Egypt for Half-Term (and Easter)
Egypt in a British school holiday: why the October and February half-terms fall in Egypt's season, what fits in nine days, the flights, the visa and booking in time.
5 min read · Updated 2026-10
Key takeaways
- Both the October and the February half-terms fall inside Egypt's season — warm days, cool evenings
- Nine days, Saturday to Sunday, is enough for Cairo and Luxor, or Cairo and a short Nile cruise
- British Airways and EgyptAir fly nonstop from Heathrow to Cairo in about five hours
- Half-term weeks are among the busiest of the year: book three to four months ahead
Why half-term works
The October half-term catches the start of Egypt's season: 35–37°C in Luxor, 28–31°C in Cairo and the Red Sea still warm enough to swim. By February it is the heart of winter — 24–26°C by day in Luxor, 20–23°C in Cairo, crisp evenings — the most comfortable weather of the year for temples. The Easter holidays work too, warmer, with early mornings in Upper Egypt.
Most schools in England take 26–30 October 2026 and 15–19 February 2027, but councils and academies set their own dates, and some take the week before in February — check your school's calendar before you book.
What fits in nine days
From the Saturday before to the Sunday after, nine days is enough for a real journey: Cairo, Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum, then a short flight to Luxor for the Valley of the Kings and Karnak — or a three-night Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan instead. With younger children we shorten the mornings and leave time for the pool.
Flights
British Airways and EgyptAir both fly nonstop from Heathrow to Cairo, in about five hours, and holiday flights reach the Red Sea resorts from several UK airports. Cairo is two hours ahead of London for most of the year, so there is no jet lag to speak of. Our journeys can start at Cairo airport: we meet you on arrival and take you to your hotel.
The visa
British passport holders can apply for Egypt's tourist e-visa online before they fly, on the official portal visa2egypt.gov.eg, or buy a visa on arrival at the airport. The fees changed during 2026, so check the current amount on the official portal and pay only there. Your passport should be valid for at least six months after you arrive.
Book in time
Half-term weeks are among the busiest of the year, for families from across Europe at once. The best Nile cabins, family rooms and connecting rooms go first: three to four months ahead is right; with less, what changes is which boat and which hotel. Tell us your school's dates and how many of you are travelling — we reply within one working day with a real itinerary and a clear price.
Frequently asked questions
When is half-term?
Most schools in England take 26–30 October 2026 and 15–19 February 2027, but councils and academies set their own dates, and some take the week before in February. Check your school's calendar before booking.
Is Egypt warm at October half-term?
Yes — 35–37°C by day in Luxor and 28–31°C in Cairo, with the Red Sea still warm enough to swim. Evenings are pleasant.
How long is the flight from London to Egypt?
About five hours nonstop from Heathrow to Cairo with British Airways or EgyptAir. Holiday flights also reach the Red Sea resorts from several UK airports.
Can we do Egypt in a half-term week with children?
Yes. Nine days, Saturday to Sunday, covers Cairo, Giza and Luxor at a family pace, with time for the pool. We shorten the mornings for younger children.
- Check your school's own half-term dates before booking — councils and academies differ.
- Book three to four months ahead for half-term weeks.
- With younger children, choose Cairo and Luxor rather than a long day-by-day tour.
Related destinations
Places covered in this guide.
Cairo
Egypt's capital on the Nile — medieval Islamic and Coptic quarters, the Egyptian Museum, and the gateway to Giza.
Explore →Giza
Home of the Great Pyramid and the Sphinx, on the desert plateau across the Nile from Cairo.
Explore →Luxor
The open-air museum of ancient Thebes — Karnak, Luxor Temple and the royal tombs of the Valley of the Kings.
Explore →Related tours
Family Egypt: Pyramids to the Nile
Egypt with children done right: short guided mornings, family-specialist Egyptologists, pool afternoons, and the moments no classroom can match.
Egypt Highlights Deluxe
The headline acts of Egypt in seven days — the Egyptian Museum, Alexandria, the temples and tombs of Luxor, and the Pyramids of Giza.
Related guides
Best Time to Visit Egypt
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What to Pack for Egypt
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Related experiences
Private activities at the destinations covered in this guide.
Sunrise at the Giza Pyramids
Be in place before sunrise at a quiet viewpoint where all nine pyramids of Giza stand in one line, with time of your own for sunrise yoga, a photo session or simply the view — then the plateau with a licensed Egyptologist before it opens to day visitors.
Old Cairo Walking Experience
Walk the medieval lanes of Islamic Cairo and the Coptic quarter with a historian guide who reads nearly two thousand years of layered city — from Roman fortifications to Ottoman merchant palaces.
Egyptian Cooking Experience
Learn to cook four dishes that trace Egypt's 7,000-year food history — from ancient grain preparations to Ottoman-era stuffed vegetables — in a private kitchen session led by a Cairo food specialist.
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