How to get to Abu Simbel
Abu Simbel lies in Nubia, in the far south of Egypt, on the shore of Lake Nasser. Most visitors come from Aswan. The road crosses the Nubian desert and takes roughly 3.5 hours each way. The alternative is a short flight. Luxor and Cairo are much further away, so a visit from there is a very long day or a multi-day trip.
There is no need to plan this alone. Most people book a tour that bundles the transfer, the entry ticket and a guide. See our Abu Simbel day trips from Aswan for road tours and Abu Simbel flights for the air option. Below you find what each route involves.
Ways to reach Abu Simbel compared
Times and prices change, so confirm them when you book.
| Route | Travel time | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Private car from Aswan | About 3.5 h each way; 12 to 14 h for the whole tour | Pick-up around 04:00. Air-conditioned car, guide and entry often included. |
| Small-group minibus from Aswan | About 3.5 h each way; around 9 h in total | Runs on Monday, Thursday and Friday, from $130 per person (price valid to 30 April 2027). |
| Flight from Aswan | 45 min | Flights MS145, MS147 and MS149, Monday to Saturday, from 30 October 2026. |
| Flight from Cairo | 2 h 40 min, with one stop | Flight MS145, Monday to Saturday, from 30 October 2026. Not a nonstop flight. |
| Day tour from Luxor | 14 h in total, up to 6 h each way | Pick-up around 05:30 to 06:00. Private road tour. |
| Day tour from Cairo | 15 h | Flight to Aswan, then a car to Abu Simbel and back. |
| From Hurghada | Several days | A three-day program with nights in Aswan and Luxor; up to 8 h by road to Aswan. |
For most visitors, the road tour from Aswan is the simplest choice. You leave before dawn, see both temples and are back in the afternoon. If you are short on time, fly, but check that your return flight fits the opening hours before you book a flight-only trip.
Our pick: from Marsa Alam
Two private days with transport from the Red Sea to Aswan and 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 tours and transfers from Aswan
Day trips by private car or small-group bus, with entry to both temples, plus flights and other ways to reach Abu Simbel, with live prices and availability.
By road from Aswan
The road runs straight through the desert, with police checks along the way. Allow about 3 to 3.5 hours for the drive, plus checks and a stop. Tours from Aswan leave early, around 04:00. Private cars and small-group buses are tourist services, not a public bus line.
Practice at the checkpoints differs between operators. Some ask for copies of your passport the day before to prepare paperwork for a convoy. Others drive on after a passport check. Ask your operator which applies to your booking and bring your original passport on the day. If you are arriving in the south for the first time, our partner guide to getting to Aswan covers the town.
The German Foreign Office, in its note valid since 29 September 2026, advises overland travel only with a guide who knows the area and no trips outside secured places and roads. Remote border and desert zones have special rules. The US advisory for Egypt has been at level 2, "exercise increased caution", since 15 July 2025. Check both before you travel.
By plane and what happens at the airport
Aswan to Abu Simbel
The timetable from 30 October 2026 lists flights MS145, MS147 and MS149 from Monday to Saturday, each 45 minutes. These are scheduled frequencies, not seats guaranteed on the day.
Cairo to Abu Simbel
Flight MS145 runs Monday to Saturday with one stop and takes 2 hours 40 minutes. Do not plan around a nonstop flight.
From the airport to the temples
The airport offers transfers to the temples and hotels, as well as taxis and rental cars. Arrange the transfer in advance. More on Abu Simbel flights →
Staying overnight
If you arrive in the afternoon, you can see the sound and light show in the evening and the temples the next morning. Where to stay →
From Luxor, Cairo and Hurghada
A day trip from Luxor lasts about 14 hours, with up to 6 hours on the road each way. Pick-up is around 05:30 to 06:00. From Cairo you first fly to Aswan, then drive on to Abu Simbel and back, which makes a 15-hour day. From Hurghada the sensible option is a multi-day program with nights in Aswan and Luxor.
These long days are tiring, and they leave little time at the temples. If you are already in Luxor, read about the town on Visit Luxor. Our page on Abu Simbel from Luxor or Cairo compares the options in detail.
Vehicle fees at the site
These are charged per vehicle, not per person. Prices for 2026.
| Vehicle | Fee |
|---|---|
| Car or taxi | EGP 25 |
| Microbus | EGP 50 |
| Coaster | EGP 75 |
| Large bus | EGP 100 |
If you travel on a tour, the operator normally covers this. Your own entry ticket costs EGP 750 for foreign adults on a normal day (2026). See Abu Simbel tickets for the full list. A third way to arrive is by water: Lake Nasser cruises stop at Abu Simbel.
Getting to Abu Simbel: frequently asked questions
How far is Abu Simbel from Aswan?
About 3.5 hours by road each way, or 45 minutes by plane. Allow extra time for police checks and a stop.
Do you need a convoy to drive to Abu Simbel?
It depends on the operator. Some ask for passport copies the day before to prepare convoy paperwork, others drive on after a passport check. Ask when you book.
Can you fly to Abu Simbel from Cairo?
Yes, flight MS145 runs Monday to Saturday, but with one stop. The trip takes about 2 hours 40 minutes.
Can you visit Abu Simbel from Luxor in one day?
Yes, as a long day of about 14 hours, with up to 6 hours on the road each way. Pick-up is around 05:30 to 06:00.
Is there a public bus to Abu Simbel?
Most visitors use private cars or small-group buses booked as tours. Ask your hotel or operator about current options.
Is this the official site of Abu Simbel?
No. This is an independent travel guide with no connection to the authorities, the airline or the tour operators.