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Looking to go on a Nile River cruise? You’ve come to the right place!
There’s no better way to experience Egypt than by sailing down the iconic Nile River. It’s a chance to soak in stunning views and explore ancient temples and tombs without the stress of constant travel. But with so many Nile cruise options available, how do you choose the right one?
Having experienced these cruises myself, I’ve handpicked the 4 best Nile River cruises. From luxury experiences to convenient all-in-one packages, these cruises have something for every type of traveler. Keep reading to find the perfect Nile cruise for your Egyptian adventure!
Don’t Miss Out On Our Top Choice!
The cruise we loved the most and suggest booking ASAP is this one!
Our FAVORITE experience is this 4-day cruise from Aswan to Luxor! We sailed down the Nile seeing iconic sights the entire way. Plus it includes extras like a hot air balloon ride and an expert guide. It really was the perfect mix of adventure, relaxation, and value!
Best Nile River Cruises
1. Top-rated 4-day cruise from Aswan to Luxor
- Duration: 4 days (3 nights)
- Time: Multiple departure times in the morning
- Highlights: Sail down the Nile River on a cruise ship, visit the region’s most iconic sights such as the Abu Simbel Temples, learn about Eygpt’s history from your Egyptologist guide, go on a sunrise hot air balloon tour
- Inclusions: Hotel pick-up/drop-off, 3-night cruise accommodations, tour guide, all meals, hot air balloon ride, Abu Simbel tour, transportation
- Rating: 5 stars (check out the 2,400+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
Sailing down the Nile on this 4-day, 3-night cruise from Aswan to Luxor was hands-down my favorite experience in Egypt. It offers the perfect mix of adventure, relaxation, and unbeatable value, so it’s no surprise that it’s so popular!
Each day brought something new to explore. We stopped at iconic sites like the Temple of Kom Ombo and Edfu’s Temple of Horus. Seeing these ancient wonders up close with a knowledgeable Egyptologist guide made all the difference. We learned fascinating stories about Ancient Egypt’s history and the symbolism behind every carving and statue.
But the highlight for me had to be the included hot air balloon ride over Luxor. Floating high above the Valley of the Kings as the sun rises is a memory I’ll never forget!
Life on board this cruise was just as enjoyable. The crew was friendly, the ship was comfortable, and the meals were delicious. I loved unwinding on the sun deck every evening to watch the sunset over the Nile – it was pure bliss!
I think this Nile cruise is the best way to experience Egypt’s ancient wonders in just a few days. Prices start at only $349 USD per person, which is such a great deal considering it includes your cruise, transportation, meals, and a professional guide. If you don’t believe me, check out all of the glowing reviews for yourself!
Learn more about my favorite Nile River cruise and reserve your spot here!
2. 6-day Nile Experience, including river cruise and overnight transport from Cairo
- Duration: 6 days (5 nights)
- Time: Multiple departure times between 7 pm & 8:30 pm
- Highlights: Enjoy a 3-night Nile River cruise with an onboard swimming pool, live entertainment, and buffet meals, see many of Ancient Eygypt’s iconic sites with an Egyptologist guide, enjoy roundtrip transportation from Cairo on a first-class sleeper train
- Inclusions: Round-trip sleeper train tickets from Cairo, hotel pick-up/drop-off, 3-night cruise accommodations, tour guide, all meals, all transportation
- Rating: 4.5 stars (check out the 180+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
If you are arriving in Cairo and want to experience the best of Egypt, this Nile cruise with round-trip sleeper train transportation from Cairo is the tour for you. It’s one of the most convenient and stress-free ways to see Egypt’s top attractions. No need to worry about booking hotels, transfers, or activities – everything is planned for you!
The adventure kicks off with an overnight ride on a first-class sleeper train from Cairo to Aswan. It’s a unique experience in itself, with private cabins where you can rest comfortably and wake up ready for adventure!
Once in Aswan, you’ll board a luxury Nile cruise that feels more like a floating resort. With features like a top-deck swimming pool and nightly entertainment, there’s plenty to keep you entertained between stops.
The cruise sails from Aswan to Luxor over the course of 4 days (3 nights), with daily guided tours to Egypt’s most iconic sites, including Abu Simbel, Kom Ombo, the Valley of the Kings, and Edfu’s Temple of Horus (just to name a few!). Having an Egyptologist guide onboard made a huge difference, as I learned so much more than I ever would on my own.
After a full day of sightseeing in Luxor, you’ll board the overnight sleeper train for a journey back to Cairo to end the tour. If you prefer to fly instead you can always contact the tour company when booking to upgrade to this option (for an extra charge of course).
From start to finish, this tour is designed for convenience and adventure. If you want to see the highlights of Egypt from Cairo with zero stress, this cruise-tour combo is unbeatable!
Check availability for your travel dates and book this tour here!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
3. Aswan to Luxor Nile Cruise – 3 days, 2 nights
- Duration: 3 days (2 nights)
- Time: Multiple departure times between 6:30 am & 11:30 am
- Highlights: Enjoy a 5-star 2-night cruise down the Nile River, enjoy delicious onboard meals, and visit the region’s most iconic sights (if the option is selected)
- Inclusions: Hotel pick-up/drop-off, 2-night cruise accommodations, all meals
- Rating: 5 stars (check out the 200+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
If you’re short on time but still want to experience a Nile cruise, this 2-night, 3-day option from Aswan to Luxor is a great choice. It offers all the beauty and relaxation of cruising the Nile without taking up too much of your travel schedule.
The cruise itself is scenic and peaceful, and it’s the perfect way to experience the Nile River in style. The cabins are comfortable and you’ll be treated to amazing views of Egypt’s lush riverbanks and golden deserts.
You can choose to just relax on board with the base package experience, but if you want to do some sightseeing during the cruise we recommend upgrading to one of the options that includes guided tours when booking. That way you don’t have to deal with the added stress of organizing things yourself and you will get a knowledgeable guide to lead you through some of Egypt’s most iconic ancient wonders!
We think this is a fantastic option for those who are short on time and still want a taste of the Nile cruise experience. Prices start at only $321 USD per person for the cruise and meals, which is pretty good considering this tour has so many great reviews!
Look at the tour options and reserve your spot here!
4. 4-day cruise including Abu Simbel and Luxor Hot Air Balloon
- Duration: 4 days (3 nights)
- Time: Multiple departure times between 7 am & 11:30 am
- Highlights: Spend 3 nights onboard a luxury Nile cruise, enjoy included meals, watch the sunrise over Luxor on a hot air balloon ride, see iconic ancient sites with an Egyptologist guide
- Inclusions: Hotel pick-up/drop-off, 3-night cruise accommodations, tour guide, all meals, hot air balloon ride, Abu Simbel tour, transportation
- Rating: 4.5 stars (check out the 570+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
Want to explore Egypt’s most iconic sites without the stress of planning every little detail? Then this 4-day, 3-night Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor is exactly what you need!
It includes a scenic river cruise along with a guided tour of Abel Simbel (one of the most remarkable temples in all of Egypt) and a hot air balloon ride at sunrise – how cool is that?
The best part of this cruise is how much you get to see in just four days. Right from the start, you’re exploring Egypt’s most legendary sites. We visited the Temple of Kom Ombo, a one-of-a-kind double temple dedicated to two gods, and the Temple of Horus in Edfu, which is so well-preserved it felt like stepping into the past.
Once we arrived in Luxor, we were guided through the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut’s Temple, and the Karnak Temple Complex – all in one incredible journey!
The cruise itself was so fun and relaxing. All meals were included and there was lots of entertainment, including a themed disco night! And with an expert Egyptologist guide on board, we were able to learn all about Egypt and the amazing things we were seeing, which made the experience even more unique.
So, if you want to see all the big highlights of Egypt in one trip, this is it. Everything’s planned for you, so all you have to do is enjoy the ride (well, “cruise”)!
Read the 5-star reviews and secure your spot on this Nile cruise here!
Where to Stay Before and After a Nile River Cruise
Choosing where to stay before or after your Nile River cruise depends on your itinerary. Most of the cruises above go from Aswan to Luxor, but there is also an option of starting and ending in Cairo. No matter which option you choose, I want to make sure you have the best stay possible—so I’ve rounded up my top hotel recommendations in all three cities below!
Luxor
Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa: This hotel is a luxurious oasis along the Nile, offering breathtaking river views and easy access to top sites. Highlights include 2 infinity pools overlooking the Nile, a relaxing spa, and multiple dining options featuring Egyptian and international cuisine. You can also choose between a variety of room categories including Nile view, family rooms, and even a spa room!
The Djorff Palace: This boutique hotel is a fantastic mid-range option on Luxor’s west bank, offering a quiet and picturesque location. It features a beautifully designed outdoor pool, an on-site restaurant, Egyption-styled rooms with modern amenities, and lush gardens perfect for relaxing after a day of sightseeing.
For more options, check out all of the hotels in Luxor here!
Aswan
Pyramisa Island Hotel: This 5-star hotel is set on a private island in the Nile and offers breathtaking river views, lush gardens, and a peaceful retreat away from the city. It also features two outdoor pools, a full-service spa, and multiple dining options. Plus, with a free boat shuttle to Aswan, you get the perfect balance of seclusion and easy access to the city’s top sights!
Obelisk Nile Hotel: This hotel is a fantastic mid-range choice. Located right on the Nile and just five minutes from Aswan’s city center, this hotel offers spacious rooms with garden views, an outdoor pool, a fitness center, and an on-site restaurant serving local and international dishes. You can also fuel up for a day of sightseeing with the complimentary breakfast!
Browse all of Aswan’s hotel options here!
Cairo
Fairmont Nile City: If you’re looking for an upscale stay, this hotel is it! You can choose between city or Nile River views, enjoy the Art Deco decor, relax in the rooftop pool, or dine at one of the restaurants onsite. The rooms are exquisite, ranging from standard hotel rooms up to a Presidential Suite!
Hilton Cairo Grand Nile: This is an excellent hotel option at a moderate price point! Located along the Nile River, you can enjoy views from your room, whether you have a twin or king room. The rooms are comfortable and modern, and you can dine at one of the seven onsite restaurants or relax at the spa.
Browse more Cairo hotels here!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
Cruising down the Nile in Egypt is something I dreamed about doing for a long time! I hope these cruises have you excited to check this incredible experience off your bucket list. It’s such a great way to see so many iconic places in a relaxing and fun way.
While you’re planning the trip of a lifetime, check out all our other blogs. We have helpful tips and inspirations for places all over the world!
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