Luxor and Aswan in 6 Days on a Budget
Luxor and Aswan in 6 days: room for Abu Simbel
Six days keeps the overland spine from the 4 day plan, the balloon, Dendera and Abydos, Edfu and Kom Ombo, Aswan, and adds one extra Aswan day, enough to fit Abu Simbel as an add-on without turning the whole trip into a rush.
Book these before you go
- The hot air balloon : book ahead, sells out fastest in winter.
- A Dendera and Abydos day tour or private driver.
- A Nile cruise cabin if you would rather swap days 3 and 4 for a 3 night cruise instead; cabins sell out weeks ahead in peak season.
Day 1: hot air balloon and East Bank settle-in
Pre-dawn pickup, a motorboat crossing to the West Bank airfield, then 45 to 60 minutes over the Valley of the Kings for $40 to $100. The 2013 crash that killed 19 people here deserves an honest mention; a dedicated airfield, flight caps and extra pilot training followed, and flights are grounded outright in wind. Back by 9am for a light look at the East Bank; the Luxor budget guide has the deeper Karnak and Luxor Temple detail.
Day 2: Dendera and Abydos, the long day
A 9 to 10 hour round trip, mostly driving. Abydos sits two and a half to three hours each way via the Qena road; Dendera, about an hour out, is usually saved for the way back. Dendera’s entrance runs roughly EGP 300 adult plus small EGP 100 add-ons; Abydos carries its own ticket in a similar range, worth confirming at the gate or on egymonuments.com . A private car and driver for the day costs EGP 1,500 to 2,500 (about $30 to $50), split between riders.
Day 3: Edfu and Kom Ombo, overland
Official 2026 entrance fees are EGP 550 adult ($11) for Edfu’s Temple of Horus and EGP 450 adult ($9) for Kom Ombo’s double temple to Sobek and Horus; trust these current Ministry of Tourism figures over lower stale numbers still floating around older posts. The round trip runs 9 to 10 hours, mostly driving, similar in cost and length to the Dendera and Abydos day.
Day 4: Aswan, arrive and see Philae
Three to four hours from Luxor by train over roughly 215 to 230 km, EGP 55 to 500 depending on class (about $1 to $10, skip the $17 to $35 resale sites, check seat61.com for timetables). Philae Temple, a short motorboat ride to Agilkia Island, fills the afternoon after arrival.
Day 5: Abu Simbel, or a slower Aswan day
Abu Simbel sits roughly 280 km south of Aswan, too far to combine with Luxor directly but a realistic add-on once already in Aswan; day tours run early to see Ramesses II’s temples before the midday heat and the tour-bus crowds. It is the one genuine splurge day in this itinerary. If Abu Simbel does not appeal, use the day for the Aswan High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk and a Nubian village visit instead, all closer and cheaper.
Day 6: back to Luxor
An afternoon train back to Luxor, three to four hours, closes the loop before an onward flight or next stop.
| Day | Focus | Distance/time from Luxor | Approx cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hot air balloon + East Bank light | West Bank airfield, 15-20 min transfer | $40-100 balloon |
| 2 | Dendera + Abydos | Dendera ~1h, Abydos ~2.5-3h each way | EGP 1,500-2,500 car (~$30-50) + EGP 400-600 tickets |
| 3 | Edfu + Kom Ombo | ~9-10h round trip overland | EGP 1,500-2,500 car + EGP 1,000 tickets |
| 4 | Aswan arrival, Philae | 215-230 km, 3-4h by train | EGP 55-500 train (~$1-10) + EGP 300-400 Philae |
| 5 | Abu Simbel, or High Dam + Nubian village | ~280 km from Aswan, full day tour | Abu Simbel tour extra cost, or free High Dam view + small Nubian village fee |
| 6 | Return to Luxor | 3-4h by train | included in earlier train fare if round trip |
Is Abu Simbel worth the extra day?
Only if Ramesses II’s temples are a genuine priority. It is a long add-on day even from Aswan, and skipping it in favor of the High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk and a slower pace costs nothing extra and still fills day 5 well.
Would a Nile cruise fit better than the overland days here?
It can replace days 3 and 4 outright: board in Luxor after Dendera and Abydos, let the cruise handle Edfu, Kom Ombo and the Esna Lock, and arrive in Aswan without driving. It costs more, from $350 for the budget tier, but removes two days of logistics.
If Abu Simbel is the goal, book that specific day tour from Aswan before leaving Luxor; the early departure slots fill first.