Things to do in Aswan around your Abu Simbel trip
Most visitors reach Abu Simbel from Aswan. The road trip is long: a private car picks you up around 04:00, the drive takes about 3.5 hours each way, and the whole day runs 12 to 14 hours. Group buses are shorter, at around 9 hours in total. That leaves little energy for sightseeing on the same day, so give Aswan its own day before or after. The Abu Simbel day tours from Aswan list the departure options.
Aswan has four sights that fit well into one day: the Philae temple, the Nubian Museum, the Unfinished Obelisk and the High Dam. Philae is the main one. All prices below are for foreign adults in 2026 unless stated otherwise, and they can change.
Philae temple
The sanctuary of Isis, moved to a new island.
Philae is a sanctuary of the goddess Isis, mostly built in the Ptolemaic period. Like Abu Simbel, it was saved in the UNESCO rescue campaign: the monuments were moved to Agilkia island. The Trajan Kiosk and the first pylon of the Isis temple are among the structures you see on the island.
Ticket
EGP 550 for foreign adults and EGP 275 for students in 2026. A separate "Temple panorama" ticket costs EGP 200 for foreign adults and EGP 100 for students. It is not added automatically to the basic ticket, so ask what you are buying.
Opening hours
Daily from 07:00 to 16:00.
Getting to the island
The temples stand on an island. The boat fare is not part of the ticket prices above, so agree it before you set off. For more detail on the site, see Philae on Nubian Village.
Our picks: Aswan before or after Abu Simbel
The half day covers the High Dam, the obelisk and Philae; the longer day adds a Nubian village. Two days from Luxor combine Aswan with Abu Simbel.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Abu Simbel, Philae and Aswan in two days from Luxor
- One night in Aswan
- Entry fees
- Breakfast and lunch
Aswan on the first day, Abu Simbel on the second, with a guide, one hotel night in Aswan with breakfast, lunches and the entry fees.
Check availability →High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk, Philae and a Nubian village
- Egyptologist guide
- Philae motorboat
- Entry fees
Six hours with an Egyptologist, transport, the Philae motorboat and the entry fees.
Check availability →
High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk and Philae in half a day
- English-speaking guide
- Philae motorboat
- Hotel transfers
Four hours with a guide, transport and the Philae motorboat. The entry fees depend on the option you book.
Check availability →Aswan and Abu Simbel tours
Day trips to Abu Simbel, Philae and the High Dam, with live prices and availability.
Aswan High Dam
The dam behind the Abu Simbel story.
The High Dam created the reservoir that threatened the Nubian monuments, and that is why the temples of Abu Simbel were moved. You can read the full story on the relocation page.
Visitors reach viewpoints on the dam. The turbine halls are not part of the normal visit. The entrance price for foreign adults is between EGP 120 and EGP 200, so confirm it at the gate before you pay.
Nubian Museum and Unfinished Obelisk
Two stops for the same half day.
The Nubian Museum exists because of the international rescue campaign for the Nubian monuments. It shows the history and culture of Nubia. Entry is EGP 400 for foreign adults and EGP 200 for students. It is open daily from 09:00 to 17:00. In Ramadan the hours are 09:00 to 15:00, and the ticket desk closes at 14:00. More on the museum is on Nubian Village.
The Unfinished Obelisk lies in the granite quarry. Finished, it would have been about 42 m tall and weighed 1,168 tonnes. It was never raised. Entry is EGP 220 for foreign adults and EGP 110 for students, daily from 07:00 to 16:00.
Aswan sights compared
Foreign adult prices in 2026, with student prices in brackets.
| Sight | Price | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Philae temple | EGP 550 (EGP 275) | 07:00–16:00 |
| Nubian Museum | EGP 400 (EGP 200) | 09:00–17:00 |
| Unfinished Obelisk | EGP 220 (EGP 110) | 07:00–16:00 |
| Aswan High Dam | EGP 120 to EGP 200 | – |
| Abu Simbel temples | EGP 750 (EGP 375); EGP 1,200 (EGP 600) on 22 February and 22 October | 06:00–17:00 |
For most visitors with one free day, Philae in the morning and the Nubian Museum in the afternoon is the easiest plan. Add the obelisk if you have time, and the dam if you want the story behind the relocation.
A one-day plan for Aswan
Opening hours decide the order.
Morning: Philae
The temple opens at 07:00. Start here, before the Nubian Museum, which opens at 09:00.
Midday: Unfinished Obelisk
The granite quarry is open until 16:00, as is Philae. A short visit fits before lunch or afterwards.
Afternoon: Nubian Museum
The museum is open until 17:00, later than the other sights, which makes it a good last stop. The High Dam can replace it if you prefer the viewpoints.
More on the Nile at Aswan
The river is part of the city.
Feluccas, the traditional sailing boats, are a common sight on the Nile at Aswan. For a longer stay, the guide to Aswan on the Nile covers the river side of the city, and Nile cruises have their own pages there.
Continue with the Abu Simbel pages when you are ready.
Aswan: frequently asked questions
What should I see in Aswan?
Philae is the main sight. The Nubian Museum, the Unfinished Obelisk and the High Dam fit into the same day or the next half day.
How much does Philae cost?
EGP 550 for foreign adults and EGP 275 for students in 2026. The separate Temple panorama ticket is EGP 200 and EGP 100.
What are the opening hours in Aswan?
Philae and the Unfinished Obelisk are open daily from 07:00 to 16:00. The Nubian Museum is open from 09:00 to 17:00, and shorter in Ramadan.
Can I do Aswan and Abu Simbel in one day?
That is not practical. The Abu Simbel day trip takes 12 to 14 hours by private car and around 9 hours by group bus. Plan Aswan for another day.
Can I enter the High Dam power station?
The normal visit covers viewpoints only. The turbine halls are not part of it.
Is this the official site for Aswan or Abu Simbel?
No. This is an independent guide, not run by the ministry, an antiquities authority, a tour operator or a hotel.