Abu Simbel from Aswan: By Road or by Plane?
How to visit Abu Simbel from Aswan: the early drive through the desert, the short flight, or a Lake Nasser cruise, with times and tips.
Most visitors go by road: Abu Simbel is about 280 km south of Aswan, roughly 3 to 3.5 hours each way, so tours leave around 4 a.m. and are back by early afternoon. There are also short flights from Aswan, and Lake Nasser cruises that end at Abu Simbel.
By road
The road runs straight through the desert, and the early start means you watch the sunrise on the way and arrive before the heat. You get about two hours at the temples, then drive back for a late lunch in Aswan. It's the cheapest way and works with any cruise that ends or starts in Aswan.
By plane
The flight from Aswan is short, so you save the long drive, but there are few flights a day and seats sell out in high season. It costs more and still needs a transfer between the airport and the temples.
By Lake Nasser cruise
A 3 or 4-night cruise across Lake Nasser visits Nubian temples you can only reach by water and arrives at Abu Simbel in time for the evening sound and light show, with an early visit the next morning.
Tips for the visit
Bring a hat, sunscreen and water; the temples face the open desert. On 22 February and 22 October the sun lights the statues deep inside the Great Temple, and the site is very crowded on those days.
