Egypt in March: Spring Warmth Before Easter Crowds

March marks the transition from Egypt’s cool winter into spring. Temperatures are warm but not yet punishing, crowds are moderate (rising sharply if Easter falls in late March), and conditions suit both archaeological touring and Red Sea holidays. The main drawback is the khamsin — hot, sand-laden winds that blow periodically from the Sahara.

Weather Across Egypt in March

Cairo and the Delta: Daytime highs of 23–28°C, overnight lows of 12–15°C. Warm and comfortable for walking, though late March afternoons can feel hot in direct sun. Occasional khamsin episodes bring dusty, hazy conditions for 2–3 days at a time.

Luxor and Aswan: Getting warm. Luxor averages 28–32°C by day, Aswan 29–33°C. Morning visits to the Valley of the Kings and Karnak are comfortable; afternoon visits are still manageable but noticeably warmer than January or February. Budget on arriving at the Valley of the Kings by 7am — the site opens at 6am and the early hours belong to independent travellers.

Red Sea coast: Air temperatures of 23–27°C, water at 23–24°C. Excellent conditions for diving and snorkelling. Wind picks up in March — Dahab and El Gouna become particularly popular with kitesurfers as consistent thermal winds arrive. Sharm El Sheikh waters are calmer and better for families in the first two weeks before the wind builds.

Alexandria and the Mediterranean coast: Mild at 18–22°C. March is one of the better months for Alexandria — warm enough for sightseeing, with the city’s café culture at its most enjoyable before summer humidity arrives. Corniche walks and the Montaza Palace Gardens are at their most pleasant.

Entry Fees and Site Costs

Entry fees for Egypt’s major sites are set in Egyptian pounds and updated periodically. Current approximate rates (2025–2026):

Site	Approximate Entry Fee
Giza Pyramid Complex	160–200 EGP adults
Inside the Great Pyramid	300 EGP extra
Valley of the Kings (3 tombs)	240 EGP
Tomb of Tutankhamun (KV62)	100 EGP extra
Karnak Temple	150 EGP
Luxor Temple	140 EGP
Egyptian Museum, Cairo	200 EGP
Abu Simbel	250 EGP
Bibliotheca Alexandrina	70 EGP

A full day covering Giza, the Sphinx, and the Egyptian Museum runs approximately 700 EGP in fees alone, before transport or guides. Budget accordingly. Most sites accept cash only; bring small denominations.

Getting Around Egypt in March

Cairo to Luxor: The overnight sleeper train is the classic option — comfortable air-conditioned cabins with dinner and breakfast included, departing Cairo at 7:30pm and arriving Luxor at around 7:30am. Book through the Egyptian National Railways website or at Ramses Station. First-class sleeper tickets run approximately 650–900 EGP per person. Day trains take 9–11 hours; second-class fares start around 120–180 EGP.

Cairo to Alexandria: The express trains from Ramses Station cover the route in 2 hours for approximately 70–120 EGP. Buses from Turgoman Station run frequently for 60–80 EGP.

Aswan to Abu Simbel: The most common option is a shared minibus through the convoys that depart early morning (around 3am–4am for a sunrise arrival). Prices run 150–200 EGP per person in a shared vehicle. Private taxis cost 600–900 EGP round trip. Flying from Aswan is significantly faster but runs around 1,200–1,800 EGP one-way.

Taxis and rideshare in Cairo: Uber and Careem operate throughout Cairo and are considerably cheaper and more reliable than flagging street taxis. Typical rides within central Cairo run 40–80 EGP; airport transfers run 200–350 EGP depending on destination.

Nile felucca in Aswan: A 2-hour felucca sail around Elephantine Island costs approximately 200–300 EGP for the whole boat (negotiate before boarding). These short sunset cruises are one of the most affordable and atmospheric experiences Aswan offers.

Crowds and Pricing

Early-to-mid March is a sweet spot: comfortable weather, moderate visitor numbers, and reasonable pricing. If Easter falls in late March, expect a significant surge in European visitors at Giza, Luxor, and the Red Sea resorts. Book accommodation and Nile cruises 6–8 weeks ahead for Easter travel.

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Mid-range Cairo hotels average 2,500–5,000 EGP per night. The area around Zamalek and Downtown offers a range of well-located options. The Mena House hotel near the Pyramids charges 4,000–7,000 EGP per night in March and delivers views directly onto the Great Pyramid — worth the premium for a special trip. In Luxor, the Sofitel Winter Palace on the Corniche runs 5,000–9,000 EGP and sets the benchmark for the city. Budget travellers find reliable mid-range options in central Luxor for 1,200–2,500 EGP. Red Sea all-inclusive resorts run 3,200–6,500 EGP. Pricing is stable through early March but rises 20–40% during Easter week.

Festivals and Events

Sham el-Nessim (variable — day after Coptic Easter): Egypt’s oldest national holiday, dating back to Pharaonic times, celebrates the arrival of spring. Egyptians head to parks and the Nile banks for family picnics. Traditional foods include fesikh (fermented mullet), spring onions, and coloured eggs. If your visit coincides with Sham el-Nessim, expect parks and waterfront areas to be packed with local families — it is a genuinely festive atmosphere.

Khamsin season begins: The khamsin winds typically start in March and last through May. These hot, dry Saharan winds can raise temperatures by 10–15°C in hours and fill the air with fine sand. Episodes usually last 2–3 days. During a khamsin, outdoor sightseeing is difficult — visibility drops and conditions are gritty. They are not constant; most March days are clear.

What to Do in March

• Full archaeological circuits: Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, and Abu Simbel are all comfortable with morning starts. Late March in Upper Egypt benefits from early-morning scheduling — depart hotels by 6:30am for the Valley of the Kings to get the first 2 hours before the tour buses arrive
• Kitesurfing in Dahab and El Gouna: March winds make these two of the best kitesurfing months on the Red Sea coast. Equipment rental and instruction are widely available; half-day beginner lessons at IKO-certified schools run approximately 1,500–2,500 EGP including gear
• Alexandria day trip: From Cairo, a 2.5-hour train ride reaches Alexandria — March weather is ideal for visiting the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Qaitbay Citadel, and the Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa. Allow a full day; the Stanley Beach promenade and the seafood restaurants at Anfushi are worth the detour
• Nile cruises: Still a strong month — warmer than January/February, not yet in the punishing heat of May. A 4-night cruise between Luxor and Aswan stopping at Esna, Edfu, and Kom Ombo costs approximately 6,000–12,000 EGP per person in a standard cabin; deluxe vessels charge considerably more
• Hot air balloon over Luxor: Sunrise balloon flights depart the West Bank before dawn and float over the Valley of the Kings and the Theban mountains. Flights run approximately 1,500–2,000 EGP per person; reputable operators include Magic Horizon and Sky Cruise. Book the day before for March availability

Regional Tips for March

Upper Egypt: Sunscreen with SPF 50+ and a hat are non-negotiable even in March — UV levels at this latitude are high year-round. Carry 2–3 litres of water per person for a half-day of site visits; vendors inside the Valley of the Kings charge three to four times the Cairo street price for bottled water.

Red Sea: Wetsuit optional — 23–24°C water is comfortable for 60-minute dives but a 3mm shorty adds comfort on longer sessions. The house reefs at budget resorts along the Hurghada strip are often heavily dived; a day trip to Giftun Island National Park (entrance approximately 35 EGP plus boat fee) gives noticeably better visibility and reef health.

Cairo timing: The Giza Plateau is best visited in two sessions — early morning for the Pyramids complex, then the Egyptian Museum in the afternoon when the plateau heat peaks. The Museum’s new annex near the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) now holds many of the Tutankhamun artefacts; the GEM itself is approximately 35km from central Cairo and warrants a half-day.

Where to Go in Egypt in March

• Cairo and the Pyramids: Cairo guide | Things to do in Cairo
• Luxor: Luxor guide | Valley of the Kings
• Aswan and Abu Simbel: Aswan guide | Abu Simbel
• Red Sea: Hurghada | Sharm El Sheikh | Dahab

Planning

See the best time to visit Egypt for a full month-by-month breakdown, or the Egypt travel budget guide for cost planning. Browse Egypt tours for March and book ahead if visiting during peak season.

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