kakijalan

We bought our own flight tickets for Abu Simbel (from Aswan). Traveling 11 Nov, Arrival at Abu Simbel 09:40am, Depart for Aswan 13:00pm

Query:
- How do we get to the temples from the airport? Is there a shuttle/taxi? What price should I expect to pay?

- How far and how long does it take to travel airport - temple?

- Are there places to rest, restaurant at the temple? If not, we'll have to bring our own "supplies"

- Where do I purchase tickets for the temples?

- Are there toilet facilities at the temples?

Appreciate your advice. Thanks

dutyfree

We flew into Abu Simbel two years ago from Aswan but had a guide meeting us there. There is an entrance that sells the tickets,drinks and snack,souvenirs,etc.with toilet facilities.From there it is a little walk to the actual temple area. If I remember correctly,there are also an area off of the temple area that you could get a cold drink and sit down.
We found that when the bus crowd left between 930am-1000am the place was virtually empty except for the airplane crowd which was very small. It was wonderful !
Try and get on the left side of the airplane going into Abu Simbel as the view is amazing from the plane! Have fun and enjoy-

Casual_Cairo

I've never done it, but I believe Egypt Air provides a bus from the airport to the temple for the cost of your airline ticket. If there is any fee to pay, it is probably a tip to the driver or his helper who keeps you all rounded up. If you can have LE10 or LE20 notes on you for that reason, it would be a good idea.

duty free answered everything else. They are there to make you as comfortable as possible, so you will have facilities. It might not be a bad idea to carry your own TP though as there is never a guarantee that it will be available. If there is a woman/man handing it out at the door, please don't use the fact that you have some as an excuse not to tip this person anyway - that is the ONLY means of income this person has and 20 cents (1 LE coin) is not too much to say thanks for having gotten up, come to the bathroom, and providing this service - if you don't mind.

sandi

There were buses waiting when we arrived Abu Simbel for the short drive to the temple site. Once there we were able to use one of the guides available, for whom we provided a very nice tip at the conclusion. This guide took us (2/paxs) and another couple; other guides did likewise. There were some larger groups though who had arranged own bus and guides.

There were facilities, and as Casual_Cairo above, have your own TP (tissue packs), but do tip the attendent. Soft drinks and other items were available, but can't recall whether we purchased anything as we had water which was sufficient.

Then when finished (stayed about 2-2.5/hrs) got on the bus back to the terminal for return flight.

sf7307

<<<There were facilities, and as Casual_Cairo above, have your own TP (tissue packs)>>>

Just as important are hand wipes. There were a few instances where TP was available but water for washing hands was not. (That said, I came home with most of my TP and hand wipes still unopened, because there usually were adequate facilities)

kakijalan

Thanks everyone! I'm leaving Friday evening and am all excited

MissGreen

One of the vendors at Abu Simble overcharged me for some postcards and souveniers... and chased me up the hill towards the bus to give me my change after I had walked away. Very nice of them and honest.

kakijalan

Happy to report that there is free shuttle bus provided by EgyptAir for passengers to get to the temples and return to airport. Make sure you check with them the times for the bus.
It is free.
Entry ticket for the temples can be purchased at the end of a souvenir bazaar, near the entrance. It is EGP95 per person.

Casual_Cairo

kakijanlan - THANK YOU FOR CONFIRMING AND CLARIFYING!!!!!