Budget — Aswan

Aswan offers excellent cultural value for money. A budget of €60 per person per day comfortably covers a stay: double room in a 4-star Nile-view hotel, meals in good restaurants, felucca and taxi transport, shared guide and all entries excluding Abu Simbel.

Accommodation covers every band. A bed in a Nubian guesthouse on Elephantine Island runs €25-50/night — the most authentic option. A 4-star hotel on the Corniche (Pyramisa Isis Corniche, Movenpick Resort Aswan) sits around €80-130/night. The legendary Sofitel Legend Old Cataract (1899), where Agatha Christie stayed and King Farouk had his suite, is one of the world's great addresses — cataract-view rooms from €350/night in season. The panoramic terrace at sunset remains accessible to non-residents for afternoon tea (€25-35/person) — an absolutely recommended experience to enjoy the legend without the full price.

Nile cruises Luxor-Aswan (3 or 4 nights, stops at Edfu, Kom Ombo, Esna) start around €250-400 per person in classic all-inclusive 4-star format (full board, guided visits); €600-1,200 on premium 5-star boats (Oberoi Philae, Sanctuary Sun Boat IV). Booking essential several months ahead in high season.

Food is very affordable. A meal in a Nubian restaurant on Elephantine Island runs €8-15 per person. Dinner in a floating Nile restaurant (Solaris, El Masry) costs €15-25. The 1902 restaurant at the Sofitel Old Cataract offers gastronomic cuisine in an exceptional setting at €60-90 per person.

Entry fees are reasonable. Philae Temple: €12. Elephantine Island + museum: €5. Unfinished Obelisk: €4. High Dam: €3. Aga Khan Mausoleum: €4 (felucca-only access). Philae sound and light show: €25-30. Abu Simbel excursion: €60-100 by bus, €200-300 by plane (flight + entry included). Total ticket budget over 2-3 days excluding Abu Simbel: €30-50/person.

Local transport is cheap: taxi in town €2-4, felucca €1-2 for island crossings, calèche €4-6/hour. A car with driver for the day (Philae + dam + obelisk) costs €30-50.