Major city · Egypt
Assiutأسيوط
Skip Assiut unless you are already touring Middle Egypt: it is a working Nile city, not a sightseeing base. One day covers the old town, the canal and the bazaar; the region's real draws are north in Minya and Beni Hasan.
Assiut sits on the Nile about 375 km south of Cairo, roughly halfway between Minya and Sohag. It is a large regional capital (about 390,000 people) with a lively corniche, a historic quarter and a famous sweets tradition, but its monuments are scattered and modest. Most travellers use it as a transport stop on the Cairo–Luxor rail line, or skip it entirely for the tombs and temples around Minya and Beni Hasan to the north.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EGP
- Best months
- Oct–Apr
- avoid Jun–Aug (very hot), Ramadan for daytime eating
- Airport
- ATZ
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- North Africa ↗Plan links between North African countries by air or by ferry via Europe; the only regularly usable land borders for visitors are Tunisia–Algeria and Morocco–Mauritania via Western Sahara.
- North Africa ↗Book Saharan nights (dunes, desert camps, oasis tours) between October and April; from May to September desert day temperatures regularly exceed 40 °C and many tours stop.
- Egypt ↗Check visa rules for your passport on the official Egypt e-visa portal before flying; visa on arrival availability depends on nationality and can change.
- Egypt ↗Drones need prior permission and are routinely confiscated on arrival; leave them at home.
- Egypt ↗Do not photograph military sites, police, bridges or government buildings; some museums and tombs charge for or ban photography.
- Egypt ↗During Ramadan, avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public in daylight; hotels and tourist restaurants still serve.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Assiut122 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Assiut, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Egyptian pound (EGP, also written LE or £E).Egypt-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckVodafone, Orange, Etisalat (e&) and WE sell tourist SIMs at Cairo airport with passport; about EGP 500–1,000 for 20–40 GB — check.Egypt-wide
- Tap waterTap water is chlorinated in cities but most visitors drink bottled; do not drink Nile water.Egypt-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 10% even when service is added (it rarely reaches staff).Egypt-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Egypt-wide
- SafetyAssiut is generally safe for travellers, but keep to the main streets at night and use official taxis.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels and restaurants; attendants at sites expect EGP 10–20.Egypt-wide
- Emergency numbers122 police · 123 ambulance · 126 tourist police (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysFriday is the weekend day (with Saturday for offices); sites open daily, some close earlier in Ramadan.Egypt-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportATZ Assiut Airport (Some international connections from Arab countries; most travellers arrive by train from Cairo.).
- Getting aroundTaxis and microbuses cover the city; the corniche and old town are walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealStreet snack (taameya or falafel sandwich)EGP 15–30
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi ride within the cityEGP 50–100
- Budget bedHostel or budget hotel room, a night, per roomEGP 500
- Mid-range bedHostel or budget hotel room, a night, per roomEGP 800
- High-end bedHostel or budget hotel room, a night, per roomEGP 1,200
A day, not counting the bed: Budget EGP 800 · Mid EGP 1,500 · High EGP 2,500
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ATZ Assiut Airport (Some international connections from Arab countries; most travellers arrive by train from Cairo.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Feb
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Mar
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Apr
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
May
not flagged
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Jun
Avoid
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
Jul
Avoid
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
Aug
Avoid
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
Sep
not flagged
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Oct
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Dec
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Best: Oct–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)), coolest Jan (8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C) low). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Assiut: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
0 rd
Feb
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
0 rd
Mar
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
0 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
0 rd
May
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
0 rd
Jun
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
0 rd
Jul
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
0 rd
Aug
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
0 rd
Sep
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
0 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
0 rd
Nov
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
0 rd
Dec
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
0 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Taxis and microbuses cover the city; the corniche and old town are walkable. For sites outside town, hire a taxi for the day or join a tour from Minya.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Beni Hasan
goDoor to door: About 2 h
Train or taxi north to the site, about 1 h
Rock-cut tombs with vivid paintings; combine with Minya.
El-Ashmunein
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Taxi or train to the archaeological site, about 45 min
Remains of Hermopolis Magna, including a fallen ram-headed sphinx.
Mallawi
cautionDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Train or taxi north, about 40 min
Museum and local market; check opening days.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
City centre near the corniche
Walking distance to the old town and bazaar; hotels are basic but practical.
Near the railway station
Convenient for early trains; fewer dining options.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- EGP 800–1,200 excl. bed
- Mid
- EGP 1,200–2,000 excl. bed
- High
- EGP 2,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel room1 × 1 night × EGP 1,800 | EGP 1,800 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × EGP 1,500 | EGP 3,000 |
| Day-trip taxi to Beni Hasan and back1 × EGP 1,500 · check | EGP 1,500 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | EGP 630 |
| Trip total≈ EGP 3,465 per person per day, bed included | EGP 6,930 |
2026 estimate in EGP; flights and long-distance trains excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Street snack (taameya or falafel sandwich) | EGP 15–30 |
| Local meal at a restaurant | EGP 100–200 |
| Taxi ride within the city | EGP 50–100 |
| Train Cairo–Assiut, second class | EGP 150–250 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Touts and unofficial guides at the station and bazaar: agree a price before any service.
- Summer heat is intense: carry water and plan outdoor sightseeing for early morning or late afternoon.
- Ramadan changes opening hours and daytime eating: check the current dates.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 122
- Ambulance
- 123
- Tourist police
- 126
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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Assiutأسيوط
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
إلى هذا العنوان، من فضلكTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police122
- Ambulance123
- Tourist police126
Embassy
Nearest major embassies are in Cairo; the US embassy is in Cairo.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Airport → city centre: taxi about EGP 200–300 (check)
- Railway station → corniche: taxi about EGP 50–80
Say or show
- مرحبا — Hello (marhaba)
- شكرا — Thank you (shukran)
- بكام؟ — How much? (bekam?)
- أين محطة القطار؟ — Where is the train station? (ayna mahattat al-qitar?)
English is limited outside hotels; learn a few Arabic phrases.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Assiut. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Apr · avoid Jun–Aug (very hot), Ramadan for daytime eating · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Verified train times and taxi fares from Assiut station.
- A walking route for the old town and corniche with rescue anchors.
- Day-trip contracts to Beni Hasan and El-Ashmunein with driver pickup.
Sources
Ask about Assiut
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