How to Choose Your Nile Cruise Itinerary

Taking a Nile cruise is one of the most unforgettable ways to explore Egypt. But with multiple routes, trip lengths, and directions to choose from, selecting the itinerary can be confusing. Should you sail from Luxor to Aswan or the other way around? Is it worth starting all the way in Cairo? In this guide, I will make a break down, compare routes, and help you decide which Nile cruise itinerary is truly right for you.

Nile Cruise Itineraries at a Glance

Route	Duration	Major Sights	Cost Level	Best for
Aswan - Luxor	4-5 days	Philae Temple, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut, Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple	★★★☆☆	First-timers
Luxor - Aswan	5 days	Same as above	★★★★☆	First-timers
Cairo - Aswan	15 days	Pyramids of Giza, Memphis, Dahshur, Beni Suef, Minya, Abydos, Dendera + Luxor to Aswan sites	★★★★★	History buffs, long-stay travelers
Abu Simbel - Aswan	5 days	Abu Simbel, Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor sites	★★★★☆	Nubia culture & archaeology enthusiasts

Aswan to Luxor - Most Popular Itinerary

Nile Cruise Route Map: Aswan to Luxor

The most famous attractions in Egypt are dotted along the stretch between Aswan and Luxor, which is why this route is the classic choice for a Nile cruise.

With a length normally of 4 days/3 nights (though some luxury ships stretch it to 5 days/4 nights), it is perfect for a first trip to Egypt when most travelers have around 10 days and want to combine Cairo, a cruise, and maybe a beach holiday by the Red Sea.

Starting from Aswan, the ship sails north down the Nile, stopping at Kom Ombo and Edfu before reaching the magnificent temples and tombs of Luxor. The sample itinerary is below:

• Day 1 Aswan:

Explore the High Dam, Philae Temple, and the Unfinished Obelisk. Then, after checking into your cabin, you can take a felucca ride to enjoy your first sunset on the Nile.

• Day 2 Kom Ombo & Edfu:

Cruise to Kom Ombo to visit the unique twin temple dedicated to Sobek and Horus. Continue to Edfu and ride a carriage to see the Temple of Horus, one of the best-preserved in Egypt.

• Day 3 West Bank of Luxor:

Arrive in Luxor and dive into ancient Thebes with the Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut, and Colossi of Memnon.

• Day 4 East Bank of Luxor:

Finish your journey at Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple. It will be the grand finale for any Nile cruise.

Luxor to Aswan - Reverse Classic Route

Nile Cruise Route Map: Luxor to Aswan

This itinerary covers the same legendary stretch of the Nile but moves upriver. It means this tour will be slightly longer, typically 5 days/4 nights, and cost a bit more than sailing from Aswan to Luxor. Starting in Luxor allows you to begin with the most spectacular ancient temples in Egypt before cruising south toward beautiful Aswan.

• Day 1 Luxor (East Bank):

Check into your cruise, then explore the Luxor and Karnak Temples on the East Bank.

• Day 2 Luxor (West Bank):

Discover the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut, and the Colossi of Memnon before sailing toward Edfu.

• Day 3 Edfu & Kom Ombo:

Visit Edfu Temple in the morning and Kom Ombo Temple in the afternoon, then continue sailing to Aswan.

• Day 4 Aswan:

Tour the High Dam, Philae Temple, and Unfinished Obelisk, with time to enjoy a felucca ride on the Nile. Aswan is often said to have some of the best views of the Nile River.

• Day 5 Aswan Departure:

Check out after breakfast. You may stay longer in Aswan to extend your journey.

Abu Simbel to Aswan - Lake Nasser Cruise

Cruise Route Map: Abu Simbel to Aswan

Abu Simbel to Aswan is an off-the-beaten-path cruise itinerary but it is ideal for those who want to explore the more Nubian monuments along Lake Nasser. It usually lasts 5 days and does not include Luxor. If you want, you can book a separate classic Nile cruise afterward.

Because it sails through a quieter stretch of the river, this route feels more peaceful and exclusive, with fewer ships and slightly higher prices.

• Day 1 Abu Simbel:

Get on the cruise ship on Lake Nasser, then take an excursion to the famous Abu Simbel Temples.

• Day 2 Kasr Ibrim:

Sail across Lake Nasser, visiting rarely seen Nubian temples like Amada Temple and Pennut Tomb.

• Day 3 Wadi El Seboua:

Explore the Wadi el Sebou Temple (the Valley of the Lions), then continue sailing toward Aswan.

• Day 4 Aswan:

End the cruise tour and explore Aswan.

Cairo to Aswan - Long Cruise

Long Nile Cruise Route Map: Cairo to Aswan

This itinerary is for travelers who want to experience the entire length of the Nile, from the pyramids of Cairo in the north all the way upriver to Aswan in the south. An obvious pro is that you won't have to switch between multiple hotels and transportation.

It usually runs 15 days/14 nights. Sometimes vary depending on the cruise line and number of stops along the way.

Because it covers more distance and spends more nights onboard, this route costs much more than other cruise itineraries. Also ship choice and departure are more limited.

• Days 1-3 Cairo:

Aboard the Nile cruise ship after arriving in Cairo. And the ship will stop here for a couple of days. Thus, you can explore the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, the Grand Egyptian Museum, Coptic Cairo, and Saqqara before sailing to the next stop.

• Days 4-7 Sailing Middle Egypt:

Sail past serene riverbanks and stop in places including Beni Sweif, Minya, Beni Hassan Tombs, and Tel El-Amarna.

• Day 8-9 Sohag to Abydos:

Visit Abydos Temple, the sacred city of Osiris.

• Day 10 Dendera to Luxor:

Explore the stunning Dendera Temple, then continue to Luxor.

• Day 11-15 Luxor to Aswan:

From Day 11 onward, the journey follows the classic Upper Egypt route: sailing from Luxor to Aswan with stops at Luxor's East and West Bank, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and ending in Aswan to visit sights like Philae Temple, the High Dam, and the Unfinished Obelisk.

How to Pick the Right Itinerary for You

Sunset Felucca Ride on the Nile

Ask yourself the following questions before booking:

How Much Time Do I Have?

If you only have 7 to 10 days in Egypt, stick with the classic 4-5 day Aswan to Luxor route. If you've got 2 weeks or more, you may consider take an indepth Egypt tour combined with cruise from Luxor to Aswan or start your cruise from Cairo to Aswan to see far more of the Nile Valley.

What Are My Must-See Sights?

Choose a route that includes them. And consider if those not included is easy to get with some extra excursions. For example, a Cairo city tour can be easily combined with a cruise from Aswan to Luxor, then you can see Egypt's highlights within 7 days.

What Level of Comfort Am I Looking for?

Cruises between Luxor and Aswan (both direction) offer the widest choice of ships, from basic to high-end luxury and boutique dahabiyas. Cairo departures and Abu Simbel routes tend to have fewer (and pricier) options.

What's My Budget?

Longer journeys and boutique options (like dahabiyas) cost more per day. The classic 3-night Nile cruise is the most budget-friendly and cost effective option.

Tailor Your Trip

With over 20 years of experience designing private, personalized Egypt tours, we can help you select the ideal itinerary, tailor your trip to your interests. Contact us today and let's create your perfect Egypt tour with Nile cruise tour experiences!