Premium Nile Cruise Cost Guide For the Ultimate Journey In Egypt

Taking a premium Nile cruise can be one of the most exciting things to do in Egypt.

Wether you opt for a premium nile cruise or budget a few hours on the river, it’s something you’ll want to include on your Egypt itinerary. You’ll explore Egypt’s timeless allure while meandering the River Nile.

It’s a blend of history, culture, and opulence like no other.

In this guide, you’ll learn what you need to know to navigate your options. That way, you can ensure your voyage is nothing short of extraordinary.

So, let’s chart a course through the heart of Egypt. With the information below, you can plan a magnificent river cruise on the Nile, rich with unforgettable memories and experiences!

CONTENTS — In this article, you will discover a detailed breakdown of Nile cruise features and costs so you plan your adventure, including:

• Unforgettable Nile Journeys in Egypt
• Types Of Nile Cruises
• Factors Influencing Nile Cruise Costs
• Main Fares for Nile Cruises
• Nile Cruise Base Expenses
• Ancillary Expenses on A Nile Cruise
• Final Thoughts on Premium Nile Cruise
• Next Steps

Nile Cruises Cost Guide for Unforgettable Journeys in Egypt

The Nile River in Egypt is not just a river — it’s liquid history.

It’s called the “lifeblood” of Egypt and for good reason.

You’re about to learn why a Nile cruise is so much more than a simple vacation activity.

For one, it is an experience that cannot be compared to anything else. 

And, to make matters delightfully complicated, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to Nile cruises.

A Nile cruise is a fantastic addition to any Egypt vacation, so you’ll need to make sure you have all aspects of the experience covered — especially when it comes to Nile cruise costs.

Below, you’ll find everything you need to know about booking everything from a short Nile cruise to a multi-day, premium Nile cruise.

Types Of Nile Cruises

As is the norm within the cruising industry, when you’re looking to cruise the Nile River, you’ll find many types of cruises on offer.

Different options cater to various travelers’ schedules and budgets. They range from a few hours to multiple days, so the good news is, you can likely find something to suit your Egypt itinerary.

Lets’s begin this Nile cruise cost guide by splitting the most popular Nile cruises into two categories:

1. Short Nile Cruises

These shorter cruises mainly depart from Cairo and other large cities. Good examples of short Nile cruises would be a dinner cruise or sunset tour. 

As a yardstick, the Nile Cruise cost for shorter Nile cruises like this would be between $30 to $75 (£25 – £60) per ticket.

If you’re short on time or money, taking a short nile cruise will allow you to tick off your Egypt bucket list.

2. Felucca Boat Rides

You could also forsake the modern Nile cruise ship in favor of a traditional Felucca boat ride.

Felucca boats are the local boats, traditionally made of wood and manned by the locals. They have open decks usually covered in vibrant pillows and cushions, and a canvas shelter from the sun. You could compare these to the dhows that you’ll commonly see across the Arabian peninsula.

Many hotels in Egypt have partnerships with the locals for felucca rides, as well as with cruise lines for multi-day cruises. This makes felucca boats a lovely and convenient way to explore the Nile River.

3. Multi-Day Premium Nile Cruises

You’ll also discover a veritable host of cruises that can last anywhere from 3 days to two weeks. 

These premium Nile cruises are just like a cruise at sea, with all the bells and whistles. Taking a multi-day premium nile cruise is a completely immersive way to experience all that the Nile River has on offer.

To give you an idea of the Nile cruise costs of such cruises, a 3-day cruise would run you about $300 (£240).

But multi-day Nile cruises can also be on the large ships you might think of when you think of a typical cruise. The price would vary depending on the cruise line.

Alternatively, you can book a multi-day nile cruises on a dahabiya — a two-masted sail boat with elegant cabins and modern conveniences.

The benefit of this type of vessel is it moves more slowly along the water, allowing you to truly take in all the scenic beauty and giving you more time to explore attractions.

Nile Cruise Cost Guide — Factors Influencing Costs

Now, let take a look at the things that influence your Nile cruise cost, as they will help you make a better decision when you’re ready to book your trip down the Nile.

Here are the main “blocks” of things that will influence your Nile cruise cost. You’ll want to take each into consideration because not only will they affect the price, but they define the expderience you’ll have.

1. Duration of A Nile River Cruise

As alluded to above, the duration of your trip is the biggest factor for your Nile cruise cost. Nile river cruises can be anywhere from 3 to 7 days long, though some can be longer. The longer your Nile cruise duration, the more likely it will cost.

2. Your Cruise Class

As is the norm in the cruise industry, cruises cater to a variety of budgets. From budget-friendly to ultra-luxurious, you’ll find something to match your budget. That said, naturally, the price will differ based on your choice of cruise class. Your ticket price will reflect your cruise class, accordingly.

3. Which Cabin Type?

Choose a cabin type will affect the price as well as your experience and extra amenities.

For instance, you could choose a cabin in the middle of the ship to avoid nausea.

Or, you could book Ambassador suites or Presidential suites with a “Nile view” balcony and large panoramic window, complete with mini bar.

The fact is, your choice of the cabin will also decide your ticket price.

4. The Travel Season

Factor in the season in which you want to take a Nile River cruise.

The high-season in Egypt is fall and spring. So, if your travel dates fall within that time, you can expect your Nile cruise cost will naturally be a bit higher than usual.

5. Any Ticket Inclusions

You may not know this, but you may incur quite a few additional costs when cruising.

Some tickets cover activities, the internet, and meals such as breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Other tickets would charge extra for each.

If they are not included, these could drive up your ticket price quite a bit. So make sure you evaluate any ticket inclusions and exclusions before making your decision to book.

6. The Ship Itinerary

Some Nile cruises are simple, point A to B journeys. Others may have multiple stops along the way.

If your cruise has waypoints, then it will likely be more expensive. The additional fee is due to the additional ground covered and more land excursions.

Some premium Nile cruises will include stops at Egyptian attractions like:

• West Bank of Luxor / Luxor Temple
• Hatshepsut Temple / The Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
• Philae Temple Complex
• Karnak Temple Complex
• Abu Simbel Temple Complex
• The unfinished obelisk of Aswan

Finally, if you want to plan a memorable trip, explore these amazing Egypt holiday packages and embark on an adventure like never before.

Nile Cruise Cost Guide — Main Fares

Now that you know more about what influences your Nile cruise cost, let’s take a closer look at the numbers.

Here is the breakdown of the typical Nile cruise costs.

#		Breakdown	Nile Cruise Cost Estimate
1.		Day Cruises: Felucca Boat Rides	$20 – $57 (£15 – £45) per person $127 (£100) for private rides
2.		“Dinner On The Nile” Evening Cruises	$65 – $255 (£50 – £200) per person
3.		Budget-Friendly Options (3-4 Nights)	$191 – $382 (£150 – £300) per person
4.		Mid-Range Cruises (4-5 Nights)	$573 – $1,146 (£450 – £900) per person
5.		Luxury Nile Cruises (4-5 Nights)	$1,146 – $2,802+ (£900 – £2200+) per person

Nile Cruise Cost Guide — Important Terms & Base Expenses

Important Terms for Premium Nile Cruises

When you’re considering the costs of a Nile River cruise, it helps to understand the following terms.

• Base Fare: This is the core cost of your Nile cruise package. It covers board and overnight lodging.

• Taxes: This comprises the taxes imposed by the government of Egypt.

• Fees: Fees include any other mandatory expenses not imposed by the government; for example, port fees, docking charges, pilot fees, etc.

• Mandatory Gratuities: This is a term that the cruise industry throws around a lot. A mandatory gratuity is basically a fancy phrase to cover “service charges.”

• Travel Insurance: Most cruise lines usually require you to buy travel insurance as a company policy.

Base Expenses to Cruise the Nile River

Use the Nile cruise cost table below to get a better sense of your base expenses. It outlines what the expenses listed above would look like on a cruise. 

#		Breakdown	Budget Cruises	Mid-Rangers	Luxury Cruises
1.		Base Fare	$115 – $229 £90 – £180	$318 – $382 £250 – £300	$828 – $1,082 £650 – £850
2.		Taxes	10% – 20% of base	10% – 20% of base	10% – 20% of base
3.		Fees	$25 – $64 per booking £20 – £50 per booking	$25 – $64 per booking £20 – £50 per booking	$25 – $64 per booking £20 – £50 per booking
4.		Mandatory Gratuities (per person, per day)	$13 – $20 pp/day £10 – £15 pp/day	$13 – $25 pp/day £10 – £20 pp/day	$32 – $38 pp/day £25 – £30 pp/day
5.		Travel Insurance	$25 – $64 per trip £20 – £50 per trip	$25 – 64 per trip £20 – £50 per trip	$25 – 64 per trip £20 – £50 per trip

* Prices are based on current expense rates at the time of this writing and reflective of current rates of exchange.

Nile Cruise Cost Guide — Ancillary Expenses

And lastly, here is a table outlining the optional Nile cruise costs that you might incur:

#		Breakdown	Nile Cruise Cost Estimate
1.		Basic Internet Packages	$13 – $25 per person per day £10 – £20 per person per day
2.		Premium Internet Packages	$25 – $51 per person per day £20 – £40 per person per day
3.		All-Inclusive Beverage Plan	$38 – $77 per person per day £30 – £60 per person per day
4.		Pay-As-You-Go Beverage Plan	Varies from person to person
5.		Souvenirs and Personal Expenses	Varies from person to person

* Prices are based on current expense rates at the time of this writing and reflective of current rates of exchange.

Final Thoughts on Premium Nile Cruise

And with that, we come to the end of our Nile cruise cost guide.

Now, you can use this guide as an estimate to plan your own Nile River cruise. As we said, a premium Nile cruise is much more than a vacation — it is a memory.

Au revoir, et bon voyage.

Next Steps

For more about traveling to Egypt and river cruises, read the articles below, next:

• 7 Top Tourist Destinations In Egypt, Ranked: Best Places to Visit
• Planning a Trip to Egypt? Dodge These 10 Embarrassing Travel Mistakes
• 6 Retirement Bucket List Ideas for Travel You’ll Love to Dream About (Egypt)
• Best Countries to Visit in Middle East: 6 Most Beautiful Destinations
• Best US Riverboat Cruises on The Mississippi [New Orleans, Lousisiana]