The Nile is much more than a river. It’s history, prosperity, and hope. Sailing along it is one of those unique experiences that invite you to slow down, look around, and reflect—even amid the intense and chaotic scenery of Egypt

In this article, I’ll explain how to sail the Nile according to different styles and budgets. I’ll also share my own experience sailing on a dahabiya, which for me is the best way to truly experience this journey. Plus, I’ll include some practical logistics tips that are worth knowing before you step on board. Ready?

Ways to travel the Nile

There are several ways to sail the Nile, and each offers a very different experience. Here, I’ll break them down simply, starting from the most basic and budget-friendly option up to the most exclusive and relaxing.

Felucca

The felucca is a small traditional boat and one of the most common excursions in the cities along the river. They usually offer short trips, especially at sunset, and the price is around 15 EUR for a one-hour ride.

I read in some older blogs that people managed to rent an entire felucca to travel between Luxor and Aswan locally and cheaply. I didn’t do it myself, but I looked into it quite a bit, and honestly, it looks like an adventure in its own right.

Cruise

The Nile cruise is my least favourite option. They usually cover the route between Luxor and Aswan in about four days and include activities. The problem is that, being large boats, they have fixed schedules and limited ports, so thousands of people arrive at the same temple at the same time. For me, it’s the antithesis of a trip focused on learning, adventure, or relaxation.

That said, it’s fair to acknowledge that they’re very aesthetically pleasing, often have a pool on board, and some offer quite a luxurious experience. The prices usually range between 300 and 600 USD per route.

Dahabiya

The dahabiya was historically a boat designed to carry royalty. Nowadays, many have been restored and adapted to host small groups, usually up to 16 passengers. They typically offer a calmer itinerary, with visits to temples, markets, and local villages. Below, I’ll share in detail how my experience navigating the Nile this way went.

Logistics to Sail the Nile (Egypt)

The most popular stretch for travelling along the Nile is between Luxor and Aswan (or vice versa). Depending on your itinerary, it might make more sense to start in one city over the other.

Beyond the sailing itself, it’s definitely worth spending a few extra days in each city. Both Luxor and Aswan are packed with attractions and experiences that make staying longer totally worthwhile.

Luxor - the Nile's doors

How to get there?

If you’re in Cairo, the most budget-friendly way to get to Luxor is by bus. GoBus is one of the best companies in the country and usually offers very reasonable prices.

If you want to make the journey faster, you can also fly within Egypt. There are also good international connections from France and Italy to Luxor, so it’s worth checking options on Skyscanner.

Another popular option is the train. It’s definitely more expensive, but there are night cabin options which, according to many travellers, are an experience in themselves.

Where to sleep in Luxor?

The East Bank is the most touristy area, where you’ll find lots of hotel chains and the classic options. The West Bank, on the other hand, is more local, quiet, and has a much more relaxed pace (though still with tourists, of course).

We stayed at Mama Africa, a super cheap, comfortable, and well-located place—perfect if you’re travelling on a tight budget.

Aswan - the South of the Nile

How to get there?

You can also get to Aswan by bus or train, though the journey is much longer. The fastest option is to fly, which is definitely more expensive, but it might be worth it if you have only a few days to explore Egypt.

If you're coming from another city in the country, you'll most likely need to transfer in Luxor to reach Aswan.

Where to sleep?

If you’re short on time, I think the most practical option is to stay in the main area, off the islands.
We stayed at Nubian Paradise on Elephantine Island: super clean, very cheap, and with the best host. Still, I would have loved to try the top accommodations on File Island, like this one or this one.

Our experience in the Dahayiba

We chose to do the Luxor to Aswan journey on a dahabiya with Sail the Nile, for 5 days and 4 nights, aboard the Minya boat.
Below I’ll break down everything step by step, but before going into detail, I’ll spoil it for you: WE LOVED IT.

Comfort and features

The boat has six cabins and one suite, all with private bathrooms and windows offering direct views of the Nile. This means the maximum capacity is 14 people.

The suite is truly spectacular. From what we understood, most dahabiyas usually have two suites at the back, but this one has only one, with a double balcony and five windows. We were lucky enough to stay there, and it was simply wonderful.

In addition to the cabins, on the ground floor there’s a lounge and dining area with air conditioning, really comfortable for relaxing moments. However, meals are almost always served upstairs.

On the upper deck, there are several seating areas: hammocks, cushions, armchairs, and tables with board games, plus a bar. Everything is thoughtfully designed for sharing moments with other travellers, but also to have your own space and unwind at your own pace.

The activities

If you think the experience is just about sailing the Nile, you're mistaken. The itinerary is carefully planned so you can relax, but also to explore and learn a lot along the way.

Along the journey, there are visits to temples, museums, plantations, markets, and even a small village that preserves ancient traditions. One of the great advantages of dahabiyas is that, being small boats—especially compared to large cruises—they can stop at more remote locations. This allows you to explore incredible areas such as Gebel el Silsila

Gebel el Silsila is a massive quarry where stones were extracted for many temples of Ancient Egypt. The site is impressive on its own, but the experience becomes even more special if you get a passionate and knowledgeable guide, as we did.

And for me, this is the real highlight of the activities: having a wise, approachable, and interactive guide. I spent over a month traveling through Egypt, and without exaggeration, much of what I learned about its history came from these four days sailing with Sail the Nile.

Food onboard

On a trip like this, where expectations are usually focused on the sights and excursions, the food was a very pleasant surprise. Every meal offered several options, both vegetarian and with meat or fish. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were always plentiful.

The service was attentive, friendly, and very personalised. Plus, throughout the day there was always tea time, juices, and snacks available, so you never felt hungry.

On one of the excursions, we went to the market with the chef and got to see firsthand where the ingredients come from, how fresh they are, and the impact of supporting local producers. That day, they surprised us with a traditional Egyptian menu that, without exaggeration, was some of the most delicious food I tasted during my entire trip in Egypt.

The itinerary on the Dahayiba

From what I understand, most dahabiyas follow a similar route. They all depart from or arrive in Esna and usually include similar stops. Unlike the larger cruises, there’s much more flexibility in the schedule, allowing you to visit the sites without running into crowds.

Each day, the schedule is set on the go, and a bell rings just before disembarking. The visits are really varied: temples, camel and food markets, small villages, and a quarry that’s key to Egyptian history.

This might be a good moment to clarify that tips are not included, so it’s wise to add them to your final budget. The crew truly deserves it.

Is this trip for you?

Honestly, dahabiya trips are all-inclusive and considerably more expensive than many other experiences you can have in Egypt. That said, the price is proportional to the service they provide, and in my case, I can confirm it.

It’s an experience that suits special occasions more than backpacking trips. Anniversaries, honeymoons, milestone birthdays, graduations, or simply the wish to slow down after an intense period of work.

I would definitely choose this option a million times over an all-inclusive hotel that only offers zumba, cocktails, and a pool.

I would definitely choose this option a million times over an all-inclusive hotel that only offers zumba, cocktails, and a pool.

You can check the updated prices on the Sail the Nile website. In terms of value for money, from my experience, it’s one of the best options out there.

Conclusion about the Dahayiba

We experienced Egypt from so many different angles, and without a doubt, sailing the Nile was one of the most peaceful and rewarding experiences of the trip. It allowed us to slow down, savour the moment, immerse ourselves in history, enjoy incredible food, and learn so much.

If you know me from Instagram or my other articles, you’ll know this isn’t usually my way of travelling. Even so, we wanted to experience Egypt from different perspectives, and this one ended up pleasantly surprising us.

As for Sail the Nile, the company we chose for the cruise, they far exceeded our expectations. The experience was thoughtful, personal, and very well organised, and you could feel that throughout the entire journey.

💡Note: some of the hotels, tours, or experiences mentioned include affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you. In this way, you help me continue creating travel content like this. Thank you!

Guadi.