Best Egypt Nile cruises

Choosing a Nile cruise starts with one decision: a standard Nile cruise ship or a dahabiya. The best Nile River cruises sail between Luxor and Aswan in either direction aboard larger, resort-style ships, typically for 3 to 4 nights, with a pool deck, multiple restaurants, and a full entertainment programme on board. A luxury dahabiya Nile cruise trades the resort feel for a small, traditional sailboat carrying a handful of cabins, a quieter pace, and longer itineraries that often run 4 to 8 nights, ideal for travellers who want fewer passengers and a closer view of the riverbank.

Whichever type you choose, the inclusions are consistent across our Nile cruise programmes: full-board cabin accommodation, an English-speaking Egyptologist guide for every shore excursion, entrance fees to the temples and sites on the itinerary, and private air-conditioned transfers to and from the ship. Tipping, personal expenses, your Egypt entry visa, and any optional add-on tours are not included, and every cruise listing sets this out clearly before you book so there's nothing to work out once you're on board.

Duration is the other main variable. A 3-night or 4-night Nile cruise fits neatly into a wider Egypt itinerary alongside Cairo or the Red Sea, while a 6-night or longer dahabiya sails at a gentler pace and covers the same stretch of river in more detail, with more time at each stop. Both routes take in the temples and monuments between Luxor and Aswan, so the choice comes down to pace and cabin style rather than what you will see.

If you're booking a Nile River cruise, start by deciding between a Luxor and Aswan Nile cruise on a full-size ship or a dahabiya Nile cruise on a smaller sailboat, then match the nights on board to how much time you have. Either way, the same standard of guiding, comfort, and included excursions carries through the whole trip.