How much to book a Dahabiya in Egypt?​

Egypt, home to the oldest civilization, has the longest river, the Nile, which flows and carries history and architectural marvels. The Pyramid of Giza and the Sphinx are the last wonders of the world. With all this, the Nile River cruises add a touch of charm to the history of the Egyptian people. From cruises to golden sailing dahabiya boats on the Nile currents, they are a must on the itinerary of any trip to the lands of pharaohs. 

In this blog, you will get to know the cost breakdown of the dahabiya cruises on the Nile. Get to know about the options you can choose for a perfect Dahabiya experience. Factors that you must consider before booking an Egypt River cruise are listed below. 


​Why choose a Dahabiya and not a Nile River cruise? 

A dahabiya is as old as time; it’s a term used for ancient sailing boats over the River Nile. But as modernization has come into existence, the dahabiyas are now available with all the luxurious amenities on board that you could find in a floating hotel. 


​Major reasons why you should book a Nile dahabiya on your next Egypt tour. 


  1. ​Crowd-free Experience: The dahabiya only has 8-20 guests on board, which directly means you get fewer crowds on decks or at dining places. Which you usually encounter on large Nile ships. Travelers experience slow, calm sailing where they can hear the sound of the Nile. 


  1. Authentic Feel: It gives you a perfect romantic and traditional feel, as it used to be in the 19th and 20th centuries in Egypt. The interior of the ships and the details speak volumes of Egyptian craftsmanship and give you a pure, authentic travel experience. 


  1. ​Boutique-like Feeling: You get more personalized service from the crew due to fewer guests. You can have customized meal times and shore excursions due to the smaller number of guests. It’s the perfect relaxed experience for large families and small group travel. 


  1. ​Access to Hidden Gems: The large cruise ships follow the strict and fixed routes for sailing on the Nile River. Whereas by a dahabiya, you can explore less visited temples, tombs, and other proofs of living history.  


  1. ​An eco-friendly travel option: the ships are smaller in size, and some dahabiya use electro-generated or solar energy for sailing, reducing carbon footprints. Fewer guests lead to less food wastage, promoting environmentally safe travel in Egypt. 


List of Dahabiya Nile cruises and their Prices

Below is a list of major cruises offered by Nile Cruisen with estimated costs to help you figure out how much a dahabiya actually costs. Every dahabiya cruise has some different features that lead to price variations. To book any of these cruises, you can check out the nilecruisen.com official website. 


Swan Luxury Dahabiya 

04 Days - 03 Nights ($1179 USD)


It offers you spacious cabins and the best accommodation on board for a Nile exploration journey. The cost ($1179 USD) is for a triple-sharing cabin on the cruise. It also includes meals and fully guided shore excursions to famous places like Aswan, Kom Ombo, and Edfu Temple. 


Sonesta Amirat Dahabiya

08 Days - 07 Nights ($2049 USD)


If you are someone who wants a long river cruise trip, then choosing an Amirat Dahabiya can be the best option for you. It also includes more shore excursions and on-board facilities for a perfect relaxing getaway on the Nile waters during your Egypt tour. The Amirat Dahabiyas are famous for their remarkable beauty and hospitality. 


​Movenpick SB Feddya

05 Days - 04 Nights ($5499 USD) 


It is a comprehensively designed sailboat for a perfect personalized experience because of its small size and 4 deluxe cabins. The suites offer you a controlled air conditioner, private bathroom, hair dryer, and in-room coffee and tea making facility for a perfect 5-star hotel-like feel. On the sun deck, you can enjoy a number of on-board activities and dining under the Nile skies. 


​Amoura Dahabiya Nile Cruise

04 Days - 03 Nights from Aswan ($899 USD) 


Another dahabiya that gives you a perfect traditional feel is Amoura Dahabiya Nile Cruise with 8 cabins and 1 suite. Every cabin is fully furnished and usually sails between Aswan and Luxor. Best for shore excursions with a relaxing stay on board. You can also enjoy traditional performances while having authentic Egyptian food in open-air dining areas. 


​Merit I Dahabiya

04 Days - 03 Nights from Aswan ($999 USD) 


It is famous for its comfortable and enjoyable stay on board, and guest reviews say that it offers a memorable sailing experience. The shore excursions are carried out with the assistance of tour guides, and they also include private deluxe transport for temple exploration from the cruises. It can be the best value for money option for exploring the Nile and the riverbanks. 


Princess Farida Luxury Dahabiya 

04 Days - 03 Nights from Aswan ($1379 USD)


Board this cruise to experience a truly luxurious experience while sailing through the Nile waters. From world-class dining to fully equipped, spacious cabins, everything gives a perfect royal feel in every corner of the sailboat. Explore Egypt from the large sun decks on board. You can also get access to the mini open-air gym on the Princess Farida Luxury Dahabiya, a newly launched sailboat. 


Pro Tip: these are some of the options that are widely chosen by travelers. You can book one that best suits your budget, comfort, and travel expectations. To get a detailed costing of cruise itineraries, you can fill out the inquiry form, or you can call directly to the travel companies in Egypt to know about Nile cruise offers 2025/2026 for bookings during peak tourism. 


​Final Thoughts 

A Dahabiya will cost you somewhere from $899 USD to $5499 USD, depending upon the kind of services and hospitality they are offering. The best way to find an affordable dahabiya is to compare the inclusions and exclusions in the fare. Choose the one with the best inclusions to enjoy a stress-free Nile travel experience.   



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