Abu Simbel day trips from Aswan at a glance
The temples lie in the desert far south of Aswan. A day trip means about 3.5 hours of driving each way and a visit to both temples in between. Two forms are common: a private air-conditioned car with a guide, and a small-group bus. Both are tourist services and not public bus lines.
Prices and operating days can change, and free seats on your date are not guaranteed.
Our picks: day trips from Aswan
The basic transfer is cheapest, but the entry and guide depend on the option. The private car with entry is the comfortable choice; the Nubian village day adds lunch and a village visit.
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 a Nubian village in one private day
- Entry fees
- Private guide and transfers
- Lunch
A private guide, private transfers, the entry fees and lunch, with a Nubian village visit on the same day.
Check availability →Private Abu Simbel tour by car with entry
- Entry fees
- Professional guide
- Private air-conditioned car
Eight hours with a professional guide, a private air-conditioned car, water and the entry fees, with service charges and taxes.
Check availability →
Abu Simbel day trip with hotel pickup
- Return transfer from Aswan
- Driver
Return transfer from your Aswan hotel with a driver. The entry and an English-speaking guide depend on the option you book.
Check availability →Abu Simbel tours and day trips from Aswan
Private cars, small-group buses and longer programs, with live prices and availability. Check which options include the temple entrance.
Aswan to Abu Simbel: bus or private car
Two common formats in 2026.
| Option | Pickup | Driving | Total length | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private air-conditioned car with guide | Around 04:00, daily | About 3.5 hours each way | 12 to 14 hours | – |
| Small-group bus | – | About 3.5 hours each way | About 9 hours | From $130 per person |
The private-car tour includes the guide, the entrance fee and the transfers. Lunch may be included or optional, so ask before you go. The bus runs on Monday, Thursday and Friday, and its price is valid until 30 April 2027.
For most visitors, a private car suits you if you want your own pace and a long day with flexibility, and the small-group bus suits you if you want a shorter day at a set price on one of its three days.
Tour from Aswan: what to check before you book
Details that differ between offers.
Pickup and the early start
An early start is normal because the drive is long. A pickup around 04:00 is typical for a private car. It is not a fixed rule, so check the time and the place for your own tour.
What the price covers
The ticket tariff for foreign adults is EGP 750 on a normal day. Some tours include it, some do not. Check also whether lunch, drinks and the guide are part of the price.
Ticket prices →The road and the checkpoints
The route runs through the Nubian desert. Plan for 3 to 3.5 hours each way plus police checks and a break. Some operators ask for passport copies the day before to prepare convoy papers, while others only check your passport at the checkpoints. Send what your operator asks for.
Getting there →Travel advice
The German Foreign Office, in its note valid since 29 September 2026, advises overland trips only with local guidance. The US advisory has been at Level 2, exercise increased caution, since 15 July 2025. A guided tour fits that advice.
What the Abu Simbel tour covers
The tour programs include both temples from the inside. The Great Temple was cut for Ramses II and has two pillared halls and a sanctuary behind four seated colossi at the front. The smaller temple to the north is for the goddess Hathor and Queen Nefertari, with six standing figures on its front, each about 10 meters high. Not every side room is open at every moment, so treat the program as a plan and not a guarantee.
Read more about the Great Temple of Ramses II and the Temple of Nefertari before you go, so the guide's time at each stop goes further.
Which season suits a day trip
Climate figures for Aswan, the nearest weather station.
Average daily highs in Aswan stay above 41 °C from June to August and fall to about 23 to 25 °C from December to February. The figures are a historical climate average and not a forecast, and the temples have no measuring series of their own. A long drive in a car without a break is harder in summer, so ask which air conditioning and which breaks your tour offers. In spring, sandstorms can reduce visibility on Egyptian roads. More on the page about the best time to visit.
Other ways to see Abu Simbel from Aswan
If one long day is too much.
Flying to Abu Simbel
A flight takes about 45 minutes from Aswan from 30 October 2026.
Stay overnight
Arrive in the afternoon and see the temples next morning.
Lake Nasser cruise
Reach Abu Simbel by boat over several nights.
Before you leave, you may want to see Aswan itself. Things to do in Aswan covers the city, and the Lake Nasser cruise guide has more on the boat option.
Abu Simbel tours: frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get from Aswan to Abu Simbel?
Plan for about 3.5 hours each way by road. Allow 3 to 3.5 hours plus checkpoints and a break. The whole day trip lasts about 9 hours by small-group bus or 12 to 14 hours by private car.
What time do tours leave Aswan?
Private-car tours pick you up around 04:00 each day. Other tours set their own time, so check your voucher.
Does the tour price include the entrance fee?
It depends. The private-car tour above includes it, as well as the guide and transfers. For other offers, add EGP 750 per foreign adult if the ticket is separate.
Is there a public bus from Aswan to Abu Simbel?
The examples on this page are tourist services. Use a booked tour or a transfer you have arranged.
Can I do Abu Simbel as a day trip from Luxor or Cairo?
Yes, but the days are very long. See the page on tours from Luxor and Cairo.
Is this the official tour website?
No. This is an independent guide, not run by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities or any tour operator. Tours are sold by the providers shown in the cards.