The Nile Valley requires a mix between river cruise (or dahabiya) for intermediate sites, private taxi or driver with guide for visits in Luxor and Aswan, and domestic flight for Abu Simbel.
The 4-5 star cruise is the most used solution — full board formula with included guided excursions, transfers from the boat to the sites provided by air-conditioned bus. Count €100-200/day/person for a 4-5 star cruise with a recognised operator (Sonesta, Movenpick, Sanctuary, Oberoi). Check that your package includes all excursions (Karnak, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae) — some operators charge extra for certain visits. The tip for the crew (cook, waiter, chambermaid) is expected: €5-10/day/person, to be put in the collective envelope handed at the end of the cruise.
The dahabiya (traditional sailing boat of 8-12 cabins) follows a similar but slower and more poetic itinerary — propulsion by sail and towing by a small motorboat. Count €1,800-3,500/week/person in full board formula with private guide. Booking 6-12 months in advance for high season. Recommended operators: Sanctuary Sun Boat, Oberoi Philae, Movenpick Royal Lily, Lazuli, Mövenpick Sunray.
In Luxor, the carriage drivers (horse-drawn carriages) are the emblematic image of the corniche — but the horses' maintenance condition is often deplorable and the prices demanded are fanciful. Prefer private taxis or tourist minivans for travel between hotel and sites. Count €30-50/day for a private car with English-speaking driver. The Nile crossing between east bank and west bank is done by boat taxi (5-15 EGP at the public ferry, 100-200 EGP in private boat taxi) — more picturesque and faster than the road bridge (10 km south).
In Aswan, the felucca (traditional sailing boat) is the ideal mode of transport to visit the islands (Elephantine, Kitchener, Sehel) — count 100-200 EGP for 2-3 hours of sunset cruise. It is an emblematic experience of Aswan, not to be missed.
For Abu Simbel, two options. The EgyptAir flight (1h round trip from Aswan, €200-300) is much preferable — departure around 7am, visit of the temples from 8.30am to 10am, return to Aswan around 11am. The escorted road convoy (3h30 each way, mandatory departure at 4am to drive in a group escorted by police, €50-80 in organised minibus) is cheaper but much more tiring — advised against except very tight budget.
Access to the region is via the airports of Luxor (LXR) or Aswan (ASW), both served by EgyptAir from Cairo (1h-1h30, €50-180). No direct flight France-Luxor. The romantic alternative: the Watania Sleeper night train Cairo-Luxor (10h, double berth + meals, €110-130/person) — an experience in itself.
Read also
- Cairo and Giza — Pyramids, Grand Egyptian Museum, Old Cairo: the logical follow-up before or after the Nile.
- Red Sea — Hurghada, El Gouna, Marsa Alam: decompress on the beach after the cultural intensity of the Nile.
- Egypt — Complete country guide: visa, budget, regions to explore and the best time to visit.
- Sinai Peninsula — Mount Sinai, Saint Catherine's Monastery, Dahab and the Blue Hole: the Sinai side of Egypt.