Cairo Clocks Go Back One Hour on 29 October

EGYPT · CAIRO TRAVEL SERVICE

Egypt leaves summer time a few days before the United States does. For one weekend, Cairo sits only six hours ahead of New York.

Cairo and the rest of Egypt turn their clocks back one hour at midnight on Thursday, 29 October 2026. Summer time then ends, and the country runs on UTC+2 until the last Friday of April 2027.

For US travellers, the change shifts the gap with the East Coast for a few days. Cairo is seven hours ahead of New York now, six hours ahead from 30 October, then seven again from 1 November.

What Changes and When

At midnight on the night of Thursday, 29 October, clocks in Egypt move back to 11 p.m. on Thursday. That moment is 9 p.m. UTC, or 5 p.m. US Eastern daylight time on the same Thursday.

The rule comes from Law No. 34 of 2023, which President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi ratified in April 2023. It sets summer time from the last Friday of April to the last Thursday of October.

This year, summer time began on Friday, 24 April 2026, when clocks moved forward one hour. The law fixes both dates, so the government does not need a new decision each autumn.

Egypt Today, a Cairo outlet, confirmed in September that summer time ends on the last Thursday of October 2026. It linked the system to saving energy by reducing the need for artificial lighting in the evening.

Why the US Gap Changes Twice

The United States ends daylight saving time later, at 2 a.m. on Sunday, 1 November 2026. Between the two changes, Cairo and New York are only six hours apart.

From 1 November, Egypt is on UTC+2 and the US East Coast on UTC minus five. The gap then returns to seven hours for the whole winter.

Travellers on the West Coast face the same pattern with a larger gap. Los Angeles is ten hours behind Cairo now, nine hours behind for two days, then ten again.

The short window matters for anyone calling family, joining work meetings or booking transfers that weekend. Calendar invitations set in one time zone can land an hour off in the other.

What It Means for You

Most smartphones update the time automatically when connected to an Egyptian network. Older devices, hotel alarm clocks and some car displays may not, so check them on Friday morning.

Airlines, Egyptian National Railways and tour operators publish departures in local time. A tour pickup on Friday, 30 October, at 7 a.m. means 7 a.m. on the new winter clock.

If you fly out of Cairo International Airport that weekend, compare your boarding pass with the airline app. European hubs change clocks on a different date, while Gulf hubs such as Dubai and Doha keep one time all year.

Europe ends summer time on Sunday, 25 October, a few days before Egypt. A Cairo to New York trip through a European hub may therefore cross three different time rules in one week.

Residents with remote US employers should update shared calendars before the change. Payroll, trading and support shifts that track US hours move by one hour for those two days.

Safety and Entry Reminders

The US State Department rates Egypt at Level 2, exercise increased caution, in an advisory dated 15 July 2025. It says not to travel to the North and Middle Sinai, the Western Desert without a licensed tour company, and border areas.

US citizens need a visa for Egypt, and the State Department names visa2egypt.gov.eg as the only official e-visa site. It lists a single-entry, 30-day tourist visa on arrival at Cairo International Airport for US$36, payable by card.

Sunset in Cairo comes earlier in winter, and the clock change makes evenings feel shorter at once. Plan sightseeing at Giza or Saqqara for the morning and return before dark.

Taxis and ride-hailing apps work across Cairo, but traffic peaks around office closing time. With the earlier sunset, that evening rush now falls closer to nightfall.

What Is Not Known

The government has not published a list of public offices and museums that will move to winter opening hours on 30 October. Visitors should confirm times directly with each site before going.

It is also not known whether the government plans any change to the summer time law before April 2027. Travellers booking spring trips should check the rule again early next year.

What Comes Next

Egypt stays on UTC+2 through the winter tourist season, the busiest months for Nile cruises and Upper Egypt. Under the current law, summer time returns on Friday, 30 April 2027, the last Friday of that month.

Until then, Cairo will stay seven hours ahead of New York for most of the season. The next gap change comes in March 2027, when US clocks move forward before Egypt’s do.

Connected Coverage

The Rio Times Cairo city guide covers neighbourhoods, transport and costs for visitors and new residents. For this month’s events, see What to Do in Cairo in October 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Egypt change its clocks in October 2026?

Egypt turns its clocks back one hour at midnight between Thursday, 29 October, and Friday, 30 October 2026. Clocks then show 11 p.m. on Thursday.

What is the time difference between Cairo and New York?

Cairo is seven hours ahead of New York until 29 October and six hours ahead from 30 October. The gap returns to seven hours after US clocks change on Sunday, 1 November.

When does summer time return to Egypt?

Under Law No. 34 of 2023, summer time starts on the last Friday of April. That date falls on Friday, 30 April 2027.

Sources: Egypt Today, When will Egypt switch to winter time (14 September 2026); Cairo Governorate portal, summer time rule; Egyptian Streets (30 October 2025); Time and Date, Egypt clock changes 2026; US State Department, Egypt entry requirements; US State Department, Egypt travel advisory.

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