A Standard Nile River Cruise is the cheapest way to sail between Luxor and Aswan, and the most popular budget Nile Cruise option for travelers who want a complete Egypt Nile itinerary at the lowest available price per person. A Standard Nile Cruise is a classic Luxor Aswan Nile Cruise on a licensed 5 star motorized cruise ship, combining the same private Egyptologist guide, full board, private transfers, and all entrance fees as higher category boats at the best budget Nile Cruise price on the river. Every cheap Nile River Cruise includes a private Egyptologist guide, full board, private transfers, and all entrance fees, combined with a well-paced daily program visiting the major temples and monuments of the Nile River Valley. A budget Standard Nile Cruise is ideal for travelers who want to cover the complete Egypt Nile experience at the cheapest available price, with no compromise on the quality of guiding or the sightseeing program.

WOW Egypt Tours offers 18 of the best Standard Nile Cruise boats in Egypt, sailing weekly across 3 fixed schedules in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. The 5 Days/4 Nights Luxor to Aswan Nile Cruise departs every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday, and the 4 Days/3 Nights Aswan to Luxor Nile Cruise departs every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, giving the widest choice of departure days of any Egypt Nile Cruise category and making it easy to fit a cheap Nile Cruise into almost any travel schedule.

Egypt budget Nile Cruise packages are available on both the 4 day and 5 day itineraries, sailing between Luxor and Aswan in both directions. Cheap Nile Cruise prices start from $695 per person on the 4 Days/3 Nights Aswan to Luxor itinerary and from $794 per person on the 5 Days/4 Nights Luxor to Aswan itinerary. The best budget Nile Cruise price depends on the departure schedule, cabin type, travel date, route, and included visits.

A cheap Nile Cruise holiday can be arranged as a standalone budget Nile Cruise vacation, a private cheap Nile Cruise package, or as a complete budget Nile Cruise from Cairo with domestic flights, private transfers, sightseeing in Cairo, and cruise accommodation all included. Standard Nile Cruise packages are available for 2026, 2027, and 2028 with multiple weekly departures year round.

At WOW Egypt Tours, every Standard Nile River Cruise is fully private and arranged exclusively for your group or family. The WOW Team is available 24/7 before, during, and after your trip to ensure everything runs perfectly.

The 18 Best Standard Nile Cruise Boats in Egypt

WOW Egypt Tours offers 18 Standard Nile Cruise boats in Egypt, organized across three fixed weekly schedules with 6 cruise boats on each schedule. Every Standard Nile Cruise boat in the program is a licensed 5 star motorized cruise ship selected for the quality of its cabins, the standard of its on-board meals, the professionalism of its crew, and its suitability for private individual, couple, family, and small-group sailings on the Nile River between Luxor and Aswan.

Three Weekly Schedules

The 18 Standard Nile Cruise boats operate across three weekly departure schedules. Six cruise boats depart from Luxor every Saturday and sail from Aswan every Wednesday. Another six cruise boats depart from Luxor every Monday and sail from Aswan every Friday. A third set of six cruise boats departs from Luxor every Thursday and sail from Aswan every Monday.

This gives travelers a choice of six cruise boats on each weekly sailing schedule across three different departure days, with cheap Nile Cruise options available on six different days of the week across both directions of travel.

Schedule 1: Saturday from Luxor / Wednesday from Aswan

Six Standard Nile Cruise boats depart from Luxor every Saturday on the 5 Days/4 Nights Luxor to Aswan itinerary, and from Aswan every Wednesday on the 4 Days/3 Nights Aswan to Luxor itinerary. Budget Nile Cruise prices on this schedule start from $695 per person on the 4-day itinerary and from $794 per person on the 5-day itinerary.

Saturday from Luxor / Wednesday from Aswan

These six Standard Nile Cruise boats depart from Luxor every Saturday and sail in the opposite direction from Aswan every Wednesday.

Schedule 2: Monday from Luxor / Friday from Aswan

Six Standard Nile Cruise boats depart from Luxor every Monday on the 5 Days/4 Nights Luxor to Aswan itinerary, and from Aswan every Friday on the 4 Days/3 Nights Aswan to Luxor itinerary. Cheap Nile Cruise prices on this schedule start from $695 per person on the 4-day itinerary and from $794 per person on the 5-day itinerary.

Monday from Luxor / Friday from Aswan

These six Standard Nile Cruise boats depart from Luxor every Monday and sail in the opposite direction from Aswan every Friday.

Schedule 3: Thursday from Luxor / Monday from Aswan

Six Standard Nile Cruise boats depart from Luxor every Thursday on the 5 Days/4 Nights Luxor to Aswan itinerary, and from Aswan every Monday on the 4 Days/3 Nights Aswan to Luxor itinerary. Budget Nile Cruise prices on this schedule start from $695 per person on the 4-day itinerary and from $794 per person on the 5-day itinerary.

Thursday from Luxor / Monday from Aswan

These six Standard Nile Cruise boats depart from Luxor every Thursday and sail in the opposite direction from Aswan every Monday.

Every Standard Nile Cruise boat offers private air-conditioned cabins with en-suite bathrooms, full-board dining prepared fresh on board daily, a shaded sun deck, and a professional crew. Swimming pools and WiFi are available on selected cruise boats.

Compare All 18 Standard Nile Cruise Boats

Each Standard Nile Cruise boat page above provides detailed information about the individual vessel, including its cabin layout, on-board facilities, sailing schedule, and current availability. Travelers can compare the 18 cruise boats and choose the one that best matches their travel dates, preferred cabin, group size, and budget.

The WOW Team can also help match travelers with the most suitable cheap Nile Cruise boat and confirm availability across all 18 boats for 2026, 2027, and 2028.

Which Standard Nile Cruise Is Right for You?

The right budget Nile Cruise boat depends on your travel dates, group size, preferred departure day, and cabin type. All 18 boats follow the same private sightseeing program with the same private Egyptologist guide, private vehicle, full board, and all entrance fees included at the cheapest available price per person on the Nile.

If you are unsure which boat or schedule to choose, the WOW Team can review your travel dates and requirements and recommend the most suitable cheap Nile Cruise boat from the 18 boats available.

Cheap Nile Cruise Price 
Budget Nile Cruise Packages

Egypt budget Nile Cruise packages are available on 4 day and 5 day itineraries sailing between Luxor and Aswan in both directions. All cheap Nile Cruise holidays include a Private Professional Egyptologist Guide, a private air-conditioned vehicle, full board on board, a private cabin with en-suite bathroom, and all entrance fees throughout. Departures from Luxor every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday and from Aswan every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The budget Nile Cruise price varies by season, with different rates for summer, winter, Christmas, New Year, and Easter.

Cheap Nile Cruise prices start from $695 per person on the 4 Days/3 Nights Aswan to Luxor itinerary, and from $794 per person on the 5 Days/4 Nights Luxor to Aswan itinerary. Budget Nile Cruise prices vary by cabin type, travel date, and departure schedule. All prices include a Private Professional Egyptologist Guide, private transfers, full board, and all entrance fees. There are no hidden costs.

See the 4 Days 3 Nights Cheap Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor and the 5 Days 4 Nights Budget Nile Cruise from Luxor to Aswan pages for full itineraries, current seasonal rates, and availability for 2026, 2027, and 2028. The best cheap Nile Cruise price depends on the cruise boat, cabin type, travel date, route, and included visits.

The Two Budget Nile Cruise Programs

Egypt cheap Nile Cruise packages are offered on two programs, covering the Nile River Valley between Luxor and Aswan in both directions. Both programs visit the same core temples and monuments along the river, with the longer itinerary allowing a more relaxed pace between sites.

5 Days/4 Nights Luxor to Aswan Nile Cruise

The 5 Days/4 Nights Luxor to Aswan Nile Cruise is the most popular budget Egypt Nile Cruise package and the longer of the two itineraries, departing from Luxor every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday and sailing south through the Nile River Valley to Aswan at a steady and well-paced schedule. The 5-day program covers the full East Bank and West Bank sightseeing program in Luxor, all temple and site visits along the river between Luxor and Aswan, and the complete Aswan monuments program. Six cruise boats sail this route every Monday, six every Thursday, and six every Saturday, giving the widest choice of departure days of any Egypt Nile Cruise program. Cheap Nile Cruise prices on this program start from $794 per person in a double cabin.

4 Days/3 Nights Aswan to Luxor Nile Cruise

The 4 Days/3 Nights Aswan to Luxor Nile Cruise is the more compact budget Nile Cruise program, departing from Aswan every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and sailing north through the Nile River Valley to Luxor. The 4-day program covers the full Aswan monuments program, all temple and site visits along the river, and the complete Luxor East Bank and West Bank sightseeing program. An Abu Simbel excursion by road or by flight can be added before departure from Aswan. Budget Nile Cruise prices on this program start from $695 per person in a double cabin.

The WOW Team advises on the best direction based on your travel dates and flight plans, and confirms availability across all 18 Standard Nile Cruise boats for both programs in 2026, 2027, and 2028.

Standard Nile Cruise Departure Days

Standard Nile River Cruises from Luxor depart every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday. Standard Nile River Cruises from Aswan depart every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Six cruise boats sail from Luxor on Saturday and from Aswan on Wednesday, six cruise boats sail from Luxor on Monday and from Aswan on Friday, and six cruise boats sail from Luxor on Thursday and from Aswan on Monday. Across the six weekly departure days, all 18 Standard Nile Cruise boats sail at least once per week in one direction, giving travelers the widest range of date options of any Egypt Nile Cruise category throughout the year. The WOW Team confirms availability and secures your cabin on your preferred departure when you send your travel dates for 2026, 2027, and 2028.

What Is Included in a Budget Nile Cruise Package

Every cheap Nile River Cruise package is fully inclusive. The budget Nile Cruise price quoted is the price paid, with no hidden extras and no surprise costs on arrival. All of the following are included in every package.

Private Professional Egyptologist Guide
One dedicated private Egyptologist for your group for the full duration of the Standard Nile Cruise. Full expert commentary at every temple, monument, and site on the itinerary. No group tours, no shared guides, and no handoffs to local site guides at any point during the cruise.

Private Modern Air Conditioned Vehicle
A private air-conditioned vehicle with a dedicated driver for all transfers to and from the cruise boat, and for all overland excursions to temples and sites during the itinerary. Domestic flights from Cairo to Luxor or Aswan can be added to create a complete budget Nile Cruise from Cairo package.

Private Cabin with En Suite Bathroom
A private cabin on board with an en-suite bathroom for the full duration of the cruise. Cabin options include double cabins (twin or king bed) and triple cabins for families, with sizes and specifications varying by cruise boat. Upper deck cabins are available on selected vessels and offer the best river views.

Full Board on Board
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner served on board daily throughout the cruise. All meals are prepared fresh on board and are included with no additional dining costs. Bottled water is included during tours and transfers. Dietary requests including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meals can be arranged when mentioned at the time of booking.

All Entrance Fees and Tickets
All site admissions on the standard Nile Cruise itinerary are included, from Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings in Luxor to Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo Temple, Philae Temple, and the Aswan High Dam. No surprise costs on arrival.

Private Transfers Throughout
All airport, hotel, and cruise boat transfers are included and coordinated from first contact to final drop-off.

Standard Nile Cruise Itinerary: Temples and Monuments

The Standard Nile River Cruise route covers the most celebrated ancient monuments along the Nile River Valley between Luxor and Aswan in a well-paced program designed to visit the maximum number of major sites within 4 or 5 days. Every cheap Nile Cruise itinerary visits the same core temples and monuments with a private Egyptologist guide, private vehicle, and all entrance fees included throughout, delivering the complete Egypt Nile experience at the best budget price available on the river.

Luxor Highlights

In Luxor, the Ancient City, the Standard Nile Cruise program covers both the East Bank and the West Bank of the Nile. On the East Bank, guided visits include Karnak Temple, the largest temple complex in Egypt developed over more than 2,000 years and covering around 247 acres with its 134 column Great Hypostyle Hall, and Luxor Temple, built mainly by Amenhotep III and expanded by Ramses II, connected to Karnak by the ancient Avenue of Sphinxes, the 2.7 km ceremonial road reopened in 2021. On the West Bank, guided visits include the Valley of the Kings with more than 60 royal tombs including those of Tutankhamun, Ramses II, and Seti I, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari with its dramatic terraced facade set against the limestone cliffs, and the Colossi of Memnon, the two 18 meter statues of Amenhotep III. A sunrise hot air balloon ride over Luxor and the Karnak Sound and Light Show can be added as optional experiences.

Temples and Sites Along the Nile

Sailing between Luxor and Aswan, the Standard Nile Cruise itinerary includes guided shore visits to the Temple of Horus at Edfu, one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt reached by a traditional horse carriage ride through the town, and the Temple of Kom Ombo, the symmetrical double temple dedicated to both Sobek and Horus the Elder, dramatically positioned on a bend in the Nile with open river views.

Aswan Highlights

In Aswan, the Nubian City, the Standard Nile Cruise program covers the main monuments of the First Cataract region at the southern gateway of ancient Egypt. Guided visits include the Aswan High Dam, one of the most significant modern engineering projects in Egypt built between 1960 and 1970, stretching about 3,830 meters and creating Lake Nasser which extends around 500 km through southern Egypt and northern Sudan, the Unfinished Obelisk in the ancient granite quarries linked to Queen Hatshepsut of the 18th Dynasty and abandoned after cracks appeared in the stone, which would have measured about 42 meters and weighed around 1,200 tons if completed, and Philae Temple, the island Temple of Isis with construction from the Late, Ptolemaic, and Roman periods, relocated stone by stone to Agilkia Island during the UNESCO Nubian monuments rescue campaign between 1972 and 1980. An Abu Simbel Temples tour, home of the four colossal 20 meter statues of Ramses II, can be added from Aswan by road or by flight, or as part of a Lake Nasser Cruise extension.

Standard Nile Cruise Egypt: The Cheapest Private Nile Cruise Available

All 18 Standard Nile Cruise boats on the WOW Egypt Tours program are licensed 5 star motorized cruise ships, purpose-built for multi-night private sailing on the Nile between Luxor and Aswan. All 18 boats follow the same sightseeing program with the same private Egyptologist guide, private air-conditioned vehicle, full board, and all entrance fees included. The Standard category is the cheapest private Nile Cruise category on the WOW Egypt Tours program and the most accessible budget Nile Cruise Egypt option available on the river.

Standard Nile Cruise
Eighteen Standard Nile Cruise boats are available with budget Nile Cruise prices starting from $695 per person on the 4-day itinerary and from $794 per person on the 5-day itinerary. Each Standard Nile Cruise boat carries a selection of private cabins with en-suite bathrooms, a dining salon serving freshly prepared full-board meals daily, a shaded sun deck, air conditioning throughout, and a professional crew. Swimming pools and WiFi are available on selected boats.

For travelers who want a larger cabin, upgraded dining, or a higher-end on-board experience, the WOW Egypt Tours program also offers Deluxe Nile Cruises, Ultra Deluxe Nile Cruises, and Luxury Nile Cruises, all with the same private guide, private vehicle, full board, and all entrance fees included.

The WOW Team selects the best available Standard Nile Cruise boat for your travel dates, group size, and budget, and advises on cabin type and deck position when arranging your cheap Nile Cruise package. Contact the WOW Team for current availability and pricing for 2026, 2027, and 2028.

Standard Nile Cruise vs Dahabiya Nile Cruise

A Standard Nile Cruise and a Dahabiya Nile Cruise cover many of the same monuments on the same river, but the experience on board and along the way is fundamentally different. A Standard Nile Cruise is a motorized ship following a fixed weekly schedule and docking at the main cruise boat moorings in Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Aswan. It is the cheapest fully private Egypt Nile Cruise available, with budget Nile Cruise prices starting from $695 per person. A traditional Dahabiya sailing boat carries only a handful of guests, sails mostly by wind power, moors at quiet Nile islands and rural riverside villages rather than busy cruise boat docks, and offers a more exclusive and personal daily rhythm at a higher price. Both options include the same private Egyptologist guide, private air-conditioned vehicle, full board, and all entrance fees. For the most complete Egypt Nile Cruise holiday, combining a budget Standard Nile Cruise between Luxor and Aswan with a Lake Nasser Cruise from Aswan to Abu Simbel delivers the full experience of the Nile from end to end.

Combine Your Budget Nile Cruise with an Egypt Tour Package

A cheap Standard Nile River Cruise holiday pairs naturally with additional Egypt destinations before or after your time on the river. The WOW Team can build a complete Egypt tour package by duration or a Egypt travel package by category around your budget Nile Cruise to include any of the following extensions.

Cairo and the Pyramids
Add nights in Cairo before or after your cheap Nile Cruise to visit the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, the Egyptian Museum of Civilization, and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar. A domestic flight connects Cairo to Luxor or Aswan in approximately one hour.

Lake Nasser Cruise Extension
The most complete Egypt Nile Cruise holiday combines a budget Standard Nile Cruise between Luxor and Aswan with a Lake Nasser Cruise from Aswan all the way to Abu Simbel, covering the entire navigable Nile in a single seamless package. The WOW Team connects both cruises with private transfers in Aswan and coordinates the full itinerary from start to finish.

Abu Simbel Extension
Add a private day trip or overnight stay at the Abu Simbel Temples from Aswan by road or by plane, or continue onto a Lake Nasser Cruise for the full Abu Simbel experience by water.

Add Nights in Aswan
Add nights in Aswan before or after your budget Nile Cruise to visit Elephantine Island, Kitchener's Island botanical garden, the Philae Sound and Light Show, and the Nubian villages on the west bank of the Nile at a more relaxed pace outside the cruise itinerary schedule.

Add Nights in Luxor
Add nights in Luxor to cover more of the West Bank program including the Valley of the Queens, the Nobles Tombs, the Ramesseum, and Medinet Habu, or to enjoy a private sunrise hot air balloon ride over the West Bank monuments.

Hurghada and the Red Sea
Extend your cheap Nile Cruise package with days in Hurghada on the Red Sea coast. A short domestic flight or private road transfer connects Hurghada to Luxor, making it easy to combine a budget Standard Nile Cruise with a Red Sea beach stay in one complete Egypt vacation.

Alexandria
Combine your budget Nile Cruise with a private tour of Alexandria, visiting the Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa, the Citadel of Qaitbay, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, and the Montaza Palace gardens, either as a day trip from Cairo or as an overnight extension.

Browse all Egypt tour packages by duration or explore Egypt travel packages by category to find the right combination, or contact the WOW Team directly with your travel dates and interests for a tailored Egypt budget Nile Cruise vacation quote with no obligation.

Egypt Budget Nile Cruise Packages 2026, 2027 and 2028

Cheap Nile Cruise holidays depart year round in 2026, 2027, and 2028, with weekly departures from Luxor every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday and from Aswan every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday across all 18 Standard Nile Cruise boats on three fixed weekly schedules. Departure dates, seasonal pricing, and availability across both the 4 Days/3 Nights Aswan to Luxor program and the 5 Days/4 Nights Luxor to Aswan program are available on request. The WOW Team confirms availability, secures your cabin, and provides a full itemized Egypt budget Nile Cruise package quote based on your travel dates, group size, and preferred itinerary length. Budget Nile Cruise holidays can be booked as standalone cruises or as part of a complete Egypt tour package combining Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Lake Nasser, and the Red Sea. Contact the WOW Team with your travel dates for 2026, 2027, or 2028 to receive a clear, itemized quote for your cheap Egypt Nile Cruise with no obligation.