The best kind of Beautiful Nile Cruises.

the Beautiful Nile cruises across the Nile offer the best opportunity to get to know Egypt and all its rich facets. As the river stretches from the southwest to the north of the country and passes through the most important cities and sights, a Nile cruise is ideal for all tourists who want to get to the bottom of Egypt’s history and the diversity of nature.

There are a variety of different Nile Cruises. Most ships operate between Luxor and Aswan, but other options cover more of the Nile’s surface area and take you as far north as Cairo or even Alexandria, where the Nile flows into the Mediterranean Sea. Also, you can make further individual decisions about the type of ship you would like to travel on. The cruise ships differ greatly in size and range of services. We have examined Nile cruises and selected the best offers for you.

If you want to enjoy a memorable trip in Egypt, check out our Egypt Excursions with our certified Egyptologist and Egypt travel guide.

Luxury cruise ships vs. traditional boats :

Apart from which route is best suited for a Nile cruise, the type of ship is also of great importance. Depending on the type of trip you are looking for, you have the choice of cruising the Nile on a quality cruise ship, which probably offers all the services you can imagine, or on a traditional and historic boat, which offers more privacy. We would like to tell you the advantages of both options:

Cruise the Nile on a cruise ship :

  • Many ways to move around the ship
  • Wide range of additional services, such as childcare, pool, wellness offers, entertainment, restaurant, disco
  • Large cabins, optionally outside cabin with balcony or inside the cabin
  • Accommodation options for travelers with different budgets
  • Activities on land can be booked separately

Nile journey with a traditional boat :

  • Smaller travel groups
  • More privacy
  • Possibility to learn more about the history and culture of the country directly on board
  • Closer to the action due to the small size of the boat

While both options offer their advantages, one can of course already imagine the disadvantages of the variants. We think that the decision is largely based on how much privacy or entertainment you want on your Nile cruise.

Once across the country: the best routes :

As mentioned above, you have several options to choose where to start and end your cruise. The biggest offer is on the route from Luxor to Aswan, although this route is not too far. However, this is mainly because the Nasser Lake, through which the Nile runs, is not so easily passable. According to this, there is only a small choice of ships that also pass the Nassersee and can bring you up to Abu Simbel.

Best you decide, however, for a trip between Aswan and Cairo. You can travel as far as the north to Alexandria if you want to spend some time in the port city or on the Mediterranean Sea. However, you will experience most culture and history on Nile cruises between Luxor and Aswan. If you would like to make a detour to the famous temple in Abu Simbel, you will have time for this before or after your cruise, depending on where you start it. It is of course also possible to start your Nile cruise in Cairo and travel south. Most cruise ships make multiple stops for day tours. Some cruises stop overnight, or you can continue on another if you wish to spend a few days in one place. Some companies offer this.

On the route from Aswan to Cairo you will pass the most important cities and sites in the country. These include Aswan, Luxor, Edfu, and Cairo. There you will find the most famous and historically valuable sites such as temples, tombs, and of course the breathtaking pyramids. If you would like to combine your trip with a stay at the beach, you can take a Nile cruise to Luxor and from there continue towards Hurghada or Sharm-El Sheikh. Check with your travel agent for complete packages for your travel ideas. A complete travel package, which includes additional transfers ashore, saves you not only time but also nerves.

Dahabiya Boats in Egypt :

The Dahabiya is a traditional and historical sailing ship, with which you can undertake a journey on the Nile or Lake Nasser. These ships provide you with the highest level of culture, but can even be more expensive than a typical Nile cruise ship. It is certainly a very special experience to take a Nile cruise on a Dahabiya ship. You will certainly not get the same luxury that a Nile cruise ship offers. But you will travel with a small group and can immerse yourself even deeper in culture and history. You can also rent the whole Dahabiya.

Dahabiyas offer a Nile cruise or Lake Nasser cruise of a different kind. Because of their size, they can go to more places and pass the Nile further than a big Nile cruise ship. This is a great advantage if you want to see more of the land. While there are also routes between Aswan and Luxor or Cairo and Aswan, you can also visit places like Kom Ombo or Hurghada. If you are looking for a very special experience, a Nile cruise by Dahabiya may be the right choice for you.

Nile cruises are a highlight in themselves :

No matter which type and route of Nile cruise you choose, they all offer that little bit extra and make for an unforgettable holiday in Egypt. You can customize your trip with many tour operators and create your dream route. However, if you want to save a little money, you should choose a predetermined route. It is best to find out in good time to take advantage of the best offers!

Note: If you plan your trip to Egypt, don’t miss checking our Egypt vacation packages to choose your favorite travel package.