Nile Cruise in Egypt

Filovent, the dahabiya Nile cruise specialist: more than 230 cruises on boats carrying 10 to 36 passengers, with a guide at every stop.

A French agency with 30 years' experience, registered with Atout France (France's official register of travel agencies) and covered by the APST guarantee (a financial protection scheme for customers' payments), Filovent organises cabin cruises and private charters between Luxor, Esna and Aswan. Prices start at €900 for 2 people for a 3-day mini-cruise.

Why choose a dahabiya Nile cruise?

The dahabiya is the Nile's traditional sailing boat. A descendant of the 19th-century travel boats, it carries two large lateen sails and today welcomes 10 to 36 passengers in modern cabins with private bathrooms and river views. It sails without an engine: when the wind drops, a small tug takes over from a distance, keeping things quiet on board. It does not sail at night and moors along the riverbank every evening.

Its small size changes the whole trip. Where the big ships stop at the same quays at the same times, a dahabiya Nile cruise adds quiet, off-the-beaten-track stops to the great temples: the pharaonic quarries of Gebel el-Silsila, the village on Bassaw Island, Daraw market or a swim from a sandy beach on the riverbank. Visits are in small groups, and the crew knows every passenger by name.

That's why almost all of our Egypt cruises are on a dahabiya. We also offer a few departures on river cruise ships for travellers who prefer that format.

Dahabiya or river cruise ship: what's the difference?

Both boats cover the same stretch of the Nile, between Luxor and Aswan, but the experience is completely different. Here are the criteria that make the difference when choosing.

Source: Filovent - official data, cruises available in November 2026, prices for 2 people in a standard cabin.

If you're after peace and quiet, stops away from the crowds and a crew who will look after your every need, the dahabiya is the clear choice. If a pool on board matters to you and you're travelling for longer on a tight budget, a river cruise ship remains a sensible option.

Our Nile cruise options

Cabin cruise or private charter

Most often, you book one or more cabins on a crewed boat: you share the common areas with other passengers while keeping your own private cabin. You can also charter an entire dahabiya for your family, friends or group, with the same crew and the same sightseeing programme, at a pace that suits you.

Trip lengths and itineraries

Our cruises last from 3 to 15 days. The most popular formats are the 3- or 4-day mini-cruise between Aswan and Luxor, the 5-day cruise between Luxor and Aswan, and the 10-day trip combining Cairo, Luxor and a dahabiya cruise. To get a feel for the pace on board, read a Nile cruise itinerary from Aswan to Esna, told day by day by a customer, or our pick of the best Nile cruise for your travel style.

What's included

• Full board, prepared by the boat's chef;
• A guide for every visit, in a small group;
• The visits, transfers and hotel nights included in the programme;
• Bed linen and towels.

How much does a Nile cruise cost?

For 2 people in a standard cabin, a dahabiya Nile cruise costs from €900 to around €4,600, depending on the length, the season and the boat. Length is the main price factor, well ahead of the type of boat.

Source: Filovent - official data, price ranges recorded in November 2026 for dahabiya cruises, for 2 people in a standard cabin.

Prices are highest from December to February, in peak season. A suite with a private terrace costs a few hundred euros more than a standard cabin. To charter a whole dahabiya for 10 days, allow from €10,500.

• The price includes: full board, the guide, the visits, transfers and hotels included in the programme, bed linen and towels.
• The price does not include: flights (unless stated otherwise), tips, and activities and meals outside the programme.

Nile cruise highlights

From Cairo to Aswan, a Nile cruise takes in the sites that top the list when you're wondering where to go in Egypt.

• Cairo: the starting point for 10-day trips, with the Giza pyramids, the Sphinx and the treasures of Tutankhamun.
• Luxor: ancient Thebes is home to the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Karnak Temple, the largest in Egypt.
• Edfu: dedicated to the falcon god Horus, its temple is the best preserved in the country.
• Kom Ombo: a unique temple dedicated to two gods, Sobek and Horus, alongside a museum of mummified crocodiles.
• Gebel el-Silsila: the sandstone quarries that supplied the blocks for the great temples, a stop reserved for small boats.
• Aswan: its markets, Nubian villages and the Temple of Philae, dedicated to the goddess Isis.

When is the best time for a Nile cruise?

From October to April, temperatures stay pleasant for back-to-back temple visits, which are in the open air and often without shade. Peak season runs from December to February: the days are mild, but the sites are busier and prices are at their highest. March, October and November offer the best balance. Summer is best avoided: temperatures reach 35°C and not all dahabiyas have air conditioning. To fine-tune your choice, see our guide to the best time for a Nile cruise.

Source: Partir.com

Practical information for your Nile cruise

• A visa is required to enter Egypt. You can get one online or from an Egyptian consulate.
• Tipping is customary: allow around €5 per night per traveller for the crew and guide.
• The Nile is a very calm river, so seasickness is very unlikely.
• The official language is Arabic, but English is widely spoken in tourist areas, as is French.
• The currency is the Egyptian pound. Keep small notes handy for markets and tips.
• Out of respect for local customs, opt for loose clothing that covers your arms and legs when sightseeing.

How to book your Nile cruise with Filovent

Request a quote from this page. An Egypt specialist will call you back to discuss your plans (dates, length, budget, type of boat), then email you their cruise proposals. Once you've made your choice, a deposit paid from your customer account is all it takes to secure your cabin or boat. Our cruise advisers can be reached at +44 20 4576 3186, Monday to Saturday, 8.30am to 5.30pm (UK time).

Nile cruise FAQs

Which tour operator should you choose for a Nile cruise?

To compare tour operators, look at five criteria:

• The size of the boat: a dahabiya carrying 10 to 36 passengers and a ship carrying 80 to 150 make for very different trips;
• The guide: check that a guide accompanies every visit, and in which language;
• What's included: full board, site entry fees, transfers, flights or not;
• Financial protection: the operator's official registration and a financial guarantee protecting your deposits;
• Verified customer reviews: how many there are and their rating for the destination.

Filovent is the dahabiya Nile cruise specialist: more than 230 cruises on boats carrying 10 to 36 passengers and a guide at every stop. The agency is registered with Atout France and protected by the APST guarantee: it is listed on France's official register of travel agencies and covered by a financial protection scheme for your deposits.

Dahabiya or conventional cruise ship?

The dahabiya is a traditional sailing boat carrying 10 to 36 passengers: quiet sailing, off-the-beaten-track stops such as Gebel el-Silsila and personal service. A river cruise ship carries 80 to 150 passengers and offers a pool and entertainment. Choose the dahabiya for peace and authenticity, the cruise ship for on-board facilities.

How much does a Nile cruise cost?

Allow from €900 for 2 people for a 3-day dahabiya mini-cruise to around €4,600 for 2 people for a 10-day trip including Cairo. Prices are higher from December to February. Full board and the guide are included; flights and tips usually are not.

When should you go on a Nile cruise?

From October to April. Peak season, from December to February, has the mildest temperatures but also the highest prices. March, October and November offer the best balance between weather and crowds. Summer is not recommended: afternoon highs reach 35°C.

How many days do you need for a Nile cruise?

Three days are enough to see Kom Ombo, Gebel el-Silsila and Edfu between Aswan and Luxor. Five days let you travel between Luxor and Aswan without rushing. To add the Giza pyramids and Cairo, allow 10 days in total.

Can you go on a Nile cruise with children?

Yes. The river is calm, the legs are short and guided visits bring history to life for younger travellers. Chartering a private dahabiya is ideal for families who want to travel at their own pace. Read one family's account of their family Nile cruise.