Egypt Discovery
From per person£4
AttractionAswan

Aswan High Dam (Aswan)

Admission covers the Aswan High Dam visitor area, including public viewing platforms and exterior displays beside Lake Nasser.

At a glance

Departs
Daily

The short answer

High Dam Entry Ticket grants single-entry admission to the Aswan High Dam visitor area in Aswan, booked and arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.

Snapshot

Good to know

Time to allow
Open [opening hours]
Travel style
Self-Guided Entry
Arranged by
Arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt
Destinations
Aswan's High Dam
Includes
Single-entry admission to the High Dam visitor area · Access to public viewing platforms · Access to exterior exhibits · Access to interpretive panels · PDF ticket emailed once your booking is confirmed
Best for
Independent travellers · Engineering enthusiasts · Visitors to Aswan

Best time to go

October to April is usually more comfortable for outdoor viewing, with daytime temperatures broadly around 20–35°C depending on the month. May to September can bring temperatures around 38–45°C, so consider arriving early and check current opening hours. During Ramadan and major public holidays, hours or daytime activity may change; verify details before travelling.

  • Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
  • The ticket provides single-entry admission to the High Dam visitor area.
  • Public viewing platforms and exterior exhibits are included in the stated admission.
  • The ticket is delivered as a PDF by email after booking confirmation.
  • Transport, audio guides and in-person explanations are not included.

02Overview

A first look

The Aswan High Dam (completed 1970) is 3.83 km long and 111 metres high. Visits are typically a 30–45 minute stop; we can include a local guide and private transfer from central Aswan.

Background

The facts

The Aswan High Dam is a major 20th-century engineering structure on the Nile in southern Egypt. Construction began in 1960 and was completed in 1970. The dam regulates water storage and flow, supports irrigation and flood control, and created Lake Nasser.

The dam stands south of Aswan. The ticket grants single-entry admission to the visitor area, including public viewing platforms and exterior exhibits. Interpretive panels may be available on site; audio guides and in-person explanations are not included.

The dam changed water management across Egypt and Sudan. Its completion in 1970 made Lake Nasser a major reservoir. The site is a modern landmark of Upper Egypt, rather than an ancient monument.

Opening hours and last admission can vary by season and site authority, so check official listings before travelling. Allow time for security checks at the entrance. Photography rules may change; confirm them at the entrance. Tickets arrive by email as a PDF, and printing one is prudent if mobile display is not accepted.

Named in this entry

Aswan's High Dam·Lake Nasser·Nile·Aswan·Upper Egypt·Egypt·Sudan·Aswan Governorate

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • This entry ticket suits independent travellers interested in modern Egyptian infrastructure, Nile water management and the creation of Lake Nasser. It works well as a short Aswan stop for first-time visitors, history enthusiasts and families with older children or teenagers who can manage some walking and standing outdoors.

Maybe not, if

  • Choose a different Aswan visit if you want ancient temples, extensive interpretation or a fully indoor attraction. The outdoor viewing areas may also be uncomfortable for travellers who struggle with heat, uneven surfaces or standing.

What lingers

  • 01Built 1960–1970, the Aswan High Dam created Lake Nasser and ended annual Nile floods.
  • 02Panoramic views across Lake Nasser and the Nile; late-afternoon light provides clearer reflections for photographs.
  • 03Adjacent to the Old Aswan Dam and intake towers; visitors can inspect the spillway and hydroelectric infrastructure.
  • 04Visit typically lasts 30–45 minutes; combine with Philae Temple or Nubian Village trips from Aswan.
  • 05Concrete structure spans 3,830 metres and rises roughly 111 metres–major 20th-century Egyptian engineering project.
  • 06Unlike cruise-stop visits, our stop includes a brief technical briefing on the dam's role in Nile water management.

Worth knowing

How this compares

Most standalone attraction tickets provide admission without interpretation. This ticket covers entry to the visitor area only; audio guides and in-person explanations are not included.

The fine print

What's included – and what isn't

Included

  • Single-entry admission to the High Dam visitor area, as specified on the ticket
  • PDF ticket emailed once your booking is confirmed

Not included

  • Interpretive services, audio guides and spoken explanations
  • Transport to and from the High Dam
  • Food and personal spending
  • Photography permits, if required by the site authority
  • Local taxes or surcharges not stated on the ticket

Field notes

From our Egyptologists

  1. 01

    Check the site authority’s current opening hours before setting out, as hours and last admission can vary seasonally.

  2. 02

    Allow time for the entrance security check rather than planning arrival at the final admission minute.

  3. 03

    Confirm photography rules at the entrance, since permissions can vary and may require a separate permit.

  4. 04

    Print the emailed PDF if you cannot confirm that the entrance accepts tickets displayed on a phone.

Tailor it

Make it yours

  • This is a date-specific, single-entry ticket rather than a guided visit, and transport is not included. The supplied ticket details do not confirm upgrades or add-on sites
  • arrange any extra visits or interpretation separately. Check whether the entrance requires a printed copy, and print the emailed PDF if in doubt.

All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.

Where it fits

– Add the Aswan High Dam to a wider Aswan visit alongside Philae Temple and the Unfinished Obelisk. It provides a modern engineering contrast to the city’s ancient sites.

While you're here

Worth pairing

  • Philae Temple8 km
  • Unfinished Obelisk0.0 km
  • Nubian Museum0.0 km

Why book this with us

Three reasons, stated plainly

  1. 01

    Single-entry access arranged for the date on your ticket

  2. 02

    PDF ticket emailed after booking confirmation

  3. 03

    Admission covers public viewing platforms and exterior exhibits

·In summary

Construction of the Aswan High Dam began in 1960 and was completed in 1970, creating Lake Nasser. The entry ticket covers the visitor area, public viewing platforms and exterior exhibits; opening hours and photography rules can vary.

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01What is the High Dam?
    The Aswan High Dam is a 3,830-metre-long, 111-metre-high dam completed in 1970. It controls Nile flooding, stores water for irrigation and generates hydroelectric power. The impounded reservoir is Lake Nasser; moving Abu Simbel in the 1960s was a direct consequence of its construction.
  2. 02Can I visit the High Dam in Aswan?
    Yes – visitors can view the dam from official public viewpoints; access to operational areas is restricted. We arrange private transfers and a short stop; we are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and can include the dam in a half-day Aswan itinerary. We usually treat it as a short stop rather than the day's main attraction to avoid rushed visits.
  3. 03How long does a visit to the High Dam take?
    Allow 30–60 minutes for a typical visit, including photos and commentary. Some guests combine the stop with Philae Temple or the Nubian Village on the same morning. Expect limited shade and a brisk breeze on the exposed viewing areas, so plan accordingly.
  4. 04Is photography allowed at the High Dam?
    Photography of the dam exterior and Lake Nasser is generally allowed, but photographing security installations is restricted. Guards may ask you to delete images of operational equipment and checkpoints; carry ID. Drone use requires prior permits from Egyptian authorities and we can apply for permission on request.
  5. 05Is the High Dam accessible for wheelchair users?
    The main viewpoint is reached by paved paths but there are steps and uneven surfaces in places. Wheelchair users may need assistance for short drops to the viewing area; we can arrange a vehicle drop-off close to the viewpoint. Toilet facilities and ramps may not meet UK accessibility expectations – check with us before travel so we can plan support.
  6. 06Why was the High Dam built?
    The High Dam was built between 1960 and 1970 to control annual Nile floods, increase year-round irrigation and produce hydroelectric power. Its creation altered upstream agriculture and river navigation and led to large-scale archaeological relocations, most famously Abu Simbel in the 1960s.

Editorial review

Reviewed by Mohamed Abdel-Aziz, Senior Egyptologist·Last reviewed 19 March 2026

Last updated 19 March 2026Product ID: TKT-ASW-807588

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