How do you get to Abu Simbel?

Abu Simbel sits near the Sudanese border, about three hours by road from Aswan or a short flight. Day trips leave very early to reach the two rock-cut temples of Ramesses II and Nefertari before the crowds. The temples were famously relocated stone by stone above Lake Nasser in the 1960s.

How much does a Abu Simbel day tour cost?

Private day tours in Abu Simbel start from $141 per person, with the exact rate depending on the itinerary, group size and season. Every Discovery Tours Egypt day tour is private and all-inclusive: a licensed Egyptologist guide, air-conditioned vehicle, hotel pickup and drop-off, and all listed entry fees. There are no hidden add-ons at the sites.

Are your Abu Simbel day tours private?

Yes. Every day tour we run is fully private – just your party, your own Egyptologist guide and your own driver. Nothing is shared with strangers, and the pace, stops and timing are tailored to you on the day.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off at your Abu Simbel hotel (or Nile cruise dock, where relevant) are included at no extra cost. Your guide meets you in the lobby; if your plans change, the local office that arranged the day tour can adjust it on the day.

When is the best time to visit Abu Simbel?

October to April is the most comfortable season, with warm days and cool evenings ideal for sightseeing. May to September is hotter, so day tours start early to beat the midday heat – and you'll often find fewer crowds and lower prices. We run day tours in Abu Simbel year-round.

Is it safe, and are families welcome?

Yes on both counts. We've operated in Egypt since 1988 from offices nationwide, with 24/7 in-country support, and day tours run with our own vetted guides and drivers. Families are very welcome – guides adjust the pace and content for children, and we can arrange car seats and shorter itineraries.

Tours to the Abu Simbel temples

Abu Simbel Day Tours

Ramesses II's twin temples carved into the cliff face – by road from Aswan or by short flight

LengthFull day

From$110 / person

PickupHotel or Nile cruise included

GuideEgyptologist

By the Discovery Tours Egypt desk

Ramesses II's twin temples at Abu Simbel are ancient Egypt's most jaw-dropping feat of engineering – and its most dramatic modern rescue, lifted stone by stone above the rising waters of Lake Nasser. Reach them by a short flight or convoy drive from Aswan; a day tour times your arrival for the cooler morning light, with an Egyptologist to read the colossal facade and the sun-aligned sanctuary.

The best day tour in Abu Simbel is the one you don't have to organize yourself. We've been arranging them, in this country, since 1988.

Discovery Tours Egypt · since 1988

What you'll see

Abu Simbel, in the order that makes sense

A full day comfortably covers two or three of the stops below – your guide tailors the mix to your pace, interests and the season.

Inside the Great Temple

Past the four colossi, a hall of Osiris-pillared statues of Ramesses leads to reliefs of the Battle of Kadesh and, deep in the mountain, the sanctuary of four seated gods.

~1 hrHypostyle hall

The Temple of Nefertari

Beside the great temple stands the smaller temple of Hathor – dedicated by Ramesses to his queen Nefertari, her statues carved the same height as his own, almost unheard of in ancient Egypt.

~30 minQueen's temple

Lake Nasser & the rescue

In the 1960s the entire complex was cut into blocks and lifted 65 meters up the cliff to escape the rising lake – the greatest archaeological rescue ever attempted. The setting above the water is half the drama.

~30 minLakeside setting

The solar alignment

Twice a year – around 22 February and 22 October – the dawn sun spears deep into the mountain to light the sanctuary gods, exactly as engineered 3,200 years ago. The Sun Festival fills the site.

Feb & OctSun Festival

Every Abu Simbel day tours

Ways to spend the day

Every private, fully-guided day tour we run here – hotel or Nile-cruise pickup included. The price you see is the all-in rate.

Abu Simbel by Road from Aswan (Day Tour)

Drive from Aswan to Abu Simbel by road, a 280 km transfer taking about 3.5–4 hours each way. Our Egyptologist accompanies the transfer and guides you at both temples: the Great Temple of Ramesses II and the Small Temple of Nefertari. We normally depart before sunrise (around 3:00–3:30 AM) so you arrive for morning light and cooler temperatures; expect roughly two hours on site. Distinctive point of view: we prefer road transfers because they avoid airport queues and deliver a predictable schedule. Trade-offs: it is an early start and a long round trip, with limited shade at the site midday.

From $141 1 Days

Abu Simbel by Plane from Aswan, Day Tour

A full-day, return flight from Aswan to Abu Simbel with a guided visit to the Great Temple of Ramesses II and the Small Temple of Nefertari. You fly from Aswan International Airport (ASW) to Abu Simbel Airport (ABS), flight time about 40 to 50 minutes. We favour the flight option because road transfers take about three hours each way, which reduces time at the temples. Pickup is from your Aswan hotel or Nile cruise gangway; expect to be ready 90 to 120 minutes before the scheduled domestic flight. Services are provided by Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator.

From $560 1 Days

Know before you go

The practical bits

What to wear

Cover shoulders and knees for mosques and churches. Closed, comfortable shoes – you'll cross uneven stone and sand.

Tipping

Around $2–4 a day for your guide is standard, and a little for the driver. Never obligatory – your day tour price is complete.

Heat & water

Carry 1.5L minimum. Sites are in full sun by 10am – the early start isn't just about crowds, it's about comfort.

Cameras & fees

A few sites charge a separate camera fee at the gate; some interiors are extra. Standard site entry is always included.

Questions we hear most