Luxor to Aswan Nile Cruises

Last updated: 5 November 2026

Key Takeaways

What Will You See on a Luxor to Aswan Nile Cruise?

Itineraries follow the river south, and most cover these sites:

• Luxor, East Bank: Karnak and Luxor Temple.
• Luxor, West Bank: the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon.
• Edfu: the Temple of Horus.
• Kom Ombo: the double temple of Sobek and Horus.
• Aswan: the High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk and Philae Temple.

Each cruise lists its own day-by-day plan. The Salima Nile Cruise from Luxor, for example, spends its first day at Karnak and Luxor Temple and its second on the West Bank.

Luxor to Aswan or Aswan to Luxor: Which Should You Choose?

Both directions call at the same temples, so choose by how long you have and where you want to go next.

Starting in Luxor

This cruise takes 4 nights. You start with the East and West Banks of Luxor, then sail south and leave the ship in Aswan. From there you can fly or take the train to Cairo. Choose it if you want to visit the Abu Simbel temples from Aswan once the cruise ends.

Starting in Aswan

This cruise takes 3 nights, and the first night is moored in Aswan. It ends in Luxor, so choose it if you are short on time or heading to the Red Sea. From Luxor you can continue by road to Hurghada, or go on to Cairo by plane or by train.

How Many Nights Does Each Route Take?

The route fixes the number of nights, and a round trip on one ship takes 7.

For the longer trip, the 7 nights Nile cruise from Luxor sails to Aswan and back.

What Is Included, and What Costs Extra?

The table shows what a typical cruise price covers.

A few cruises include Abu Simbel in the price, so check what each price covers.

Which Type of Nile Cruise Should You Choose?

The 3 types differ in size, facilities and pace:

• Standard cruise: a ship carrying roughly 60 to 150 passengers across several decks.
• Luxury cruise: a 5-star ship with larger cabins and suites, a pool and a sun deck.
• Dahabiya: a traditional sailing boat with far fewer guests.

For more space and comfort, see our 5-star luxury Nile cruises. Lake Nasser cruises follow a different route, between the High Dam and Abu Simbel.

When Is the Best Time to Cruise the Nile?

October to April is the main season, when the days are cool enough for long temple visits. December and January bring the coolest weather and the biggest crowds, while October, March and April give you comfortable days and a quieter river. Summer prices are the lowest of the year, but Luxor and Aswan are very hot.

Choose a Cruise and Send Us Your Dates

Pick the cruise that suits you, then send your dates and group size through its enquiry form. For a longer trip, we can plan a tailor-made Egypt trip with a Nile cruise, with private days in Cairo or Aswan around it.

To talk through which Luxor to Aswan Nile cruise suits you, message the Travel Joy Egypt team on WhatsApp +20 106 023 3393.