Imagine standing beneath a darkening sky while the Moon completely covers the Sun. The temperature drops, the landscape changes, and for a few precious minutes daylight turns into twilight. A total solar eclipse is one of nature's most spectacular events — and over the next decade, several extraordinary opportunities await travellers around the world.
For travellers who love combining astronomy, adventure and holidays, the period from 2027 to 2035 offers an exceptional series of total solar eclipses.
From ancient Egyptian temples and the Australian outback to Alaska, the Himalayas and Japan, these eclipses can become the centrepiece of an unforgettable holiday.
NASA's eclipse tables confirm six total solar eclipses between 2027 and 2035 that cross populated or accessible parts of the world.
Total Solar Eclipses in the Next 10 Years
| Date | Country/Region | Recommended base | Totality* | Holiday combination |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 August 2027 | Egypt, Spain, Morocco & North Africa | Luxor, Egypt | up to 6m 23s | Egypt & Red Sea |
| 22 July 2028 | Australia & New Zealand | Sydney / NSW | up to 5m 10s | East Coast Australia |
| 25 November 2030 | Namibia, Botswana & South Africa | Windhoek / South Africa | up to 3m 44s | Safari & Southern Africa |
| 30 March 2033 | Alaska & eastern Russia | Nome, Alaska | up to 2m 37s | Alaska wilderness |
| 20 March 2034 | Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, India & China | Srinagar, India | up to 4m 09s | India & Himalayas |
| 2 September 2035 | China, North Korea & Japan | Utsunomiya / Nagano area, Japan | up to 2m 54s | Japan |
| 2036 | — | — | — | No total solar eclipse |
*Maximum totality occurs along the centre line and varies considerably by location.
The figures and eclipse paths are based on NASA's published solar-eclipse data.
1. Egypt – Total Solar Eclipse, 2 August 2027
The big one for European travellers
Date: 2 August 2027
Countries: Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Yemen
Maximum totality: approximately 6 minutes 23 seconds
The 2027 eclipse is particularly exciting because it offers one of the longest periods of totality of the entire 21st century. The total path crosses southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
Why Egypt?
Egypt is an excellent choice for combining an eclipse trip with a traditional holiday. The Luxor area provides access to the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple and the Nile, while the Red Sea offers beaches and diving.
Suggested holiday: 10–14 days
Cairo → Luxor → Nile Valley → Hurghada or Marsa Alam
Accommodation
For budget travellers, look for simple guesthouses and 2–3-star hotels in Luxor.
Budget: approximately €25–€50 per room/night
Mid-range: approximately €50–€100 per room/night
Prices around the eclipse itself are likely to be substantially higher, so early booking will be important.
Cheap flights
Look for flights to Cairo (CAI) and then use a domestic flight or train towards Luxor.
For European travellers, compare departures from:
- Amsterdam
- Brussels
- Düsseldorf
- Frankfurt
- Paris
- London
An open-jaw itinerary such as Europe → Cairo / Hurghada → Europe can sometimes work particularly well.
2. Australia & New Zealand – 22 July 2028
Date: 22 July 2028
Countries: Australia and New Zealand
Maximum totality: approximately 5 minutes 10 seconds
This may be one of the most attractive eclipse-and-holiday combinations of the decade.
The path crosses Australia from Western Australia through the Northern Territory and Queensland into New South Wales, passing directly across the Sydney region. It then continues towards New Zealand.
Sydney Eclipse Holiday
Sydney is particularly interesting because the eclipse path crosses the city region.
You can combine the event with:
Sydney → Blue Mountains → Canberra → Melbourne → Great Ocean Road
Or make it a longer Australian adventure:
Sydney → Brisbane → Cairns → Great Barrier Reef
Accommodation
Budget: €35–€70 per room/night
Mid-range: €80–€150 per room/night
During the eclipse period, however, accommodation can become much more expensive. Booking several years ahead is sensible.
Cheap flights
Australia is never truly a low-cost destination from Europe, but competition between airlines can make a big difference.
Compare:
Amsterdam / Paris / Frankfurt → Singapore / Kuala Lumpur / Doha → Sydney
A useful strategy is to combine the long-haul flight with a few days in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Bali.
Bonus: New Zealand
The eclipse also crosses New Zealand, including the South Island. Queenstown and Dunedin are particularly interesting places to build into a longer itinerary.
3. Namibia, Botswana & South Africa – 25 November 2030
Date: 25 November 2030
Countries: Namibia, Botswana, South Africa and Australia
Maximum totality: approximately 3 minutes 44 seconds
This could become one of the most spectacular eclipse + safari holidays of the decade.
The total eclipse crosses southern Africa before continuing across the Indian Ocean and Australia. Locations including Windhoek, Botswana and parts of South Africa fall within the totality zone.
Suggested 14-day itinerary
Windhoek → Sossusvlei → Swakopmund → Botswana → Johannesburg / Pretoria
Or choose South Africa:
Johannesburg → Kruger National Park → Eswatini → Durban
The combination of a total eclipse and an African safari could make this a particularly memorable trip.
Accommodation
Budget: €30–€60 per room/night
Mid-range: €60–€130 per room/night
Safari lodges are considerably more expensive, but ordinary hotels and guesthouses can keep the overall trip within a reasonable budget.
Flight strategy
Look for:
Europe → Windhoek
or
Europe → Johannesburg
From Johannesburg, a separate regional flight or rental car can be used to continue the journey.
4. Alaska – 30 March 2033
Date: 30 March 2033
Region: Alaska and eastern Russia
Maximum totality: approximately 2 minutes 37 seconds
This is the adventurous option.
The total eclipse crosses Alaska and the far eastern part of Russia. The path is much more remote than the 2027 or 2028 eclipses. NASA's eclipse path data shows totality crossing Alaska, while the centre line passes through very sparsely populated northern areas.
Nome – the adventurous choice
Nome, Alaska lies close to the centre of the eclipse path and offers an extraordinary wilderness setting.
However, this is not a conventional city break. Accommodation is limited and March in Alaska means winter conditions.
For that reason, this trip should be planned well in advance.
Suggested itinerary
Anchorage → Denali region → Fairbanks → Nome
Allow at least 10–14 days.
Budget
Budget accommodation: approximately €80–€150 per room/night
Mid-range: €150–€250+ per room/night
Alaska is considerably more expensive than Egypt or parts of Asia.
Flights
Look for:
Amsterdam / Frankfurt / London → Seattle → Anchorage
You can also build a few days in Seattle or Vancouver into the trip.
5. India & the Himalayas – 20 March 2034
Date: 20 March 2034
Countries: Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, Sudan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and China
Maximum totality: approximately 4 minutes 09 seconds
This eclipse provides an extraordinary opportunity to combine astronomy with an extensive cultural journey through Asia.
India is particularly interesting for European travellers.
The path crosses parts of northern India, including Jammu and Kashmir. Srinagar is among the larger cities within the totality zone.
Suggested holiday
Delhi → Amritsar → Jammu & Kashmir → Srinagar
For a longer journey:
Delhi → Agra → Jaipur → Amritsar → Srinagar
This gives you the opportunity to combine the eclipse with the Taj Mahal, Rajasthan, Sikh heritage and the Himalayan landscape.
Accommodation
Budget: €20–€45 per room/night
Mid-range: €45–€90 per room/night
India can offer excellent value for money, particularly outside major international hotel chains.
Cheap flights
Compare:
Amsterdam / Brussels / Frankfurt / London → Delhi
For budget-conscious travellers, booking the international flight separately from domestic Indian flights can sometimes offer more flexibility.
6. Japan – 2 September 2035
Date: 2 September 2035
Countries: China, North Korea and Japan
Maximum totality: approximately 2 minutes 54 seconds
Japan could be one of the most exciting destinations of the entire series.
The total eclipse crosses parts of Japan, while many major Japanese cities experience a very deep partial eclipse. NASA confirms the path crosses China, Korea and Japan.
Japan eclipse holiday
Possible itinerary:
Tokyo → Nikko → Utsunomiya → Nagano → Kyoto → Osaka
Locations around Utsunomiya and Nagano are particularly interesting for travellers looking for totality rather than merely a partial eclipse.
Accommodation
Budget hotels: €45–€80 per room/night
Mid-range: €80–€150 per room/night
Japan has an excellent network of business hotels and simple accommodation, making it possible to travel relatively economically.
Flights
Search:
Amsterdam / Frankfurt / Paris / London → Tokyo
You can also compare flights to Osaka and use Japan's excellent rail network.
A Japan Rail Pass or regional rail passes can make a longer eclipse holiday easier to organise.
Which Eclipse Is Best for a Longer Holiday?
Rather than looking only at the eclipse itself, it makes sense to consider the entire destination.
| Eclipse | Holiday potential | Typical travel budget | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Egypt 2027 | Very high | €€ | History, beaches & sunshine |
| Australia 2028 | Very high | €€€ | Road trips & nature |
| Southern Africa 2030 | Very high | €€–€€€ | Safari & adventure |
| Alaska 2033 | High | €€€ | Wilderness & adventure |
| India 2034 | Very high | €€ | Culture & mountains |
| Japan 2035 | Very high | €€€ | Culture, food & technology |
These are broad planning categories rather than fixed prices.
How to Save Money on an Eclipse Holiday
A total solar eclipse attracts enormous international interest. Accommodation in the actual path can therefore sell out surprisingly early.
1. Book accommodation before flights
For the most popular destinations, securing a refundable hotel room early can be useful.
2. Look 50–150 km away from the centre line
You do not necessarily have to stay in the exact location of maximum eclipse duration.
A rental car or train can take you to a suitable viewing location on eclipse day.
3. Consider a one-way itinerary
Instead of returning from the same airport:
Amsterdam → Cairo → Luxor → Hurghada → Amsterdam
or
Amsterdam → Tokyo → Japan road/rail trip → Osaka → Amsterdam
can sometimes save time and produce a much better holiday.
4. Compare European departure airports
For long-haul eclipse travel, always compare:
Amsterdam – Brussels – Düsseldorf – Frankfurt – Paris – London
A cheap train journey to another European airport can sometimes save hundreds of euros.
5. Travel beyond the eclipse
The eclipse itself lasts only a few minutes.
The holiday should last much longer.
That is why destinations such as Egypt, Australia, South Africa, India and Japan are so attractive: the eclipse can simply become the highlight of a two- or three-week adventure.
An Eclipse Bucket List for the Next Decade
For travellers who want to turn these astronomical events into major holidays, the following sequence would make an extraordinary travel project:
🇪🇬 2027 – Egypt
Pyramids, Nile, Luxor, Red Sea + 6 minutes of totality
🇦🇺 2028 – Australia
Sydney, Blue Mountains, Great Barrier Reef + total eclipse
🇳🇦 2030 – Southern Africa
Namibia, Botswana, South Africa + safari + eclipse
🇺🇸 2033 – Alaska
Wilderness, mountains, northern lights potential + eclipse
🇮🇳 2034 – India
Delhi, Agra, Amritsar, Kashmir + Himalayan eclipse
🇯🇵 2035 – Japan
Tokyo, Japanese Alps, Kyoto + total solar eclipse
For dedicated eclipse travellers, this is almost a nine-year astronomical road map around the world.
Important: Plan for the Weather
Even if you are standing directly beneath the calculated path of totality, clouds can spoil the view.
That is why experienced eclipse travellers often select a destination with several alternative viewing locations.
A rental car can be extremely valuable, allowing you to move on the morning of the eclipse if the weather forecast indicates cloud in your original location.
Always check the detailed weather forecast shortly before the event.
And remember: during the partial phases of an eclipse, proper certified solar viewing protection is essential. Only during the brief period of totality, when the Sun is completely covered, can the bright solar surface be viewed without eclipse glasses.
Start Planning Your Eclipse Adventures
The next decade offers an exceptional opportunity for travellers who want to combine astronomy and tourism.
You can watch the Moon's shadow cross an ancient Egyptian landscape in 2027, experience darkness over Sydney in 2028, combine an African safari with an eclipse in 2030, travel into the Alaskan wilderness in 2033, explore the Himalayas in 2034 and finish the sequence in Japan in 2035.
The best eclipse holiday does not necessarily require the most expensive trip. With early hotel reservations, flexible flights, alternative airports and a little geographical flexibility, several of these destinations can be turned into surprisingly affordable holidays.
The eclipse lasts only minutes. The memories can last a lifetime.
