, festive menus and special dinners. Egypt is a Muslim-majority country, so Christmas Day is not a general public holiday, and sights and shops stay open.
Coptic Christmas on January 7
Coptic Christmas follows the Nativity Fast. Churches hold a midnight liturgy on 6 January, and families gather for a meal on 7 January. Visitors can arrange a church visit with a guide. Dress modestly and ask before you take photographs.
Christmas Celebrations at Hotels and Nile Cruises
Expect decorations, a festive dinner and music on board or at your hotel. The content differs by hotel and ship, and some venues charge a compulsory supplement for the Christmas or New Year gala dinner. Ask us what your chosen property offers before you book.
New Year’s Eve in Egypt
New Year’s Eve is the biggest night for most cruises and resorts. The 5-day cruise is the programme built around it, with a gala dinner on 31 December.
Best Places to Spend Christmas in Egypt
Cairo: Pyramids, Museums and Historic Churches
Cairo gives you the Giza Pyramids, the Grand Egyptian Museum and the churches of Old Cairo. Book your sightseeing early in the day to avoid the crowds.
Luxor: Temples, Tombs and Winter Sunshine
Luxor’s winter days are mild enough for a full day among Karnak, the West Bank tombs and the Valley of the Kings.
Aswan: Nile Scenery and a Relaxed Atmosphere
Aswan is quieter. Philae Temple and a felucca ride at sunset suit a slow Christmas holiday.
Nile Cruise: The Complete Festive Experience
A cruise lets you unpack once and wake up beside a new temple each morning. See our Nile cruise in December guide and Nile cruise in January guide for details.
Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh: Christmas by the Red Sea
The Red Sea is warmer than the Nile valley and suits beach days, snorkelling and diving. The 10-day package includes Hurghada. You can ask us about Sharm El Sheikh for a custom itinerary.
What Is Included in an Egypt Christmas Tour?
Inclusions vary by programme, so read the “included” and “excluded” lists on each page.
Hotels and Nile Cruise Accommodation
Our festive programmes use 4-star and 5-star hotels and Deluxe or luxury Nile cruises, depending on the package.
Guided Sightseeing and Entrance Fees
Each programme lists the sites included in the entrance fees. An Egyptologist guide leads the visits. Optional sites and tickets are extra.
Private Transfers and Domestic Travel
Private air-conditioned transfers are part of the packages. The 8-day and 10-day programmes include domestic flights. The cruise-only programmes do not.
Meals and Festive Events
Cruises are full board. Hotels may include breakfast only. The Christmas or New Year gala dinner may require a compulsory supplement depending on the hotel or ship, so we confirm it in your quotation.
International flights, the Egyptian visa, drinks, tips and personal expenses are excluded unless a programme says otherwise.
How Much Does an Egypt Christmas Tour Cost?
Egypt Christmas tours currently list from $920 to $2,499, depending on length and style. Use the packages above as examples and ask us for an exact quotation for your dates.
The price changes with:
- Tour duration
- Hotel and cruise category
- Room or cabin type
- Number of travellers
- Christmas or New Year supplements
- Domestic flights
- Private or shared sightseeing
- Booking date
Contact Respect Tours with your dates and number of travellers to receive an accurate festive-season quotation.
Christmas Nile Cruise or Red Sea Holiday?
| Choose a Nile Cruise if You Want | Choose the Red Sea if You Want |
|---|---|
| Temples and ancient history | Beaches and resort time |
| Guided sightseeing | Snorkelling and water activities |
| A moving multi-destination journey | A slower stay in one destination |
| Christmas on board | Christmas at a beach resort |
The 10-day package gives you both.
When Should You Book an Egypt Christmas Tour?
Book as early as you can, because festive dates sell out first. Before you pay:
- Confirm the festive supplements.
- Check the exact Christmas or New Year event the ship or hotel offers.
- Confirm domestic flight baggage allowances.
- Wait for the land programme to be confirmed before you buy international flights.
What Is the Weather Like in Egypt at Christmas?
Christmas weather in Egypt is mild for sightseeing. Daytime in Cairo and Upper Egypt is roughly 15°C to 25°C, mornings and evenings are cooler, and the Red Sea is warmer. Bring light layers and a jacket. Our Nile cruise in December guide covers weather and clothing for river trips.
What to Pack for Christmas in Egypt
- Lightweight daytime clothes
- A jacket or warm evening layer
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Modest clothing for churches and mosques
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- Swimwear for the Red Sea or heated pools
- Medication and travel documents
- A smart-casual outfit for festive dinners
Can Your Christmas Tour Be Customised?
Yes. We can adapt any package to your dates and style:
- Add or remove Cairo nights
- Upgrade the hotel or Nile cruise
- Add Abu Simbel
- Extend your holiday to the Red Sea
- Arrange a private guide and driver
- Plan a family, honeymoon or solo-woman itinerary
Additions are priced separately. Female Egyptologist guides and female drivers are available on request, and our solo woman tours page shows how this works.
Why Book Your Christmas Tour With Respect Tours?
- Local Egypt travel company since 1978
- A Category A tourism licence
- Professional Egyptologist guides
- Private and flexible itineraries
- Airport, hotel, cruise and transfer coordination
- Local assistance throughout the holiday
- More than 140,000 travellers served
- Egypt Through Local Eyes
Book Your Egypt Christmas Tour
Celebrate Christmas among the Pyramids, sail through Upper Egypt or relax beside the Red Sea. Tell Respect Tours your dates, trip length and preferred travel style, and our local team will create the right festive itinerary for you.
View Christmas Packages Check Christmas Availability Request a Festive Quote Create a Private Christmas Tour
FAQs About Egypt Christmas Tours
Is Christmas a good time to visit Egypt?
Yes. December brings mild sightseeing weather, fewer crowds than summer and festive events on cruises and in hotels. Book early, because hotels and cabins fill up quickly for the Christmas and New Year weeks, and ask us for current availability.
Does Egypt celebrate Christmas on December 25?
Some communities do, and hotels and cruises mark the day with decorations and special dinners. Coptic Orthodox Christians, the largest Christian community in Egypt, celebrate on 7 January. You can plan a trip around either date, or around both.
What happens on Coptic Christmas in Egypt?
Coptic Christians fast before Christmas, attend a midnight liturgy on the evening of 6 January and share a family meal on 7 January. Visitors can join a church visit arranged with a guide, and they should dress modestly and ask before photographing.
Are Nile cruises available during Christmas?
Yes. Our festive cruises run on the Nile from Aswan to Luxor and from Luxor to Aswan. Availability is limited over Christmas and New Year, so ask for your dates early to secure a cabin.
Do Nile cruises have Christmas and New Year celebrations?
Many do. Expect decorations, a festive dinner and music on board, although the programme differs by ship and by night. We confirm the exact event, and any supplement, in your written quotation before you pay for the cruise.
How much does an Egypt Christmas tour cost?
Our listed packages start from $920 for the 4-day cruise and reach $2,499 for the 8-day tour. The final price depends on dates, number of travellers, hotel or ship category and festive supplements, so please request a quotation for your trip.
Are Christmas gala dinners included?
It depends on the programme. The 5-day cruise includes a New Year’s Eve gala dinner, and the 8-day and 10-day tours list festive dinners. Some hotels and ships charge a compulsory supplement, so we confirm it first.
What is the weather like in Egypt at Christmas?
Days are mild at roughly 15°C to 25°C in Cairo and Upper Egypt, and evenings are cooler. The Red Sea is warmer, which suits beach days and snorkelling. Pack light layers for the day and a jacket for evenings.
What should I wear in Egypt during Christmas?
Wear light clothes by day and a jacket in the evening, with comfortable walking shoes. Cover shoulders and knees at churches and mosques. Add swimwear for the Red Sea and a smart-casual outfit for festive dinners.
Is Egypt suitable for a family Christmas holiday?
Yes. We recommend the 10-day package, which includes Red Sea resort days and free time, so children are not sightseeing every day. Tell us the children’s ages and your preferences, and we adjust the pace and activities.
Can I combine Cairo, a Nile cruise and the Red Sea?
Yes. The 10-day Christmas holiday combines Cairo, a Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor and 3 nights in Hurghada by the Red Sea. We can also build a longer private version around your dates and travel style.
How early should I book my Christmas trip?
Book as early as possible, because festive dates sell out first. Confirm supplements before payment, and wait until the land programme is confirmed before you buy international flights, so your dates and arrival cities match.
