Abu Simbel from Luxor or Cairo in one day
Abu Simbel lies far south of both cities, on Lake Nasser in Nubia. Tours from Luxor and Cairo exist, but they are long. Treat them as full days with a very early start and a late return.
Abu Simbel from Luxor is a private road trip. It takes 14 hours in total, with up to 6 hours for the outward drive alone. Abu Simbel from Cairo is a 15-hour program that flies to Aswan and then continues by car. A flight that lands at the temples is not part of that program.
Our picks: from Luxor or Cairo
From Luxor, the private day trip is the fastest way, but it is long. Two days from Luxor with a night in Aswan is easier; from Cairo, the flight package covers Aswan and Luxor.
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 and Luxor from Cairo with flights
- Domestic flights
- One night with breakfast
- Guide and entry fees
Domestic flights Cairo, Aswan, Luxor and back, a full day in Aswan with Philae, the High Dam and Abu Simbel, a full day in Luxor and one night with breakfast.
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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.
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Private day trip to Abu Simbel from Luxor with lunch
- Abu Simbel entry
- Private transport
- Lunch
A long private day by road with the entry, an English-speaking guide at the temple and lunch.
Check availability →Abu Simbel tours from Luxor, Cairo and Aswan
Day trips and longer tours with live prices and availability. Check the departure city, the length of the day and whether the temple ticket is included.
Abu Simbel from Luxor
The road option, and why the day is so long.
Pickup and length
The Luxor option is a private road tour with pickup between 05:30 and 06:00. Plan for 14 hours in total. With up to 6 hours on the way there, you can reach the temples around midday, in the hottest part of the day.
Passports and the road
Some operators ask for passport copies the day before so they can prepare the paperwork for the road. Send them early. The German Foreign Office advises overland trips only with a local guide who knows the area. Check the current advice before you travel.
What to compare
Ask whether the ticket, the guide, lunch and water are included. The temple ticket is EGP 750 for foreign adults and EGP 375 for foreign students on normal days (2026).
If you want Luxor sights before or after, see tours around Luxor. Traveling by river instead? A Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan ends at the right starting point for a shorter day.
Abu Simbel from Cairo
One day is possible, but it is two flights and a drive.
The Cairo option is a 15-hour program: a flight to Aswan, a car to Abu Simbel, the drive back to Aswan and a flight to Cairo. Package prices for October to December 2026 are $743 for one traveler, $654 per person for 2 to 4 people, $549 per person for 5 to 7 and $531 per person for 8 to 14. These are package prices, not flight prices.
Some offers include a flight straight to Abu Simbel. Read the itinerary and the return flight time before you book, and check the current timetable before you go.
The scheduled Cairo to Abu Simbel connection on the 2026 timetable has one stop and takes about 2 hours 30 minutes to 2 hours 40 minutes, Monday to Saturday. Our Abu Simbel flights page explains the routes and transfers.
If you can spare a second day, the calmer plan is to fly to Aswan, sleep there and join an Abu Simbel trip the next morning. The drive from Aswan takes about 3.5 hours each way, and you avoid a 15-hour day. See the Abu Simbel day trips from Aswan.
Hurghada is different. The program from Hurghada is a three-day trip with nights in Aswan and Luxor, and the transfer from Hurghada to Aswan takes up to 8 hours. Do not plan a same-day return from there.
Compare the starting points
Examples for 2026.
| Start | Format | Length | Example price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luxor | Private road day trip | 14 hours, up to 6 hours outbound | – |
| Cairo | Flight to Aswan, then car | 15 hours | $531 to $743 per person, depending on group size |
| Hurghada | Three-day tour via Aswan and Luxor | 3 days | – |
| Aswan | Private car or small-group bus | 9 to 14 hours | From $130 per person (group bus) |
For most travelers, the more practical plan is to base yourself in Aswan for a night and take the shorter trip from there. Choose Luxor or Cairo in one day only if you have no spare night and can accept a very long day.
Make the long day easier
Small choices that matter on a 14-hour trip.
Timing
The temples open daily from 06:00 to 17:00, with last entry at 16:00. A late arrival leaves less time inside the halls.
Heat
Summer highs in Aswan average above 41 °C in June to August. Between November and March the days are cooler. See the best time to visit.
An overnight in Abu Simbel
Staying in the village lets you see the temples the next morning. The evening show costs $20 for adults and $11 for children aged 6 to 12, and runs only with enough guests. See where to stay.
Abu Simbel from Luxor or Cairo: frequently asked questions
Can I visit Abu Simbel from Luxor in one day?
Yes, on a private road tour. It takes 14 hours in total, with up to 6 hours for the outward drive. Pickup is early, between 05:30 and 06:00.
Is there a nonstop flight from Cairo to Abu Simbel?
The 2026 timetable lists one stop, with about 2 hours 30 minutes to 2 hours 40 minutes in the air and on the ground, Monday to Saturday. The Cairo day tour flies to Aswan and continues by car. Check the current timetable before you go.
Can I go from Hurghada in a day?
The program from Hurghada is a three-day trip. The transfer to Aswan alone takes up to 8 hours, so a same-day return is not a sensible plan.
What does the Cairo day tour cost?
For October to December 2026 the price is $743 for one traveler and $531 to $654 per person for groups of 2 to 14. It is a package price that covers flights, transfers and the drive.
Is this the official Abu Simbel website?
No. This is an independent guide. It is not run by the Egyptian ministry, the antiquities authority, a tour operator or an airline.