Traveling independently in Egypt: safety, guidance, transport

Hello,

I backpacked in Egypt back in 1998 (as I have in all my other destinations). We’re planning to go again in early 2026. The country has surely changed, and I have a few questions for those who’ve been there recently: - Is it possible to travel completely independently from Cairo to Abu Simbel (Aswan), both legally and safely? - If some stretches are better with guidance or a guide, could you let me know where, please? - In 1998, the only way to get to Abu Simbel from Aswan was by plane. What’s the situation now? - I read a tip about arriving the day before in Abu Simbel, staying overnight to be there at opening time and enjoy the site before the organized tours arrive. Do you have any links for hotels near Abu Simbel, please?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and advice! 🙂

Hello there, I’ll get back to you tomorrow, but in the meantime, tell me where you’d like to explore—Cairo, Luxor, Aswan? Have a great day! Thoutmosis

Hello everyone, Yes, you can still travel independently (on your own, using your own means). Keep in mind that there’s no such thing as zero risk, no matter where you go. The most expensive option for all trips is flying. For domestic flights, we always take NileAir—flawless service, very professional and friendly staff, and the planes are mostly Boeing 737s. Depending on the season, they often have the best prices; otherwise, EgyptAir or Air Cairo are good alternatives.

You can also fly from Cairo to Aswan or Cairo to Luxor and then arrange a private car for the rest of the trip, visiting sites along the Nile as you go. Alternatively, you can take the train or a local bus from Cairo to Luxor (stops every 2.5 hours or so). The same goes for Cairo to Aswan by train, though currently, it’s quite expensive—the cheapest train option is a first-class seat.

For Abu Simbel, if you arrive the day before, you might as well do the sound and light show right away. Otherwise, we always leave very early in the morning, around 4:30 AM, and when we arrive at Abu Simbel, we have about 45 minutes to an hour without the crowds from the big tour buses that arrive in convoys.

You can get there by minibus (like we do) or by private car (more expensive), or by local bus—but you’ll need to know the system and have time to buy your tickets at least 24 to 48 hours in advance.

For accommodation in Abu Simbel, check out "Karma Kono." We’ve never stayed there, but I’ve heard positive feedback. As I always say, everyone has their own tastes and preferences. There are other guesthouses, but they can cost over 100 € per night. Thoutmosis

Hello,

Yes, it's possible to travel completely independently and safely.

On average, Egypt is still much less touristy, and you might benefit from having a private driver, but it’s not even necessarily essential. I have a friend who speaks Egyptian Arabic and gets by just fine on her own.

As for needing a guide, it’s sometimes useful for historical context in places that are historically complex (Saqqara, Karnak), but never for getting around.

To get to Abu Simbel, you have: - the plane (tested) - minibuses (arranged by a hotel by slipping into a minibus used by tourists visiting Abu Simbel for the day, used) - minibuses used by Egyptians (not used) - an Egyptian bus

For accommodation, I know the Eskaleh, which is great but far from the temples, and the Touya near the temples (and a mosque).

Note that many tourists stay overnight in Abu Simbel, and it starts getting busy before the buses and planes arrive from Aswan. However, it’s often empty in the afternoon.

Best regards

Hello,

Sorry for the delayed response.

Big thanks to Thotmosis and Sennedjem 83 for your replies—they’ve really helped me refine this travel plan.

Your insightful and detailed advice is invaluable!

Best regards,