Egypt in summer: how to stay safe in the heat

Egypt in summer: average temperatures in Cairo, Luxor and Aswan

The table gives the official averages for the hottest months and for May and September. The data is the 1981 to 2010 average from the Egyptian Meteorological Authority.

These numbers are averages. Some days are hotter. The Irish government says that summer temperatures in Egypt reach more than 40 °C (104 °F).

The average high in Luxor and Aswan is approximately 6.5 °C (12 °F) higher than in Cairo. The nights in Aswan are also warmer than in Cairo. If your trip includes the south, plan for more heat there than at Giza.

The temperature that you feel can be higher than these numbers. The World Health Organization (WHO) says that the temperature in the sun can feel 10 to 15 °C (18 to 27 °F) higher. Shade can reduce how hot you feel by more than 10 °C (18 °F).

For the weather in all 12 months, read Best time to visit Egypt.

Which months are summer?

In this guide, summer means June, July and August. These are the hottest months in the averages above.

• May. It is almost as hot as summer. The Irish government says that sand and dust storms can occur from March to May. Listen to the local news. Obey the local authorities.
• June to August. These are the hottest months. Rain is almost zero in all three cities.
• September. It is a little cooler than August, but it is still hot.

Can you visit the pyramids in summer?

Yes. The Giza plateau is open every day. Most of a plateau visit is outside. The heat is the main problem, so plan the day around it.

Every day, except Ramadan, you can enter the plateau from 07:00, last entry 16:00. During Ramadan, you can enter from 08:00, last entry 15:30. The dates of Ramadan change each year. Check them before you book.

How to plan a summer day around the heat

The WHO tells the public to stay out of the heat in the hottest time of the day. It also tells people to spend 2 to 3 hours each day in a cool place. The NHS tells people to avoid the sun from the late morning to the middle of the afternoon.

This is an example plan for Giza, not a tour schedule.

1. Early morning: the plateau. Arrive when the plateau opens. First, do the parts of the visit where you walk. Rest in the shade between stops.
2. Late morning and early afternoon: indoors. Go to the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) or back to your hotel. The GEM galleries are indoors, out of the sun.
3. Late afternoon: rest or a short outdoor stop. Do not plan a long walk in the afternoon heat.

The GEM galleries have different hours on different days:

• On Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, you can enter the galleries from 09:00, last entry 17:00.
• On Wednesday and Saturday, you can enter the galleries from 09:00, last entry 20:00. On these days, you can also visit the museum in the evening, after the heat of the day.

When you buy a GEM ticket, you select an entry time slot. The slot is the time period when you can enter. It does not limit how long you stay inside.

Book a midday slot to be indoors in the hottest hours. Slots can be different on each day, so look at the slots for your date. For a full timetable with both sites, read Pyramids and Grand Egyptian Museum in one day.

In summer, do not try to see too much in one morning. For the time that each type of visit needs, read How long to see the pyramids.

For the official ticket prices, see Pyramids of Giza tickets.

What to wear and carry in the heat

The WHO tells the public to wear light, loose clothes. For children, it also recommends a hat with a wide brim, sunglasses and sunscreen.

• Water. The WHO recommends 1 cup of water each hour and at least 2 to 3 liters each day.
• Bottled water only. The Irish government says that tap water in Egypt is not safe to drink. Bottled water is easy to buy.
• A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Use them for all outdoor visits.
• A damp cloth or a spray bottle. The WHO says that you can wet your skin to cool your body.

Egypt also has dress rules for mosques and other places. For clothes that are cool and also correct, read What to wear in Egypt.

In your hotel room

The WHO says to use an electric fan only when the temperature is below 40 °C (104 °F). At a higher temperature, a fan makes the body hotter. This is important in Luxor and Aswan, where summer highs are more than 40 °C. If you use air conditioning, the WHO suggests a setting of 27 °C (81 °F) with a fan. It says that the room then feels 4 °C (7 °F) cooler.

Signs of heat illness and what to do

The WHO says that heatstroke is a medical emergency. The NHS gives these symptoms.

Heat exhaustion:

• Tiredness, dizziness or a headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Much sweat, and skin that is pale and clammy
• Cramps in the arms, legs or stomach
• A high temperature and a strong thirst

Heatstroke:

• A very high temperature
• Hot skin with no sweat
• Fast breathing and a fast heartbeat
• Confusion or restlessness
• A seizure or loss of consciousness

If a person has signs of heat exhaustion, the NHS gives these 4 steps:

1. Move the person to a cool place.
2. Remove clothes that they do not need, such as a jacket or socks.
3. Give them a lot of water to drink.
4. Cool their skin with cool water and fan them.

The NHS says that the person should start to feel better within 30 minutes. If they do not, or if they have signs of heatstroke, get medical help immediately. In Egypt, call 123 for an ambulance. This is the number that the UK government gives.

The UK government tells visitors to get travel insurance for local treatment and medical evacuation. If a doctor sends you to a hospital, contact your insurance company quickly.

Who is at more risk

The WHO and the NHS say that some people have a higher risk:

• People older than 65
• Babies and children
• People with heart, lung or kidney disease, diabetes or other long-term conditions

If you travel with these people, check on them often during the day. Never leave a child in a parked car. The WHO says that the temperature in a car can quickly become dangerous.

Is summer cheaper or less crowded?

Many travel sites say that summer has fewer visitors and lower prices. We found no official source that gives the number of visitors at the pyramids or the prices for each month. We cannot confirm these claims.

Hotels and tour companies set their own prices. Ask for the price for your dates.