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Feluccas on the Nile at Aswan, with the sandy west bank and palm-lined islands beyond
Egypt · Destination guide
Aswan, Egypt
CurrencyEgyptian pound (EGP)
Plug typesC, F · 220 VCheck adapter →
Time zoneAfrica/Cairo (UTC+3)
Emergency number123 (ambulance), 180 (fire), 122 (police), 126 (tourist police)
Destination guide

A first look at Aswan

Take a boat to Philae for the Temple of Isis, then return to town for the Nubia Museum. Give Elephantine’s lanes and a riverside lunch their own outing. Gharb Soheil is a separate village excursion, while Abu Simbel needs a dedicated day beyond this compact city plan.

Explore our Aswan guides

Weather guide

Weather in Aswan

Aswan has an extremely dry desert climate. Summer afternoons are intensely hot; winter offers warm sightseeing days with cooler nights. Rare rain does not remove the need to check the forecast, especially before a boat outing.

34–39°C

Hot sunny days with cooler evenings

October · representative month, not a forecast
Evenings
20–25°C
Rain
Rain is rare
Daylight
Check sunrise and sunset for your dates; keep exposed sightseeing to cooler hours.
See weather details →

What this means for packing

October is cooler than high summer but sunny afternoons can still be hot. Use breathable clothes for Nubian village lanes and bring a light cover for the return boat or an indoor meal. Use this example as a starting point: Packtricia tailors your detailed list and quantities to trip length, weather, luggage and preferences.

Choosing a season

The best-season badge suggests months for general sightseeing, using the typical daytime temperatures and rainfall in our monthly guides. Beach holidays, festivals, winter sports and northern lights trips may suit different dates.

Climate methodology

Planning bands use EMA station 62414 (Asswan) mean daily maximum and minimum temperatures for 1991–2020, expanded by two degrees and rounded outwards. They are neither extremes nor forecasts. Rain advice uses the same station’s monthly precipitation totals; rare rain remains possible. Check the forecast before departure.

Reviewed 2026-10-21

EMA / NOAA: Asswan station 62414, WMO 1991–2020 normals

About the climate in Aswan

Aswan has an extremely dry desert climate. Summer afternoons are intensely hot; winter offers warm sightseeing days with cooler nights. Rare rain does not remove the need to check the forecast, especially before a boat outing.

Packing guide

What to wear in Aswan in December.

An example packing list for Aswan in December

Use this as a starting point and choose what suits your plans. Packtricia tailors your list and quantities to your trip length, weather and preferences.

Clothing

  • Breathable shirts
  • Loose lightweight trousers
  • Sunhat
  • Light jacket
  • Cardigan
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Swimwear — if your accommodation has a pool
  • Underwear

Toiletries

  • Sunscreen
  • Lip balm
  • Personal toiletries
  • Personal medication — if needed
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner

Essentials

  • Passport
  • Travel insurance details
  • Payment cards
  • Small cash
  • Drinking-water bottle
  • Sunglasses
  • Phone
  • Phone charger
  • Plug adapter — if your devices need one
  • Offline map
  • Small day bag
Monthly weather and packing notes

December needs a warmer start than a photograph of sunny Aswan suggests. Wear a cardigan or light jacket for an early boat departure, then switch to breathable daytime layers at Philae. Use this example as a starting point: Packtricia tailors your detailed list and quantities to trip length, weather, luggage and preferences.

Daytime
22–27°C
Evenings
9–14°C
Rain
Rain is rare
Daylight
Check sunrise and sunset for your dates; keep exposed sightseeing to cooler hours.
Packing style
Breathable daytime clothes with removable morning and evening layers

Planning bands use EMA station 62414 (Asswan) mean daily maximum and minimum temperatures for 1991–2020, expanded by two degrees and rounded outwards. They are neither extremes nor forecasts. Rain advice uses the same station’s monthly precipitation totals; rare rain remains possible. Check the forecast before departure.

Outfit ideas for your outings

Philae’s temple courtyards

  • Breathable shirt
  • Loose trousers
  • Secure walking shoes
  • Sunhat

Elephantine lanes and lunch

  • Light long-sleeved top
  • Comfortable trousers
  • Walking shoes

Nile-side evening

  • Cardigan or light jacket
  • Comfortable trousers
  • Secure shoes

What to leave behind

  • Heavy hiking boots are unnecessary for the suggested taxi-and-boat outings; choose comfortable shoes with grip.
  • Avoid a bag too small for drinking water and sun protection on the island visits.

Reviewed 2026-10-21

EMA / NOAA: Asswan station 62414, WMO 1991–2020 normals

Transport guide

Getting around Aswan

Central Corniche walks suit cooler hours. Arrange a taxi or driver for Philae’s marina, the Unfinished Obelisk and the High Dam; agree the full route, waiting and return fare before leaving. Elephantine ferries and private sightseeing boats serve different purposes: confirm the correct landing and return arrangements locally. No official native Aswan route planner or mobile-ticket activation system was confirmed. Use the tourism authority’s mobile website for transport guidance and an offline map for orientation; neither sells or activates local ferry, bus or taxi tickets.

Check the operator’s current service notices and ticket instructions before travelling.

Practical essentials

Language and calling code

Language
Arabic
Calling code
+20
Useful essentials for Aswan
  • Carry drinking water, sunglasses and a sunhat for Philae’s open courtyards.
  • Use secure shoes for uneven stone and stepping between a quay and a boat.
  • Keep small cash for locally arranged crossings and agree fares before departure.
  • Bring a light jacket for winter evenings and a cover for air-conditioned interiors.
  • Confirm island accommodation transfers: a central Aswan pickup may still require a separate boat.

Do you need a visa?

Check travel-document and visa requirements for your passport, destination and transit stops.

Check your requirements on TravelDoc

Use the checker as a starting point, then confirm requirements with the relevant government or embassy before travelling.

Things to do in Aswan

Find a guided walk or an attraction visit to fit around your plans in Aswan.

Stay connected

Mobile data for your trip. Check what your current plan includes for roaming. If you need another option for maps, messages and booking details, compare NXTL eSIM coverage and rates. Check that your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked, and check coverage for every stop. Download important maps and confirmations for offline use too.

Photo: Diego F. Parra / Pexels