Ticket prices and hours checked on the official booking portal of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (egymonuments.com) in October 2026. They can change; the price shown at checkout or at the ticket office is the one that applies.
Why Abu Simbel is worth the journey
Ramesses II carved two temples into the rock on the shore of Lake Nasser: the Great Temple, with four seated colossi of the king at its entrance, and a smaller temple dedicated to the goddess Hathor and to his wife Nefertari. In the 1960s an international campaign led by UNESCO cut both temples into blocks and rebuilt them on higher ground, so they would not be flooded by the lake created by the High Dam. They are about 280 kilometres south of Aswan, close to the border with Sudan.
By road or by plane
| By road | By plane | |
|---|---|---|
| Travel time each way | About 3½ hours through the desert | A short flight plus transfers to and from both airports |
| Start | Very early, usually around 04:00 | Depends on the flight schedule |
| Whole day | About 9 hours | About 6 hours |
| Our price | from US$170 per person | from US$465 per person |
The road is the classic way and the better value. You leave Aswan in the dark, see the sunrise over the desert, and reach the temples while the light is soft and the air still cool. The plane saves the early start and roughly five hours on the road, which matters if you are travelling with young children, have limited time or simply prefer not to spend seven hours in a vehicle.
Tickets (foreign visitors)
| Ticket | Adult | Student |
|---|---|---|
| Standard entry (both temples) | EGP 822 | EGP 445.50 |
| Sun alignment days (22 February and 22 October) | EGP 1,272 | EGP 670.50 |
Children under six enter free. Students need a valid student card and must be 24 or younger. Photography with a mobile phone is free.
Opening hours
The portal lists the site from 06:00 with last entry at 16:00 all year. Most visitors spend between one and a half and two hours at the temples, which is enough for both interiors and the view from the lake shore.
The sun alignment
On 22 February and 22 October, the rising sun shines along the axis of the Great Temple and lights up the statues in the sanctuary at its far end. These are the busiest days of the year at Abu Simbel and tickets cost more. If you want to see it, plan and book well ahead.
Staying for the evening
The temples host a sound and light show after dark. To see it you need to spend the night in Abu Simbel village rather than return to Aswan the same day.
Practical tips
- On the road trip, bring a light jacket for the morning and water for the desert.
- Take your passport: there are checkpoints on the road.
- There is a walk of several hundred metres from the entrance to the temples, on paved paths.
See all day tours in Aswan or our Abu Simbel destination page.