How to Plan a Day Trip to Abu Simbel from Aswan with Family

Planning a trip through Egypt? If you’re making your way to the south, don’t skip a day trip to Abu Simbel from Aswan with family.

It’s one of the most unforgettable experiences you can have in Egypt with kids. These colossal temples, built by Ramses II (or Ramesses II) and dedicated to both himself and Queen Nefertari, are some of the most striking and best-preserved ancient sites in the country.

If you’re wondering whether the early start, desert heat, and 7-hour return drive are too much with kids, I’ll help you decide exactly when it’s worth it and when you may want to skip it or stay overnight.

I visited Abu Simbel with my teenage son during our Egypt family trip, and even though we were pretty much templed out by then, standing in front of those giant statues left us speechless. The journey from Aswan is long (about 3.5 hours one way), but absolutely worth it.

From transport options and tour choices to opening hours, ticket prices, and tips for surviving the early start with kids, here’s everything you need to plan a smooth family day trip to Abu Simbel.

Is it Worth Visiting the Temples of Abu Simbel

First, I’d like to answer a question I get asked a lot about this place: “Is Abu Simbel worth visiting?” more in depth.

Not only are the temples of Rameses II and Queen Nefertari & Hathor well preserved, the size of both make them impressive sights to see. It’s one of the best ancient sites in Egypt to visit with children.

You can also step inside both temples, and they’re unlike anything we’d ever seen before. The walls and columns are all covered with colorful hieroglyphics in great condition. Some of the tombs in the Valley of the Kings come close. But there’s one big difference. Walking through the halls feels like stepping back in time. 

By the time we reached Abu Simbel, my son had already seen Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo and the Valley of the Kings. I honestly wasn’t sure another temple would impress him. But I know Abu Simbel is one of the best ancient Egyptian sites to visit with kids.

Abu Simbel was the first site in days where he immediately pulled out his phone to take photos without me suggesting it. And while the drive was long, he said it was totally worth it.

So make sure you add the Abu Simbel temples to your bucket list!

Challenges on a Day Trip to Abu Simbel with Kids

There are some things that might be a challenge if you’re planning an Abu Simbel day tour from Aswan.

Because Abu Simbel is so remote, this feels less like a quick sightseeing stop and more like a full-day family expedition.

That’s exciting for older kids, but it also means younger children need snacks, sleep, and cooling breaks planned in advance.

Early Departure Times

Because the Aswan to Abu Simbel Road closes from 5.00pm to 5.00am and to avoid heat the best time to leave to Abu Simbel is between 3.00am and 4.30am. That’s rough for everyone, but certainly for younger kids.

Make sure you take a (travel) pillow with you so they can try to catch up on some sleep while on the road. And try to get them to bed early the evening before.

Heat

The temperature in Abu Simbel can be significantly higher than in Aswan. You’re in desert land. The heat can be intense for children.

You won’t get a lot of shadow in Abu Simbel and the sun will be very strong. Inside of the temples it was cooler, so if they can’t take the heat, take them inside.

You can also go into the movie area, where they show a short film about the move of the temples. They have fans inside and a few wooden benches to sit on.

The only shops selling drinks sit at the ticket counter. So make sure to bring enough water before you enter the site. Also be sure to put on sunscreen and wear hats or caps.

Long Journey

I’ve addressed it a few times already in this post, but no matter where you come from, it’s quite the journey to get to Abu Simbel. A flight will take 45 minutes from Aswan, but if you include traveling to and from the airport in Aswan then it won’t be much shorter than the 3.5 hours it takes by car.

Because you leave early you’ll have breakfast on the road. This keeps your kids occupied for a while. Bring entertainment for the journey ahead.

I would also advise to bring a portable mini fan so they can use it while on site, but also on the way back. This will be the hottest time of day and if the car or bus doesn’t have air conditioning at least they have a small fan to help them through the journey back.

Lastly, bring some snacks to keep them satisfied.

Booking Transport in Advance

Don’t leave this one until the last minute. Private drivers, group tours, and flights to Abu Simbel can all sell out, especially during peak season and around the Sun Festival dates in February and October.

If you’re traveling with kids and want a specific pickup time, hotel pickup, or a guide who speaks your language, book a few days ahead at minimum. The earlier you lock it in, the more choice you’ll have.

Where is Abu Simbel located?

The temples are located near the border with Sudan in the very south of Egypt. 20km further and you’re at the border. This region is known as Nubia, the country that once was. The site sits on the western bank of Lake Nasser.

The Abu Simbel temples were moved to their current location in the 60s of last century. After Lake Nasser was built about a dozen ancient Egyptian and Nubian sites risked ruin. Another famous example is Philae Temple in Aswan.

Abu Simbel was located right next to the lake, destined to be the first site to submerge.

If you want to know more about the relocation of Abu Simbel you can check out this article I wrote about the history of Abu Simbel and things to see in Abu Simbel with kids.

Car

This is the option we went with. We had our own guide and driver for the day. Our guide picked us up from Aswan in the lobby of the Nile Cruise ship we were on at 4am. But you can be picked up from any accommodation.

Most hotels and cruises can arrange this for you. For 2 people, you’ll pay somewhere around E£2,700 to E£3,800 (about €50-70/$55-75 USD) for the return trip, depending on your hotel, the season, and how much you negotiate.

You’ll pass through a few police checkpoints on the way from Aswan to Abu Simbel and back. Your driver handles the paperwork in advance, but it helps if you’re with a guide who speaks Arabic. 

That’s why I recommend bringing a guide and driver along on this day trip to Abu Simbel with kids. This is basically the most family friendly way to get to Abu Simbel.

The drive time from Aswan to Abu Simbel is about 3.5h and you’ll stop at 2.5h for a toilet and refreshments break. You’ll stop at this same one on the way back, because the options are limited.

Taxi

Hiring a taxi in Aswan is also a possibility. But we’ve heard stories of people who pre-booked a taxi the day before with a pick up time between 3.30am – 5.00am and the driver never showed up so they missed out on a chance to see Abu Simbel.

The other option if you like to take a taxi is to try your luck at the airport of Aswan. But you also need a taxi to get there, unless you stay near the airport. Make sure you make a deal about a price, before you step in.

You have to leave between 2.00pm and 3.00pm to beat the crowds and the heat in Abu Simbel.

And also because the Aswan to Abu Simbel Road closes from 5.00pm – 5.00am. If you want to stay longer, you’ll have to stay in Abu Simbel overnight, but your hotel options are slim.

Prices vary, depending on number of passengers, time of year, but especially time of day. Be prepared to pay at least E£2,800 (about €50/$55 USD) for a return.

Renting a Car

Renting a car to get from Aswan to Abu Simbel is not recommended. Abu Simbel is very close to Sudan, and you’ll have to deal with several checkpoints along the way. You’ll need to prearrange a permit and they generally only speak Arabic.

Even if you speak the language and you’ve got the permit, it really helps if you have a local with you that knows how to get through the checkpoints swiftly. And you avoid bribery.

If you do want to drive yourself to Abu Simbel then you’ll be happy to know that the infrastructure is great and the roads are well kept.

Note that the road to Aswan closes daily at 5.00pm. So make sure you plan your visit in the morning, because you have to make the 3.5h drive back to Aswan in time.

Once outside of Aswan, we’ve only spotted one stop where you can fill up on gas, visit the toilet and buy drinks and snacks. It’s about 2.5h in. So take note of that and leave with a full tank.

Fly

You can only fly directly to Abu Simbel from Aswan with EgyptAir. Twice a day flights leave to and from Abu Simbel. The best option is to take the morning flight, around 9.30am. This flight takes you to Abu Simbel in 45min.

The airport sits next to Abu Simbel, you can spot the planes while you’re on site. You have about 1h30min at Abu Simbel before you have to head back to the airport to be on time for your flight back to Aswan around 1.00pm.

The cost for a return flight is about E£5,000-10,500 (about €90-190/$100-210 USD) per person (excluding lap babies), though it pays to shop around since fares can dip well below that on quieter dates.

After you land at Abu Simbel a shuttle bus will take you directly to the site in roughly 10 minutes.

The driver will tell you at what time the shuttle leaves for the airport. The shuttle bus from and to Abu Simbel is free, but don’t forget to tip the driver.

Cruise ship

There are different cruise companies that offer multiple day trips from Aswan to Lake Nasser. You will stop at other ancient Egyptian and Nubian sites as well, not just at the Abu Simbel temple complex.

These tours are 4 or 5 days long and prices cover full-board, minus drinks. It includes pickup from your accommodation in Aswan, then a transfer to Abu Simbel, where you board the ship.

The first excursion is the temples of Abu Simbel and after that the ship will bring you to Aswan 3 nights later.

Prices are between E£44,000-65,000 (about €800-1,150/$870-1,250 USD) per adult, children ages 6-11 pay 50% of the adult price and kids younger than 6 are free on most of the cruise ships.

Side note: if you opt for this option, make sure to add exploring Aswan to your Egypt family trip itinerary. There is lots to do in Aswan for kids.

Abu Simbel Day Trip Tours

Join a Tour from Aswan to Abu Simbel

You can also opt to book a tour from Aswan to Abu Simbel as a day package. The next best thing after hiring a driver and guide. There are 2 ways to do this.

Excursion to Abu Simbel Arranged by your Cruise or Hotel

When you’re on a Nile Cruise from Luxor to Aswan you can also opt to join an excursion to Abu Simbel. Hotels can also arrange this for you. They’ll get you a breakfast bag for the road and all you have to think about is being in the lobby on time and leaving the site on time.

Book your Abu Simbel Tours & Excursions here

Book a Day Trip from Aswan to Abu Simbel Yourself

If you like to take matters into your own hands you can pick from one of the many tours on Klook, Get Your Guide or Viator.

Top Day Trip Tours from Aswan to Abu Simbel

For families, I’d prioritize a private or small-group tour with hotel pickup over the cheapest shared bus. The early start is already hard enough with kids, so comfort and reliability matter more here than saving a few bucks.

Check out which Egypt Abu Simbel tour from Aswan is the best fit for your family.

Abu Simbel Sound & Light Show

Egyptians sure love some sound and lights at ancient sites. The most famous show is the one at the Pyramids and the Sphinx in Giza, but you can also enjoy a show at Abu Simbel.

The shows run 2 times a night, at 8.00pm and 9.00pm and last about 45 minutes.

If you’re spending the night in Abu Simbel, this might be a fun experience, but do note that the sounds are very loud. It’s not advised if a child is sensitive to sounds.

There has to be a minimum of 10 Egyptians or 5 foreigners for the first show and a minimum of 5 foreign individuals for the second show, otherwise they’ll cancel the show.

Bringing a Guide

If you bring your own guide, they’ll need to buy a ticket too. But once on site, the guide has to explain what you’ll see inside while standing outside the temples, since the site doesn’t allow guides inside.

Make sure that if you decide to bring a guide with you or hire a guide at the entrance that the guide carries a booklet with pictures. On these pictures are details from inside the temples. 

They can explain the significance of all you’ll see inside the 2 temples, in a little arena about 100 meters from the temples.

We had a guide from Egypt Eye Tour and highly recommend them.

Paying Extra for Photographs with a Camera

IYou can snap pics and make vids with your phone or action cam for free. But if you bring a camera you need a photography permit that you can purchase on site.

There are talks to get rid of the photography permit in the second half of 2026 or in 2027. So you might be in luck if you visit Abu Simbel soon.

Opening Hours and Ticket Info

Abu Simbel is open daily from 6.00am to 5.00pm. The Sound & Light Show runs at 8.00pm and 9.00pm.

Between 5.00pm and 8.00pm the gates close, so you can’t stay on site between the day visit and the show.

Like most sites in Egypt, there are two kinds of tickets: one for Egyptians and Arabs, and one for foreigners. There’s also a discounted student rate.

Ramadan Opening Hours

If your trip falls during Ramadan, Abu Simbel keeps shorter hours: 7.00am to 3.00pm instead of the usual 6.00am to 5.00pm.

Since Ramadan dates shift every year, double-check this against the official ticketing site closer to your travel dates.

Abu Simbel tickets

Let’s start with day tickets. Egyptians pay E£30 (about €0.55/$0.60 USD) for an adult ticket and E£10 (about €0.20/$0.20 USD) for a student ticket.

Visitors from all other countries pay E£750 (about €13.50/$15 USD) for an adult ticket and E£375 (about €6.75/$7.50 USD) for a student ticket, if you bring your student card. Kids younger than 6 go in free.

Abu Simbel Sound and Light show tickets

Tickets for the Sound & Light show are priced differently: a regular ticket costs $20 (about €18.50/E£1,000), and kids aged 6-12 pay $11 (about €10/E£550).

FAQ

If you don’t have time to read this entire post right now, either pin it or read this faq to get answers to the most common questions about going on a day trip to Abu Simbel with children.

Things to Know Before Your Family Trip to Abu Simbel

A day trip to Abu Simbel with kids may require an early start and some extra planning, but it’s one of the most rewarding experiences you’ll have on your Egypt family adventure.

From the jaw-dropping temples to the unforgettable journey across the Nubian desert, it’s the kind of day that leaves a lasting impression on both parents and kids.

The best option for a day trip is to travel to Abu Simbel from Aswan. And if you don’t want to drive 3.5h twice in one day, you can always opt to spend the night in Abu Simbel and drive back to Aswan in the morning.

In that case you probably need some more planning info. Let me help you with tips for your day trip to Abu Simbel with kids.

💡 I’ve got you covered with my detailed guide: Planning a Family Trip to Abu Simbel: Things to Know Before You Go.

In it, you’ll find everything you need to know. From the history of Abu Simbel and the must-see highlights to what to wear, what to eat, and family-friendly tips for making your visit smooth and memorable.

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