Nile River Dinner Cruise Cairo: Buffet & Shows

Dinner and live performances on the water instead of a restaurant table on land

A 2-hour Nile River dinner cruise from Cairo combines an open buffet meal with belly dancing and Tanoura shows, departing at 6:30 pm from your hotel. You board the boat in downtown Cairo, dine while the river moves past, and return by around 9:30 pm. Hotel pickup, a local guide in multiple languages, and group transfer are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Nile River Dinner Cruise Evening

• Pickup from hotel at 18:30
• Transfer to Cairo downtown
• Board the Dinner Cruise
• Enjoy open buffet dinner
• Watch belly dancing and Tanoura shows
• Transfer back to hotel at 21:30

The experience

The cruise departs at 6:30 pm from your hotel with group pickup and transfer to downtown Cairo, where you board the dinner boat. An open buffet of Egyptian cuisine is served while you sail, and the evening centers on live performances: belly dancing and Tanoura shows (the spinning dervish tradition) happen around the dining area as the Nile passes. The boat returns you to your hotel by approximately 9:30 pm. A local guide travels with the group and speaks English, Spanish, Italian, German or one additional language.

The cruise operates as a shared group experience, so you'll dine and watch performances alongside other travelers. The boat itself is the setting. There's no separate theater or stage area, just the performers moving through the dining space. The entire outing, from pickup to return, takes around three hours. Traffic in Cairo can add 30 to 45 minutes to the transfer time, so plan accordingly. The bus waits a maximum of 15 minutes at the meeting point before departing.

You can choose among three boat options at checkout: the 5-star Nile Pharaoh, the 4-star Nile cruise, or the luxury Nile Maxim Cruise. Each carries the same itinerary and inclusions. The difference is the boat's amenities and size. Pickup points are the Ramses Hilton in Cairo or the Emo Tours Egypt office in Giza. Confirm which one applies to your hotel when you book.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• local guide in your choice of language.
• buffet dinner.
• group transfer to and from the boat.
• all performances and entertainment onboard.

Options for this experience

3 options

4-star Nile cruiseGuide in 5 languages · 18:00, 18:30 and 19:004-star Nile cruise, pickup is included

Deluxe 5-star option on the Nile PharaohGuide in 5 languages · 18:00Deluxe 5-star option on the Nile Pharaoh, pickup is included

Luxury option on the Nile Maxim CruiseGuide in 5 languages · 19:00Includes pickup

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Lasts 3h, runs every day at 18:00, 18:30 and 19:00, from US$ 15 per person, with live guides in 5 languages, in groups of up to 15 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 18:00, 18:30 and 19:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, German, Italian and Arabic

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Arabic

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Egypt Tours Online

Is this one for you?Choose the boat option that matches your budget and preference for amenities: all three follow the same evening schedule and include the same dinner and shows, so the choice is about the vessel itself rather than the itinerary.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, German, Italian and Arabic.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years); Infant (under 6): free.

What kind of food is served on the Nile dinner cruise?

An open buffet of Egyptian cuisine is included. The specific dishes vary by boat option, but all three include a full dinner service during the sail.

Are drinks included in the cruise price?

Water and drinks are not included in the ticket price, so you'll order and pay separately onboard if you want beverages.

What time does the cruise depart and return?

Hotel pickup begins at 6:30 pm, and the boat returns you to your hotel by around 9:30 pm. The full outing is approximately three hours, though traffic can add 30 to 45 minutes to the transfer time.

Do I need to tip the guide and crew?

Tipping is not included in the price and is at your discretion. It's customary to tip service staff if you're satisfied with the experience.

What is the Tanoura show?

Tanoura is a traditional Egyptian spinning performance where dancers in colorful skirts rotate at high speed, often accompanied by music. It's a live show performed on the boat during dinner.