Travel guide · Egypt
Aswan Travel Guide 2026: Abu Simbel by road or air, temple tickets, Nile cruises and how many days
Feluccas on the Nile at Aswan. Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0
Aswan is Egypt's southern gateway on the Nile: the base for Abu Simbel, Philae and the Nubian villages, and the usual start or end of a Nile cruise to Luxor. The decisions that shape a trip are how to reach Abu Simbel (a 04:00 road trip or a 45-minute flight), whether to cruise for two or three nights or sail on a dahabiya or felucca, and when to come in one of the hottest cities on earth. This guide gives 2026 ticket prices from the official antiquities pages, the rules that trip up travellers, and typical prices from 1,440 bookable tours.
Aswan at a glance
Aswan sits on the east bank of the Nile at the First Cataract, where granite boulders and palm islands break up the river just north of the dams. It was ancient Syene, Egypt's southern frontier, and the place where Eratosthenes worked out the circumference of the Earth around 240 BC. Today it is a city of about 370,000 and the hub for the Nubian monuments that were saved from Lake Nasser.
| Population | About 370,000 (2024 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Protected as | Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae' (1979), ten sites in all |
| Airport | Aswan International (ASW), 16 km south-west of the city; flights to Cairo and Abu Simbel |
| From Cairo | 879 km by rail; Abela sleeper trains take about 13–14 hours |
| Abu Simbel ticket | EGP 750 foreign adult, EGP 375 student (official page) |
| Philae ticket | EGP 550 foreign adult, EGP 275 student; boat extra |
| Visa on arrival | USD 30 in cash, valid up to 30 days |
The ten UNESCO-listed sites stretch from Abu Simbel near the Sudan border to the city itself: Abu Simbel, Amada, Wadi el-Sebua, Kalabsha, Philae, the granite quarries with the Unfinished Obelisk, the Fatimid cemetery, Elephantine, the Monastery of St Simeon and the rock tombs of Qubbet el-Hawa. Most of them were moved, block by block, during the UNESCO campaign of 1960–1980 that followed the building of the High Dam.
Aswan in pictures
Tap a photo to enlarge it. Photos: Diego Delso, Ad Meskens, Silar, Warren LeMay from Chicago, IL, United States, Karelj — Wikimedia Commons.
Is Abu Simbel worth it from Aswan, and should you fly or go by road?
Verdict: Yes — it is the reason most people come this far south. Go by road on a shared or private day trip if you can face a 04:00 start; fly only if you have little time or cannot sit in a car for seven or eight hours. Plan for about two hours at the temples either way.
| Option | Time each way | When | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Road day trip (shared van or private car) | About 3.5–4 hours for 280–300 km | Leaves Aswan around 04:00, back by about 13:00 | About 2 hours on site; the desert road is closed to tourist traffic 17:00–05:00 |
| Public bus | — | Around 08:00 from Aswan bus station | About EGP 150–200; same-day return not guaranteed — suits an overnight in Abu Simbel |
| Flight (EgyptAir, Air Cairo) | About 45 minutes | Roughly 8–9 flights a week (May 2026) | Round trip about EGP 5,500–8,000; free EgyptAir shuttle 5 km to the temples |
| Lake Nasser cruise | 3–4 nights | Less frequent departures | Full board with guided visits to the lake temples |
Ramesses II had the two temples cut into the rock around 1264 BC. The Great Temple is fronted by four seated colossi about 20 m tall — one fell in an earthquake and its pieces still lie at its feet. The smaller temple honours Hathor and Queen Nefertari, whose statues on the facade stand as tall as the king's.
What you see is not the original site. Between 1965 and 1968 the temples were sawn into 1,036 blocks and rebuilt about 65 m higher, out of reach of Lake Nasser, at a cost of USD 41.7 million. The work was inaugurated on 22 September 1968, and Abu Simbel joined the World Heritage List in 1979.
The sun festival falls on 22 October and 22 February
Twice a year the rising sun shines through the Great Temple to the statues in the innermost sanctuary; Ptah, beside them, stays in shadow. On 22 October 2025 the light lasted 22 minutes, from 06:54 to 07:16, and about 4,000 people came to watch. Tickets on the two festival days cost EGP 1,200 instead of EGP 750.
The light also reaches the sanctuary on the days either side, and the 21st and 23rd come close to the full effect with far smaller crowds. If you want the 22nd itself, book Aswan accommodation early, because the city fills up for the festival.
Pay by card and leave the tripod behind
The Abu Simbel ticket office has been cashless since 2023, so bring a bank card that works abroad. Phone photos for personal use are fine inside, but flash and tripods are not. A May 2026 travel guide reports a higher price of EGP 822 than the ministry page's EGP 750, so allow for the difference.
249 Abu Simbel day trips tours on Excurgo · from $29, typical $120 per person · rated 4.6 across 2,181 reviews
How much are Aswan's temple and museum tickets in 2026?
Verdict: Buy each ticket at the site with a bank card. Philae, Abu Simbel and the Unfinished Obelisk are the essentials; the Nubian Museum is the best-value ticket in town, and Kalabsha is worth its EGP 200 if you have half a day spare.
| Site (foreign adult) | Price | Student | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abu Simbel | EGP 750 (EGP 1,200 on 22 Feb and 22 Oct) | EGP 375 (EGP 600) | 06:00–17:00 |
| Philae Temple | EGP 550 | EGP 275 | 07:00–16:00; boat not included |
| Edfu Temple | EGP 550 | EGP 275 | Opens 06:00 or 07:00, closes 17:00 |
| Kom Ombo Temple + Crocodile Museum | EGP 450 | EGP 225 | 07:00–21:00, tickets until 20:00 |
| Nubian Museum | EGP 400 | EGP 200 | 09:00–17:00; also 18:00–21:00 Thursday and Friday |
| Unfinished Obelisk | EGP 220 | EGP 110 | 07:00–16:00 |
| Elephantine Island site | EGP 200 | EGP 100 | 08:00–16:00 |
| Tombs of the Nobles (Qubbet el-Hawa) | EGP 200 | EGP 100 | 07:00–16:00 |
| Kalabsha Temple | EGP 200 | EGP 100 | 07:00–16:00 |
| Monastery of St Simeon | EGP 150 | EGP 50 | 07:00–17:00 |
Prices above are from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities pages, checked in October 2026. Egyptian sites have raised prices several times recently, and at least one 2026 guide already quotes more for Abu Simbel, so treat these as the floor. Philae also sells a separate panorama ticket for EGP 200.
No official 2026 price could be confirmed for the High Dam viewpoint or the Botanical Garden on Kitchener's Island; tours usually include the dam.
When is the best time to visit Aswan?
Verdict: October to April, with November and March the sweet spot for warm days and fewer people. Avoid June to September unless you can live with 40 °C-plus afternoons, and expect the highest prices around Christmas, New Year and Easter.
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23 °C | 10 °C | 0 mm | Peak season; cool mornings for the 04:00 Abu Simbel start |
| February | 26 °C | 12 °C | 0 mm | Busy; sun festival at Abu Simbel on the 22nd |
| March | 30 °C | 16 °C | 1 mm | Shoulder month; dust storms possible |
| April | 36 °C | 20 °C | 0 mm | Heat building; dust-storm season peaks |
| May | 40 °C | 25 °C | 0 mm | Hot; sightseeing only early and late |
| June | 42 °C | 27 °C | 0 mm | Extreme heat |
| July | 42 °C | 28 °C | 0 mm | Hottest month |
| August | 42 °C | 28 °C | 0 mm | Hottest month |
| September | 40 °C | 26 °C | 0 mm | Still very hot |
| October | 36 °C | 22 °C | 1 mm | Season starts; sun festival on the 22nd |
| November | 30 °C | 16 °C | 0 mm | Shoulder month: best balance |
| December | 25 °C | 11 °C | 0 mm | Busy around Christmas and New Year |
Aswan is one of the driest cities on earth: about 2 mm of rain a year and average humidity of 26%. The heat is the real constraint. June to August average highs are around 42 °C, and the record is 51 °C, so in summer temples are a dawn activity and the afternoons are for shade.
Egypt's dust-storm season runs roughly from March to May and usually peaks in April; in January 2026 a sandstorm briefly grounded EgyptAir flights to Aswan and Abu Simbel. Ramadan is expected to start around 8 February 2027, when site hours shorten and eating in public by day is best avoided.
How do you get to Aswan and get around?
Verdict: Arrive from Cairo on the Abela sleeper train if you want to save a hotel night and see the Nile valley at breakfast; fly if time matters. In Aswan itself the river is the road: agree every boat and taxi fare before you set off.
| Route | Time | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cairo → Aswan, Abela sleeper train | About 13–14 hours (train 86: 19:45 → 09:25) | USD 110 sharing / 150 single (Standard); USD 125 / 170 (Elite) | Booking opens about 4–5 months ahead; foreigners have separate quotas |
| Cairo → Aswan, flight | Short domestic flight | Varies | EgyptAir, Air Cairo and Nile Air; airport 16 km south-west of town |
| Luxor ↔ Aswan, train | About 3 hours | Varies | Daytime trains |
| Luxor ↔ Aswan, road | About 3 hours direct (245 km); a full day with Kom Ombo and Edfu | Private car or tour | Avoid driving the highway after dark |
| Aswan → Abu Simbel | 3.5–4 hours by road, 45 minutes by air | See the Abu Simbel section | Road closed to tourist traffic 17:00–05:00 |
| Corniche → Philae | Short drive to the marina, then motorboat | Boat negotiated per boat, cash | No bridge; boat not in the ticket |
The sights are spread over both banks and several islands. The Corniche on the east bank is walkable for the souk, the Nubian Museum and the Unfinished Obelisk; Elephantine is a short public-ferry hop; the west bank tombs, St Simeon and the Nubian villages need a boat. Philae and the High Dam need a car from the Corniche.
Ride-hailing coverage in Aswan is unclear: some 2026 guides say Uber does not operate outside Cairo, while inDrive claims coverage in most Egyptian cities. Check the apps on arrival and otherwise use hotel transfers or agree a taxi fare in advance.
Should you take a Nile cruise from Aswan, and which kind?
Verdict: Take the 3-night cruise to Luxor rather than the 2-night one: the extra day buys time at Luxor's temples, which are otherwise squeezed into one rushed day. Choose a dahabiya if you value quiet and can afford it; choose an overnight felucca only if sleeping on deck sounds like fun rather than an ordeal.
| Boat | Length | Typical price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cruise ship, 3 nights to Luxor | 4 days | $775 (from $227) | Most travellers: Kom Ombo, Edfu and Luxor without hotel changes |
| Cruise ship, 2 nights to Luxor | 3 days | $580 | Tight schedules |
| Dahabiya | Varies | $2,000 | Small groups, sail-powered, looser timetable |
| Overnight felucca | 1–3 nights to Kom Ombo or Edfu | $260 | Budget and adventure; you sleep on deck |
Itineraries of 3–4 nights cover the essentials between Aswan and Luxor, stopping at Kom Ombo and Edfu. Big ships have pools and evening entertainment; dahabiyas carry only a handful of guests and rely partly on the wind, so their schedules are looser. Feluccas have no engine and no cabins.
Read the inclusions closely. Some operators bundle all temple visits and a licensed guide, others charge per excursion, and drinks, entry tickets and tips vary. Tips for the crew and guides are expected and rarely included, so bring small notes. The UK government notes that overcrowding and poor safety standards have caused accidents on Nile cruises, so pick an established operator.
228 3-night Nile cruises from Aswan tours on Excurgo · from $227, typical $775 per person · rated 4.8 across 7,675 reviews
8 overnight felucca trips tours on Excurgo · from $25, typical $260 per person · rated 5.0 across 206 reviews
What are the best things to do in Aswan?
Must do = don't leave without it; Worth it = if it fits the plan. Tour prices are typical (median) prices per person across all matching tours on Excurgo.
Philae: the Temple of Isis on its rescued island Must do· Morning, from 07:00
Begun by Ptolemy II and dedicated to Isis, Philae was dismantled into about 40,000 blocks and rebuilt on Agilkia Island, 500 m away, between 1977 and 1980. It holds the last known hieroglyphic inscription, carved in AD 394. You reach it only by motorboat from the marina; the boat is extra, negotiated per boat and paid in cash.
192 Philae, High Dam and Obelisk tours on Excurgo · from $19, typical $75 per person · rated 4.7 across 920 reviews
The Unfinished Obelisk and the High Dam Must do· Same half day as Philae
In a granite quarry in town lies an obelisk believed to have been ordered by Hatshepsut: finished, it would have stood about 42 m tall and weighed 1,168 tonnes, more than any other Egyptian obelisk. The High Dam, 111 m high and 3,830 m long, completed in 1970, created Lake Nasser and displaced between 100,000 and 120,000 people.
The Nubian Museum Must do· Afternoon or Thursday–Friday evening
Opened in 1997 and later honoured with an Aga Khan Award for Architecture, it explains the Nubian civilisation that the dam flooded, across three floors and a garden with a Fatimid cemetery and prehistoric rock art. It stays open until 21:00 on Thursday and Friday, which makes it the ideal hot-afternoon or evening stop.
A felucca sail around the islands Must do· Late afternoon to sunset
The classic Aswan hour: a sail-powered felucca past Elephantine and Kitchener's Island, with the Aga Khan Mausoleum on the desert ridge above the west bank. Agree the price, the duration and the route before boarding. Many short tours combine the sail with the Botanical Garden.
59 felucca sails tours on Excurgo · from $15, typical $45 per person · rated 4.8 across 219 reviews
A Nubian village on the west bank Worth it· Half day
Gharb Soheil, with its painted houses, is the village most visits go to: about 10–15 minutes by motorboat, with tea in a local home, around three hours in all. It is pleasant but commercial, so go with a clear price and a short visit in mind.
100 Nubian village trips tours on Excurgo · from $18, typical $51 per person · rated 4.8 across 636 reviews
Elephantine Island Worth it· Morning, by public ferry
This island was the frontier trading post with Nubia. The archaeological site has the temples of Khnum and Satet, ancient houses, a Nilometer and a small museum of finds from the German mission; the rest of the island is car-free village. Tickets cost EGP 200.
Tombs of the Nobles and the Monastery of St Simeon Worth it· Early morning, west bank
Across from Elephantine, the cliff of Qubbet el-Hawa holds rock-cut tombs of Old and Middle Kingdom governors, crowned by the domed tomb of a sheikh. Over the hill behind them — with no water on the way — the Monastery of St Simeon was in use from the 6th to the early 14th century. Together they cost EGP 350 and need a boat across.
Kalabsha Temple Worth it· Half day
Built under Augustus for the Nubian god Mandulis, Kalabsha was moved in 1962–1963 to New Kalabsha. It sees far fewer visitors than Philae and costs EGP 200.
Kitchener's Island and the Botanical Garden Worth it· With a felucca sail
The whole island, about 750 m long, is the Aswan Botanical Garden, started by Lord Kitchener while he was Consul-General between 1911 and 1914. It is reached by boat and fits naturally into a felucca hour.
Worth skipping or adjusting
- Climbing up to the Aga Khan Mausoleum to go inside: the interior has been closed to the public since 1997. Admire it from the river.
- A 2-night cruise if you can take three: the saved night mostly costs you time in Luxor.
- Seeing Philae, the obelisk and the dam in the midday heat between May and September: go at opening.
- Long souvenir stops on organised Nubian village visits: keep the village part short and spend the time on the river instead.
What are the best day trips from Aswan?
Verdict: Abu Simbel first. If you are not cruising, the overland run to Luxor via Kom Ombo and Edfu is the second-best day out, because it combines a transfer with two of the best-preserved temples in Egypt.
| Day trip | Distance and time | Ticket (foreign adult) | Typical tour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abu Simbel | 280–300 km, 3.5–4 h by road; 45 min flight | EGP 750 | $120 |
| Kom Ombo | About 50 km north | EGP 450 with the Crocodile Museum | $127 |
| Edfu | Between Kom Ombo and Esna, on the west bank | EGP 550 | $127 (with Kom Ombo) |
| Luxor | 245 km, about 3 h by road; 3 h by train | Separate Luxor tickets | $180 |
| Kalabsha and the Nubian Museum | New Kalabsha island and the town museum | EGP 200 + EGP 400 | $90 |
Kom Ombo is a double temple of the Graeco-Roman period, shared by Sobek, the crocodile god, and Haroeris; the Crocodile Museum beside it shows mummified Nile crocodiles up to 4.3 m long and is included in the ticket. Edfu's Temple of Horus, built between 237 and 57 BC, is described as the most completely preserved temple in Egypt.
71 Kom Ombo and Edfu tours on Excurgo · from $41, typical $127 per person · rated 4.7 across 262 reviews
How many days do you need in Aswan?
Three days covers the main sights without the heat wearing you down. A cruise to Luxor adds its own nights, but it also covers Kom Ombo and Edfu, so you do not need extra time for them.
1 day
Abu Simbel by road at 04:00, back by early afternoon, then a sunset felucca. Only if Abu Simbel is the point of the trip.
Tickets ≈ EGP 750 · tour ≈ $120
2 days
Day one: Philae at opening, the Unfinished Obelisk, the High Dam, the Nubian Museum, felucca at sunset. Day two: Abu Simbel.
Tickets ≈ EGP 1,920 · tours ≈ $75 + $120
3 days
Add the west bank and islands: the Tombs of the Nobles, St Simeon, Elephantine and a short Nubian village visit by boat.
Tickets ≈ EGP 2,470 · plus boats and $51 for a village trip
How much do tours and tickets cost in Aswan?
Official tickets are cheap next to tour prices: the full set of Aswan sites in our three-day plan costs under EGP 2,500 for a foreign adult. Tours earn their price mainly through transport — the 04:00 Abu Simbel run, boats to Philae and the west bank — and a guide. Here is what tours on Excurgo cost per person right now.
| Activity | Tours | From | Typical | Top end |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abu Simbel day trips by road | 249 | $29 | $120 | $230 |
| Abu Simbel by plane (packages) | 15 | $110 | $544 | $720 |
| Philae, High Dam and Unfinished Obelisk | 192 | $19 | $75 | $135 |
| Philae Sound and Light Show | 63 | $25 | $67 | $123 |
| Nubian village trips | 100 | $18 | $51 | $98 |
| Felucca sailing in Aswan | 59 | $15 | $45 | $150 |
| Kom Ombo and Edfu, or overland to Luxor | 71 | $41 | $127 | $280 |
| Luxor day trips from Aswan | 58 | $39 | $180 | $350 |
| Kalabsha Temple and Nubian Museum | 57 | $35 | $90 | $170 |
| 3-night Nile cruises to Luxor | 228 | $227 | $775 | $1,350 |
| 2-night Nile cruises to Luxor | 36 | $290 | $580 | $980 |
| Dahabiya cruises | 31 | $495 | $2,000 | $4,000 |
| Overnight felucca trips | 8 | $25 | $260 | $410 |
“Typical” is the median price; “top end” is the 90th percentile (private and premium versions). 95% of Aswan tours offer free cancellation. Check whether entry tickets are included: many tours list them as extra.
Where should you stay in Aswan: Corniche, Elephantine or the west bank?
Verdict: Stay on the east-bank Corniche for a first visit: it puts the souk, the Nubian Museum, the obelisk and the ferries on foot, and it is where Abu Simbel pickups are easiest. Pick Elephantine for quiet with easy access, and the west bank only if a slow Nubian guesthouse stay is the point.
| Area | Good for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| East Bank Corniche | Walking to the souk, museum and obelisk; taxis and tour pickups; widest hotel range | City traffic along the river road |
| Elephantine Island | Car-free lanes and Nubian village life, a short public ferry from the Corniche | Small guesthouses only |
| West Bank Nubian villages | Quiet, painted villages, home-cooked meals | A long water-taxi ride or 30-minute drive to the sights |
The landmark hotel is the Old Cataract, opened by Thomas Cook in 1900 on the bank of the Nile, restored between 2008 and 2011 and now run as the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract. Agatha Christie is said to have set parts of Death on the Nile there.
Is Aswan safe? Rules, safety and money
The UK Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to much of Egypt's Western Desert, but explicitly excludes Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel; its page was last updated on 4 August 2026. Crime is generally low. The everyday nuisance is touts and inflated prices for boats, taxis and souvenirs; the tourist police number is 126.
- Cards and cash: ticket offices at the main sites take cards only; boats, felucca captains, taxis and tips need cash. You may carry up to EGP 5,000 into or out of Egypt, and must declare foreign currency over USD 10,000.
- Visa: USD 30 in cash on arrival, valid up to 30 days, or an e-visa (up to 3 months) in advance. Passports need six months' validity and a blank page.
- Tipping: restaurants often add a 10–12% service charge that may not reach staff, so leave a little cash too; guides and drivers often prefer US dollars for larger tips.
- Roads: the Abu Simbel road is closed to tourist traffic between 17:00 and 05:00, and the UK advises against driving outside main cities at night.
- Photography and drones: do not photograph military property; drones need Ministry of Defence permission and unauthorised use can mean prison.
- Alcohol and Ramadan: drink only in licensed venues; during Ramadan avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public in daylight.
What mistakes do travellers regret in Aswan?
- Arriving at Abu Simbel or Philae without a working bank card — the ticket offices are cashless.
- Arriving at Philae without small cash for the boat, or boarding without agreeing the price per boat first.
- Visiting between May and September and sightseeing at midday: highs average around 40–42 °C.
- Expecting to drive back from Abu Simbel in the evening: the road closes to tourist traffic from 17:00.
- Booking the 2-night cruise to save money and then rushing Luxor in a single day.
- Coming for the 22 October or 22 February sun festival without booking a room early — or forgetting the 21st and 23rd are quieter.
- Assuming the cruise price covers everything: check entry tickets, excursions, drinks and tips.
- Planning to go inside the Aga Khan Mausoleum, closed to visitors since 1997.
Aswan FAQ
How much is the Abu Simbel ticket in 2026?
The official ministry page lists EGP 750 for foreign adults and EGP 375 for students, rising to EGP 1,200 and EGP 600 on the sun-festival days of 22 February and 22 October. A May 2026 travel guide reports EGP 822, so check at the ticket office. Payment is by card.
Is it better to fly or drive to Abu Simbel from Aswan?
The drive is 280–300 km, about 3.5–4 hours each way, with departures around 04:00. The flight takes about 45 minutes and costs roughly EGP 5,500–8,000 return. Drive if you want the cheaper option and can handle the early start; fly if you are short of time.
When is the Abu Simbel sun festival?
On 22 October and 22 February the rising sun lights the statues in the Great Temple's sanctuary; in October 2025 it lasted 22 minutes from 06:54. The 21st and 23rd show nearly the same effect with smaller crowds. Tickets cost more on the 22nd itself.
How do you get to Philae Temple?
Drive to the Shellal marina and take a motorboat to Agilkia Island; there is no bridge. The boat is not included in the EGP 550 ticket and is negotiated per boat in cash. The temple is open 07:00–16:00.
How many days do you need in Aswan?
Three days: one for Philae, the Unfinished Obelisk, the High Dam and the Nubian Museum, one for Abu Simbel, and one for the west bank and islands. Two days is enough if you skip the west bank.
Is Aswan too hot in summer?
From June to August average highs are around 42 °C, and the record is 51 °C. Visiting is possible if you sightsee at dawn and rest in the afternoon, but October to April is far more comfortable.
Should I take a 2-night or 3-night Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor?
Three nights if you can. Both stop at Kom Ombo and Edfu; the extra time mostly goes to Luxor, so its east and west banks are not squeezed into one day.
Is Aswan safe for tourists?
The UK government's Western Desert warning explicitly excludes Aswan and Abu Simbel, and crime is generally low. Expect touts and fare haggling, choose reputable boat and cruise operators, and call the tourist police on 126 if needed.
Do I need cash or card in Aswan?
Both. The main antiquities sites take cards only, while boats, felucca captains, taxis and tips are cash. The visa on arrival is USD 30 in cash.
Can you go inside the Aga Khan Mausoleum?
No. Its interior has been closed to the public since 1997. You can see it on its hill above the west bank from a felucca.
Sources and how this guide is made
Written by the Excurgo editorial team with AI assistance. We are a tour comparison site, not a tour operator, and we have not personally tested every tour. Every fact was researched in official and specialist sources and checked against them before publication; prices, ratings and tour counts come from our live catalogue of 1,440 Aswan tours. Ratings and review counts are collected by Viator and Tripadvisor. Tours are picked by rating weighted by number of reviews (at least 20); we earn a commission from Viator when you book, and it does not affect the order.
- Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities — Abu Simbel tickets, hours and sun dates (Oct 2026)
- Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities — Philae tickets and history (Oct 2026)
- Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities — Unfinished Obelisk tickets and facts (Oct 2026)
- Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities — Nubian Museum tickets and hours (Oct 2026)
- Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities — Kom Ombo and Crocodile Museum tickets (Oct 2026)
- Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities — Edfu Temple tickets and dates (Oct 2026)
- Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities — Kalabsha Temple (Oct 2026)
- Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities — Nubian Monuments World Heritage Site (Oct 2026)
- GOV.UK — Egypt travel advice and regional warnings (Aug 2026)
- GOV.UK — Egypt entry requirements, visas and currency (Aug 2026)
- GOV.UK — Egypt safety and security (Oct 2026)
- Egypt Independent — cashless ticketing at Aswan-area sites (Jun 2023)
- Egypt Independent — the October 2025 Abu Simbel sun alignment (Oct 2025)
- The Man in Seat 61 — Cairo–Aswan sleeper trains, times and fares (2026)
- Wikipedia — Aswan climate normals 1991–2020 (Oct 2026)
Photos come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences (CC BY, CC BY-SA, CC0 or public domain); the author and licence are shown under each one. They show the places described, not the exact tours listed.
Changelog. October 2026: guide published with 2026 official ticket prices (Abu Simbel EGP 750, Philae EGP 550), cashless ticket offices, Abu Simbel road and flight options and Cairo–Aswan sleeper fares.
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