Cruises

Nile Cruise: 3 or 4 Nights?

Luxor to Aswan takes 4 nights over 5 days. Aswan to Luxor takes 3 nights over 4 days. The main temples are the same: compare meals, optional visits and the final transfer.

Durations refer to the two Civitatis listings checked on 12 November 2026.

Two routes on the same river

The stops show the route along the river. Check the programme for your date to see the order of the visits.

Luxor → Aswan

LuxorBoarding
Edfu
Kom Ombo
AswanDisembarkation

5 days 4 nights

English-speaking guide

7.8/10 · 1,841 reviews

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Source: Civitatis · Checked on 12 November 2026 Open the Civitatis listing

Open the notebook for this route 3 nights · Aswan → Luxor

Aswan → Luxor

AswanBoarding
Kom Ombo
Edfu
LuxorDisembarkation

4 days 3 nights

English-speaking guide

7.4/10 · 1,685 reviews

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Source: Civitatis · Checked on 12 November 2026 Open the Civitatis listing

Open the notebook for this route 4 nights · Luxor → Aswan

What each route includes

The two listings include many of the same visits. Check the differences in meals, the museum and transfers.

Item	4 nights Luxor → Aswan	3 nights Aswan → Luxor
Meals on board	4 nightsFull board, except lunch on the fifth day.	3 nightsFull board for the 3-night programme.
Visits in Luxor	Both routesThe temples of Luxor and Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut’s temple and the Colossi of Memnon.
Edfu and Kom Ombo	4 nightsThe Temple of Horus, the Temple of Kom Ombo and the Crocodile Museum.	3 nightsThe Temple of Horus and the Temple of Kom Ombo. For the Crocodile Museum, ask for confirmation.
Visits from Aswan	Both routesPhilae is in the programme. Abu Simbel is optional: check your option before booking it separately.
Entrance fees and extras	Both routesEntrance fees for the planned visits, an English-speaking guide, port taxes and tips. Drinks and the ticket for Tutankhamun’s tomb are extra.
Transfers	4 nightsPick-up in Luxor and final transfer to Aswan. Check the area of your accommodation.	3 nightsPick-up in Aswan. The route ends in Luxor; ask for confirmation of the final transfer.

Comparison based on the Civitatis listings checked on 12 November 2026 · 4 nights · 3 nights

Check the visits you want to add

Tick the places you are about to book. The check applies to the two itineraries compared here.

Already in the programme

Edfu and Kom Ombo

Both temples appear on the two routes. If you want to see them with the cruise, you can skip a second excursion to the same sites.

Already in the programme

Karnak and the Valley of the Kings

Both routes visit Karnak and the Valley of the Kings. An extra tour makes sense if you want more time or places other than those listed.

Already in the programme

Philae

The temple on Agilkia Island is included in both listings. Check your option before adding another boat trip with a visit.

Optional

Abu Simbel

If your option includes Abu Simbel, avoid a second ticket for the same excursion. If not, allow a margin before or after the cruise for the trip from Aswan.

Extra ticket

Tutankhamun’s tomb

The Valley of the Kings is in the programme on both routes. Tutankhamun’s tomb needs a separate ticket.

Plan your trip before and after the Nile

Follow the route and note the points you have confirmed for the route you are considering.

Luxor → Aswan 4 nights

Airport or hotel
Pick-up to confirm
If you arrive from Cairo, arrange the trip to Luxor separately. Say which bank your hotel is on when you ask for confirmation of the pick-up.
Boarding
Cruise leg
Check on the voucher where to join the cruise in Luxor.
Visits
Cruise leg
Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae are in the programme. Mark the visits of the option you chose.
Disembarkation
Cruise leg
The itinerary ends in Aswan. Confirm the drop-off point and remember that lunch on the fifth day is paid separately.
Next connection
Independent connection
Plan your next train, flight or stay from the confirmed drop-off point.

Aswan → Luxor 3 nights

Airport or hotel
Pick-up to confirm
In Aswan, confirm where you will be picked up, especially if you are staying on an island.
Boarding
Cruise leg
Check where to meet the group and which pier the voucher gives in Aswan.
Visits
Cruise leg
Philae, Kom Ombo and Edfu are in the programme. Mark the visits of the option you chose.
Disembarkation
Cruise leg
The itinerary ends in Luxor after the West Bank. The transfers entry mentions Aswan: ask for confirmation of the drop-off.
Next connection
Independent connection
Before buying your next ticket, check where the transfer ends and when the last visit finishes.

In the 3-night listing the description ends in Luxor, while the transfers entry mentions Aswan. Ask Civitatis for the drop-off point and whether it is included before buying a connection.

The Nile atlas

Choose the cruise direction and select a stop to see where you board, where you disembark and which visits need another transfer.

Cairo Luxor Edfu Kom Ombo Aswan Abu Simbel

SailingExcursion by roadSchematic map, distances not to scale.

Off the route

Cairo

The pyramids and museums of Cairo are visited separately. If you arrive in Cairo, arrange your connection to the boarding city.

Before booking a train or domestic flight, check the day and meeting point of your boarding.

Egyptian Ministry · Giza Plateau · 12 November 2026

Boarding

Disembarkation

Luxor

Karnak and Luxor Temple stand on the East Bank. The Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut’s temple are on the West Bank.

4 nightsGive the operator the address of your accommodation and ask which bank the pick-up is on.

3 nightsThe listing places the West Bank visits on the last day. Confirm the drop-off point before booking your onward journey.

Egyptian Ministry · Ancient Thebes · 12 November 2026

Stop

Edfu

Two great pylons mark the entrance to the Temple of Horus. Edfu is a stop on both routes.

The visit needs a short transfer from the mooring. Ask how it works and what alternatives are offered if you have mobility needs.

Edfu Temple

Egyptian Ministry · Temple of Edfu · 12 November 2026

Stop

Kom Ombo

The temple has two sanctuaries, one for Sobek and one for Haroeris. From Luxor you reach it after Edfu; from Aswan, before.

The Crocodile Museum is explicitly mentioned in the 4-night listing. If you want it on the 3-night route, ask for confirmation.

Egyptian Ministry · Temple of Kom Ombo · 12 November 2026

Disembarkation

Boarding

Aswan

The Philae complex stands on Agilkia Island. From Aswan you reach it by boat, and it appears in both programmes.

4 nightsIf you want to add Abu Simbel after disembarking, first check whether your option already includes it.

3 nightsIf you are staying on an island, check whether the pick-up is at your accommodation or at a meeting point on the mainland.

Egyptian Ministry · Philae · 12 November 2026

By road from Aswan

Abu Simbel

The rock-cut temples of Ramses II and Nefertari are reached by road from Aswan, south of the cruise route.

The visit is optional in the listings: read your chosen option before buying a separate excursion.

Abu Simbel

Egyptian Ministry · Abu Simbel · 12 November 2026

Start from the rest of your itinerary

The 4-night cruise ends in Aswan, where you can arrange Abu Simbel. The 3-night itinerary ends in Luxor. Before planning your next stop, ask Civitatis to confirm the city and drop-off point of the transfer. Check which visits are already included so you do not book them twice.

Before you book

Check the departure day for each direction.
Compare where the final transfer will drop you.
Read the list of visits for your version.
Allow for the overland trip to Abu Simbel.

Frequently asked questions

How many days is three nights?

The 3-night option is presented as 4 days. The 4-night option lasts 5 days.

Which route goes upriver?

Going from Luxor to Aswan you sail upriver, heading south. Going from Aswan to Luxor you sail north.

Two routes on the same river

Luxor → Aswan

Aswan → Luxor

What each route includes

Check the visits you want to add

Edfu and Kom Ombo

Karnak and the Valley of the Kings

Philae

Abu Simbel

Tutankhamun’s tomb

Plan your trip before and after the Nile

Luxor → Aswan 4 nights

Airport or hotel

Boarding

Visits

Disembarkation

Next connection

Aswan → Luxor 3 nights

Airport or hotel

Boarding

Visits

Disembarkation

Next connection

The Nile atlas

Cairo

Luxor

Edfu

Kom Ombo

Aswan

Abu Simbel

Start from the rest of your itinerary

Before you book

Frequently asked questions

Keep exploring the Nile