Dinner Nile Cruise in Cairo
An Evening of Egyptian Magic on the River of Life
About this tour
Cruise the Nile with an open buffet dinner and live folklore shows, hotel transfers included. Choose 4-star or 5-star cruise.
What the evening includes
Cairo's dinner cruises sail along the Nile through the center of the city, passing Gezira Island with the Zamalek district and Cairo Tower, and the lit-up hotels along the Corniche. On board there is an open buffet dinner and a program of live entertainment. Shows usually include tanoura, a spinning dance performed in brightly colored skirts with roots in Sufi tradition, and a belly dance performance, often with live or recorded Egyptian music; the exact program depends on the boat. You can choose between a 4-star and a 5-star boat. The 5-star option generally offers a more spacious setting and a broader buffet.
How the evening runs
A driver picks you up from your hotel and drops you at the boat's embarkation point on the Nile. Boarding usually takes place in the evening, and you are shown to your table before the boat sets off. Dinner is served buffet-style during the sailing, and the shows follow one another while the boat cruises along the river. After the boat returns to the dock, your driver takes you back to your hotel. Including transfers, the whole experience lasts about three to four hours, depending on traffic and the boat's schedule that night.
Good to know
Drinks and beverages are not included and are bought on board. Most boats have a smart-casual atmosphere, so there is no need for formal clothes, though many guests like to dress up a little. Bring a light layer if you want to step out on deck, as the river breeze can feel cool in winter. Tell us about dietary needs when booking, since buffet choices vary. This cruise suits couples, families and anyone wanting a relaxed evening; if you prefer quiet, the open-air deck is usually calmer than the main hall during the shows.
The Nile through Cairo
The Nile is one of the longest rivers in the world, flowing north for some 6,650 kilometers before reaching the Mediterranean. Cairo grew up near the point where the river divides into the branches of the Delta, and for thousands of years its annual flood shaped farming and settlement along its banks, until the Aswan High Dam, completed in 1970, brought the flooding under control. Today the river is the city's open space, lined with promenades, clubs and hotels. Seeing it from the water at night gives a calm view of a city that is famously busy on land.
What's Included
- Hotel transfers (both ways)
- Open buffet dinner
- Live dancing & entertainment shows
Not Included
- Drinks & beverages
Pricing
- 1 Person (5-Star): USD 65 total
- 2 Persons (5-Star): USD 90 total
- 3+ Persons (5-Star): USD 45 per person
- 1 Person (4-Star): USD 55 total
- 2 Persons (4-Star): USD 70 total
- 3+ Persons (4-Star): USD 35 per person
Prices marked per person are per person; all others are the total for that group size.
Drinks not included
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the 4-star and 5-star cruise?
Both include hotel transfers, an open buffet dinner and live shows. The 5-star boats are generally larger and more upscale, with a wider buffet selection and more polished interiors. The 4-star option is a good value choice if the main goal is dinner, music and the city lights.
How much does it cost?
For the 5-star cruise: $65 total for one person, $90 total for two, or $45 per person for three or more. For the 4-star cruise: $55 total for one, $70 total for two, or $35 per person for three or more. Drinks are extra.
Are drinks included?
No. Drinks and beverages are excluded and paid on board. The price includes return hotel transfers, the open buffet dinner and the live dancing and entertainment shows. Water, soft drinks, tea and coffee are all sold on the boat, so bring some cash.
Is the cruise suitable for vegetarians?
Usually, yes. Buffets on Cairo dinner cruises typically include salads, rice, vegetable dishes and desserts alongside meat and fish. If you have a strict diet or allergy, tell us when booking so we can check with the boat in advance.
Other Day Tours
- Giza Pyramids, from USD 70
- Saqqara, Memphis & Dahshour, from USD 70
- Cairo City Tour, from USD 70
- Bike Tour to the Pyramids, from USD 30 per person