Discovery Tours Egypt
Day TourCairo

Abu Simbel Day Trip from Cairo by Flight – Private, Temples of Ramses II & Nefertari

14 hours, flights, private Egyptologist, ticket and lunch included, hotel pick-up at 03:30.

At a glance

Departs
Daily

The short answer

A 14-hour private day trip by air from Cairo or Giza to Abu Simbel, usually via Aswan: the Great Temple of Ramses II and the Temple of Nefertari, with return flights, an Egyptologist, the temple ticket and lunch.
  • New
  • Private

Snapshot

Good to know

Destinations
Cairo · Aswan · Abu Simbel · Great Temple of Ramses II · Temple of Nefertari · Lake Nasser
Includes
Return flights Cairo–Abu Simbel in economy class · Private airport transfers in Cairo · Transfers between Abu Simbel Airport and the temples · Private Egyptologist guide (English) at Abu Simbel · Entrance ticket for the Abu Simbel temples
Guide languages
English

Best time to go

October to April has the best temperatures. In summer, Abu Simbel is very hot at midday.

  • Arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt, an Egyptian tour operator working since 1988 with six offices
  • Travel licence ETAA 718 (Category A); IATA accredited agent

02Overview

A first look

Abu Simbel is far to the south, near the Sudan border, and this is the quickest way to see it from Cairo. It is also a long day, and we want you to know that before you book. A driver collects you from your Cairo or Giza hotel at about 03:30. Please ask your hotel the night before for a breakfast box, which hotels usually provide at no charge. You normally change planes in Aswan on the way, and flight times follow the airline schedule on your date. You reach Abu Simbel at about 10:00 and spend around two hours at the Great Temple of Ramses II and the Temple of Nefertari with your guide. After lunch you fly back, usually through Aswan again, and reach your Cairo hotel at about 18:30. You book online without paying at that point. Our team checks flight seats for your date and confirms availability and the final price, and then you pay.

Background

The facts

Abu Simbel lies on the shore of Lake Nasser, about 1,100 km south of Cairo and near the Sudan border. A day trip from Cairo goes by air, usually changing planes in Aswan.

Named in this entry

Cairo·Aswan·Abu Simbel·Great Temple of Ramses II·Temple of Nefertari·Lake Nasser

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • Travelers based in Cairo who want to see Abu Simbel and accept a long day for a short visit.

Maybe not, if

  • Not for anyone who dislikes pre-dawn starts, plane changes or long days.

What lingers

  • 01Return flights Cairo–Abu Simbel, usually changing planes in Aswan
  • 02An English-speaking Egyptologist guide at the temples
  • 03The Great Temple of Ramses II with its four seated colossi
  • 04The Temple of Nefertari, built for the queen
  • 05Lunch at a local restaurant and bottled water

Honest assessment

Real trade-offs from our experience managing this tour.

Highlights

  • The only way to see Abu Simbel from Cairo in one day
  • Flights and Cairo transfers handled for you
  • Egyptologist guide at the temples

Things to Consider

  • Very early start, plane changes and a long day
  • About two hours at the temples

Stop by stop

Detailed itinerary

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The fine print

What's included – and what isn't

Included

  • Return flights Cairo–Abu Simbel in economy class
  • Private airport transfers in Cairo
  • Transfers between Abu Simbel Airport and the temples
  • Private Egyptologist guide (English) at Abu Simbel
  • Entrance ticket for the Abu Simbel temples
  • Lunch at a local restaurant
  • Bottled water

Not included

  • Gratuities
  • Drinks with lunch
  • Personal expenses
  • Camera ticket for photography inside the temples

Field notes

From our Egyptologists

  1. 01

    Ask your hotel the night before for a breakfast box

  2. 02

    Keep your passport with you for every flight

Before you go

What to pack & wear

Children & families

Children's prices are set from the ages you give when you book, and there is no minimum age. Tell us the ages when you book so we can check flight seats. The day lasts about 14 hours, starts before dawn and includes four flights, so we suggest it mainly for older children and teenagers.

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

On the ground

Your route

✈1Cairo2Aswan3Abu Simbel

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01How does booking work?
    You book online, and no payment is taken at that point. Our team then checks flight seats for your date and confirms availability and the final price. Once that is agreed, you pay. If seats are not available, we suggest another date.
  2. 02How is this private trip priced?
    The price is per person and covers the flights, the Cairo transfers, the Egyptologist, the temple ticket and lunch. It falls as the group grows, because the guide is shared, while each traveler needs their own flight seat. The final price is confirmed by our team.
  3. 03Is the flight direct?
    Usually not. You normally change planes in Aswan on the way there and the way back. Flight times follow the airline schedule on your date, so the day is long, and the time at the temples is short, about two hours. If you want longer there, consider staying overnight in Aswan.
  4. 04Are the flights included?
    Yes, return economy flights are included. Bring the passport you used for the booking, because you need it at each airport.
  5. 05What is the cancellation policy?
    If you cancel three days or more before the trip, you get a full refund. If you cancel less than three days but more than 24 hours before, half is refunded. After that, or if you miss the pick-up, there is no refund. Once flight tickets are issued, the airline's rules apply to the flight part.
  6. 06Is this trip private, or will others join us?
    On the ground it is private. The Egyptologist guides only your party, and the maximum party is 12 people. You fly on scheduled airline flights with other passengers.

If plans change

Plans change? We make it easy.

  • More than 72 hours before your tour: keep the full amount as credit toward future travel with us, or take a refund.
  • Between 72 and 24 hours: keep the full amount as credit, or take a partial refund.
  • Within 24 hours of the tour, or if you don't show up, we're unable to offer a refund or credit.
  • If we ever have to cancel, for weather or anything beyond our control, you lose nothing.

Credit is valid for 12 months from your original travel date and can be used on any tour, cruise or stay with us.Read our full cancellation and refund policy

Continue reading

From the archives

Product ID: EXC-CAI-742461

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