How To Get To Abu Simbel From Cairo With Ease And Comfort

Join us on a memorable journey to Abu Simbel Temple Complex and don’t worry about how to get to Abu Simbel from Cairo. Egypt Tours Group will help you to get to Abu Simbel most suitably and conveniently to you. Discover one of the most magical and superb temple complexes not only in Egypt but in the whole world. Don’t let the chance miss you and hurry to arrange for a never-forgotten day trip to the Nubia of Egypt to discover the majesty of ancient Egypt.

How to get to Abu Simbel from Cairo?

There are many ways to get to Abu Simbel from Cairo and you can choose the best for you.

You can go by air, bus, train, or by the Nile.

• Cairo to Abu Simbel flight:

From Cairo International Airport, you can take a 1.5-hour flight to Aswan International Airport.

From Aswan International Airport, you can take a flight to Abu Simbel Airport, a flight taking 45 minutes.

The all Cairo to Abu Simbel Flight time is about 135 minutes.

Where is Abu Simbel?

  Abu Simbel Complex is located south of Egypt on the western bank of Lake Nasser, 300 kilometers south of Aswan and 20 kilometers away from the Sudanese borders.

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Interesting Facts about Abu Simbel

Ramses II, one of the most powerful rulers of ancient Egypt, constructed the Abu Simbel Temple Complex 3000 years ago.

The Great Temple of the complex was dedicated to Amun-Ra, Ra-Harakhti, and Ptah. The Small Temple of the complex was dedicated to his beloved and most favorite wife Queen Nefertari.

• This great complex took 200 years to be completely constructed in 1244 BC.
• The Temple Complex was forgotten and covered with sand through the years, but it was rediscovered and became a tourist destination at the end of the 19th century.
• The Abu Simbel Temple Complex was relocated to a higher island to be saved from the flood which resulted from constructing the High Dam in a process that took about five years.

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How to get to Abu Simbel?

You can organize a visit to Abu Simbel either as a day trip from Aswan or while flying between Cairo and Aswan.

• Roundtrip Flight from Aswan:

The fastest and most convenient way to visit Abu Simbel from Aswan is to take a roundtrip flight from Aswan to Abu Simbel as the trip takes 45 minutes one way. Egypt Air is the only airline that provides roundtrips to Abu Simbel from Aswan. You can give yourself two and a half hours to explore the two temples, then take your flight back to Aswan.

• By Land from Aswan:

You can go to Abu Simbel from Aswan either by tour or by hiring a private driver.

The distance between Abu Simbel from Aswan is 290 kilometers, taking from 2.5 to 3 hours. The day tour to Abu Simbel by land takes about 8 hours.

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Visiting Abu Simbel when Flying between Cairo and Aswan

There is a convenient and suitable way for you if you are flying from Cairo to Aswan on an itinerary. You can book a multi-hop flight to be able to visit Abu Simbel on your way. This trip commonly costs from $200 to $500 per person.

What We Did (And the Reasoning Behind Our Choice)

We decided to go to Abu Simbel by Flying Roundtrip from Aswan.

We found that the cost of flying from Aswan is approximately the same as the cost of visiting Abu Simbel when flying between Cairo and Aswan, but we could keep all of our valuables like laptops by leaving them at the hotel.

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Purchasing Your Tickets

You can get your ticket from the ticket center next to the visitor center. They don’t accept cash, only with credit cards.

• Tickets cost 750 EGP per adult and 375 per student.
• In seasons like Sun alignment, the ticket costs 1200 EGP.
• Taking photos by phone is allowed for free, but with the camera, it may cost an extra fee.

The Great Temple

While walking through the hill, the first temple is the Great Temple.

There are four magical massive statues of Ramses II sitting in front of the temple as guards. Between the legs of the statues, there are small statues of the royal family, his wife Queen Nefertari, his sons, his daughters, and his mother.

There is one damaged statue with a broken part beside it, it was damaged by an earthquake.

When you enter the temple, there are eight statues of Osiris in the main chamber as there are several small chambers that you can also discover.

In the back of the temple, there is the sanctuary which is a room containing statues of Ramses II, Amun Ra, Ra Harakhti, and Ptah. Sun aligns the face of Ramses II twice a year penetrating this room.

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Panoramic Point

   When you are near the small temple, there is a covered terrace next to it. If you stand on this terrace, you will be able to take wonderful photos of the two temples together.

Exiting the Temple Complex

From the Small Temple, you can exit the temple complex differently. You will follow the paved path through several souvenir shops until you reach the visitor center and the parking lot. It will take from five to ten minutes to walk. You can take your bus back to the airport or look for your driver in the parking lot.

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Spending the Night at Abu Simbel

If you want to attend the Sound & Light Show or take photos at the sunrise at the temple complex, you may spend the night at Abu Simbel.

More Information for Your Trip to Egypt

Egypt Itinerary: With the 8-day Nile Cruise Cairo to Abu Simbel Tour Package, you will visit Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, and Abu Simbel.

•  Aswan Attractions: Egypt’s Hidden Gems Revealed 
• Luxor: Luxor Attractions 
• Abu Simbel: Where Time Stands Still 
• Day Tour: day trip from Cairo to Abu Simbel By Flight
• Egypt Tours Group provides day trips to Abu Simbel for Americans
• Abu Simbel Temples:

Built by Ramses the Great in 1264 BC, the celestial Abu Simbel Temple is located in the southwest of Aswan City, where it honors the legacy of Ozymandias, commemorates the king’s triumph at the Battle of Kadesh, and celebrates his beloved wife Queen Nefertari.

As a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, known as the “Nubian Monuments,” the temple features colossal statues of Ramses II, intricate carvings, and hieroglyphics.

Afterward, we will drive you back to Aswan to end your Abu Simbel Day Trip with a delightful lunch at a deluxe restaurant before you get to Aswan Airport to fly back to Cairo. And we will drop you off at your hotel in Cairo by A/C vehicle.

•  Lunch Time: between visits
• Tour Price: $275.
• What to pack:  Hat and camera
• Comfortable shoes
• Umbrella and medication
• Warm clothes for winter
• Cotton clothes for summer
• Sunblock and sunglasse
• Valid passport for at least 6 months

Tour Map:

• Day 1: Arrive in Cairo – hotel check-in
• Day 2: Visit the Pyramids, Sphinx, Museum, and Khan El Khalili
• Day 3: Fly to Aswan – visit High Dam & Philae – start cruise
• Day 4: Morning trip to Abu Simbel – sail to Kom Ombo
• Day 5: Visit Kom Ombo & Edfu Temples – sail to Luxor
• Day 6: Visit Karnak & Luxor Temples
• Day 7: West Bank tour – Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple
• Day 8: Fly back to Cairo – end of tour.

What you will love about this Tour

The tour covers a wonderful visit to Abu Simbel Temple.

• The tour offers a chance to taste exotic and delicious cuisine in Aswan while enjoying breathtaking views.
• Clients are assured of the best service, including a private A/C vehicle and a professional Egyptologist tour guide.
• The tour promises a golden path to experience the finest artistic craftsmanship and architectural masterpieces ever built.

Conclusion

Getting to Abu Simbel from Cairo requires careful planning, as there are no direct flights. The fastest and most convenient way is to fly from Cairo to Aswan, then take a short domestic flight or a bus/taxi to Abu Simbel. For budget travelers, an overnight train or bus to Aswan followed by a road trip is a cost-effective alternative. Private cars offer flexibility but can be expensive. While each route has its advantages, the journey is well worth it to witness the breathtaking Abu Simbel Temples, a true masterpiece of ancient Egyptian architecture.

FAQ

Can you fly direct from Cairo to Abu Simbel?

No, there are no direct flights from Cairo to Abu Simbel

How to get to Abu Simbel from Cairo by train?

• Train from Cairo to Aswan
• Take a sleeper train (~12–14 hours).
• Watania Sleeping Train offers comfortable sleeper cabins.
• Alternatively, regular seated trains are available (cheaper but less comfortable).
• Bus from Aswan to Abu Simbel
• Same as the bus option above.

How to get to Abu Simbel from Cairo by car?

• Hire a private driver or taxi from Aswan to Abu Simbel.
• The drive takes about 3.5–4 hours each way.
• This option gives you more flexibility in exploring the temples.

How to get to Abu Simbel from Cairo by bus?

Bus from Cairo to Aswan

• Take a VIP bus from Cairo to Aswan (~12–14 hours).
• Companies: Go Bus, Blue Bus, Super Jet
• Bus from Aswan to Abu Simbel
• Take a government-run or private tour bus from Aswan to Abu Simbel (~3.5–4 hours).