A Nile River cruise is the classic way to see southern Egypt, a slow, golden journey past temples that have watched the river for more than 5,000 years. The first question most travelers ask, though, is a practical one: how much does a Nile River Cruise actually cost? The honest answer is that a Nile cruise can cost $400 or $4,000 per person, depending on five things: the ship, the length of the cruise, the season, the size of your group, and the extras you add.
This guide explains each of them with real prices from our own Nile River cruises, shows what is and is not included, and finishes with sample budgets so you can plan with confidence. Here are all the things you need to know about the price of a Nile River cruise:
The Quick Answer to "How Much Is a Nile River Cruise Across Upper Egypt"
Most Nile cruises sail between Luxor and Aswan and come in three standard lengths: 3 nights (Aswan to Luxor), 4 nights (Luxor to Aswan), and 7 nights (a round trip). The table below shows our current starting prices per person in a shared double cabin, for a small group of two to four travelers.
| Cruise length | Summer (May to September) | Main season (October to March) | Christmas and New Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Days / 3 Nights from Aswan, standard ship | $555 | $805 | $965 |
| 5 Days / 4 Nights from Luxor, standard ship | $630 | $960 | $1,170 |
| 4 Days / 3 Nights, luxury ship | $980 | $1,330 | $1,705 |
| 5 Days / 4 Nights, luxury ship | $1,195 | $1,660 | $2,160 |
| 4 Days / 3 Nights, high-luxury ship | $1,295 | $2,070 | $2,725 |
Larger groups of 9 to 16 travelers pay less: the 3-night cruise starts at $400 per person in summer. For a full week on the river, the 8 Days / 7 Nights Round-Trip Nile Cruise from Luxor starts from $705 per person.
Discover Nile Cruise Prices by Ship Category
Dozens of cruise ships and dahabiyas sail between Luxor and Aswan, and the ship you choose is the biggest single factor in your price. Our cruises are grouped into four classes, from Comfort to Majesty, plus private sailing boats.
Standard and Deluxe Ships (From About $390)
These are 4-star and 5-star ships with a sun deck and pool, a restaurant serving buffet meals, and evening entertainment. Most cabins have twin or double beds, a private bathroom and a large window onto the river. Examples include the M/S Nile Treasure, from $390, and the Steigenberger Regency, from $460. Browse the full range of deluxe Nile cruises.
Luxury Ships (From About $740)
Luxury ships add larger cabins, often with balconies, better food, quieter public areas, and a higher ratio of crew to guests. The Mövenpick MS Royal Lily starts from $740, and the Belle Époque-style Sonesta St. George from $1,050. See all our luxury Nile cruises.
High-Luxury Ships (From About $1,340)
At the top of the market are small, all-suite ships with private butlers and fine dining. The Oberoi Zahra starts from $1,340 per person and the Oberoi Philae from $1,880. International lines such as Viking, AmaWaterways and Uniworld sell longer packages in this class, usually including Cairo, at about $5,500 to $12,000 per person.
Dahabiyas (From About $770)
A dahabiya is a traditional two-masted sailing boat with only 4 to 12 cabins, so it feels like a private yacht. Dahabiyas moor at quiet islands and smaller temples that large ships pass by. Our dahabiya Nile cruises start from about $770 on the Nile, and booking the whole boat privately can reach about $3,000 per person.
Lake Nasser Cruises (From About $660)
South of the Aswan High Dam, a handful of ships sail Lake Nasser between Aswan and Abu Simbel in 3 or 4 nights, visiting Nubian temples that are hard to reach any other way. The SAI Dahabiya Lake Nasser Cruise starts from $660; see all Lake Nasser cruises.
Elements that Change the Price of a Nile Cruise
The Season
The Nile has a clear high and low season, and the same cabin can cost very different amounts depending on the month.
- Summer (May to September) is the cheapest time. Prices on our 4-night cruise start at $460 per person, but Luxor and Aswan often pass 40°C at midday.
- The main season (October to mid-December, and January to March) brings pleasant weather of about 20°C to 30°C, and prices about 50% to 70% higher than in summer, depending on group size.
- Christmas and New Year (December 20 to January 4) is the most expensive period, about 20% to 25% above the rest of the main season, and the best ships sell out months ahead.
Our guide to the best time for a Nile River cruise explains the weather month by month.
Group Size and Solo Travel
Because our cruises include private transfers and a private Egyptologist, the price per person falls as your group grows. On the 4-night cruise in the main season, a traveler in a group of 9 to 16 pays $785, a couple pays $960 each, and a solo traveler pays $1,640, since they have a double cabin and the guide to themselves.
Cruise Length and Cabin
A 4-night cruise from Luxor costs about 15% more than a 3-night cruise from Aswan, and a 7-night cruise gives you the most sightseeing for each dollar. Upper-deck cabins and suites with balconies cost more than lower-deck cabins, which sit closer to the waterline. If you are unsure how long to sail, read how many days you need on a Nile cruise.
What Does the Price of a Nile Cruise Include?
A Nile cruise is close to all-inclusive, which is why it is such good value. On our cruises, the price includes:
- Your cabin for 3, 4 or 7 nights on a full-board basis (breakfast, lunch and dinner on board).
- All transfers in a private air-conditioned vehicle.
- Guided sightseeing with a qualified Egyptologist.
- Entrance fees to the sites in the itinerary, such as Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, the Hatshepsut Temple, Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo Temple and Philae Temple.
- All service charges and taxes.
Extra Costs to Budget For
The fare is only part of the story. These are the extras most travelers pay on top:
| Extra cost | Typical amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tips for the crew | About $10 to $15 per person per day | Left in one envelope at reception and shared by the whole crew |
| Tip for your guide | Usually given separately at the end | See our guide to tipping in Egypt |
| Drinks | Charged per drink | Water, soft drinks, coffee and alcohol are rarely included on standard ships |
| Egypt visa | $30 for a single-entry e-Visa | Read our Egypt entry visa guide |
| Flights to Luxor or Aswan | Varies | Many travelers fly from Cairo to Luxor and back from Aswan |
| Abu Simbel trip | From $95 per person by road | Our Day Trip from Aswan to Abu Simbel by Car |
| Hot air balloon in Luxor | From $80 per person | The sunrise Luxor hot air balloon ride |
| Evening shows | From $65 per person | The Philae Temple Sound and Light Show in Aswan |
Many ships also charge for laundry, spa treatments and Wi-Fi, and the bar bill is usually settled before you check out.
Witness Some Nile Cruise Budget Examples
To show how these numbers add up, here are three realistic budgets per person, before international flights.
1. The summer saver. A couple takes the 3-night cruise from Aswan on a standard ship in June. The cruise costs $555 each, crew tips about $40, and the e-Visa $30. Total: about $625 per person.
2. The classic first trip. A couple sails the 4-night cruise from Luxor on a luxury ship in November and adds Abu Simbel and a balloon ride. The cruise costs $1,660 each, Abu Simbel and the balloon about $300, tips about $50 and the visa $30. Total: about $2,040 per person.
3. The festive splurge. A family of four takes the 4-night high-luxury cruise over New Year. The cruise costs $3,520 each, with about $150 more for tips and drinks. Total: about $3,700 per person.
For the full cost of a trip, including hotels in Cairo and domestic flights, see our guide on how much it costs to travel to Egypt.
Learn How to Save Money on a Nile River Cruise
- Sail in May, June or September. These are the cheapest months, and you avoid the worst of the July and August heat.
- Book early for the main season. The best-value cabins on popular ships sell first, especially for December and January.
- Travel in a group. Sharing a cruise with friends or family drops the price per person by up to a third.
- Choose the 3-night cruise from Aswan. You see the same main temples as on the 4-night cruise, for less.
- Combine your cruise with Cairo. Packages like our 4 Days Nile Cruise from Cairo, from $765, cost less than booking flights, cruise, and transfers separately. See all Egypt tours that include a Nile cruise.
Before you choose a ship, read our comparison of the best Nile cruise ships and our step-by-step guide on how to book a Nile River cruise.
Find Your Perfect Nile Cruise Price With Trips In Egypt
The Nile has carried travelers past its timeless temples for thousands of years, and there is a cruise for every budget, from a simple summer sailing to a suite on the Oberoi Philae. Knowing what drives the price, and what to add on top, lets you choose with confidence.
At Trips In Egypt, every cruise comes with private transfers, your own Egyptologist, and honest pricing with no surprises. A great place to start is our 5 Days Nile Cruise from Luxor, or explore all our Egypt tour packages and design your own route with our tailor-made tours. Tell us your dates and group size for an exact quote: book with us now by contacting our operation department today.
