Egypt in September: Weather, Crowds and Rates
If you are looking to avoid the winter crowds and blazing summer heat in Egypt, the shoulder season of September is your best bet. Make the best out of relatively cooler temperatures, fewer crowds and cheaper airfare. With river festivals, cooling seaside locations and the benefits that come with the pre-peak season, Egypt in September is a great time to visit, especially the capital, Cairo, in the north of the country. Read on to find out what your Egyptian holiday can look like this month.
- Eduardo
- From USA
Egypt Weather in September
The weather in Egypt in September is still largely hot and dry. Although the temperature tends to drop slightly, especially in the northern areas like Cairo, it is still advisable to avoid the midday heat. The average high in Cairo is 33°C and the low is 21°C.
On the far northern coastline in Alexandria, you can escape the heat a little bit more with temperatures varying between 21°C and 30°C. This is mostly due to the coastal winds and further distance from the Equator. September is a little too hot for a beach holiday with resort towns like Sharm-El-Sheikh seeing highs of 35°C.
If you are not sure when to visit Egypt, you can check out our seasonal overview which is our guide on the best time to visit Egypt.
Weather in Egypt in September - Rainfall and Temperatures
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Daily (°C) | 18 | 18 | 22 | 27 | 32 | 34 | 34 | 33 | 32 | 28 | 23 | 19 |
| Avg Nightly (°C) | 9 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 20 | 18 | 14 | 10 |
| Avg Daily (°F) | 65 | 65 | 72 | 81 | 90 | 94 | 94 | 92 | 90 | 83 | 74 | 67 |
| Avg Nightly (°F) | 49 | 49 | 54 | 59 | 65 | 68 | 72 | 72 | 68 | 65 | 58 | 50 |
| Avg Rainfall (mm) | 15 | 4 | 8 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 3 |
| Aug | Sep | Oct | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Daily (°C) | 33 | 32 | 28 |
| Avg Nightly (°C) | 22 | 20 | 18 |
| Avg Daily (°F) | 92 | 90 | 83 |
| Avg Nightly (°F) | 72 | 68 | 65 |
| Avg Rainfall (mm) | 0 | 5 | 5 |
Why Visit Egypt in September
With lower crowd levels, exciting festivals and affordable airfare, there are plenty of amazing reasons to visit Egypt in September. Here are some highlights:
- Wafaa Al Nil: This festival pays homage to the River Nile, and the life that it brings to the area. Enjoy a predominantly arts-based celebration, full of poetry, music and dancing. Celebrated up and down the river, there are plenty of places to join in or witness the festival.
- Fewer crowds: As September is still part of the shoulder season in Egypt, you can expect to find fewer crowds, especially around the more popular tourist attractions, like the Pyramids of Giza, where the weather is still hot. Even in the cooler northern cities, there are lower levels of crowds, meaning you can have the popular sites largely to yourself.
- Better rates: As it is still very hot throughout Egypt in September and the peak season has not begun yet, the airfare and accommodation rates are affordable all around. If you can handle the heat and do not have a huge budget, September might be the ideal time for you to visit Egypt. Save that dollar for spending on excursions and all that delicious Egyptian food!
- On a local food note: Egypt is the the world's largest date palm producer and the month of September is usually a good time to harvest the dates. We'd therefore recommend to buy some local and recently harvested dates in Egypt. If you fail to find some good dates, but wish to test high quality dates nonetheless, you could order some high quality Medjool dates via Bateel.
Where to go and what to do
Want to check out one of the Ancient Wonders of the World while you are in Egypt? Of course, you do! As the daytime temperatures in Giza are in the mid-30s, why not opt for a sunrise tour of the pyramids? Get up early to avoid the oppressive temperatures and be rewarded by watching the sun rise up above the iconic symbols of Egypt. Sit back with a coffee and try to figure out how these pyramids were built back in the day, without all our modern tools and conveniences. It’s the perfect way to start the day.
September is also a great time to check out the coastal city of Alexandria. As the city is often pretty wet and rainy during the cooler, peak season, September’s lower temperatures offer the perfect conditions to wander around the city’s attraction sites. Visit the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, take in the beauty of the Montazah Gardens or learn all about the 15th-century history of the Qaitbay Citadel.
If you need a cool respite from the heat, opt for a resort holiday in the popular town of Sharm El-Sheikh. Although it is still pretty hot out there and not great for lounging on the beach all day, if you want to dip in the Red Sea or enjoy massages and poolside drinks, the September shoulder season can offer more affordable rates. Grab yourself a drink, a dip and a bargain.
If you still want to enjoy a bargain break in Egypt, without having to travel in the sweltering heat of Summer, September is a good option for you. Although the southern region of the country is still baking hot during daytime, you could still enjoy your holiday there if you plan your itinerary well. For more agreeable weather, take a tour of the northern cities and resorts, which experience lower temperatures and benefit from the Mediterranean breezes.
Organizing a trip can be stressful, so leave all the hard work up to our travel experts. Tell us your dates and preferences and we’ll do the rest. You can find out more about our customized trips by visiting our customized tour page of Egypt.
