The four colossal statues of Ramses II facing Lake Nasser, Philae Temple sitting on its island, feluccas gliding along the Nile… Aswan and Abu Simbel are the great journey of southern Egypt. This is not a day trip like Luxor: from the Red Sea, you need at least 3 days. But with a private car and an English- or French-speaking guide who lives in Aswan, it is much easier than it looks. Here is how to plan your trip to Aswan and Abu Simbel from Hurghada, with our 3- to 5-day itineraries and 2026 prices.
Can you visit Abu Simbel in one day from Hurghada?
No, and that is the first thing to know. Aswan is about 6 to 7 hours’ drive from Hurghada, and Abu Simbel is another 3.5 hours further south, across the Nubian Desert, close to the Sudanese border. A same-day return trip would mean more than 20 hours on the road. The right way to do it: travel to Aswan, spend the night there, then head to Abu Simbel from your hotel in Aswan.
Options and 2026 prices
The trip is built from two pieces: the Hurghada-Aswan transfer, then one or more excursions from Aswan. All our excursions are by private car, just for your group, with pick-up from your hotel in Aswan, an English- or French-speaking guide and lunch.
| Option | Duration | What you see | Adult price | Child price (6-11 years) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private transfer Hurghada ⇄ Aswan | 6-7 h drive | Car with driver, door to door | €160 per car (2-3 people), €320 (4-8 people), per journey | Price per car |
| Abu Simbel day trip | 12 h | Temples of Ramses II and Nefertari | €115 | €57.50 |
| Aswan + Abu Simbel in one day | 13 h | Abu Simbel, High Dam, Philae Temple | €185 (instead of €195) | €92.50 |
| Abu Simbel over 2 days | 2 days / 1 night | Temples at sunrise, Lake Nasser | €160, or €255 with hotel and Sound & Light show (2 people min.) | Half price |
| Private Aswan tour | 1 day | High Dam, Philae, Elephantine Island, Nubian Museum | €70 | €35 |
Children aged 0 to 5 travel free on the excursions. Temple entrance fees are included in the excursions; only drinks, tips and your hotel in Aswan are at your own expense.
The private Hurghada-Aswan transfer
An air-conditioned car with driver picks you up at your hotel in Hurghada and drops you at your hotel in Aswan, at the time you choose. The price is per car, not per person: two or three of you pay the same. See the private transfer to Aswan, or read our guide to private transfers from Hurghada.
Aswan + Abu Simbel in one day: our most popular option
You leave your hotel around 4 am for a guided visit of the two temples of Abu Simbel, have lunch back in Aswan, then visit the High Dam and Philae Temple, which you reach by boat. It is a long day, but you see the highlights of southern Egypt in one go. See the Aswan and Abu Simbel trip.
Abu Simbel only, as a day trip
If you have already visited Aswan, or prefer a less packed day: departure around 4:30 am, visit of the temples of Ramses II and Nefertari, lunch and return to Aswan in the afternoon. See the Abu Simbel trip.
Abu Simbel over 2 days, at sunrise
No middle-of-the-night wake-up call: you leave Aswan during the day, sleep by Lake Nasser and visit the temples early in the morning, before the groups arrive. Two options: €160 per person (you book your own hotel), or €255 including the night in Abu Simbel, dinner, breakfast and the Sound & Light show. See the 2-day trip, or read our guide to the Abu Simbel overnight trip from Aswan.
Our sample itineraries from Hurghada
3 days: the essentials
- Day 1: private transfer from Hurghada to Aswan, free evening on the Nile corniche.
- Day 2: Aswan + Abu Simbel excursion (Abu Simbel, High Dam, Philae).
- Day 3: return transfer to Hurghada.
5 days: at a relaxed pace
- Day 1: private transfer from Hurghada to Aswan.
- Day 2: private Aswan tour (High Dam, Philae, Elephantine Island, Nubian Museum).
- Day 3: drive to Abu Simbel, night by Lake Nasser and Sound & Light show.
- Day 4: temples at sunrise, return to Aswan.
- Day 5: return transfer to Hurghada.
Want to see Luxor too? Travel from Aswan to Luxor by private car or on a Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor (4 days / 3 nights), then head back to Hurghada from Luxor, just 4 hours’ drive away.
Sample budget for a couple (3-day plan)
- Return transfer: 2 × €160 = €320 for the car, which is €160 per person.
- Aswan + Abu Simbel excursion: €185 per person.
- Total: about €345 per person, plus your 2 hotel nights in Aswan.
With three people, the transfer works out even cheaper per person, since the price stays the same for the car.
What to see in Abu Simbel and Aswan
The Great Temple of Ramses II
Carved into the cliff more than 3,000 years ago, it is guarded by four seated statues of the pharaoh, each about twenty metres high. In the 1960s, threatened by the rising waters of Lake Nasser, it was cut into blocks and rebuilt higher up: an international rescue operation led with UNESCO.
The Temple of Nefertari
Right next door, the small temple is dedicated to the goddess Hathor and to Queen Nefertari, the favourite wife of Ramses II. On its facade, the queen is shown at the same size as the king, which is extremely rare in ancient Egypt.
Philae Temple
Dedicated to the goddess Isis, it too was moved stone by stone to another island to escape the waters of the Nile. You get there by small boat, and it is one of the most beautiful settings in all of Egypt.
The High Dam and Nubian Aswan
The High Dam created Lake Nasser, one of the largest artificial lakes in the world. On the private tour, you also discover Elephantine Island and the Nubian Museum, to understand the Nubian culture that is so present in Aswan.
Magda, our French-speaking guide in Aswan
In Aswan and Abu Simbel, Magda is the one who accompanies you. She has been guiding French-speaking travellers in southern Egypt for more than 10 years and knows every relief carving in the temples. English-speaking guides are also available. Meet our team.
Our tips for Aswan and Abu Simbel
- Best time to go: October to April. Aswan is the hottest city in Egypt; in summer, choose Abu Simbel over 2 days so you can visit early in the morning.
- The sun festival: around 22 February and 22 October, the rising sun lights up the back of the Great Temple’s sanctuary. It gets very busy on those days, so book early. Everything about the 22 October sun festival.
- A warm layer: pre-dawn departures and desert nights are cool, even when the days are hot.
- Passport: keep it with you, it is checked at the checkpoints on the road to Abu Simbel.
- Hotel in Aswan: pick one near the corniche, that is where we can pick you up most easily.
- Cash: bring euros or Egyptian pounds for drinks, tips and a felucca ride at sunset.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Abu Simbel trip from Hurghada cost?
Count on the Hurghada-Aswan transfer (€160 per car for 2 or 3 people, per journey), then the excursion from Aswan: €115 for the Abu Simbel day trip, €185 for Aswan and Abu Simbel combined, or from €160 for 2 days. For a couple, the 3-day essentials plan comes to about €345 per person, hotel not included.
How many days do I need?
At least 3 days from Hurghada, including 2 nights in Aswan. With 5 days, you can visit Aswan at a relaxed pace and see Abu Simbel at sunrise.
Can I combine it with Luxor?
Yes. Aswan and Luxor are linked by road or by a Nile cruise. Also read our guide to the Luxor day trip from Hurghada.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes, the private car lets you stop whenever you like. Children aged 0 to 5 go free and those aged 6 to 11 pay half price. With young children, the 2-day option avoids the 4 am departure.
Can I cancel?
Yes, cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the excursion. You can pay in euros, dollars or Egyptian pounds on the day, or online with PayPal. To book or plan your trip, message us on WhatsApp at +20 101 780 8340.
Looking for more ideas? Discover the Cairo and Pyramids day trip, the best things to do in Hurghada or the best time to visit Hurghada.
