Discovery Tours Egypt
Day TourAswan

Abu Simbel by Plane from Aswan, Day Tour

Return flight ASW to ABS, guided visit to Ramesses II and Nefertari; we favour flying over the 280 km road

At a glance

Departs
Daily

The short answer

Abu Simbel by Plane from Aswan Day Tour is a 1-day guided excursion covering the Great Temple of Ramesses II and the Small Temple of Nefertari in Aswan, operated by Discovery Tours Egypt.
  • Archaeology & history
  • Cultural
  • Photography
Best for
  • Couples·
  • Solo traveller·
  • Seniors·
  • Groups

Snapshot

Good to know

Duration
1 Day
Travel style
Private Guided Tour
Accommodation
N/A
Operated by
Discovery Tours Egypt
Destinations
Aswan · Aswan International Airport (ASW) · Abu Simbel Airport (ABS) · Abu Simbel · Great Temple of Ramesses II · Small Temple of Nefertari
Includes
Return domestic flights Aswan to Abu Simbel · Private Aswan transfers · English-speaking Egyptologist guide · Standard Abu Simbel entrance fees · Airport handling and domestic flight taxes · Bottled water
Best for
History enthusiasts · First-time visitors to Aswan · Travelers short on time · Families with school-age children
Guide languages
Arabic · English · French · German · Italian · Spanish

Best time to go

The most comfortable months are October through April, when daytime temperatures in southern Egypt are generally milder than in summer and site visits are easier to manage. From May to September, heat can be intense, so early departures are preferable. Ramadan and major holidays can affect flight schedules, crowd levels, and service timing, so advance confirmation is recommended.

  • Licensed Egyptian tour operator
  • English-speaking Egyptologist guide at Abu Simbel
  • Return domestic flights and airport handling arranged in advance
  • Private transfers with pickup from Aswan hotels or Nile cruise berths
  • 24/7 on-the-ground travel support
  • Standard site entrance fees included as listed
  • Clear exclusions for gratuities, meals, visa, and insurance

02Overview

A first look

By 7 am the sandstone faces at Abu Simbel glow a flat, warm color and the low hum of aircraft engines replaces the roadside din; you sense the scale of Ramesses II before you climb the paved approach. The sun is strong, shade is limited, and the carved reliefs sit just above eye level, close enough to study chiselled hieroglyphs and cartouches.

Our Egyptologists meet you on arrival at Abu Simbel, and your vehicle picks you up from your Aswan hotel or Nile cruise gangway. We favour flying because the road journey is about 3.5 to 4 hours each way, which leaves more time at the temples; we arrange airport handling and return transfers.

Background

The facts

Abu Simbel is a temple complex in southern Egypt, about 280 km south of Aswan near Lake Nasser. The site contains the Great Temple of Ramesses II and the Small Temple of Nefertari, both built in the 13th century BCE during the reign of Ramesses II, with the famous solar alignment phenomenon occurring at the Great Temple twice each year.

The temples were relocated in the 1960s during the UNESCO-led Nubian rescue campaign to protect them from rising waters after construction of the Aswan High Dam. Abu Simbel is part of the UNESCO-listed Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae, inscribed in 1979. Visitor access is typically by road or by domestic flight via Abu Simbel Airport, with flight travel from Aswan taking about 40 to 50 minutes.

A road journey between Aswan and Abu Simbel is roughly 3.5 to 4 hours each way, which leaves less time on site for a same-day excursion. A flight-based itinerary is therefore used when the goal is to maximize time at the temples, with airport transfers arranged on both ends and a guided visit on arrival. Standard visits usually focus on the exterior façades, interior halls, and the preserved rock-cut reliefs within the temple complex.

Because Abu Simbel is in Egypt's far south, logistics are affected by early flight schedules, airport security checks, and seasonal weather. The excursion is commonly combined with a short stay in Aswan, with pickup from hotels or Nile cruise berths in the Aswan area and return to the same base after the visit.

Named in this entry

Abu Simbel·Great Temple of Ramesses II·Small Temple of Nefertari·Ramesses II·Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae·UNESCO·Aswan International Airport (ASW)·Abu Simbel Airport (ABS)·Lake Nasser

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • This excursion suits travelers who want to see Abu Simbel in a single day without spending most of the day on the road. It is a good fit for adults, older children, and history-focused visitors who are comfortable with an early start, airport transfers, and moderate walking at a desert temple site.

What lingers

  • 01Return domestic flight Aswan (ASW) to Abu Simbel (ABS), flight time 40 to 50 minutes
  • 02Guided visit with an English-speaking Egyptologist to the Great Temple of Ramesses II and the Small Temple of Nefertari
  • 03Approximately two to three hours at the temples, subject to flight and security timings
  • 04Private hotel or Nile cruise gangway pickup in Aswan, with return transfer to Aswan airport or your Aswan hotel
  • 05Visit the Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae UNESCO site, inscribed in 1979
  • 06We favour flying because the 280 km road journey each way takes about 3.5 to 4 hours, leaving far less time on site by road

Worth knowing

How this compares

Unlike the road option, this flight-based excursion reduces travel time from roughly 3.5 to 4 hours each way to about 40 to 50 minutes by air. That usually leaves more time at the temples and avoids a long overland transfer through southern Egypt. Compared with independent planning, the tour bundles domestic flights, transfers, entrance fees, and an Egyptologist guide into one itinerary.

Stop by stop

Detailed itinerary

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Bundled in

  • Domestic flights
  • Private transfer
  • Hotel pickup
  • Airport transfer
  • All entry tickets
  • Private Egyptologist

The fine print

What's included – and what isn't

Included

  • Return domestic flights, Aswan (ASW) to Abu Simbel (ABS)
  • Private transfers between your Aswan hotel or Nile cruise berth and Aswan airport, return
  • English-speaking Egyptologist guide at Abu Simbel
  • Standard site entrance fees for the Abu Simbel temples
  • Airport handling and domestic flight taxes
  • Bottled water during transfers
  • Services provided by Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator

Not included

  • Lunch and other meals unless specified at booking
  • Gratuities for guide, driver and airport staff
  • Personal expenses, optional extras and souvenir purchases
  • Passport, visa and travel insurance
  • Any premium access fees not listed in inclusions

Tailor it

Make it yours

The excursion can be arranged as a private tour or with a shared departure depending on availability. It can also be customized with extra time in Aswan, upgraded meal arrangements, or a longer itinerary that adds other Aswan sites such as Philae Temple or the High Dam. Pickup can usually be adjusted for hotels or Nile cruise berths within the Aswan area.

All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.

Before you go

What to pack & wear

Children & families

Minimum age is 5 years old for the flight sector due to aviation and site safety. Child pricing may apply for ages 5 to 11, with adult fares for 12 and over; exact age bands and rates appear on the booking page. Strollers are generally impractical at Abu Simbel because of steps and compacted gravel, so parents should bring a baby carrier for very young children. Please advise us of children traveling when you book so we can confirm seat allocation and any applicable child discounts.

The morning of

Meeting point & timing

Where
Hotel or Nile cruise gangway pickup, AswanMap

Indicative rates only – pricing and departure fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.

On the ground

Your route

1Aswan2Abu Simbel

·In summary

This day tour includes return domestic flights between Aswan and Abu Simbel, private transfers in Aswan, an English-speaking Egyptologist guide, and standard entrance fees for the Abu Simbel temples. Travelers visit the Great Temple of Ramesses II and the Small Temple of Nefertari, with about two to three hours at the site depending on flight timing. Bottled water, airport handling, and domestic flight taxes are included.

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01How long is the Abu Simbel by Plane day tour from Aswan?
    The Abu Simbel by Plane day tour from Aswan is a full-day excursion. It includes return domestic flights, private transfers, and a guided visit to the temples, typically lasting from early morning until late afternoon.
  2. 02What is the typical pickup time for this tour?
    Pickup from your Aswan hotel or Nile cruise gangway is approximately 90 to 120 minutes before your scheduled domestic flight. We will confirm the exact time based on your flight details.
  3. 03What is included in the Abu Simbel by Plane tour price?
    The tour includes return domestic flights between Aswan and Abu Simbel, private airport transfers, an English-speaking Egyptologist guide at Abu Simbel, standard site entrance fees for the temples, airport handling, flight taxes, and bottled water during transfers.
  4. 04What is not included in the Abu Simbel by Plane tour?
    The tour price excludes lunch and other meals, gratuities for your guide, driver, and airport staff, personal expenses, optional extras, souvenir purchases, passport, visa, travel insurance, and any premium access fees not explicitly listed as included.
  5. 05Is the Abu Simbel by Plane tour accessible for individuals with mobility challenges?
    The tour involves walking on uneven ancient stone at the temple sites and navigating airports. While transfers are private, guests should be able to walk unassisted through airport terminals and around the temple complexes. Please advise us if you have specific mobility concerns.
  6. 06Can children participate in the Abu Simbel by Plane tour?
    Children are welcome on this tour. The flight is short, and the guided temple visit is engaging. We recommend considering the early start and the amount of walking involved for very young children.
  7. 07What should I wear and bring for the Abu Simbel by Plane tour?
    Wear comfortable walking shoes, light clothing, a hat, and sunglasses to protect against the sun. Bring sunscreen, a camera, and any personal medications. Modest dress is recommended for temple visits.
  8. 08What is the photography policy at Abu Simbel?
    Photography is generally permitted at Abu Simbel, but flash photography is often prohibited inside the temples. There may be specific restrictions or fees for video cameras; your guide will advise on site.
  9. 09When is the best time of year to visit Abu Simbel?
    The cooler months from October to April are generally the most comfortable for visiting Abu Simbel. Summers, from May to September, can be very hot, making the early morning flight option particularly advantageous.
  10. 10Why is flying preferred over driving to Abu Simbel?
    Flying to Abu Simbel significantly reduces travel time, with a flight duration of 40 to 50 minutes each way compared to a 3.5 to 4-hour road transfer. This allows for more time exploring the temples.

If plans change

Cancellation and refunds

What you get back if you cancel depends on how far ahead of your trip you tell us and the type of trip you book. Read our current cancellation and refund policy

Editorial review

Reviewed by Khaled Mansour

Product ID: EXC-ASW-397089

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