3-Day Aswan , Nubian Village ,Abu Simbel , Luxor & Train ticket

Three days, five ancient stops, no fuss. This Aswan to Abu Simbel to Luxor route is built for people who want the big sights without constantly rebooking transport. You get door-to-door transfers in air-conditioned vehicles, plus motorboat access to Philae, so the trip feels managed from the first pickup.

What I really like is the mix of guided context and smart logistics. You’ll travel with an Egyptology guide, and the history actually gets explained in a way that helps names and monuments click. I also like that planning support can be personal, one past customer specifically praised an agent named Peter for being responsive.

One thing to consider up front: entrance fees are not included, so you’ll pay for sites as you go (credit card is accepted at the sightseeing). With a packed schedule and early starts, you’ll also want to stay flexible on timing.

Key highlights to know before you go

• First-class train Aswan to Luxor keeps the long travel day comfortable and simple
• Philae by motorboat saves time and adds that Nile-feel right at the start
• Nubian Village by felucca gives you a traditional boat approach, not just a bus stop
• Early-morning Abu Simbel (8 hours) is timed to fit the day and minimize hassle
• Karnak plus Valley of the Kings covers both the big power center and royal burial ground
• Group size capped at 15 keeps the experience from turning into a crowd stampede

Why this Aswan to Abu Simbel to Luxor route makes sense

This trip strings together southern Egypt’s most famous landmarks in a way that cuts down on day-to-day decision making. Aswan gives you the Nile and Philae, Abu Simbel hits you with a major temple complex far to the southwest, and Luxor rounds it out with West Bank tombs and East Bank temples.

The real win is the in-between transportation. You’re not bouncing between companies or trying to locate timetables after a long day. Instead, the plan uses pre-arranged transfers in modern air-conditioned vehicles, plus a first-class train segment that turns a big geography jump into something manageable.

It is still a “highlights” style itinerary. If you want slow travel with lots of free time, this may feel busy. If you want to check the top sites off with guidance, this format is built for you.

Price and what you actually get for $177

At $177 per person for about three days, the value comes from how much is handled for you. Your included items cover:

• Guided sightseeing days, not just a driver who drops you off
• Philae Temple and Nubian Village with guided touring and Nile-style boat time
• A sharing group tour to Abu Simbel, which is the biggest and most time-sensitive leg
• Luxor West and East Bank guided touring, including Karnak and Luxor Temple
• A/C pickups and transfers in Aswan, Abu Simbel, and Luxor
• First-class seated train ticket from Aswan to Luxor
• Motorboat to Philae, plus a felucca trip connected to Nubian Village
• Taxes and charges

What is not included is important: entrance fees to the sightseeing. You’ll pay them separately at the sites, and the info says you can use a credit card. Also, tipping is not obligatory, though you should still decide what feels fair based on service.

So the money is mostly for the structure: transport coordination, guided time, and the train comfort. If you were to arrange a train ticket, hire guides, and piece together transfers on your own, costs and headaches can climb quickly. This is the “pay a bit, get a lot managed” kind of deal.

Day 1: Philae Temple by motorboat, then Nubian Village

Day 1 is designed to ease you in, first with a classic Nile approach and then with a cultural change of pace.

Stop 1: Philae Temple by motorboat (1.5 hours, entrance extra)

You start with pickup from your hotel, train station, or airport. Then you head to Philae Temple using a motorboat, which matters more than it sounds. It gets you right to the water-bound part of the experience and sets a more romantic, Nile-focused tone than a straight van ride.

This is one of those monuments where context helps. With an Egyptology guide, you’ll get the background behind the temple complex, not just a list of names. Plan for a bit of walking and sun exposure, even if the guide helps keep the pace moving.

Drawback to watch: your entrance ticket isn’t included, so you’re adding a small extra step on the day. Still, it is a predictable cost and the group format keeps it simple.

Stop 2: Nubian Village (1.5 hours, entrance extra)

After Philae, you continue to Nubian Village. The plan includes a felucca trip, which is a great detail because it feels like the Nile rather than just transport. Felucca adds a slower rhythm, and it also helps you switch gears from temples to people, homes, and daily life.

Your day ends with a comfortable transfer back to your Aswan hotel. That return matters. Nubian Village can be a long way from where you’re staying, so being brought back rather than having to hunt for rides keeps you from turning day one into a logistics project.

Day 2: Abu Simbel early start and a Luxor transfer

Day 2 is the big one. Abu Simbel takes a full stretch, and then you shift to Luxor that same day.

Abu Simbel Temple Complex (8 hours, entrance extra)

You start early in the morning with a sharing group tour. Abu Simbel is famous for a reason, but the practical reason to do it early is simple: it helps you fit everything in without losing your day.

You’ll be back in Aswan by afternoon. That means you’ll likely experience it as a focused “temples and travel” day, not a slow tour with time to linger. The guide’s role is especially valuable here because Abu Simbel is a complex site. Without guidance, it’s easy to admire it from afar and miss what makes it special.

Important consideration: the entrance fees are not included. The info says entrance fees should be paid by credit card at the sightseeing, so bring your passport and make sure your credit card works for that kind of transaction.

Transfer to Luxor by first-class train (then pickup)

Next, you get a transfer to the Aswan train station, take the first-class train to Luxor, and then get picked up on arrival. Your Luxor hotel pickup is included, and the total transfer time listed is about 3 hours.

This is a smart way to handle the distance. If you were to drive or fly, you’d still spend time coordinating and checking schedules. The train segment gives you a clear, included move to the next base.

Luxor day tour: Valley of the Kings, Deir el Bahari, Karnak, and more

On day 3, Luxor hits you with a full East and West Bank day. It’s a classic best-of day, but it’s also long enough that planning how you pace yourself matters.

Valley of the Kings (2 hours, entrance extra)

You start with pickup from your Luxor hotel. The tour begins at the Valley of the Kings, where the mood shifts quickly from open temple areas to tomb entrances and stairways.

Two hours can sound generous, but tombs are not like walking through a museum corridor. You’ll want to listen for key story points from the guide as you move between areas. If you go in expecting only photos, you’ll likely miss the bigger picture of why this place was so important.

Entrance fees are extra, so you’ll pay when you arrive.

Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el Bahari (1.5 hours, entrance extra)

Next is the Temple of Hatshepsut. This site is a favorite for many visitors because it combines dramatic architecture with a strong historical figure. With a guide, you’re not just seeing terraces. You’ll understand the political message and religious context behind the design.

Again, plan for sun and walking. Deir el Bahari is visually striking, but it’s still outdoors.

Colossi of Memnon (30 minutes, listed as free)

You get a shorter stop at the Colossi of Memnon. The listed admission is free, and that’s nice because it gives you a breather between the longer temple segments.

This stop is often quick, but it’s worth staying focused. If you’re tired, it is easy to treat it like a photo stop and move on. Use it as a reset point before Karnak.

Karnak Temple (2 hours, entrance extra)

Karnak is where Luxor’s scale really shows. You’ll continue to the East Bank for the Great Karnak Temple.

Two hours is usually enough to hit major highlights with a guide, but not enough to slow-walk every corner. The guide’s job here is to help you prioritize what matters: the roles of different sections and how the temple complex evolved.

Entrance fees are extra, so you’ll pay at the site.

Luxor Temple (1.5 hours, entrance extra)

Your day ends with Luxor Temple, then you transfer back to your hotel or train station in Luxor.

Luxor Temple tends to feel like a good finale because it wraps up the day’s theme of power, ritual, and monumental architecture in a way that feels coherent after Karnak. If you’re starting to feel “templed out,” this stop is a good place to slow down and just absorb the scale and layout.

The Egyptologist guide impact (and why it changes everything)

In Egypt, it is easy to treat temples like photo backdrops. This tour format works better because it includes an expert Egyptology guide, and the itinerary is built around places where context actually matters.

Here’s how guidance helps you in a practical way:

• It turns repeated names and dynasties into something you can recall later.
• It gives you a reason for every major structure, not just what it looks like.
• It helps you move faster through the “what am I looking at?” moments, especially at Abu Simbel and the West Bank.

Also, the tour caps the group at a maximum of 15 travelers. That matters more than it sounds. Smaller groups usually mean fewer waiting problems and quicker responses when timing gets tight.

Boat time and comfort details you will feel on your trip

A lot of the value is in the small transportation choices.

• Motorboat to Philae means you reach the temple area from the water side, which feels like part of the experience.
• Felucca to Nubian Village adds a slower, more traditional feel, and it changes the rhythm of your day.
• AC modern vehicles keep travel legs comfortable in hot weather.
• First-class train seats take the sting out of the Aswan to Luxor move.

Comfort matters when you’re stacking five major sightseeing blocks across two different cities. When the transport is reliable, you can actually enjoy the sights instead of watching the clock.

Practical tips so you do not lose time (or energy)

A few things from the tour info can make your days smoother:

• Bring your passport. Pickup coordination and entrance steps often depend on it.
• Pack sunglasses. You will be outdoors enough that it counts as essential kit.
• Expect entrance fees to be separate. The info says you pay at the sightseeing, and credit card is accepted.
• Plan for a full schedule. Day 2 includes an 8-hour Abu Simbel block plus train travel to Luxor.
• Tipping is listed as not obligatory. Still, if your guide makes the experience clearer and easier, you can decide what feels right.

One more tip: since Abu Simbel starts early, your success on that day will depend on sleep and hydration the night before. Treat that evening like a “get ready to wake up early” mission, not a late-night sightseeing spree.

Who this tour is best for

This is a good match if you want:

• Major sites in a tight time window
• Guided explanations without doing all the logistics yourself
• Comfortable transfers, including first-class train and A/C vehicles
• A structured itinerary that covers both West Bank and East Bank Luxor

It may be less ideal if you want lots of free time, slow pacing, or the freedom to choose exactly which tombs or temples to linger in. This is designed to move you through the classics.

Should you book this 3-day Aswan, Abu Simbel, Luxor package?

I’d recommend booking if you value organization and guided context. The included transport, motorboat and felucca experiences, plus the first-class train segment make the trip feel efficient. At $177 per person, the pricing is strongest if you would otherwise have to assemble a mix of tickets, guides, and transfers on your own.

I would think twice if you hate “extra pay later” moments, because entrance fees are not included and you will pay during the tour. Also, if early mornings are a dealbreaker for you, the Abu Simbel day may be the hardest part.

If you like structured highlights with solid guidance and comfortable logistics, this itinerary is a strong choice for southern Egypt. With a max group size of 15 and an Egyptology guide at the center, it’s built for seeing a lot without turning the trip into a stress test.