Abu Simbel Temples: Location, Tickets, & Essential Travel Tips
Planning a trip to Egypt's legendary Abu Simbel Temples? Get all the essential details on location, tickets, and how to reach this ancient marvel for an epic journey.
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Planning a trip to Egypt's legendary Abu Simbel Temples? Get all the essential details on location, tickets, and how to reach this ancient marvel for an epic journey.

Location, Entrance Fee, How to Get There, Travel Tips Your Complete Guide to Abu Simbel |

Making your travels smooth is **<Travel Lubricant>**.
If one of your reasons for traveling to Egypt is its **overwhelming ancient ruins**,
then the ultimate masterpiece is undoubtedly the **Abu Simbel Temple**.
From basic information about Abu Simbel,
to how to get there and travel tips, I'll organize my review for you.
Table of Contents |
Abu Simbel |
How to Get There (Private Car) |
What to Prepare |
Wrap-up |
1. Abu Simbel
What is the Abu Simbel Temple?




Abu Simbel is a colossal rock temple built by **Ramesses II** in the 13th century BCE,
consisting of two magnificent temples.


1. The Great Temple: Dedicated to Ramesses II
Features **four colossal seated statues** of Ramesses II at the entrance (each over 20m tall!!)
Houses an altar space famous for the 'Sun Alignment Day' event inside
2. The Small Temple: Dedicated to his wife, **Nefertari**
The first grand temple built specifically for a queen


**What is Abu Simbel's 'Sun Alignment Day'?"**
Annually on February 22nd and October 22nd,
The day when sunlight penetrates all the way into the innermost sanctuary of the temple.
Aligned with Ramesses II's **birthday and coronation day**,
the sunlight illuminates the statues inside the temple.
Location
📍 Abu Simbel Temple
1211501 Aswan Governorate, Abu Simbel, Egypt
📍Location: Southern Nubian region of Egypt
(Approximately 300km south of Aswan)



Due to the construction of the Aswan High Dam, the temples originally located here
were threatened by submersion. In 1960, under the leadership of UNESCO,
they were entirely relocated to their current site.
Entrance Fees and Operating Hours


Category | Foreign Adults (General) | Student Discount (ISIC, passport required) |
Entrance Fee | EGP 822 (approximately ~$16) | EGP 445.5 |
🎟️ Ticket Purchase: Online and on-site (card payment available)
💡Student Discount: Present student ID(Korean student IDs must be presented with a passport)
⏰Operating Hours: 06:00 ~ 16:00
Operating hours may differ on 'Sun Alignment Day'.
2. How to Get There (Private Car)
How to Get to Abu Simbel (from Aswan)
How to Get There | Features |
Tour Bus / Shuttle Bus | Affordable price Fixed departure times Limited viewing time |
Private Vehicle | Flexible schedule adjustment Mid-route rest stops and breaks provided |
Airplane | Travel hassle (taxi from airport) Inefficient |
Among the three transportation methods from Aswan to Abu Simbel Temple,
considering various factors, we chose to use a private vehicle.
Private Vehicle




Flexible departure time adjustment
Negotiated with the driver for direct transfer to Luxor after Abu Simbel
Clean vehicle condition and many other advantages!
Private Vehicle Recommended! | |
Name | Salla |
Contact (WhatsApp) | +20 114 298 9990 |
Price | Aswan - Abu Simbel (Round trip): ~$75 |
For a detailed review, please refer to the post below!
3. What to Pack
Packing a few essentials will make your visit even more comfortable.
🧳Essentials |
Bottled Water Parasol / Light Jacket Sunscreen Tissues / Small amount of cash (for restroom fees) Student ID / Passport |


With no shade outside the temple interior,
bottled water + parasol + sunscreen is an absolute must-have combination.
A student ID (or passport) for student discounts, and
a small amount of cash for unexpected restroom fees,
will ensure a much more pleasant visit.
4. Conclusion




Should you definitely visit Abu Simbel Temple, located in the southernmost part of Egypt?
I think it's a 100% yes.
It is Egypt's most dramatic and colossal temple,
a symbolic heritage site where ancient architectural techniques, art, and even political messages
are all condensed.
Although it requires an early morning departure and the road can be challenging,
the moment you set foot in Abu Simbel,
you'll feel like "it was well worth the journey."
📌Egypt Travel
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The 'Alignment Day' at Abu Simbel Temple occurs annually on February 22nd and October 22nd. On these days, sunlight penetrates deep into the temple's innermost sanctuary, illuminating the statues inside, coinciding with Ramses II's birthday and coronation day.
The regular entrance fee for foreigners at Abu Simbel Temple is EGP 822. To receive a student discount, the fee is EGP 445.5, and you must present both your ISIC student card and passport.
The round-trip price for a private car from Aswan to Abu Simbel Temple is $75. The recommended driver, 'Salla', can be reached via WhatsApp at +20 114 298 9990.
Since there's no shade outside the temple, it's essential to bring bottled water, a parasol/light jacket, and sunscreen. It's also a good idea to have a small amount of cash for restroom use and a student ID (or passport) for student discounts.

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