1. What is Abu Simbel?
Abu Simbel is a small settlement on the edge of Lake Nasser in Southern Egypt, just 40 km from the Sudan border., famous for its two massive rock-cut temples built by Ramesses II. What makes this site legendary—beyond its 13th-century BC origins—is its 1968 relocation. To save the temples from the rising waters of the Nile caused by the Aswan High Dam, UNESCO led a massive global effort to dismantle and move the entire complex block by block. Today, it stands as a testament to both ancient grandeur and modern engineering.
There are two primary temples. The Great Temple is dedicated to Ramesses II and the gods Amun, Ra-Horakhty, and Ptah. The Small Temple is dedicated to Queen Nefertari and the goddess Hathor. Both are carved directly into the mountainside and represent the pinnacle of New Kingdom artistry.
Despite being a world-renowned destination, Abu Simbel remains relatively inaccessible for many due to the vast distances and specific security protocols. The nearest city, Aswan, is approximately 290 km away, separated by the Nubian Desert—the eastern expanse of the Sahara. While a well-paved highway connects the two, travel is regulated for safety. While luxury operators often charge premium rates, visiting Abu Simbel is remarkably cost-effective and straightforward with current information and a bit of local insight.
📍 Contents
- 1. What is Abu Simbel?
- 2. Aswan in Southern Egypt
- 3. How to Reach Abu Simbel from Aswan?
- 3.1 By Air
- 3.2 By Lake Nasser Cruises
- 3.3 By Road (Budget Method)
- 3.4 Public Buses
- 3.5 Road Safety & Convoy System
- 3.6 Disadvantages of Shared Tours
- 4. How to Avoid Tourist Crowds
- 5. 2026 Ticket Prices & Hours
- 6. Sun Festival & Sound Show
2. Aswan in Southern Egypt
Serving as the gateway to Abu Simbel, Aswan is a beautiful city where the Nile is at its most picturesque. It offers its own wealth of history, including the Philae Temple and the Nubian Museum.
Know more about Aswan: Interesting Places to Visit In Aswan
3. How to Reach Abu Simbel from Aswan?
Travelers generally choose between speed (flight), luxury (cruise), or economy (road).
3.1 By Air
EgyptAir and Air Cairo operate 45-minute flights from Aswan (ASW).
- Cost: Expect to pay between 5,500 EGP to 8,000 EGP ($110 – $160 USD) for a round trip.
- Logistics: There is a free EgyptAir shuttle from Abu Simbel airport to the temples (5 km away).
3.2 By Lake Nasser Cruises
Sailing on Lake Nasser is the costliest way to experience the region. Unlike the usual Nile cruises that operate between Luxor and Aswan, these vessels exclusively travel across the vast Nasser reservoir. Once you arrive in Aswan, you can often negotiate attractive rates, with prices typically ranging from 12,000 to 15,000 EGP per person for a three-night journey. In contrast, booking online in advance can easily cost $500 or more. One of the biggest highlights of these cruises is the rare opportunity to admire the temples from the water, especially during the magical sunrise hours.
A Nile Cruise at Abu Simbel
3.3 By Road (The Budget Method)
This is the most popular method for backpackers and independent travellers. However, one day prior booking is required in that case. There are two options to arrange this trip:
Using services of any reputed travel agency/tour operators: The reputed travel agencies and tour operators arrange your journey easily without any hassle. They merely require a scanned copy of the passport to complete the formalities related to the security. The scanned copy can be sent a day prior to the departure.
The tour prices of these agencies vary from person to person. Some agencies charge up to 5000-5500 EGP for a private car with minimum three individuals and some charge up to 120 USD for a single person travelling in a shared car or van. Similar prices are offered to an independent tourist for an air-conditioned shared bus.
Interested in Kom Ombo and Edfu Temples: How to Reach Kom Ombo and Edfu Temples from Aswan?
Using Services of Budget/Mid-Range Hotels: During my trip to Aswan, I was desperately looking for a cost-effective way to reach Abu Simbel. However, every travel agent I spoke with was quoting exorbitant prices. Without any hope of booking the Abu Simbel tour for less than 600 EGP (back in 2013), I called my hotel in Aswan to check their options. I was willing to pay 500 EGP (excluding the 100 EGP temple entry fee at the time), but to my surprise, the hotel desk quoted just 75 EGP for the “Short Tour” (Abu Simbel only) and 85 EGP for the “Big Tour” (including Philae Temple, the High Dam, and the Unfinished Obelisk).
I was amazed and reserved it immediately. When I arrived the next day, I paid the 85 EGP and confirmed my booking. Of course, that was back in 2013, before the significant devaluation of the Egyptian Pound.
Fast forward to 2026, and while the currency has shifted, this “hotel hack” remains the ultimate budget secret. After the massive devaluations of recent years, those same shared trips now cost between 800 EGP and 1,200 EGP (roughly $17–$25 USD). Meanwhile, a separate excursion just to the High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk, and Philae Temple can now cost between 1,500 EGP and 2,000 EGP due to rising fuel and permit costs.
Many years later, booking through your hotel remains the most economical way to visit. Mid-range and budget hotels in Aswan maintain a clever collaborative arrangement: they use a single nodal point to aggregate interested guests from various properties. Once they have enough people to fill a 14-seater van, they dispatch the tour. These tours usually depart at 4:00 AM and return by 1:00 PM.
This system bypasses the need for complex documentation and high agency markups; often, they don’t even ask for a passport copy, though you should have a digital one ready just in case. In my original group, I met travellers from El Salam Hotel, Memnon Hotel, and Nuba Nile Hotel, and today, properties like David’s Hostel and Pyramids Hotel continue this tradition. It remains a classic win-win situation for budget-conscious travellers and local operators alike.
Shared Mini Van to Abu Simbel
3.4 Public Buses From Aswan to Abu Simbel
They usually depart daily at around 8:00 AM from Aswan Bus Station (near the train station), with fares costing approximately 150–200 EGP. While economical, they are not the most dependable option for tourists, as returning the same day is not always guaranteed. This mode of travel is better suited for those planning to spend a night in Abu Simbel village.
Note: Currently, there is no rail service to Abu Simbel. The Egyptian railway system terminates in Aswan.
3.5 Road Safety & The Convoy System
The formal police-escorted convoy of the past has largely been replaced by a “monitored transit” system. While vehicles no longer drive in a tight line with sirens, all tourist transport must register with the Tourism Police and pass through several security checkpoints. The desert highway is strictly closed to tourist traffic between 5:00 PM and 5:00 AM. If you are traveling by road, you must leave Abu Simbel by 4:00 PM to clear the checkpoints before sunset. For the famous sunrise view, vans typically depart Aswan at 4:00 AM. This early start is not just for the views—it is essential for beating the intense desert heat and the blistering midday sun.
3.6 Disadvantages of the Shared Tours to Abu Simbel
The main drawback is the “crowd surge.” Because all shared vans leave Aswan at 4:00 AM, hundreds of people arrive at the temple simultaneously (around 7:00 AM – 7:30 AM). You usually only have 2 hours on-site before the van departs to return to Aswan.
4. How to Avoid the Tourist Crowd
90% of visitors arrive via the 4:00 AM van from Aswan, reaching the temple between 7:30 AM and 8:30 AM. To see the temples in peace:
-
Stay Overnight: Stay overnight in Abu Simbel village for a more relaxed experience. Visit the temple around 3:30 PM, just before closing time, or early at 6:00 AM before the tourist vans begin arriving. By late afternoon, especially around 3:00 PM, the complex is usually almost deserted, allowing you to explore in peace. Spending the night also gives you the chance to enjoy the Sound and Light Show in the evening and return to the temples at sunrise the next morning before the crowds appear.
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The Afternoon Convoy: Some vans depart Aswan at 11:00 AM. You will arrive as the morning crowd is leaving, though you’ll have less time before the road closes.
5. 2026 Ticket Prices & Visiting Hours
Prices updated as of May 2026 for Foreign Visitors.
| TICKET TYPE | ADULT PRICE | STUDENT PRICE (WITH ID) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Entry | 822 EGP | 445.5 EGP |
| Sun Festival Day | 1,272 EGP | 670.5 EGP |
| Sound & Light Show | $20 USD (Approx. 970 EGP) | $11 USD |
Photography Note: Personal smartphone photography is now generally free inside, but professional cameras and tripods still require a special permit (approx. 300 EGP).
6. Sound and Light Show & Sun Festival
The Sun Festival (Feb 22 & Oct 22): On these two days, the sun aligns perfectly to illuminate the statues in the inner sanctum. It is breathtaking but extremely crowded. Book your Aswan-Abu Simbel transport weeks in advance if visiting during this window. Expect ticket prices to double for these specific dates.
Sound and Light Show: Usually held at 6:30 PM and 7:30 PM. It requires a minimum of 10 people to run, which is almost always met during high season.
Note 1: Travel regulations in Egypt change frequently. Always carry your physical passport for desert road checkpoints.
Note 2: This post was originally published in 2013 and fully updated in May 2026 to reflect the latest pricing, cashless payment requirements, and travel regulations.
Hello! I was wondering if you knew of any private car tours. The ones I am seeing on Viator and from other tour operators are costing $80 per person and we’re a family of four. It seems super expensive and we can’t opt for the group tours because we are arriving only at 9AM in the morning! Any suggestions?
I would suggest to go on the next day through a Group Tour. Since you are arriving a bit late, it is difficult to negotiate the rates.
Wow…what detail..great job…I am a retired airline capt…wife and I are headed there in 2022..from USA…great advice..
Thank you. I am an Air Traffic Controller. Nice to connect with you here.
Fantastic info. I was trying to work out all these arrangements and now you have presented it so eloquently and informatively. Thanks for the update !
Thanks Barry. Have a great trip. Enjoy 🙂
Hi Solo Backpacker,
great info on Egypt, thanks a lot. My concern are the tourists though. When taking a tour/traveling in a convoy, how many people got off the vans and buses to visit the temples in Abu Simbel? I guess all the buses and vans arrive at approximately the same time meaning there might be about 200 hundred people at one time, which I do not like. Then you accidentally take pictures of the other tourists and not the temples as people just go forward and backward all the time getting into your photos. Is it possible to visit the temples during the time of a day when there are no other tourists, i.e. before or after the tourist vans and buses from Aswan arrive/leave? I guess there cannot be many tourists when the convoy from Aswan is not there. What about renting a car and driving to Abu Simbel on my own and visit the temples when other tourists are not there? Or any other suggestions? Flying from and back to Aswan seems to be quite expensive,
Hi, the tourist crowd is indeed an issue. To avoid the tourists, you have two options. First, fly directly to Abu Simbel, stay there overnight in a very nice resort and fly out on the next day. Second, talk to your hotel in Aswan, if they can arrange one way transportation on the first day and again a seat in the van on the second day for the return journey. It’s possible to make such arrangements. In both cases, you will get whole afternoon and evening for yourself at Abu Simbel. Although, The convoy system is not enforced now as strictly as it used to be , self driving car is still a distant opportunity. Take care.
Thanks for the detailed information about travel to Abu Simbel. We stayed in El Amin hotel and they arranged the van to Abu Simbel and also to Philae temple ferry landing. The van was quite comfortable and it was a straight road through the desert. Though the convoy system exists, we were the only vehicle and there was no police escort. Enroute, there were several police check points.
Thank you for this update. 🙂
Hi can you let me know the cost of the trip to abu simbel you had. Am planning for April 2019.
Hi. I will plan to travel to Abu Simbel from Aswan. Can you recommend any tour operators for budget travellers?
Hi, contact any hotel desk in Aswan to book a shared tour. If you need a dedicated operator, share your WhatsApp number through e-mail.
hello i’d love to get the number of the dedicated tour operator! have been asking a lot of hotels for offers to abu simbel and they are ridiculously high prices. what e-mail should I use to contact you? 🙂
Your site inspire me so much!!! I was playing to go to Egypt last year but was not sure I can visit the places I want to go with the time and budget I have. But after I read this page, it opens my eyes!!
Now I booked my fright to Egypt for next year February and ready to set my trip!!
But the question. I got the quote from my hotel and they quote me U$ 89 for trip to Abu Simbel! It’s a bit more than I would like to pay, so I want to send email to other budget friendly hotel to get better deal. However, you cannot find any email on line! If you want to contact them you have to book it then you can contact!!
What is the best way to get the quote rather than calling? Do you have email address for the hotel you mention by any chance? I know I have a long time to figure out but I want to book as much as possible before I leave.
Sorry for the long post everyone, and thank you very much for a great trip tips!!!!
I’m a bit confused 🙂 My question is on the Stay & Abu simbel trip as two different [icks.
Do you mean that one can stay at any of the suitable hotel. Should check the tour prices from different hotels and choose whatever suits the best? Meaning, One doesn’t have to really stay in the same hotel that they choose to take the tour package from.
..
Do I understand this right?
Yeah, one doesn’t have to really stay in the same hotel to choose the cheaper travel deals for Abu Simbel. You can bargain around, tell them the name of your hotel and they will arrange the pick up from there. 🙂
El salam just quoted me 235 for the Abu Simbel trip.
Hi Avinash,
Thanks for the detailed information you have provided and your patience in responding to comments. I am planning the exact same trip as yours except for Hurghada. 3 days in Cairo, 2 days in Alexandria and the remaining time in Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel.
From Cairo or Alexandria would it be better to fly to Aswan first, spend 2 days there, go to Abu Simbel and make my way back to Luxor via Edfu, Kom Ombo and Esna, then spend a few days in Luxor with side trips to Abydos and Dendera and then fly back to Cairo from there. Or should I fly to Luxor first from Cairo, spend a few days in Luxor and then make my way to Aswan, Abu Simbel and fly back to Cairo from Aswan.
Either way I will be landing in one city and taking off from another because of limited time but I don’t know if one is one better than the other and if there are any advantages. I am unable to find much information. Any advice would be much appreciated.
P.S. I am more excited to learn that you are an ATC. Any time I find myself on a plane waiting on the tarmac or circling in the air to land I immediately think of the ATC’s and thank them quietly for keeping us safe and on schedule. I have alway wondered how stressful the job must be but as you said everyone handles stress differently 🙂
it is always possible to do things for free, always 🙂 I crossed Africa on a bike..on this stretch was able to put my bike to the police convoy car and it was fun travel with AK-47 armed soldiers, one sitting on my left, another on my right…loud music, lots of conversation which didn’t make any sense to me 🙂 so it costed me zero cents..and from Abu Simble also got a free ferry to Wadi-Halfa…zero money to cross it from Aswan to Egypt! try do make your journeys adventurous way 🙂 peace
That’s really an amazing experience, Josh. You did it in a great manner. Hats off to your spirit. Though the life threatening experience in Sudan was really a sad affair. But I hope you will keep going strong. Best of Luck, Mate ! Thanks for sharing your experiences. 🙂
Thanks for the detailed and very informative post re Abu Simbel. I plan to go there this year. How large is the temple complex? I’m 73 but have no difficulty in walking a few kilometres. But my wife cannot walk for more than 500 metres at a stretch. Given that, would she be able to enjoy visiting the Abu Simbel temple?
Hi, The complex shouldn’t take too long to walk. With proper rest at frequent intervals, you both can enjoy it at a leisure pace. Most of the area of the complex is flat, so it shouldn’t be a problem either. Wish you a great trip.
Hi, I’ll be in Aswan from 17 to 19th April. I wanna go to Abou Simbel by myself (a public bus, or a common transport or anything cheap and simple. I just wanna avoid tourist tour, etc.) and stay there overnight. On both the go/return way, I wanna visit archaeological sites situated between Aswan and Abu Simbel. What would be the best choices for transport and what would not be possible to do? Thank you in advance for your answer.
Hi, There is nothing between the vast distance of Aswan and Abu Simbel, but the great desert. There is no archaeological site before Abu Simbel. No public transportation is available, except the group tours offered by the tour operators with huge price differences. The best thing that you can do independently is to board a flight from Aswan to Abu Simbel. 2-3 hotels are available at Abu Simbel for the night stay. You can roam around the small village. Have a nice trip. Do share your experience with us. 🙂
There are small temples and monuments between Aswan and Abu Simbel (I am keeping Kabalasha Island out since it can be visited from Aswan, without any plans for Abu Simbel). Unfortunately due to current safety restrictions you cannot visit them by land since the route between Aswan and Abu Simbel is subject to escort convoys and no stopping and speeding down whatsoever as we all know. These small temples and monuments are reachable only by Lake Nasser, either with Cruise Boats or smaller boats that can be rented from Aswan Port at the Aswan High Dam. These minor sites are like smaller ones you can see in Kabalasha Island, namely temples at Wadi Seboua, Temples at Amada (Amada, Derr, and monument of Pennut), These are wothy only if you are really into antiquties, Egyptology and notice the differences on the time line, other wise these are small temples you would call “I had seen enough of these” 🙂 Another site is Nabta Playa, west of Abu Simbel but this site again is important for history diggers, older than Egypt itself, maye a start stone, well a couple of small stones in the middle of nowhere most would say. Wheter it is worthy or not unfotunately access to the area is strictly limited to professionals with military permissions from Cairo 🙁 I worked a lot to visit that place but my luck didn’y go well.
Hello,
I am planing my trip to Egypt in May and currently considering of staying overnight at Abu Simbel and found a flight from Cairo to Abu Simbel with a 30min transit in Aswan. Anyone has any idea if a 30min transit time is possible to make it to the connecting flight? Also, do you think it is worth it to stay there overnight to catch the light show? Are you able to catch the sunrise if you travel there by car leaving at 3 a.m?
Thank you!!
Hi, It’s possible to make for the connecting flight in 30 minutes at Aswan Airport. It’s a small airport. But, I think the same flight will go to Abu Simbel also, so no need to step out form the aircraft. I don’t have the experience of light and sound show at Abu Simbel. If you travel by a car leaving at 3 AM, you can catch a beautiful sunrise across the desert on the way.
Hey Ichi, did you see the sound and light show? care to share how did you plan that night till you reach back to Awan?
Hello. I am in Luxor now and also planning to go to Aswan and then get to Abu Simbel. Does anyone have their nr so that I can call and be sure they can prepare the trip ?
Thanks
Hi Marta, do you need private tour or group tour? Let us know the exact date of travel, we will try to connect with the concerned tour operator.
Hi Solo Backpacker,
We just arrived from our Egypt trip. Your website was a great help. We went to Abu Simbel and booked our tour with Philae Hotel for 150LE/pax, like what you mentioned here. It was a great experience. Big thanks to your writtings. I will be posting our Egypt adventures and expereinces soon on my website.
More powers and travels, cheers !
Glad to hear that it helped you. Hope to hear your experiences soon. Happy Travels 🙂
hi mslure,
were you able to book for the trip in advance?
Hello do you have any recommendation for the cruises from Aswan to Abu Simbel ?? thanks in advance
Hi, I don’t have any particular recommendation. But, I suggest you to book one cruise after your arrival in Aswan. You will get much better deal.
Have a nice trip. 🙂
Hi,
Thanks for the valuable information. Planning to travel in October 16.
Great. Have a nice trip. 🙂
Thanks for this post. Im off to Egypt next week!! I still have yet to book Abu Simbel, but want to do this as budget as possible, just as long the bus is not a wreck lol. Im staying in a nice hotel (Movenpick) and they quoted me 1250!!. Can I just go to another cheaper hotel and get the 150 you mentioned in your post??
Thanks again
Movenpick is really a nice hotel and It was visible from my hotel in Aswan. But, they are charging too much. Just roam around on the Nile coast and check if a small hotel can arrange a group tour at lower cost, as I mentioned in the post.
Hi Ben. I was staying in Movenpick as well and yes….their prices are to expensive… I went to Philae hotel (once you’ll get to the shore turn right and it’ll be on the left hand side) you can see it from the pool area I’ve paid 150 EGP for the bus to Abu Simbel. It was in September last year so I don’t think the price was changed 🙂
Have a nice time mate
Did the bus pick you up at Movenpick or did you have to go to Philae hotel at 3am? Will Movenpick still prepare the breakfast box for you if you don’t take their tour bus? Thank you. I will be staying at Movenpick in mid-September.
Hi, The tour organizer will arrange the pick up from the Movenpick and you can ask your group tour organizer to arrange the breakfast. 🙂
Thank you very much Mr Solo I went for 9 days 8 nights yo Egypt and back in one peace your site was my inspiration,
first time out in SA and was nice experience thanks again for you site.
Hello! Myself and my best friend are travelling to Egypt in October and visiting Abu Simbel is on my bucket list. We are staying in Aswan a few days specifically to go to Abu Simbel, but we are budget backpackers. Is there a tour bus that we can book online or do we have to wait until we get there and ask to locals?
Hi, for cheap offers, try to book from Aswan only. Otherwise, you can also book over telephone. Ask to your hotel/hostel in Aswan, if they can provide you a cheap package to Aswan. Many packages are available in 120 EGP per person for Abu Simbel Tour. Online packages may cost you much more. Have a nice trip.
Wow, this post is incredibly helpful! I have one question… You mentioned that the entrance fee to Abu Simbel includes an English speaking tour guide. What is the quality of these guides like?
Hi, They are the official English speaking guides available at Abu Simbel. So, you can pretty much rely on them. They are good with the information. Since, the price is already included in th tickets, there isn’t any choice also. 🙂
Hey…Thanks for the details. If I flew into Abu Simbel, can I get a bus back to Aswan in the same day? If so, how much and what are the times?
I don’t want to get stuck in Abu Simbel because I didn’t book a trip from Aswan.
It seems a bit difficult. Almost all the tourists in Abu Simbel belong to some tour groups. There is no bus service between Abu Simbel and Aswan, except these tour vehicles. Locals also travel by these vehicles, because most of them know each other. You can try your luck with these vehicles, else flying out is the only option. Most of the vehicles leave Abu Simbel between 10-11 AM for Aswan.
Hai.. can I Have el salam hotel contact number or email?. Tq
Hi, the e-mail id is elsalamhotelaswan@yahoo.com .
Solo Backpacker,
I don’t know how to thank you enough. I’m leaving for Egypt in 2 days and you’ve basically put together my entire trip plan for me with tips on how to save money and what to see.
Really excellent work, can’t thank you enough my friend.
Best regards,
Canadian Man
Thank You for your kind words. Have a great trip to Egypt. 🙂
Hi,
Just to confirm that I had recently checked a price for two for Nubian Village, Transportation for Abu Simbel, and Nile Cruise from Aswan – Luxor for 3 nights and 4 days for USD$290 for two. It is excluding entrance fees.
Am guessing that this is a good deal but still wondering should I agree with this or make my deal upon arrival there?
Appreciate your feedback.
Thank you.
Hi, On-the-spot deal is always good, specially in Egypt. But, it seems a good price, because of the Nile Cruise. Normally, they offer Abu Simbel trip without entrance fees. I think, you should go for this deal.
Hi,
Thanks. On the spot deal is upon arrival is that? did u tried the Nile cruise during your visit? I doubt it that Nile Cruise could be that cheap though.. I supposed to clarify on this before I proceed for an arrangement.
Dear Travellers,
If any of you guys would like to visit Aswan, Abu Simbel Temple, Nubian Village and a Nile Cruise from Aswan – Luxor you may want to contact this guy called Mahmoud at +201001339220 as I got a very good deal to visit all the above including tour guide and 3 Nights in Nile Cruise it cost us $140 each.. I went in end of November… The price might be change based on seasonal.. You can just give a try! Hope that helps!
Cheers!
Thank you for this information. It’s really useful.
hi urmila! thank you for this information. do you have the name of the company? and would recommend the trip you did with mahmoud?
hi urmila, i am thinking of booking with this number that you recommended as well, because the prices are super good for a 5 star cruise with guides etc. did you end up booking with this number and was it all done professionally? i’m a bit doubtful, because there is no website and the price just seems too good..
Hi. Thanks for this information – it’s really useful. I will be in Aswan and am arranging the £E150 tour with my hotel to Abu Simbel. However, it seems that the cost does not include an entrance fee? Is this correct? Also, in your experience, was there any danger of the bus not leaving because it did not reach a minimum number of travellers? My hotel is saying a minimum of 8 people is required (we’re travelling in peak season – January so hopefully this won’t be a problem). Any suggestions / info with regards to these two questions gratefully received.
Aaron
Hi, It’s correct that 150 LE tour price doesn’t include the ticket price to Abu Simbel. You have to buy a separate entry ticket at temple premises. I think, they normally get 8 travellers, because when 3-4 hotels run this business in collaboration, they normally match that number. Have a nice trip. 🙂
Hi guys I visiting Cairo 2016 February 27 & 28 I need someone to share the cost of the Taxi which is going to cost 550 egp a day and there after take a train to Aswan 29/02/2016. Thanx
Hi,
I’m planning to visit Abu Simbel from Aswan, do you know if I book shared tour by bus or minibus though a small-mid range hotel they can pick up at Aswan port as well? Thanks a lot!
Hi, you can book the bus through the budget hotels. They can arrange a pick up from the port, and then you can board the buses going to Abu Simbel. Please note, that the buses to Abu Simbel depart only in the early morning around 3 o’clock. Plan your trip accordingly. Have a nice trip 🙂
Hi, nice to hearing from you!
I have tried to book though a budget hotel, but they informed that can’t accept ‘online’ or pre-bookings for Abu Simbel due a new regulations. Anyway, do you have any suggest of a budget hotel? I have also checked with cruise company and I can disembark at 3am. Thank you very much!
Hey, hi.. its the best post on Abu Simbel i have seen.. the big tour package you told “Abu Simbel including Philae Temple, High Dam and Unfinished Oblisk”.. they cover all this in a single day??
Hi, Thanks. Yes, they try to cover it in a single day. Actually, the group return back from Abu Simbel by 1 PM typically and then, they go direct to Aswan Dam. There is nothing interesting in the dam, so it hardly takes 15-20 minutes for everybody to visit that place. The next should be Philae Temple, where you have to go by a boat. Now, in our case, we take more time to visit Philae Temple at our own pace, so by the time, we came back from the temple, Unfinished Oblisk was closed for the day. So our tour ended at Philae Temple that day. You have to arrange separate transport for Unfinished Oblisk on the next day.
Thank you for this excellent guide. One request, however, could you please date your entries? In 10 years I imagine the prices will be different. It is now 2015 and you could have written this in 2005.
Hi, Sorry for the delayed reply. I was on a long trip in the remote Himalayas. I visited Egypt in March 2013. Prices shouldn’t change much by now.
Hi. Could you tell me please in which hotel you were staying in Aswan? I’m going to have a trip there in September but want to be sure the hotel I’ll stay in will have the trip to Abu Simbel. Thank You.
Hi, I stayed at El Salam Hotel in Aswan. Its a very basic budget hotel. Many other hotels (almost all) also organize the trip to Abu Simbel.
Hi Jack will be in Aswan as well on Sept 20-22 & planning to go to Abu Simbel on the 21st… hope to see you there.
Aww. I’ll be there from 25-27 of September 🙁
Hey guys am going Aswan in November 2015. Planning to visit Abu Simbel Temple too. Keep me posted of your experience there.
Thank you.
Hi,
I will be visiting Egypt in November but as i will be travelling with my family i will be spending most of my days in Hurghada to enjoy sea shore activities.
One quick question, I booked my stay in 4 star hotel but can i go and book my travel in 1 * or 2* hotels, will they entertain me?
Regards,
Manoj Jagdale
Yes, you can surely do that without any problem. You can also book them online. I booked my hotel online.
I am following you for last one or two years.
Planning for a trip to Egypt with family members. (me(54) wife(48) son (15).Another 2/3 friends may also join. Can you suggest any budget hotel at Cairo (please give me the name where you stayed along with the price).
Hi Sir, I stayed in the hostels, so no idea of the hotels. Search them online to get the better deals and location.
I was in Aswan a month ago. Was staying in 5* hotel but booked my Abu Simbel trip in Philae hotel for 150 EGP. Entry to Abu Simbel is additional 115 egp. Departure is 3am so you need to book your trip before 18.30 so they can put you on the list as they have to register all tourists to the police as it’s a police escorted trip…
Have a nice time