Cairo’s fall season brings a much-needed break from the brutal summer heat. Honestly, it’s one of the best times to wander around the city.
You’ll get warm afternoons, cooler evenings, and barely any rain—perfect for sightseeing or just being outside. The weather stays dry and steady, so you won’t have to stress about sudden storms or wet surprises.
As fall rolls in, temperatures drop from those hot September days to much milder ones in November. The sky usually stays clear, but you’ll notice the days getting shorter as the weeks go by.
This mix of warmth, sun, and cool nights gives you a pretty good idea of what it feels like before you even step outside in Cairo or head out to the desert.
Thinking of visiting? Fall really stands out for its comfort and all the things you can do. There aren’t as many tourists as in the busiest months, but the weather’s still great for exploring landmarks, browsing markets, or even taking trips out of town.
Overview of Fall Weather in Cairo
In fall, Cairo’s temperatures start to cool off from the summer highs. Skies get a bit more clouds, and humidity finally drops to a level that feels comfortable.
Rain hardly shows up, and the days get shorter fast as winter gets closer.
Key Fall Climate Characteristics
Between September and November, Cairo’s daily high temperatures drop from about 94°F (34°C) in early September to around 73°F (23°C) by late November.
Nights cool off too, going from about 74°F (23°C) to 56°F (13°C).
Rain almost never happens. You’re looking at just 0.1 inches (3 mm) of rain for the whole season. The odds of a rainy day hover around 1%, so expect dry weather.
Humidity changes a lot. In early September, over half the days feel muggy, but by November it’s nearly zero. Late fall is especially nice for being outside.
Winds stay moderate, blowing in from the north at 8–9 mph. As the season goes on, clouds show up a little more, with clear skies in September turning partly cloudy by November.
Comparison to Other Seasons
Fall bridges the gap between Cairo’s long, hot summers and its milder winters. Summer highs usually reach 95–100°F (35–38°C), and the nights barely cool down.
Winter is milder, with highs near 65–70°F (18–21°C) and nights dropping to about 50°F (10°C).
Spring can bring sandstorms and strong desert winds, but fall is much calmer. Rain stays rare in both seasons, though winter gets a bit more, especially in December and January.
Daylight changes fast. Early September gives you about 12 hours 45 minutes of daylight, but by late November, you’re down to 10 hours 20 minutes. Losing over two hours of daylight is a big seasonal shift.
Cairo’s Geographic and Climatic Context
Cairo sits up north in Egypt along the Nile, surrounded by desert. The climate is hot desert (BWh) according to the Köppen system, which basically means very little rain and loads of sunshine.
Cairo’s at about 30°N latitude, so daylight changes a lot with the seasons, even though temperatures stay warm all year. The city’s low elevation—around 75 feet (23 meters) above sea level—means altitude doesn’t really affect the weather.
Because of the desert climate, Cairo almost never gets extreme cold or heavy rain. Instead, seasonal changes mostly show up as shifts in temperature, humidity, and daylight, not wild weather events. That’s why fall feels so predictable and easy for travel planning.
Average Fall Temperatures
Fall in Cairo means a steady cooling off during the days, and nights get a lot more comfortable. You’ll have warm afternoons, mild evenings, and hardly any rain, which makes it a fantastic time to be outside in Egypt.
Daily Highs and Lows
In September, daily highs usually hit the low to mid-90s °F (around 34°C). By November, you’re looking at highs in the low to mid-70s °F (23°C).
This steady drop makes being outside a lot easier as fall goes on.
Nights shift, too. Early fall nights stay warm, often in the upper 60s to low 70s °F (20–22°C). By late November, lows dip into the mid-50s °F (13°C), so you might want a light jacket.
The difference between day and night isn’t as dramatic as in southern Egypt’s deserts. Still, you’ll want to be ready for a range of temps if you’re out from morning to night.
Temperature Trends Throughout Fall
You’ll notice a slow, steady cooling from September through November. There aren’t any sudden cold snaps—just a gentle drop each week.
Humidity stays low, making the air feel dry and pleasant compared to summer. That, plus mostly clear skies, is why so many people like coming to Cairo’s outdoor spots in the fall.
Clouds do show up a bit more as November gets closer, but the sun still rules the sky. The heat isn’t as harsh, so walking tours and sightseeing feel a lot better than in summer.
Monthly Temperature Breakdown
September: Highs average about 34°C (93°F), with lows near 21°C (70°F). Days are still pretty hot, but evenings start to cool off.
October: Highs drop to around 29°C (84°F), and lows average 18°C (64°F). This month feels the most comfortable for most people.
November: Highs reach about 23°C (73°F), and lows fall to 13°C (55°F). Nights can get crisp, especially compared to September.
| Month | Avg High °F (°C) | Avg Low °F (°C) |
|---|---|---|
| September | 93 (34) | 70 (21) |
| October | 84 (29) | 64 (18) |
| November | 73 (23) | 55 (13) |
You can see how the climate shifts from hot to mild in just three months, which gives you lots of options for planning.
Rainfall and Precipitation Patterns
Cairo’s desert climate keeps rain rare and short-lived. Fall barely changes that—rain totals stay super low, especially compared to most cities.
Average Rainfall Amounts
Rain during Cairo’s fall is almost nothing. Each month, the city gets less than 10 mm of rain, whether it’s September, October, or November.
You might see a couple of brief showers, but honestly, you could visit and never see a drop.
For perspective, Cairo’s entire year averages just 18–28 mm of rain, while cities like Toronto or Seoul get over 900 mm. No wonder Cairo’s skies are almost always clear.
With so little rain, you really don’t need to pack rain gear. Light showers pop up now and then, but they don’t last or mess with your plans.
Chance of Wet Days
Your odds of hitting a rainy day in Cairo during fall are tiny. Usually, there are about 1–2 days per month with any measurable rain.
Even then, it’s usually just a sprinkle—sometimes less than 0.5 mm. Heavy rain almost never happens. Locals can go weeks without seeing rain at all.
Because rain is so rare, most travelers plan outdoor stuff without worrying about the weather. If it does rain, it’s more of an oddity than a problem.
Rainfall Variation by Month
Rainfall in Cairo during fall barely changes. September is super dry, averaging close to 0 mm. October gets a slight bump, usually under 2 mm. By November, rainfall hits its seasonal peak at about 5–6 mm.
This small increase signals winter is on the way, which is when Cairo gets a bit more rain. Still, even November’s totals are tiny compared to Mediterranean or Middle Eastern cities.
You can count on mostly dry weather all fall. If you’re here in late November, you might notice cooler air and a rare quick shower, but clear skies are still the norm.
Cloud Cover and Sunshine
Cairo’s skies change a bit in fall. The season starts off super clear, then slowly gets more cloud cover, and daylight hours shrink while the sun loses some punch.
Typical Cloudiness in Fall
September usually brings clear skies almost every day. Early in the season, the chance of overcast or mostly cloudy days is basically 0%, so you get those wide-open city views.
By November, clouds show up more. Late fall sees overcast or mostly cloudy skies about 25–28% of the time.
The clearest part of fall is early September, with skies clear, mostly clear, or partly cloudy nearly 100% of the time. December gets cloudier, but even then, Cairo’s still sunnier than most places.
For travelers, this means early fall is best for blue skies and photos, while late fall brings softer light and the occasional haze. Clouds rarely mean rain, though, so the weather stays steady.
Average Daily Sunshine Hours
Cairo enjoys plenty of sun, even in fall. In September, expect about 12 to 13 hours of daylight—long afternoons and late sunsets.
By November, daylight drops to about 10 hours a day, so you’ll want to plan outdoor stuff earlier. Each day, you lose about 1–2 minutes of daylight.
Actual sunshine is still strong: September gives you 9–10 hours of bright sun daily, while November offers 7–8 hours. The sun’s intensity can still catch you off guard, so don’t skip the sunscreen.
With shorter days and a bit more cloud cover, late fall feels different from the start of the season. If you love long, sunny days, early September is your best bet for Cairo’s fall weather.
Daylight and Sun Position
In Cairo, daylight hours shrink quickly during fall. You’ll notice shorter days, earlier sunsets, and later sunrises from September to November.
This affects how much time you have for sightseeing and outdoor plans.
Day Length Changes in Fall
At the beginning of September, you get about 12 hours and 45 minutes of daylight. By late November, it drops to around 10 hours and 22 minutes.
That’s a loss of more than 2 hours over the season.
Each week, days get about 11 minutes shorter. You’ll definitely notice this if you’re in Cairo for a while. Solar energy also drops, going from about 7.3 kWh to 3.6 kWh per day.
This matters if you’re planning lots of outdoor activities, tours, or photography. With less daylight, you’ll want to make the most of the sun.
Sunrise and Sunset Times
In early September, the sun rises near 6:08 AM and sets around 7:17 PM. By late November, sunrise shifts to about 6:46 AM, and sunset comes as early as 4:54 PM.
The latest sunrise happens around 7:07 AM in late October, and the earliest sunset is at the end of November. Daylight saving changes can move these times by about an hour, depending on the year.
So, mornings stay darker longer, and evenings come fast. If you’re planning museum visits, Nile cruises, or walking tours, keep these daylight hours in mind.
Travel Considerations for Fall Visitors
If you’re heading to Cairo in the fall, expect mild temperatures, low rainfall, and way fewer tourists than during the busy months. It’s smart to plan out your flights, airport rides, and maybe think about how the weather could impact your sightseeing.
Best Times to Visit
Fall in Cairo stretches from September to November. At the start of September, highs reach the mid-90s °F, but by late November, they’ve dropped to the low 70s °F.
Nights cool off into the 50s °F, which feels perfect if you want to walk around or eat outside.
You’ll notice smaller crowds than in winter, when everyone seems to show up. That means you can skip the long lines at places like the Pyramids of Giza or the Egyptian Museum.
Hotels usually offer better deals too, so you might get more for your money if you’re staying longer.
If you like it warmer, stick to early fall. But if you want cooler weather for walking around, late October through November is really nice.
Either way, you’ll get clear skies and almost no rain, so outdoor plans usually work out just fine.
Weather Impacts on Activities
Cairo’s fall weather makes it easy to spend all day sightseeing. Rain almost never happens, with totals under 0.1 inches for the whole season.
You can book outdoor tours, hop on a Nile cruise, or take quick trips to nearby spots without stressing about storms.
Humidity drops a lot as fall goes on. September sometimes feels a bit muggy, but by November, the air dries out.
Walking around Old Cairo or climbing up to the Citadel gets easier as the season moves along.
Daylight shrinks by over two hours from September to November. If you want to see a lot, start your days early.
By late fall, the sun sets before 5:00 PM, so people usually move inside for evening plans.
Arriving via Cairo International Airport
Cairo International Airport (CAI) welcomes most travelers. It’s about 13 miles northeast of downtown Cairo and handles the bulk of international flights.
There are three terminals, and Terminal 3 takes care of most long-haul routes.
You can grab an official taxi, book a private car, or take an airport shuttle to get into town. Depending on traffic, the ride might take anywhere from 30 minutes to over an hour.
It’s a good idea to agree on your fare ahead of time or just use a ride-hailing app, so you don’t end up arguing about prices.
Inside the terminals, you’ll find currency exchange, ATMs, and SIM card stands. That way, you can get your phone set up and grab some local cash before you even leave the airport.
Nearby Airports: Borg El Arab Airport
Borg El Arab Airport (HBE) sits just outside Alexandria, roughly 110 miles northwest of Cairo. Honestly, it’s not the first choice for most folks heading to Cairo, but if you’re planning to see both Alexandria and the capital, it might make sense.
You’ll mostly find regional flights here, along with a handful of international routes—mainly from the Middle East. The airport feels a lot smaller than Cairo International, and you won’t find as many amenities or ground transport options.
If you land at Borg El Arab, you’ll need to arrange a road transfer to Cairo. The drive usually takes around 2.5 to 3 hours, though traffic can really change things.
Private cars and buses can get you there, but honestly, booking ahead makes everything less stressful.