Nile cruise or dahabiya: which should you choose?

Almost everyone who visits Egypt spends a few nights on the Nile between Luxor and Aswan. The question is what kind of boat. Here is an honest comparison.

The short answer

• Choose a cruise ship for comfort, a pool on deck, a fixed schedule and a lower price per person.
• Choose a dahabiya for a slower, quieter trip with a handful of other guests and stops the big ships cannot make.

Side by side

	Nile cruise ship	Dahabiya
Guests	Usually 60 to 150	Usually 8 to 20
Power	Engine	Sails, with a tug for calm days
Route	Luxor to Aswan in 3 or 4 nights	Esna to Aswan in 4 or 5 nights
Stops	Main temples: Edfu, Kom Ombo	Main temples plus small sites and islands
On board	Pool, lounge, restaurant	Sun deck, shared table, sometimes a plunge pool
Price	Wide range, from mid-range to luxury	Usually higher per person

Life on a cruise ship

Cruise ships follow a timetable shared by many boats, so the main temples can be busy when you arrive. In return you get a pool, a range of cabins and a reliable schedule. Luxury ships such as the Oberoi Philae or the Sanctuary fleet offer larger cabins and fewer guests. See our luxury Nile trip.

Life on a dahabiya

A dahabiya moves slowly under sail and moors at islands and villages. There are fewer guests and the atmosphere is closer to a private house party. You eat together, often on deck. You can visit El Kab or Gebel el-Silsila, which most cruise passengers never see.

The downsides: less space, no large pool, and a schedule that depends on the wind.

For families and groups

Families with young children often prefer a ship for the pool and the space. Larger families and groups of friends can charter a whole dahabiya, which is often the best of both.

Our advice

For a first trip on a mid-range budget, a good cruise ship is the right choice. For a honeymoon, a special anniversary or a second visit, the dahabiya is worth it.

Not sure? Ask us. We will tell you which boats have cabins for your dates.