Abu Simbel is above all an additional budget line to factor into your Aswan stay. Count €80 per person per day for the most common bus excursion package, more for the plane or lake cruise.
Three main excursion options from Aswan:
Shared convoy bus: €50-80 per person with entry and guide included. 4-5 am hotel pickup in Aswan, 3h30 desert drive in a secured convoy, visit to both temples (1-1.5h on site), packed or on-site lunch or on return, arrival Aswan 2-4 pm. The most economical but also the most tiring. Book via your hotel or a reputable agency (Memphis Tours, Djed Egypt Travel).
Domestic flight: €200-300 per person all inclusive (EgyptAir round trip, transfer from Abu Simbel airport to the site, entry, guide). Aswan departure 5-6 am for 45-min flight, 1.5-2h visit, return to Aswan 11 am-12 pm. Our recommendation for most travellers: more comfortable, less tiring, and lets you enjoy the rest of the day in Aswan.
Lake Nasser cruise: €1,200-2,500 per person for 3 or 4 nights, all-inclusive (cabin, full board, guided visits to several Nubian temples including Abu Simbel). The most immersive and memorable option, with arrival at Abu Simbel by lake at sunset. Best for enthusiasts and luxury trips.
The entry alone to Abu Simbel costs €18-22 per person (included in excursion packages). Evening sound and light show: €15-25.
On-site accommodation (for those sleeping at Abu Simbel) is limited: Seti Abu Simbel Lake Resort (€100-150/night, lake view), Eskaleh Nubian Lodge (€60-90/night, more authentic), Tuya Hotel (€40-70/night, simple). Book well ahead.
Read also
- Aswan, Nubian softness — 280 km to the north: Philae, Elephantine and the base for all Abu Simbel excursions.
- Luxor, capital of the pharaohs — Karnak, Valley of the Kings and the heart of the New Kingdom — combine with Abu Simbel.
- Egypt — Complete country guide: entry rules, budget, when to visit, regions.