Aswan
Photo by Mo Gabrail on Unsplash
Updated, April 2023
City
Aswan is a city in southern Egypt on the Nile River’s east bank. It is well-known for its pleasant temperature, scenic surroundings, and rich history. Aswan is a major tourist destination with sights like the Philae Temple, the Aswan Dam, and the Nubian Museum. Visitors can also learn about the local culture by taking a felucca trip down the Nile or seeing the colorful Nubian settlements. Travelling in Aswan is simple and convenient, with numerous options such as taxis, buses, and trains. The city also has an airport with flights to other Egyptian cities. Overall, Aswan is a must-see for anyone interested in history, culture, or natural beauty.
Best time to visit: From October through April, the weather in Aswan is cooler and more comfortable for outdoor activities, touring and enjoying the Nile River.
Getting In & Around
Getting in
Aswan International Airport
18 km South-west from city, Taxi: Taxis are widely accessible at the airport and may take you to your Aswan destination. A cab ride from the airport to Aswan costs roughly 150 EGP ($10 USD). (night charged are higher) unmetered taxi, negotiate the price. Airport Shuttle Bus: An airport shuttle bus connects Aswan International Airport and the city centre for about 30 EGP ($2 USD) each person. Public Bus: Public buses travel from the airport to the heart of Aswan for about 5 EGP ($0.30 USD) per person.
Aswan Railway Station
Connected by Public transport, 5 mins walk from river bank
Getting around
Bus: Aswan has public buses that are a cheap method to get about the city. A bus ticket costs roughly 2 EGP ($0.10 USD) per person.
Taxis are also widely available in Aswan and can be hailed on the street or pre-booked. The cost of a taxi journey varies based on the distance travelled, however it is best to negotiate the price before getting into the cab.
Felucca: A felucca is a traditional wooden sailboat that can be leased for a picturesque voyage down the Nile River. A felucca ride costs between 100 EGP ($6 USD) and 200 EGP ($6 USD) per hour, depending on the length of the voyage and your negotiating skills.
There are no tourist cards available in Aswan at the moment, however visitors can buy a reloadable transit card called “Beema” that can be used on public buses. The card costs 15 Egyptian pounds ($1 USD) and can be refilled with any amount. Using the Beema card on buses reduces the cost of each ride to about 1 EGP ($0.05 USD) per passenger.
See & Do
Philae Temple:
On an island in the Nile River, an ancient Egyptian temple complex dedicated to the goddess Isis. Visitors can see the temple by taking a boat ride to the island. Opening hours: daily from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Tickets: cost 200 EGP ($13 USD) per person. Address: Philae Island, Aswan. Website: https://www.egypt.travel/attraction/index/philae-temple
Aswan High Dam:
A modern engineering marvel that regulates the flow of the Nile River and creates hydroelectric power. The dam is approximately 15 kilometres south of Aswan. Opening hours: daily from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Tickets: cost 30 EGP ($2 USD) per person. Website: https://www.egypt.travel/attraction/index/aswan-high-dam
Nubian Museum:
Aswan’s Nubian culture and history museum. Opening hours: daily from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm and from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Tickets: cost 120 EGP ($8 USD) per person. Address: Abtal El Tahrir Street, Aswan. Website: https://www.nubianmuseum.com/ Email: [email protected] Phone: +20 97 231 3768
Elephantine Island:
An historic Nile River island with temple ruins and other constructions. Opening hours: daily from sunrise to sunset. Tickets: cost 80 EGP ($5 USD) per person.
Tombs of the Nobles:
A group of ancient tombs located on the west bank of the Nile River, featuring vivid depictions of daily life and scenes from Egyptian mythology. Opening hours: daily from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Tickets: cost 80 EGP ($5 USD) per person. Address: Qubbet el-Hawa, Aswan.
Unfinished Obelisk:
An ancient Egyptian obelisk that was never completed, located in a quarry in Aswan. Visitors can see the obelisk in situ, where it was carved from the bedrock. Opening hours: daily from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Tickets: cost 80 EGP ($5 USD) per person. Address: Aswan Quarries, Aswan.
Abu Simbel:
Two massive rock temples built by Ramses II in the 13th century BC, located about 280 km south of Aswan. The temples were relocated in the 1960s to avoid flooding from the Aswan High Dam. Opening hours: daily from 6:00 am to 5:00 pm. Tickets: cost 400 EGP ($25 USD) per person. Address: Abu Simbel, Aswan.
Kitchener’s Island:
A small island in the Nile River that houses a botanical garden with plants from all over the world, gifted to Lord Kitchener in the early 20th century. Opening hours: daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Tickets: cost 40 EGP ($2.50 USD) per person. Address: Kitchener’s Island, Aswan.
Aswan Botanical Garden:
A large garden on the west bank of the Nile River that features a variety of tropical and subtropical plants from around the world. Opening hours: daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Tickets: cost 40 EGP ($2.50 USD) per person. Address: West Bank, Aswan.
Sharia as-Souq:
A bustling market street in central Aswan, where visitors can shop for souvenirs, spices, textiles, and other goods. Opening hours: daily from morning until late evening. Address: Sharia as-Souq, Aswan.
Activities
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