Abu Simbel by Plane – Day Tour from Aswan
Return Aswan–Abu Simbel flights (40–50 minutes each way), private transfers from Aswan hotels or cruises, guided temple visits.
At a glance
- Length
- 1 days · 0 nights
- Departs
- Daily
The short answer
Abu Simbel by Plane from Aswan Day Tour is a 1-day guided excursion covering the Great Temple of Ramesses II and the Small Temple of Nefertari in Abu Simbel, operated by Discovery Tours Egypt.
Snapshot
Good to know
- Duration
- Full Day (approx. 8–10 hours)
- Travel style
- Private Guided Tour (by plane)
- Accommodation
- N/A
- Operated by
- Discovery Tours Egypt
- Destinations
- Aswan · Aswan International Airport (ASW) · Abu Simbel · Abu Simbel Airport (ABS)
- Includes
- Return domestic flights ASW–ABS · Private hotel/cruise transfers · English-speaking Egyptologist guide · Standard site entrance fees · Airport handling and domestic flight taxes · Bottled water during transfers
- Best for
- History enthusiasts · First-time visitors to Upper Egypt · Travelers with limited time · Photographers
- Guide languages
- English
Best time to go
The most comfortable months are usually October to April, when daytime temperatures in Aswan and Abu Simbel are lower and the site visit is easier in the sun. From May to September, temperatures can be very high, so an early flight is preferable. During Ramadan and major public holidays, airport timings and crowd levels may change, so advance planning is recommended.
- Licensed by the Egyptian Tourism Authority (ETAA)
- English-speaking Egyptologist guide
- Includes standard site entrance fees and airport handling
02 Overview
A first look
You step from the aircraft into dry, fragrant Nubian air and, within minutes, the four seated colossi of Ramesses II fill the vista – their weathered faces framed against the low desert and the Nile’s distant gleam. Morning light often falls across the temple façade while our Egyptologist gestures to the carved scenes as you move along the temple forecourt.
We escort you from Aswan Airport by private transfer and our Egyptologist leads the guided visit to the Great Temple of Ramesses II and the Small Temple of Nefertari. We handle the domestic flights, airport procedures and standard site fees; please note the tour requires an early start, involves walking on uneven ancient stone and there is limited shade. Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
Background
The facts
Abu Simbel is a temple complex on the western bank of Lake Nasser in southern Egypt, about 280 to 290 kilometers south of Aswan by road and roughly 40 to 50 minutes by domestic flight. The site is part of the Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae, which were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979. The temples were originally carved during the reign of Ramesses II in the 13th century BCE, with the larger complex dedicated to Amun-Re, Re-Horakhty, and Ptah, and the smaller temple dedicated to Hathor and Queen Nefertari.
Named in this entry
Great Temple of Ramesses II · Small Temple of Nefertari · Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae · Ramesses II · Nefertari · Aswan International Airport (ASW) · Abu Simbel Airport (ABS) · Lake Nasser · UNESCO World Heritage · Discovery Tours Egypt
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This excursion is suitable for first-time visitors to Aswan who want to see Abu Simbel without a long road transfer. It also suits history-focused travelers, couples, and families with children old enough for airport timing, walking, and an early start.
What lingers
- 01 Fly from Aswan International Airport (ASW) to Abu Simbel Airport (ABS), flight time about 40 to 50 minutes
- 02 Guided visit to the Great Temple of Ramesses II and the Small Temple of Nefertari with an English-speaking Egyptologist
- 03 Approximately two to three hours at the temples, subject to flight and security timings
- 04 Private pickup from hotels and Nile cruise berths in Aswan, with return transfer to Aswan airport or your Aswan hotel
- 05 Visit the Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae UNESCO site, inscribed in 1979
- 06 We favour the flight option because road transfers take about three hours each way, leaving far less time at the temples
Worth knowing
How this compares
Unlike the 3.5–4 hour road transfer from Aswan, the flight option reduces travel time to roughly 40–50 minutes each way, enabling a same-day visit. Compared with fixed-schedule group coach tours, a private flight-based tour offers more flexible pick-up timings but remains dependent on airline schedules and airport security procedures.
Bundled in
- Domestic flight
- Private transfer
- Hotel pickup
- Airport transfer
- All entry tickets
- Private Egyptologist
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Return domestic flights Aswan (ASW) – Abu Simbel (ABS), approx. 40–50 minutes each way, including domestic flight taxes and airport handling
- Private air‑conditioned transfers between your Aswan hotel or Nile cruise berth and Aswan International Airport (ASW)
- Guided visit to the Great Temple of Ramesses II and the Small Temple of Nefertari with our English‑speaking Egyptologist
- Standard site entrance fees for the Abu Simbel temples (part of the Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae – UNESCO, inscribed 1979)
- Bottled water provided during transfers
- Airport handling related to the domestic flights at ASW and ABS
- Services arranged and operated by Discovery Tours Egypt – licensed by the Egyptian Tourism Authority (ETAA)
Not included
- Gratuities for your guide and driver
- Meals and drinks not listed above
- Personal expenses and travel insurance
- Visas and international flights to/from Egypt
- Costs arising from flight schedule changes, cancellations or delays (including any additional accommodation or ground transport)
Tailor it
Make it yours
The itinerary can be modified to include private vs shared handling, different guide languages, or an overnight stay at Abu Simbel if desired. Extensions commonly combine Abu Simbel with Aswan highlights (Philae, Unfinished Obelisk) on separate days, or replace air travel with private road transfers for travelers preferring a scenic but longer drive.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Before you go
What to pack & wear
Children & families
We recommend the excursion for children aged 2 years and older. Children aged 2–11 are normally offered child pricing where available; infants under 2 travel as lap infants subject to airline rules and must be declared at booking (airlines may charge an infant fee). Strollers are generally impractical at Abu Simbel because of sand, uneven ground and temple steps; a compact, foldable stroller can be carried in the vehicle but will usually need to be folded for short walks. High chairs are not provided on site. Please advise us at booking if a child requires a seat, special assistance or additional documentation; have photographic ID or a birth certificate available for airline check‑in.
The morning of
Meeting point & timing
- Where
- Hotel lobby or Nile cruise gangway (Aswan) Map
Indicative rates only – pricing and departure fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.
On the ground
Your route
· In summary
The tour includes return domestic flights between Aswan (ASW) and Abu Simbel (ABS), private transfers between hotels/cruise berths and airports, and guided visits to the Great Temple of Ramesses II and the Small Temple of Nefertari. Standard site entrance fees, airport handling, domestic flight taxes and bottled water are provided.
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
-
01 How long does the Abu Simbel by Plane day tour from Aswan take?
The tour is a full day with an early start. Door-to-door you should expect about 7–9 hours, depending on domestic flight schedules and security checks. Flight time each way is approximately 40–50 minutes and the guided visit at Abu Simbel typically lasts about 1–1.5 hours on site. -
02 What time will you pick me up and where is the meeting point?
We collect from hotels and Nile cruise berths in the Aswan area. Exact pick-up time is very early (pre-dawn) and depends on the scheduled domestic flight; we confirm this at booking. We provide private transfers to Aswan International Airport (ASW) and airport handling is included in the price. -
03 What is included in the tour and what is not included?
Included: return domestic flights Aswan (ASW)–Abu Simbel (ABS), private transfers hotel/cruise–airport–hotel/cruise, English-speaking Egyptologist at Abu Simbel, standard site entrance fees, airport handling, domestic flight taxes, and bottled water. Excluded: gratuities, meals not listed, personal expenses, travel insurance and costs arising from flight changes. Discovery Tours Egypt arranges the flights, transfers and guided visit. -
04 Is the tour suitable for people with reduced mobility or limited fitness?
Abu Simbel involves walking on uneven ancient stone, steps and limited shade. The site is not fully wheelchair-accessible without assistance and some interior areas may be inaccessible. Please tell us about mobility needs at booking so we can advise and make reasonable arrangements; in some cases a private road transfer may be a better option. -
05 Can I bring children and are there any age recommendations?
Children are welcome. The early start, airport procedures and high temperatures in summer may be tiring for very young children. Child fares and any reductions for site tickets depend on Egyptian Ministry rules; tell us ages at booking so we can confirm flight fares and included entrance fees. Car seats are not provided unless arranged in advance. -
06 What should I wear and what should I bring on the day?
Wear comfortable, breathable clothing and sturdy closed shoes for uneven stone. Bring a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, high-SPF suncream, a small daypack, any personal medication and your passport (required for domestic flights). Meals are not included, so bring snacks if you prefer; we provide bottled water during transfers. -
07 Am I allowed to take photographs or fly a drone at Abu Simbel?
Personal photography for private use is permitted at Abu Simbel. Drone flights are prohibited without prior permission from Egyptian authorities and are strictly enforced. Professional filming, tripods or commercial equipment require advance permits; please tell us in advance so we can advise on permissions and applicable fees. -
08 What is the best time of year and time of day to visit Abu Simbel?
The cooler months, October–April, are the most comfortable; summer temperatures (May–September) often exceed 40°C. Early-morning flights are preferable to avoid heat and the busiest periods at the site, but the tour still requires an early start. We will confirm the exact flight time when you book. -
09 Which temples are included and how long will the guided visit be at Abu Simbel?
Our Egyptologist leads visits to the Great Temple of Ramesses II and the Small Temple of Nefertari – both part of the Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae (UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed 1979). The guided visit on site usually lasts about 1–1.5 hours, allowing time to view both temples and forecourts. -
10 What happens if the domestic flight is delayed or cancelled?
Flight delays or cancellations can affect the itinerary. Costs arising from schedule changes are excluded, but we will work to rebook the next available flight or offer a road transfer alternative (approximately 3.5–4 hours each way) at additional cost. We advise purchasing travel insurance that covers domestic flight disruption.
If plans change
Cancellation
- More than 30 days
- Full refund less a £50 admin fee
- 15–30 days
- 50% refund
- Within 14 days
- No refund – date changes considered case by case
Last updated 30 April 2026 Product ID: EXC-ASW-397089
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