I've been in contact with two travel agencies en Egypt, one of them Lady Egypt, trying to figure out a 4-day trip to Luxor and Aswan next September. There seems to be no flights between these two places and they both have recommended either bus or train. The idea of a 3 /12 hour bus ride each way to visit a place for one hour makes no sense.

I am open to suggestions from you guys.

Bea

No flights? Since when? That's ridiculous!

To Debbie (aka Casual_Cairo) - was I hallucinating (or maybe had too many Saqarras!) - or didn't the Aswan-Cairo flight we took make a stop in Luxor?

Of course, most people cruise between the 2 cities - which, to me, is the most pleasant and enjoyable way to go!

Which city are you planning to visit for one hour?

That would be Abu Simbel.

I still don't get it. There are regular flights from Aswan (or Luxor via Aswan) to Abu Simble.

bea_001 - maybe if you gave us your full itinerary it would help.

Grcxx3

Yes, you were hallucinating and yes you had too many Saqarras.

Remember , I was buying !

oops , I am getting out of here....... I'm in big trouble. !!!

It is so unlike me to say this ,as I am always such an O

Yes cruising is the best way to go for sure.

GoodNight Grcxx3

Before I get into more trouble I am going to

Maybe they mean there are no flights as they are all booked.

If you really want to see Abu Simbal and you can't get on a flight during the time you are here, then the drive isn't THAT bad, but you have to WANT to see Abu Simbal pretty much for you, not because everyone says you need to see it.

Also, I wouldn't take Lady Egypt's word for it that there are NO flights available at all from Aswan or Luxor to Abu Simbal - what is probably happening is they are all booked up by agencies right now hoping to sell them. When you are in the country go to an Egypt Air office and see if some of those pre-booked seats haven't been relinquished and they will have some availability then. It happens.

Egyptair discontinued direct flights between Luxor and Aswan early this year. All flights from Luxor to Abu Simbel now connect through Cairo. I'm guessing that's why they're telling you to take the train from Luxor to Aswan and then a bus from Aswan to Abu Simbel. The alternative would be to fly from Aswan to ABS, but flights for those won't be open now. As Casual Cairo said, major agencies buy the seats in bulk and the unsold seats are then released 3 weeks to a month prior to any particular travel date.

The convoy to Abu Simbel is not bad at all. It's an early start (4am) but everyone pretty much goes back to sleep until they get there and does the same on the way back. Or you can take in the landscape of endless desert. It is totally worth it, IMO. Abu Simbel is one of the most impressive temples in all of Egypt.

Best,
Karul

As above, cruise the Nile.

You can fly from Cairo, via Aswan to Abu Simbel(though if all paxs going to ABS) it might not stop at Aswan; enjoy ABS for a few hours; then flight back to Aswan, board cruise boat to Luxor (3/nt... 1st at Aswan, 2nd at Edfu; 3rd your in Luxor). Lots of temples to see during the cruise... would be a shame to miss them which you would if on a bus or train.

When you cruise from Answan to Luxor, what temple do you get to see beside Kom Ombo and Edfu? You can also visit those two temples if you take a private car hire ride back to Luxor. And if you time your visit correctly, you can completely miss the cruise boat crowd when you arrive at those temples.

Axel2DP, agreed.

If you do it by car you should be able to see Esna too.

We actually did Esna on the cruise.

I saw Esna Kom Ombo and Edfu on the cruise also

Sorry for the delay in replying. Have been busy with grandma duties. Thanks all so very much for your replies. They have been very enlightening, but we have two problems. We are very short of time and very short of money. Going to Luxor and Abu Simbel, by bus or train, has been quoted by Lady Egupt, for 1000 euros per person. The price includes air fares, 1 night in Luxor, 1 night in Aswan and a spanish speaking guide. The quoted hotels are 3 - 4*. I find this price extremely expensive, since I've checked the flight Cairo-Luxor and its only US$217.

I just wonder which are the agencies that book the flights to Abu Simbel and get in touch with them.

Bea

If you get yourself to Aswan, there will be loads of agencies in Aswan (including your hotel probably) that want to sell you the excursion to Abu Simbal. Some will be more expensive than others. Some will be nicer transportation than others, but you can shop around there if you want. And ask for a discount if you want to try that.

Are you absolutely certain this was 1000 euros PER PERSON (which I agree would be absurdly high) and not 1000 euros total supplemental cost (which would make a lot more sense -- $217 pp for the air and 2 nights hotel, plus guide)? When we went (with LadyEgypt 2 summers ago), the additional cost for six people to go to Abu Simbel for the day would have been $200 each if we flew, or $80 each if we drove, (including the guide).