Abu Simbel day trip from Aswan (early start)
Private day trip Abu Simbel day trip from Aswan (early start): $280 sedan, $380 Hiace minivan, $640 Coaster bus, $610 premium van — per car, the driver waits all day. 580 km, about 11 h. Driver, fuel and tolls included; 50% online to confirm, the rest in cash to the driver, or 100% online (under $100: in full). Prices checked .
Abu Simbel is about 280–290 km south of Aswan across the Nubian Desert — roughly 3.5 hours each way. Most cars and tour vans leave Aswan between 4 and 5 a.m. to reach the temples around 8 a.m., before the heat and the big groups, and are back in Aswan in the early afternoon. Tourist vehicles register with the Tourism Police and pass several checkpoints; the driver handles it — you need your passport.
- Distance580 km
- Drive time11 h
- Pricefrom $280
Abu Simbel day trip from Aswan (early start): price per car
| Car | Per car driver waits, back the same day | Per person if you are 2 · 3 · 4 · 6, USD | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan up to 3 Hyundai Elantra / Toyota Corolla or similar | $280 ≈ 15,090 EGP | ≈ 140 | ≈ 93 | — | — |
| Minivan (Hiace) up to 10 Toyota Hiace, up to 10 passengers | $380 ≈ 20,480 EGP | ≈ 190 | ≈ 127 | ≈ 95 | ≈ 63 |
| Bus (Coaster) up to 22 Toyota Coaster, up to 22 passengers | $640 ≈ 34,500 EGP | ≈ 320 | ≈ 213 | ≈ 160 | ≈ 107 |
| Premium van up to 6 Hyundai Staria / Mercedes Vito or similar, up to 6 | $610 ≈ 32,880 EGP | ≈ 305 | ≈ 203 | ≈ 153 | ≈ 102 |
entrance tickets not included.
The road
A straight two-lane desert road with checkpoints and one rest stop; no fuel or shops for long stretches, so water is in the car.
Worth stopping
- Rest-house café about halfway.
- Lake Nasser viewpoints near Abu Simbel.
Good to know
- Pickup from your hotel or cruise ship at the time the driver confirms the evening before (usually 4–5 a.m.).
- Entrance tickets are not included; a licensed Egyptologist guide can be added.
- Sun Festival days (22 February and 22 October) are crowded — book early.
Included
- Private air-conditioned car and licensed driver, fuel, road fees and parking
- English-speaking driver as standard; Russian-speaking driver on request (free)
- Meet & greet with a name sign at Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh, Marsa Alam and Cairo airports, 60 min free waiting after landing
- Short stops on the way for photos, coffee or a supermarket
- Child seat free on request
- Free cancellation up to 24 h before pickup (multi-day: 7 days)
Who runs your trip
RideEG: Bookings operated by GG Services Limited (Hong Kong). We hand-pick licensed drivers in every country, preferring drivers with experience in tourism.
Drivers speak English and Arabic as standard; a Russian-speaking driver is available on request at no extra cost, confirmed at booking
Abu Simbel day trip from Aswan (early start): questions
How much is a private car from Aswan to Abu Simbel and back?
$280 for a sedan (up to 3), $380 for a Toyota Hiace (up to 10), $640 for a Coaster bus (up to 22) — per car for the whole day, driver waiting at the temples.
Do we still have to travel in a convoy?
Tourist vehicles must be registered with the Tourism Police and pass checkpoints; recent travel reports (May 2026) describe monitored transit rather than the old fixed convoy. The driver registers your trip and confirms the departure time.
Can we fly instead?
Yes — there are short flights from Aswan to Abu Simbel; they are more expensive per person and depend on the schedule. By car you choose the time and stop when you like.
Why so early?
To arrive before the midday heat and to be back on the road early: the desert road is not driven by tourist vehicles after dark.