Your options from Hurghada
| Option | Duration | What is advertised | Our view |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Luxor + Abu Simbel tour | 2 days | Private driver and guide, one night in Aswan, meals; about 800 USD per adult on an Expedia listing seen in October 2026 | The most complete, but expensive |
| Private Aswan + Abu Simbel tour | 3 days | Egyptologist guide, Philae, two nights in Aswan; from about 300 USD on a listing seen in October 2026 | Best pace and best price |
| Organise it yourself (plane or road) | 2 to 3 days | You book transport, hotel and tickets | Cheapest, most logistics |
Prices are those displayed by sellers in October 2026, for different packages: compare what is included (nights, meals, tickets, flights) before choosing.
The 2-day tour via Luxor
The idea: the road from Hurghada to Luxor (see Luxor from Hurghada), then Aswan, a night there, Abu Simbel at sunrise and the way back. It is short and heavy on driving: check the stated driving time and whether it includes a stop in Luxor.
The 3-day tour via Aswan
More reasonable: the second day is devoted to Aswan (Philae temple, for example) and Abu Simbel, with two nights in Aswan. Some packages return to Luxor by train before driving back to Hurghada.
Going on your own
From Aswan, the flight takes about 45 minutes and the road 3.5 to 4 hours each way. Flights can be suspended in bad weather: EgyptAir briefly halted flights to Aswan and Abu Simbel on 9 January 2026 because of a sandstorm. We could not confirm a direct Hurghada–Aswan connection: ask the airlines.
The site: what to know
The two temples of Ramesses II and his wife Nefertari were moved in the 20th century to escape the rising waters of Lake Nasser. The sources we consulted give daily opening from about 6 am to 5 pm (to be checked) and a foreign ticket around 750 to 850 EGP, higher on the Sun Festival days (around 22 February and 22 October). A professional camera permit is paid extra. These figures vary between sources and we could not confirm them with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities: check before you go.
Is it worth it from Hurghada?
If you absolutely want to see Abu Simbel, yes, but as a real 2-3 day trip. If you only have one day, choose Luxor or Cairo by plane.
Frequently asked questions
Can you do Abu Simbel in one day from Hurghada? We found no day trip offered in October 2026; offers last 2 to 3 days.
What is the best season? October to April: summer often exceeds 40 °C in the south.
Do you need to book ahead? Yes for a private tour, especially in high season.
