Abu Simbel Temple Complex
Abu Simbel Temple Complex
Abu Simbel Temple Complex
Abu Simbel Temple Complex
5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Plan your visit
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
1 within 5 kms
Attractions
1 within 10 kms
Contribute
Popular mentions
5.0
3,511 reviews
Excellent
3,120
Very good
321
Average
48
Poor
10
Terrible
12
Nicole H
10 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
It is a very long drive from Aswan, but an incredible site to see. Our guide told us many things about the complex but guides cannot go into the temple with you.
We were not in a hurry since this was the only site on our itinerary for this day so we waited in the shade for lines to dwindle. It was very crowded but after about 45 minutes more people were leaving than arriving. This meant we were in the temples with very few other people and we did not wait in line outside in the sun. Our patience paid off.
We paid 20 pounds per person to take the golf cart instead of walking and I found that to be money well spent.
While we were very glad to have gone, the long day of driving makes me hesitant to reccommend this for everyone.
We were not in a hurry since this was the only site on our itinerary for this day so we waited in the shade for lines to dwindle. It was very crowded but after about 45 minutes more people were leaving than arriving. This meant we were in the temples with very few other people and we did not wait in line outside in the sun. Our patience paid off.
We paid 20 pounds per person to take the golf cart instead of walking and I found that to be money well spent.
While we were very glad to have gone, the long day of driving makes me hesitant to reccommend this for everyone.
Written 13 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
7sempreinviaggio
Palermo, Italy309 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
Amazing place, can’t understand the negative reviews, rent a car and drive there yourself, I slept in Abu Simbel so no need to travel 3-4 hours from Aswan. Amazing temple
Written 6 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
lquadros
San Ramon, CA152 contributions
Jan 2022
I finally got time to do this review. We were staying at El-Amin guest house in Aswan and the owner arranged the private tour. Please note that you can contact your hotel directly for a tour and will get a much better (cheap and best) price rather than going thru a well known travel agency. We had a private vehicle as well as a private tour guide named Sherif Afify who was very good and give us good knowledge about the whole history and the temples. He also helped us with taking pictures and stuff.
Note that the drive is 3 hours to go and 3 hours to come back. But the place is simple breathtaking. A private tour will allow yourself to give sufficient time to explore and get the best pictures which believe me is beyond words.
A must do in Egypt.
Note that the drive is 3 hours to go and 3 hours to come back. But the place is simple breathtaking. A private tour will allow yourself to give sufficient time to explore and get the best pictures which believe me is beyond words.
A must do in Egypt.
Written 17 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Musicians Mum
175 contributions
Mar 2022
Visited as optional add on to a small group tour from UK.4.15 am start to bus journey over 3 hours from Aswan for visit of just under 90 minutes and then bus back.
Amazing feat of engineering both to construct in the first place and then move the thing in modern times(I remember seeing progress on news at the time) but I found rather underwhelming.Yes big ,but inside it is lit by groud level uplighting and the details of the carving and designs at high level are so dim that they are hard to see.
Had I a choice,I would have chosen to stay nearer the site(if hotels exist) as the whole experience seemed proscribed (literal convoy of buses from Aswan,stay 90 mins,convoy back).
Amazing feat of engineering both to construct in the first place and then move the thing in modern times(I remember seeing progress on news at the time) but I found rather underwhelming.Yes big ,but inside it is lit by groud level uplighting and the details of the carving and designs at high level are so dim that they are hard to see.
Had I a choice,I would have chosen to stay nearer the site(if hotels exist) as the whole experience seemed proscribed (literal convoy of buses from Aswan,stay 90 mins,convoy back).
Written 15 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Rick W
Sevenoaks, UK1,880 contributions
Apr 2022
Visiting Abu Simbel has been on my ‘bucket list’ for many decades. I was not disappointed. We decided to fly from Aswan to Abu Simbel. The only flights are from Aswan and in April 2022 they left Aswan at 10:20 am arriving about 45 minutes later. The return flight (only to Aswan) left at 08:30 am. This meant that we had two nights in Abu Simbel and stayed at the delightful Kabala Nubian guest house. I recommend it. We paid £115 for two people for two nights bed and breakfast. The guest house is a 25 minute walk to the temples which we visited in the late afternoon and morning. They are stunning! At 6 am we were surprised to see 7 coach tours arrive – and imagine it was even busier later in the morning as groups traveled overland from Aswan. However, at around 7.30 am there was a lull in visitors and I was able to take pictures without crowds spoiling the atmosphere. The surprise to me was that inside the temples there are wall paintings, carvings and large figures too. Quite a lot to see! We did stay for the excellent sound and light show (300 EGP) and it was well worth it. Innovative lighting and good sound effects (headsets provided your own language) made an enjoyable and interesting show. And it looks lovely floodlit!
Written 10 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Hyoga83
Bordeaux, France657 contributions
Mar 2022
Despite all the hype, and despite the long day in front of you, this is a worthwile trip.
First of all, the place is legendary. It is really not the same to be there than to see it.
Secondly, the amazing rescue operation and the engineering and diplomatic feat accomplished make it a great bonus track
Third, despite -in my case- being underwhelmed with the size of it (I was expecting it bigger ^^) the interior is beautiful, and so it the site and environment.
Fourth, so must fun (a bit sad too, though) to see TikTokers and Instagrammers totally geared up and making selfies and pictures of themselves as crazy lol
For some reason everyone goes super early in the morning. OK, you avoid the extreme heat, but there are loads of people at the same time.
If you can manage the heat, go later on in the day and it will be much less tiring and probably more rewarding.
First of all, the place is legendary. It is really not the same to be there than to see it.
Secondly, the amazing rescue operation and the engineering and diplomatic feat accomplished make it a great bonus track
Third, despite -in my case- being underwhelmed with the size of it (I was expecting it bigger ^^) the interior is beautiful, and so it the site and environment.
Fourth, so must fun (a bit sad too, though) to see TikTokers and Instagrammers totally geared up and making selfies and pictures of themselves as crazy lol
For some reason everyone goes super early in the morning. OK, you avoid the extreme heat, but there are loads of people at the same time.
If you can manage the heat, go later on in the day and it will be much less tiring and probably more rewarding.
Written 5 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Sally
Perth, Australia14 contributions
Mar 2022 • Family
Arrived at dawn and no-one else there. Magical experience as sun came up over lake nasser. We stayed overnight in Abu Simbel which I recommend. The ecolodge was simple but clean and food great
Written 26 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Wendy S
The Netherlands14 contributions
Feb 2022
This destination that is far away from the major cities is definitely worth the extra travels. Very impressive and a must see when you're travelling in Egypt.
Written 7 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Elizabeth R
Elliot, South Africa17 contributions
Feb 2022 • Friends
The visit to the temple itself and seeing the reconstructed temples. Our tour guide Ramy Nabil really knows so much and is passionate about this place.
Written 23 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
podrozniczka60
New Jersey14,331 contributions
Dec 2021
Absolutely amazing location and the history of the temple, including the 20th century salvage operation. It is dedicated to the gods Amun, Ra, and Ptah, as well as to the self-deified Ramesses himself. Arguably the most beautiful temple complex in Egypt. You can easily spend the entire delightful and interesting day here.
Written 18 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Graciela V
2 contributions
Hola. ¿No es posible llegar en barco a los templos de Abu Simbel desde Asuán sin tomar un crucero por el lago Nasser?
No me interesa todo el recorrido del lago y no tengo tiempo para hacerlo pero me gustaría ver los templos desde el lago....
NikosItalia
Brussels, Belgium288 contributions
Is Abu Sibel site open?
If so, are buses running from Aswan daily?
XI MO
London, UK257 contributions
It was when I went in January 2020.. I believe now they reopened and running as “normal”
I will be traveling from Luxor on Train# 86 arriving @ 9:13 am to Aswan. Do you pick up at train statation. We are a grop of 6 and interested on Privite Tour
wilfredo f
95 contributions
They always pick up at the Hotel or Cruise ships ,maybe you can call a Tour company that will accommodate you guys.
ZermattExp
Zurich, Switzerland20 contributions
Hi - what time does the tour depart and return to Aswan? We need to be at our cruise ship around noon (12pm). It would be for the morning of April 18th, 2020. Thank you.
가드너송
143 contributions
Hi.
Depart around 4-5 am and arrive at 1 pm maybe.
It took 2:30~3 hours one way. So a total of 6hours in a car and you can look around there 2hours.
I am sorry, I don't remember exactly.
louannfrediani
Cranford, NJ3 contributions
Hi, Some friends and I are taking a Viking River Cruise in February down the Nile. The Viking excursion to the temples is sold out so we booked through Viator. We are flying there. Did you do your excursion to the temples through Viking?
PJG49
Voorhees, NJ44 contributions
Arranged our excursion through Viking, stopped Aswan Dam and then to the airport for flight tp Abu Simbel.
map33
2 contributions
Hi, we are staying overnight. Do you hire a guide to take you to the light and sound show and then back to your hotel?
Ratna N
Dallas, TX1,694 contributions
Lots of answers I agree with. I wouldn’t go anywhere at night without an escort. Yes.
Why will you hire a guide when there's sounds telling the story about Abu Simbel. You just need to buy a ticket at the ticket counter and go in. True
It is not far from the hotels so get a taxi to take you there. Usually the hotel will arrange a transport to see Lights and Sounds.
You dont need a guide for the S&L Show. Honestly. you do need transport to get there from your hotel. Usually the hotel will provide that and a person / driver / guide to take you there and make sure you get back safe. Talk to whoever you are booking it with!
Have fun!
Hi I would like to know if is possible to pick up in the aswan train station and return at aswan airport ? And at what time we return to aswan?
Brian D
Asheville, NC1,800 contributions
If you do Abu Simbel through a tour they will set everything up for you. If you want to get to the airport it is best to take a taxi. You can get cheap rates if you bargain with the driver. However if you take the train I have heard it is reliable. Hope this helps. Enjoy!
Nabrab
Brussels, Belgium103 contributions
As I plan to self drive from Aswan to Abu Simbel, where can I get the police permit to Abu Simbel ?
Thank you for a reliable answer.
Nab
MelBr75
Curitiba, PR1,754 contributions
Hello
I hired a private car to take me there. Every time we stopped from Aswan to Abu Simbel ( I think it was two or three times) to show permits it wasn’t just a formality of showing papers. They talked a lot in Arabic. Do you speak Arabic? I advice you to hire someone.
Sorry I couldn’t provide you more informations.
Junxian Y
Shanghai, China
Someone told me recently there is new policy saying that you could only stay in a hotel in abu simbel if you have police permission. And there is a chance you couldnt get that permission. Is that ture?
I'm about to go to abu simbel and hope staying for one night . Desperate for any informative advice. Thanks!
DOUG and NIKI
Long Island, NY282 contributions
Sorry, we drove there from Aswan and didn't stay. I would recommend reaching out to Waleed from Aswan Individual. They did a great job for us planning Abu Simbel.
Bruno R
2 contributions
Hola, aún existen los convoy para ir a Abu Simbel desde Aswan? O cual es la actual manera más económica de llegar? Estaré viajando en Marzo para alla
Belaranto
Madrid, Spain242 contributions
Si claro.
La forma mas barata es en autobus.
Seguramente tendrás que madrugar para llegar pronto (es MUY recomendable al amanecer, menos gente y calor, o al atardecer). Son unas 3 horas.
También puedes ir en avión, pero claro, es mas caro.
Frequently Asked Questions about Abu Simbel Temple Complex
- Abu Simbel Temple Complex is open:
- Sun - Sat 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
- We recommend booking Abu Simbel Temple Complex tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1,127 Abu Simbel Temple Complex tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Abu Simbel Temple Complex:
- (0.05 km) Abu Simbe
- (1.34 km) Eskaleh Nubian Ecolodge
- (0.92 km) Tuya hotel
- (1.24 km) Seti Abu Simbel Lake Resort
- (0.67 km) Nefertari Hotel Abu Simble