Abu Simbel by Plane from Aswan – Day Tour
Return Aswan–Abu Simbel flights (40–50 minutes each way), private transfers from Aswan hotels or cruises, guided temple visits.
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.
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
- English
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
You step from the aircraft into dry, fragrant Nubian air and, within minutes, the four seated colossi of Ramesses II fill the vista – their weathered faces framed against the low desert and the Nile’s distant gleam. Morning light often falls across the temple façade while our Egyptologist gestures to the carved scenes as you move along the temple forecourt.
We escort you from Aswan Airport by private transfer and our Egyptologist leads the guided visit to the Great Temple of Ramesses II and the Small Temple of Nefertari. We handle the domestic flights, airport procedures and standard site fees; please note the tour requires an early start, involves walking on uneven ancient stone and there is limited shade. Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
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
- 01Private return domestic flight Aswan (ASW) – Abu Simbel (ABS), approx. 40–50 minutes each way
- 02Guided visit to the Great Temple of Ramesses II and the Small Temple of Nefertari
- 03Site part of the Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae (UNESCO, 1979)
- 04Photography opportunities outside the temples; solar alignment with Ramesses’ inner sanctuary around 22 February and 22 October
- 05Private transfers between Aswan hotels or Nile cruises and Aswan International Airport (ASW)
- 06Operated by our English-speaking Egyptologists and ETAA-licensed ground team
- 07Standard site entrance fees, airport handling and domestic flight taxes included
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
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
Bundled in
- Domestic flight
- 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) – Abu Simbel (ABS), approx. 40–50 minutes each way, including domestic flight taxes and airport handling
- Private air‑conditioned transfers between your Aswan hotel or Nile cruise berth and Aswan International Airport (ASW)
- Guided visit to the Great Temple of Ramesses II and the Small Temple of Nefertari with our English‑speaking Egyptologist
- Standard site entrance fees for the Abu Simbel temples (part of the Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae – UNESCO, inscribed 1979)
- Bottled water provided during transfers
- Airport handling related to the domestic flights at ASW and ABS
- Services arranged and operated by Discovery Tours Egypt – licensed by the Egyptian Tourism Authority (ETAA)
Not included
- Gratuities for your guide and driver
- Meals and drinks not listed above
- Personal expenses and travel insurance
- Visas and international flights to/from Egypt
- Costs arising from flight schedule changes, cancellations or delays (including any additional accommodation or ground transport)
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
We recommend the excursion for children aged 2 years and older. Children aged 2–11 are normally offered child pricing where available; infants under 2 travel as lap infants subject to airline rules and must be declared at booking (airlines may charge an infant fee). Strollers are generally impractical at Abu Simbel because of sand, uneven ground and temple steps; a compact, foldable stroller can be carried in the vehicle but will usually need to be folded for short walks. High chairs are not provided on site. Please advise us at booking if a child requires a seat, special assistance or additional documentation; have photographic ID or a birth certificate available for airline check‑in.
The morning of
Meeting point & timing
- Where
- Hotel lobby or Nile cruise gangway (Aswan)Map
Indicative rates only – pricing and departure fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.
On the ground
Your route
·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
01How long does the Abu Simbel by Plane day tour from Aswan take?
The tour is a full day with an early start. Door-to-door you should expect about 7–9 hours, depending on domestic flight schedules and security checks. Flight time each way is approximately 40–50 minutes and the guided visit at Abu Simbel typically lasts about 1–1.5 hours on site.02What time will you pick me up and where is the meeting point?
We collect from hotels and Nile cruise berths in the Aswan area. Exact pick-up time is very early (pre-dawn) and depends on the scheduled domestic flight; we confirm this at booking. We provide private transfers to Aswan International Airport (ASW) and airport handling is included in the price.03What is included in the tour and what is not included?
Included: return domestic flights Aswan (ASW)–Abu Simbel (ABS), private transfers hotel/cruise–airport–hotel/cruise, English-speaking Egyptologist at Abu Simbel, standard site entrance fees, airport handling, domestic flight taxes, and bottled water. Excluded: gratuities, meals not listed, personal expenses, travel insurance and costs arising from flight changes. Discovery Tours Egypt arranges the flights, transfers and guided visit.04Is the tour suitable for people with reduced mobility or limited fitness?
Abu Simbel involves walking on uneven ancient stone, steps and limited shade. The site is not fully wheelchair-accessible without assistance and some interior areas may be inaccessible. Please tell us about mobility needs at booking so we can advise and make reasonable arrangements; in some cases a private road transfer may be a better option.05Can I bring children and are there any age recommendations?
Children are welcome. The early start, airport procedures and high temperatures in summer may be tiring for very young children. Child fares and any reductions for site tickets depend on Egyptian Ministry rules; tell us ages at booking so we can confirm flight fares and included entrance fees. Car seats are not provided unless arranged in advance.06What should I wear and what should I bring on the day?
Wear comfortable, breathable clothing and sturdy closed shoes for uneven stone. Bring a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, high-SPF suncream, a small daypack, any personal medication and your passport (required for domestic flights). Meals are not included, so bring snacks if you prefer; we provide bottled water during transfers.07Am I allowed to take photographs or fly a drone at Abu Simbel?
Personal photography for private use is permitted at Abu Simbel. Drone flights are prohibited without prior permission from Egyptian authorities and are strictly enforced. Professional filming, tripods or commercial equipment require advance permits; please tell us in advance so we can advise on permissions and applicable fees.08What is the best time of year and time of day to visit Abu Simbel?
The cooler months, October–April, are the most comfortable; summer temperatures (May–September) often exceed 40°C. Early-morning flights are preferable to avoid heat and the busiest periods at the site, but the tour still requires an early start. We will confirm the exact flight time when you book.09Which temples are included and how long will the guided visit be at Abu Simbel?
Our Egyptologist leads visits to the Great Temple of Ramesses II and the Small Temple of Nefertari – both part of the Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae (UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed 1979). The guided visit on site usually lasts about 1–1.5 hours, allowing time to view both temples and forecourts.10What happens if the domestic flight is delayed or cancelled?
Flight delays or cancellations can affect the itinerary. Costs arising from schedule changes are excluded, but we will work to rebook the next available flight or offer a road transfer alternative (approximately 3.5–4 hours each way) at additional cost. We advise purchasing travel insurance that covers domestic flight disruption.
If plans change
Cancellation
- More than 30 days
- Full refund less a £50 admin fee
- 15–30 days
- 50% refund
- Within 14 days
- No refund – date changes considered case by case
Product ID: EXC-ASW-397089
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