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Abu Simbel sits 280 km south of Aswan, close to the Sudanese border, so seeing it means an early start and a long road. It is worth every minute. This guide covers how an Abu Simbel day trip from Aswan actually runs, from the 4 a.m. pick-up to the drive back, plus tickets, the road-or-flight question, the Sun Festival and how to fit it into a wider trip to southern Egypt.
The short version
- Distance: about 280 km each way, 3 to 3.5 hours by road.
- Start time: pick-up between 3:30 and 4:00 a.m.
- Time at the temples: around 2.5 to 3 hours.
- Back in Aswan: early afternoon, around 2 p.m.
- Entrance ticket: roughly EGP 750 to 850 for a foreign adult, about half for students, and more on the two Sun Festival days. Card payment only at the site.
- Our tour: from $110 per person, with tickets, an Egyptologist guide and hotel or cruise-ship pick-up included. See the Abu Simbel day tour from Aswan.
How an Abu Simbel day trip from Aswan runs
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 03:30–04:00 | Pick-up from your hotel or Nile cruise ship in Aswan |
| 04:00–07:30 | Drive south through the Nubian Desert, with a rest stop |
| 07:30–10:00 | Guided visit of the Great Temple and the Temple of Nefertari |
| 10:00–10:30 | Free time for photos and the view over Lake Nasser |
| 10:30–14:00 | Drive back to Aswan |
The very early start is not just about the heat. Arriving around 7:30 means you reach the temples in soft morning light, before the midday sun and before the largest groups from the cruise ships. Most people sleep on the way down: bring a light jacket and a scarf for the air-conditioning, and ask your hotel for a breakfast box the night before; many hotels prepare them for early tours.
On the way you’ll see why the trip is a day trip and not a stopover: there’s almost nothing between Aswan and Abu Simbel except desert, and on a clear morning you may spot a mirage shimmering over the sand.
What you see at Abu Simbel
The Great Temple of Ramses II
Four 20-metre seated statues of Ramses II guard the entrance, carved straight out of the sandstone cliff around 1260 BC. Inside, a hall of Osiris pillars leads past reliefs of the Battle of Kadesh, Ramses’ most famous campaign, to the sanctuary at the very back of the mountain. Your guide will explain the solar alignment: twice a year, the rising sun shines along the whole length of the temple and lights up three of the four statues in the sanctuary.
The Temple of Hathor and Nefertari
A short walk away is the smaller temple Ramses built for his queen, Nefertari, dedicated to the goddess Hathor. It’s unusual: the queen’s statues on the facade are the same height as the king’s, something almost unheard of in Egyptian art. The interior is more intimate and the colours of the reliefs are some of the best preserved at the site. Many visitors rush it, so leave yourself time.
The temples that moved
What you see today is not quite where Ramses left it. When the Aswan High Dam was built in the 1960s, the rising waters of Lake Nasser would have drowned both temples. In a UNESCO rescue campaign, they were cut into huge blocks and rebuilt about 65 metres higher, inside an artificial hill. Look for the faint cut lines in the stone, and walk round the back of the hill to see how it was done.
By road, by air or overnight?
- By road (most common): the best value, and the easiest to fit around a Nile cruise, since the cars pick up from the ships. It is a long day, but the drive is smooth on a good road.
- By air: flights from Aswan take about 45 minutes, but schedules are limited and can change at short notice, so the time saved is not guaranteed. Tell us if you prefer to fly and we can arrange it.
- Overnight in Abu Simbel: the most relaxed option. You see the temples in the late afternoon and again at dawn, with very few people around, and you can attend the evening sound and light show. It needs an extra night in your plan.
The Sun Festival: 22 February and 22 October
Twice a year, on or around 22 February and 22 October, the sun lines up with the temple’s axis at sunrise and lights the sanctuary statues. Thousands of people come, ticket prices go up, and there’s music and dancing outside the temple. It’s a spectacular day, but it’s also the most crowded day of the year. Because the alignment happens at sunrise, festival trips leave Aswan in the middle of the night, so plan this separately from a normal day trip and book well ahead.
Practical tips for the day
- Bring a card. The ticket office at Abu Simbel only takes card payments. On our tour tickets are included, so you only need cash for tips and drinks.
- No flash inside. Photos are allowed in most areas, but flash is not.
- Dress for heat and cold. The car and the early morning are cool; by 10 a.m. the site can be very hot, especially from April to October. A hat, sunglasses and water are essential.
- Visit the Nefertari temple first if the Great Temple is busy when you arrive, and come back to it later.
- Keep the afternoon light. You will be back by around 2 p.m.; a late lunch and a sunset felucca are about the right pace.
What to pair it with in Aswan
An Abu Simbel day trip from Aswan works best as part of two or three days in the city. On another morning, visit Philae Temple, the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk, then spend an afternoon on the river with a boat trip to a Nubian village or a felucca ride to the Botanical Gardens. If you’re continuing north, the 4-day Aswan to Luxor Nile cruise starts in Aswan, and it’s easy to visit Abu Simbel the day before or the morning you board.
Wondering when to go? Our guide to the best time to visit Egypt explains why October to April is the most comfortable season for southern Egypt.
Frequently asked questions
Is an Abu Simbel day trip from Aswan worth it?
Yes. It is a long day, but the Great Temple is one of the most impressive sights in Egypt, and there is no shorter way to get there from Aswan except by plane.
Can I visit Abu Simbel from Luxor in one day?
It is possible, but it means around 14 hours on the road in total. Staying a night in Aswan and going from there is far more comfortable.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes. Children usually love the giant statues, and most sleep through the drive down. The early start is the main thing to plan for.
How much time do you get at the temples?
About 2.5 hours, plus 30 minutes of free time. That is enough to see both temples properly with a guide and take your photos.
Ready to plan it? Book the Abu Simbel day tour from Aswan, or tell us about your trip and we’ll fit it into a full southern Egypt itinerary.
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