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Aswan
The Nile at its most beautiful, and Nubian villages
- Best time to visit
- Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
- Currency
- EGP
- Time zone
- UTC+3
- Country
- Egypt
Egypt's southern city, where the Nile flows between granite islands and golden dunes, with Philae nearby and the temples of Abu Simbel a day trip away.
- Cairo
- Alexandria
- Giza
- Luxor
- Aswan
Quick facts
- Country
- Egypt
- Capital
- Cairo
- Province population
- 1.6M
- Population of Egypt
- 107M
- Country area
- 1,001,450 km²
- Official language
- Arabic
- Currency
- Egyptian Pound (EGP) · 1 USD ≈ 52.38 EGP
- Time zone
- UTC+3
- Calling code
- +20
- Drives on the
- Right
- Elevation
- 95 m
- Plugs
- C / F · 220V
- Emergency numbers
- 122 · 123
- Best time to visit
- Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Temperatures through the year
Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.
Temperatures through the year
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 24° | 26° | 30° | 35° | 39° | 42° | 42° | 41° | 39° | 36° | 30° | 25° |
| Low | 9° | 10° | 14° | 19° | 23° | 25° | 26° | 26° | 24° | 21° | 15° | 11° |
Best time to visitOther months
Approximate daily cost
Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.
- ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$35
- HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$90
- LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$280
Top things to do
- ≈ $30
Day trip: Abu Simbel
Ramesses II's giant rock temples near the Sudan border, 3.5 hours each way by road or a short flight; most tours leave before dawn.
- Full day
- Dams and Abu Simbel
- ≈ $12
Philae Temple
The temple of Isis, moved stone by stone to an island in the reservoir; reached by motorboat.
- Half day
- Dams and Abu Simbel
- ≈ $15
Boat to a Nubian village
A motorboat to the painted houses of Gharb Soheil, with tea, henna and the river at sunset.
- Half day
- Islands and Nubian villages
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
- ≈ $12
Felucca around Elephantine and Kitchener's Island
Sail between granite rocks to the botanical garden island and the ruins of Elephantine.
- Half day
- Islands and Nubian villages
- Good for kids
- ≈ $8
Nubia Museum
The history of Nubia and the monuments rescued when the High Dam flooded the valley.
- Half day
- Aswan town and the Nile
- Indoors
Before you go
Entry and visas
Most visitors need a visa. You can apply in advance for an e-Visa on the official portal, visa2egypt.gov.eg, or buy a visa on arrival at approved airports for 30 US dollars in cash, valid for up to 30 days. Since 1 August 2026, travellers arriving at Cairo International Airport can also buy a digital visa on arrival for 36 US dollars, including a 6 US dollar service fee, by card only at self-service machines or through the Visa on Arrival portal. Some nationalities and some arrivals, such as British passport holders flying into Sharm El-Sheikh for short resort stays, have different rules, so check your own situation before you book.
Official websiteFrom the airport
Aswan Airport has flights from Cairo; trains run from Cairo and Luxor, and Nile cruises sail between Luxor and Aswan in 3 to 4 nights.
Getting around
Motorboats and feluccas cross the river; taxis and tours reach the dams, Philae and Abu Simbel.
Local tips
- Winter is ideal; summer highs pass 40°C.
- Book Abu Simbel early: tours leave around 4 am to beat the heat.
- Agree boat prices before setting off, per boat, not per person.
- A Nile cruise from Luxor is an easy way to see the temples between the two cities.
Areas worth knowing
- Aswan town and the Nile
- Dams and Abu Simbel
- Islands and Nubian villages
The UK Foreign Office last updated its advice for this country on August 4, 2026. The advice includes warnings against travel to some areas. Read it before booking.
Read the advice on GOV.UKMore cities in Egypt
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Sources: Egypt e-Visa portal (official) · Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities: tickets · Experience Egypt (official)