You can travel by train, cruise, or private car to Aswan. The cruise can take up to a week as you casually cover the distance along the Nile. For a much faster trip, the train is an option but subject to delays. Hiring a private driver is more reliable than the train and takes about 3.5 hours.
How long is the train from Luxor to Aswan?
The train journey from Luxor to Aswan typically takes around 3 to 4 hours, but it is often subject to delays. Egyptian Railways operates trains for this route multiple times per day and tickets start at 39 USD depending on the class of seats.
Is it better to stay in Aswan or Luxor?
Luxor has a noisy and lively atmosphere, while Aswan has more quiet areas along the Nile to retreat from the chaos of being in the city. If you'd like a quieter experience, stay in Aswan. If you need to keep busy, stay in Luxor. Or plan time to stay in both!
Is Aswan worth the trip?
Yes, Aswan is definitely worth a stop on your pan-Egyptian road trip. It is one of the last major cities as you head south along the Nile and has many archeological sites that were saved from the creation of Lake Nasser. Spend two days at Aswan to see the most popular sites.
Can I take a flight from Luxor to Aswan?
No, there are no direct flights between Luxor and Aswan. You would have to transfer in Cairo, which would take longer than traveling by ground transportation. For the fastest way to cover this distance, take a private car service.
A car trip from Luxor to Aswan covers a 125-mile (200 km) stretch of the Nile River on one of the most ancient routes in the world. Along the way, you can stop at ancient Egyptian archaeological sites like Edfu, the Temple of Kom Ombo, and UNESCO-listed Karnak, the home of the Egyptian gods.
This road trip is a great complement to your Nile River cruise, whether you have already done the river route from Aswan to Luxor, or if you plan to drive to Aswan and take a cruise back north.
When you ride with Daytrip, you'll transfer between cities in comfort, and can easily add on excursions to turn your travel day into an archaeological adventure!
About Aswan
Aswan was once a frontier town that marked the southern border of the Egyptian Empire. Today, this riverside city is home to 1.5 million people who preserve traditional handicrafts and folk art as well as an impressive collection of temples and monuments spanning EgyptтАЩs long history.
Due to its location where the Nile River meets Lake Nasseris, Aswan has become the starting or ending point of Nile River cruises that travel from cities like Cairo or Luxor. This artificial lake was created by the Aswan High Dam for hydroelectricity and to be more resilient to droughts (but not without controversy).
From Luxor to Aswan: travel tips
Your trip from Luxor to Aswan will go much more smoothly by following these two easy travel tips!
Dress the part
Egypt is one of the hottest, sunniest places on earth, so long-sleeved and loose-fitting clothing are excellent ways to combat the heat. They keep the sun off of your skin and help air circulate by your skin. Wear natural fibers and stay away from polyester and nylon. Modest clothing is also required at religious sites, so long pants and shirts keep you compliant while also staying cool on your desert trek!
### Be cautious with your camera
Egypt is strict about when and where you can take photos and videos due to the heightened security risks. While out and about, be conservative with your camera use, even at major tourist spots.
How to get from Luxor to Aswan
The Nile is the lifeline of Egypt, and most roads follow the same path. This means no matter how you get from Luxor to Aswan, they all just follow the Nile south for 125 miles (200 km)!
Luxor to Aswan by private car transfer
A private driver is great if you don't have the time or money for a river cruise but still want to visit all the ancient Egyptian sites along the Nile. With Daytrip, your driver will pick you up from your accommodation in Luxor and take you to all the temples youтАЩd like to see as you head south to Aswan. Once you arrive in Aswan, youтАЩll have help with your luggage at your new accommodation and wonтАЩt have to stress about returning a rental car at night or dealing with train delays.
### Luxor to Aswan by train
Egyptian Railways operates multiple trains per day from Luxor to Aswan. Tickets start at 39 USD and the trip is supposed to take 3 hours and 15 minutes but is often delayed. To avoid arriving in Aswan at night, pick a train earlier in the day to account for delays. Considering the risk of delays, price, and inability to stop for sightseeing, it's usually better to just hire a driver. If you're traveling in a group, a private car comes out at almost the same price!
### Luxor to Aswan by river cruise
A typical cruise from Luxor to Aswan will be about 4 days and 3 nights and will take you to important sites between these cities. This option makes sense if you're on a longer vacation that you've planned around the river cruise already. Prices vary greatly by cruise provider; some boats have very basic amenities while others have spas, restaurants, gyms, and private tours.
Things to do when you get to Aswan
There are a wealth of ancient Egyptian landmarks to be found all along the Nile, from Cairo to Luxor, and from Luxor to Aswan. When you get to Aswan, make sure you visit these two sites:
### The Philae Temple
The Philae Temple is one of the many sites that were impacted multiple times by the creation of Lake Nasser. The temple in its current state was dismantled piece-by-piece and placed on a new тАЬPhilae Island,тАЭ after the first one was submerged entirely by the dam. This relocation is a modern feat and we can thank the countless research and labor it took to preserve this temple to the goddess Isis.
To get to the Philae Temple, you need to purchase a ticket on the mainland, then take a boat about ten minutes to the island to start your tour. Try to time this for early in the morning to avoid the crowds and the strongest sun.
### The Unfinished Obelisk
The Unfinished Obelisk is exactly what it sounds like, but donтАЩt let the name fool you into thinking it will be boring. This archaeological site is located in a quarry and tells us a lot about ancient Egyptian stone-cutting and construction methods before cranes and power tools. If completed, this obelisk would have been 137 feet (42 meters) tall---the tallest in the world at that time.
When is the best time to visit Aswan
The biggest draw to both Luxor and Aswan are the temples and archeological sites. Since you'll spend most of your time outside, the best time to visit Aswan is during the winter months from October to April. Temperatures are milder and more comfortable, but you will still need sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunscreen during the day. Nights get cool though, so pack a sweater.
This is the wet season, so the water levels of the Nile are higher and youтАЩll be able to see it in its full glory. However, this is also peak season, so be prepared for larger crowds.
Part of ancient Thebes and home to the gods, this UNESCO World Heritage Site rivals the Giza pyramids.┬аAn Ancient Wonder┬а
Valley of the Kings
Among the 63 tombs in this UNESCO World Heritage Site is perhaps the most famous archaeological discovery in history: the tomb of King Tut.┬аUn-Tut-chable┬а
Valley of the Queens
Of the 75 tombs in this royal necropolis, and the countless others in the rest of Egypt, Ramses IIтАЩs favorite wife, Nefertari has perhaps the most beautiful.┬аLove Undying┬а
Temple of Khnum
One of the last ancient Egyptian temples to be built is covered with intricate carvings and hieroglyphics.┬аRemnants of the Ram God┬а
Edfu
The largest Ptolemaic temple in Egypt was filled by shifting desert sands, which kept it in pristine condition.┬аSaved by the Sands of Time┬а
Temple of Kom Ombo
A double temple dedicated to rival gods, one of the engravings here is believed to be one of the first representations of medical instruments.┬аSurgical Symmetry┬а
тАЬI travelled from Aswan to Luxor to board a Dahabiya cruise on the Nile. My driver was Ali and he was excellent. Although I had the option to stop at places along the way, I chose to go straight through to Luxor. Ali was early to my accommodation and waited until I was ready to leave after visiting a market. It was a wonderful stress free trip which was just what I wanted. I would use this option again in the future and in other countries I visit.тАЭ
тАЬWe took a Daytrip from Luxor to Aswan and it was a great experience. Mohamed was
an excellent driver. He was very patient and accommodating and we never felt unsafe The car was new and very clean. We would easily recommend Daytrip to our friends and will use the services againтАЭ
тАЬWe had an excellent experience with our trip with Khaled from Luxor.┬а His car was immaculate and extremely comfortable. He truly cared that we were taken care of, offering water, stops when needed, tissues, and more.┬а He is a licenced guide in the area so he gave us lots of info along the way about the area.┬а
When we got to our hotel there was a mix up with our reservation and he jumped on the phone and determined they had moved us to a different location.┬а He then took us to the new location and would not leave town until we texted him to say all was well.
Truly first class service!тАЭ
