Planning the trip from Abu Simbel to Aswan? This private road excursion starts and finishes in Aswan, so there is nothing to arrange in between. Your vehicle, your Egyptologist and your Abu Simbel admission are all taken care of, and the drive back from Abu Simbel is simply the return leg of one full day out.
On this page you will find the timings, the stop-by-stop itinerary, what is and is not included, and honest guidance on whether the road suits you. For the full tour listing, see our Abu Simbel private tour by road; if you would rather skip the drive, compare it with the Abu Simbel by plane from Aswan option.
About 9 hours
Full-day round trip
About 3 hours
Drive each way
Private
Air-conditioned vehicle
Egyptologist
English-speaking guide
Abu Simbel to Aswan at a Glance
| Route | Aswan → Abu Simbel → Aswan |
| Tour type | Private road excursion |
| Total time | Approximately nine hours |
| Road time | Approximately three hours each way |
| Pick-up | Aswan hotel, Nile cruise or confirmed meeting point |
| Getting there | Private air-conditioned vehicle |
| Guide | Professional English-speaking Egyptologist |
| Visits | Great Temple of Ramses II; Temple of Hathor and Queen Nefertari |
| Entry | Abu Simbel admission included |
| Drop-off | Aswan hotel, Nile cruise or confirmed drop-off point |
| Price | Available on request |
Timings are approximate. Confirm your pickup time and meeting point with Egypt Luxury Trips when you enquire about your travel date.
The Itinerary: From Aswan to Abu Simbel and Back
Seven simple stages make up the day. The first two happen on the road, the next four are at the temples, and the last brings you home.
1. Private Pickup in Aswan
Your day begins with collection from your hotel, Nile cruise or agreed meeting point in Aswan. Meet your Egyptologist, settle into your private air-conditioned vehicle and set off south. We plan an early departure, aiming to reach the temples before the main group buses from Aswan. That is an aim rather than a promise of a crowd-free visit, and your exact pickup time is confirmed separately.
2. The Desert Road to Lake Nasser
As the road crosses the desert toward Lake Nasser, your guide introduces the temple complex and the monuments ahead. The drive takes about three hours each way, around six hours on the road in total, so this itinerary suits travelers who are comfortable with a long day.
3. Arrive at the Abu Simbel Temple Complex
On arrival, take in the setting beside Lake Nasser and the monumental façade of the Great Temple. The four colossal seated figures of Ramses II are the first focus of the visit, with time to appreciate their scale and take photographs. Your Egyptologist introduces the complex before you explore both main temples, each with a different subject and character.
4. Explore the Great Temple of Ramses II
The Great Temple is the first principal monument of the day. Its royal imagery, battle scenes and monumental sculpture were designed to project the authority of Ramses II, and your guide explains how these features relate to his religious and political role.
The tour also introduces the temple’s solar alignment. Learning about it is part of the interpretation; the standard itinerary does not promise attendance at a solar illumination event. You can read more in our guide to the Abu Simbel sun festival.
Four seated colossi, each carved from the cliff itself, greet every visitor who reaches Abu Simbel.
5. Visit the Temple of Hathor and Queen Nefertari
Continue to the neighboring Temple of Hathor and Queen Nefertari, the second principal stop. Here the focus shifts to the temple’s dedication to the goddess Hathor and to Nefertari’s connection with the monument. Your guide points out the façade, where Ramses II and Nefertari are shown at equal height, before you explore the interior details.
Visiting both monuments gives the day a clear balance: royal power at the Great Temple, then queenship and devotion at the second.
6. Understand the Temples’ Relocation
Your Egyptologist also tells Abu Simbel’s modern preservation story: how the temples were dismantled and rebuilt on higher ground in the 1960s as Lake Nasser formed behind the High Dam. It adds context to the landscape you see today. For more background, see our Abu Simbel temples facts guide. There is time for final photographs and questions before you return to your vehicle.
7. Return from Abu Simbel to Aswan
After the temple visit, travel back to Aswan in your private air-conditioned vehicle. The return drive takes around three hours, and the excursion finishes with drop-off at your Aswan hotel, Nile cruise or another confirmed location. The same Egyptologist stays with you throughout, which keeps the whole day connected.
What Is Included and What Is Not
Our Abu Simbel private tour by road is priced as a single arranged day, so the main services are covered together.
Included
- Pickup in Aswan and return after the excursion.
- Private air-conditioned transportation.
- Abu Simbel admission.
- A professional English-speaking Egyptologist guide.
- Bottled water.
- Taxes and service charges.
Not included
- Meals.
- Personal expenses.
- Optional activities.
- Tipping.
Bottled water is included but meals are not, so keep that in mind when planning for an excursion of about nine hours.
Abu Simbel in Pictures
Is This the Right Abu Simbel Day Trip for You?
The tour is built around private transportation and guided sightseeing rather than a shared group departure. The main consideration is the road itself: with about three hours in each direction, it is a long day, but a straightforward one.
The road tour suits you if…
- You want one arranged day from Aswan, with transport, admission and a guide handled for you.
- You prefer a private vehicle to a shared group.
- You are comfortable with roughly three hours of driving each way.
Consider the flight option if…
- A long road journey is not for you.
- You would rather spend more of the day at the temples than on the road.
- You are happy to follow a scheduled domestic flight.
See Abu Simbel by plane from Aswan or our guide to an Abu Simbel trip from Aswan to compare both.
Make the Most of Your Time in Aswan
Abu Simbel fills a full day, so pair it with shorter highlights on your other days in Aswan.
Philae Temple, High Dam and Unfinished Obelisk
A classic Aswan highlights tour, from the island temple to the granite quarries.
Nubian Village by Motorboat
A gentle boat trip on the Nile to a colorful Nubian village.
St Simeon Monastery and Tombs of the Nobles
Explore the desert monastery and the rock tombs on the west bank.
Travelling the length of the Nile? Our Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan guide shows how to combine temples and river days.
See Abu Simbel Without the Logistics
Tell us your travel date and where you are staying in Aswan, and we will confirm the price and arrangements.
What Travelers Say on TripAdvisor
Abu Simbel to Aswan: Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Abu Simbel to Aswan return journey take?
The tour allows approximately three hours for the drive in each direction. The complete round trip from Aswan, including time at the temples, takes approximately nine hours.
Does this tour begin in Abu Simbel?
No. This tour begins in Aswan, visits Abu Simbel and returns to Aswan. It is not offered as a one-way transfer starting in Abu Simbel.
Can you collect me from my Nile cruise?
Yes. Pickup is available from an Aswan Nile cruise, an Aswan hotel or another confirmed meeting point, and you are dropped back at the location you agree with our team.
Which temples will I visit?
You visit the Great Temple of Ramses II and the neighboring Temple of Hathor and Queen Nefertari, with your Egyptologist explaining both and the story of their relocation.
Are entrance tickets and a guide included?
Yes. Abu Simbel admission and a professional English-speaking Egyptologist are included, together with private air-conditioned transportation, bottled water, and taxes and service charges.
What time does the tour leave Aswan?
The tour uses an early departure, aiming to reach the temples before the main group buses, but a fixed pickup time is not published. Confirm your time with our team when you enquire.
Are meals included?
No. Meals are not included. Bottled water is provided, so it is sensible to plan food for the day.
Is it better to go to Abu Simbel by road or by plane?
The road tour is a private, single-vehicle day with about three hours of driving each way. The flight-based excursion uses a scheduled domestic flight and is shorter overall. Choose the road if you value a simple private day, or the flight if you want less time travelling.
How much does the Abu Simbel tour from Aswan cost?
The price is available on request. Send your travel date, your Aswan hotel or Nile cruise, and any requirements through the enquiry form below, and our team will confirm the price and arrangements.
Enquire About Your Private Abu Simbel Tour
Fill out the enquiry form to receive more information, request the price, confirm availability for your date and plan your journey with the Egypt Luxury Trips team. Please include your intended travel date, your Aswan accommodation or Nile cruise, and any requirements you would like to discuss.
