Top Questions about Nile River Cruise in Egypt

By Hesham Elgammal on 11 Apr 2025

1. What is the best Nile cruise in Egypt?

The Nile is the longest river in the world covering 11 different countries. The best way to experience the Nile is by taking a Nile cruise. In our opinion the best Nile cruises in Egypt are

• Oberoi Nile Cruises
• Movenpick Nile Cruise
• Mayfair Nile Cruise
• Farah Nile Cruise
• Sonesta Nile Cruise
• Sanctuary Sun Boat IV
• Tulip Nile Cruise
• Steigenberger Minerva Nile Cruise

2. What is the best time for Nile Cruise in Egypt?

The best time to take the Nile cruise is between October and May.

Most of the places of interest along the Nile cruise like Luxor and Aswan are hot. Hence, it is not recommended to travel to these places in the summer season when the temperature reaches 40 degrees, but the weather is dry so you do not suffer the same feeling if you will have the same temperature in Europe.  

3. Are the Nile River cruises in Egypt safe?

Yes, river cruises in Egypt are very safe as there is full protection from the Egyptian authorities. All places of interest along the Nile cruise have high security. Metal detectors and X-ray machines are installed to ensure the safety of the tourists, and on 2020 – 2021 the Nile Cruise ships apply Covid-19 strict safety measures.

4. Is it safe to swim in the Nile River?

No, it is not safe to swim in the Nile River. The river is devoid of alligators or other dangerous reptiles only in the very southern area of Awan in very seldom cases they watched alligators. But you run the risk of exposure to bacteria and other infections if you swim in the Nile River.

5. What do you see on Nile Cruise between Luxor and Aswan?

There are various places of interest between Luxor and Aswan.

In Luxor, you can visit the Valley of Kings, Karnak temple, Luxor Temple, and the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. The places of interest in Aswan include the temple of Kom Ombo, Aswan High Dam, Philae Temple, and the Unfinished Obelisk

6. What do you see in the Nile Cruise between Aswan and Abu Simbel?

Aswan to Abu Simbel is a beautiful stretch of the Nile cruise that covers various temples. En route you will find the temple of Amada, the rock-cut Egyptian temple Derr, the Tomb of Peanut, the archeological site Kasr Ibrim and the Wadi El Seboua, or the valley of lions.

7. Can I cruise from Cairo to Aswan?

Yes, you can cruise from Cairo to Aswan in Movenpick Nile Cruise. This is a very long cruise line covering 546 miles. The places covered in this cruise are Cairo, Beni Suef, Minya, Assiut, Sohag,  Naga Hammadi, Luxor, Edfu, and Aswan, unfortunately nowadays the long cruise between Cairo and Aswan note operate due to Covid-19 the traffic of the travelers are very down and the number of the requested booking will not cover the cost of ships operation but we expect to start again after October.    

8. Is there WiFi on Nile cruises?

Yes, most of the cruise lines are well-equipped and have a Wifi connection. But it is very expensive. Hence it is best to purchase a mobile sim card with an internet plan as it will not cost more than EP 200 or nearly $15.

9. How can I reach Luxor or Aswan for boarding the Nile Cruise?

You can take a domestic flight to any of these destinations. But it will cost around $200 for return tickets. For a more affordable journey, you can try sleeping trains which would cost around less than a flight but the journey may not be comfortable.

10. Can I find vegetarian food onboard the Nile River Cruise?

Yes, there are international and local vegetarian cuisine options on the Nile river cruise. But the choices are limited. A few of the food items you can try are vegetarian pizza and pasta, Mousakka without meat, falafel, and Greek salad served with Feta cheese.

11- Is it safe for children to travel on the Nile Cruise?

Yes, it is very much safe for the children to travel on the Nile Cruise. But their safety is in the hands of the parents. Do not allow the kids to climb on the railings of the cruise line as it can be dangerous. You should also be careful while being outdoor on the deck.

For more information about River Nile

This article was updated and re-written in part by Hesham El Gammal; on April 11th, 2025 + fact-checked.