Abu Simbel is a long way south, near Lake Nasser and the border with Sudan. Reaching it from Cairo in a single day is possible, but it is a demanding trip. We would rather you know that before booking.
How the day runs
You are collected from your Cairo or Giza hotel at about 03:30 and driven to the airport. The flight normally changes planes in Aswan, and flight times follow the airline schedule on your date. It is a morning of airports and aircraft.
Your guide meets you at Abu Simbel and drives you to the temples. You see the Great Temple of Ramses II and the smaller Temple of Nefertari. After about two hours there, you have lunch, and then begin the trip back, again via Aswan, reaching Cairo in the early evening.
What the temples are like
The Great Temple is carved into the rock, with four huge seated figures at the front. Inside, the halls lead back to a small sanctuary. The nearby Temple of Nefertari is dedicated to Ramses II's queen. The whole complex was moved to higher ground in the 1960s, when Lake Nasser was formed.
Two hours is enough to see both and hear the story, but not enough to linger. If you want a slow visit, you would need a night in Aswan.
How booking works
You book online. We check flight seats for your date and confirm the trip with the final price. No payment is taken until we confirm, so you are not paying for a day that cannot be done.
- Return economy flights Cairo to Abu Simbel are included
- Private airport transfers in Cairo and at Abu Simbel
- Egyptologist guide, entrance ticket and lunch
- The camera ticket for photography inside is extra
Who it suits
It suits travelers who are fit, patient with airports and sure they want this one place. A person who dislikes long days, or who is traveling with young children, should think hard.
The honest alternative
If you can reach Aswan, Abu Simbel is easier from there, and you can stay a night. If you cannot, this day is the way to see it without changing your plans in Cairo.
A fair test: if you would regret missing Abu Simbel, take the trip. If you simply think it sounds nice, a shorter outing may serve you better.
Security checks and boarding take time at both airports, and the plane change in Aswan adds a gap. The schedule is set by the airline, so the hours at the temples can shift a little on your date.
Dress for strong sun. The ground at the temples is open, with little shade, and the sandstone reflects the light.
If you read this and feel doubtful, that is a useful answer. Tell us what you want most from your trip, and we will say plainly whether this day is the best use of it.
Plan with us
Abu Simbel from Cairo by flight: is it worth it?
An honest look at the Abu Simbel day trip from Cairo: the change of planes in Aswan, the 14-hour day, the short time at the temples.