Skip to main content
Aswan

Aswan travel guide

City in Egypt

Flights from$1,329 round trip
Best time to visitDecember to February
Nearest airportASW · 10 mi from centre
Time zoneUTC+2
Population401,890

About Aswan

Aswan is a city in Upper Egypt and the capital of the Aswan Governorate. The city of Aswan is among the oldest continuously inhabited cities, with its recorded history spanning over 2,600 years.

Cheap flights to Aswan

The lowest round-trip fare found by Destina Holidays travellers in the last 30 days was $1,329 from New York, travelling 26 Nov – 3 Dec. These are the cheapest fares from the most searched cities.

Airlines travellers compared most often: EgyptAir.

Prices are per adult in US dollars, taken from searches between 12 Oct and 11 Nov 2026. Fares change often, so search your dates for live prices.

Search flights to Aswan

Places to visit in Aswan

  1. Philae

    Philae

    Religious · 5 mi from centre

    A temple complex dedicated to Isis, moved stone by stone to Agilkia Island. Reach it by a short motorboat ride, and return in the evening for the sound and light show.

  2. Aswan High Dam

    Aswan High Dam

    Landmark · 8 mi from centre

    The vast dam that created Lake Nasser and controls the Nile's flooding. The visit is brief, so most travelers combine it with Philae and the Unfinished Obelisk on one tour.

  3. Unfinished Obelisk

    Unfinished Obelisk

    Historic

    A massive obelisk left in the granite quarry after it cracked during carving. It shows how ancient builders worked stone, and the site is small enough for a quick stop.

  4. Elephantine

    Elephantine

    Historic

    An island in the Nile with ruins of the ancient town, a Nilometer and colorful Nubian villages. Ride a felucca or the public ferry across, and explore the Aswan Museum on the island.

  5. Monastery of St. Simeon

    Religious

    The ruins of a large Coptic monastery on the west bank of the Nile. Ride a camel or walk up from the riverbank, and bring water since there is little shade.

  6. Nubian Museum

    Nubian Museum

    Museum

    A well-organized museum on Nubian history and culture, including statues and objects rescued from sites flooded by Lake Nasser. Allow about two hours, and stroll the landscaped garden outside with its reconstructed Nubian house.

  7. Aswan Botanical Garden

    Aswan Botanical Garden

    Park

    A garden on Kitchener's Island filled with tropical trees and plants from around the world. Arrange a felucca ride to reach it, and visit in the late afternoon for cooler temperatures.

Top experiences in Aswan

Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 15 available.

See all things to do in Aswan

Where to stay in Aswan

Popular hotels in Aswan, out of 38 properties you can book.

See all hotels in Aswan

Best time to visit Aswan

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Aswan is December to February, when average daytime highs are around 76°F and rain falls on about 0 days a month.

MonthTemperature (°F)Rain days
Jan 52° – 76° 0
Feb 52° – 76° 0
Mar 60° – 88° 1
Apr 69° – 96° 0
May 75° – 101° 0
Jun 80° – 107° 0
Jul 83° – 108° 0
Aug 85° – 108° 1
Sep 78° – 102° 0
Oct 70° – 96° 0
Nov 62° – 86° 0
Dec 53° – 76° 0

Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.

Aswan weather forecast

  • Wed 11 Nov 80° 57° 0%
  • Thu 12 Nov 83° 57° 0%
  • Fri 13 Nov 86° 61° 0%
  • Sat 14 Nov 88° 64° 0%
  • Sun 15 Nov 88° 64° 0%
  • Mon 16 Nov 88° 62° 0%
  • Tue 17 Nov 89° 61° 0%

Know before you go

Currency
Egyptian pound (EGP)1 US dollar ≈ £53.3
Language
Arabic
Calling code
+20
Driving
On the right
Time zone
Africa/CairoUTC+2
Capital
Cairo

Upcoming public holidays in Egypt

  • Christmas Day (Orthodox)عيد الميلاد المجيد
  • Revolution Day 2011 / National Police Dayعيد الثورة 25 يناير
  • Sinai Liberation Dayعيد تحرير سيناء
  • Labour Dayعيد العمال
  • Easter MondaySham El-Nessim
  • Islamic New Year

Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.

Getting to Aswan

These are the airports closest to central Aswan. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.

  • ASW Aswan International Airport10 mi (16 km) from the city centre
Search flights to Aswan

Getting around Aswan

For the sights on the river islands or on the West Bank, you must cross the river by motor boat or felluca. Be sure to pay attention to the price as operators try to overcharge tourists. The public ferry to Elephantine Island is LE5 for foreigners (LE1 for Egyptians, Nov 2018). The ferry to the West Bank is also LE5 for foreigners and LE1 for locals. Felluca trips will cost LE50-80 depending on your haggling (Nov 2018).

Aswan travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Aswan?

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Aswan is December to February, when average daytime highs are around 76°F and rain falls on about 0 days a month.

What is the weather like in Aswan?

July is usually the warmest month in Aswan, with average highs of 108°F (42°C). December is the coolest, with average lows of 53°F (12°C). The wettest month is typically March, with about 6 mm of rain.

Which airport is closest to Aswan?

Aswan International Airport (ASW) is the closest airport, about 10 miles (16 km) from the centre of Aswan.

How much are flights to Aswan?

The cheapest round-trip fare Destina Holidays travellers found to Aswan in the last 30 days was $1,329 from New York, travelling 26 Nov – 3 Dec.

What currency is used in Aswan?

Aswan uses the Egyptian pound (EGP). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ £53.3.

What time zone is Aswan in?

Aswan uses the Africa/Cairo time zone (currently UTC+2). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.

How do I get around Aswan?

For the sights on the river islands or on the West Bank, you must cross the river by motor boat or felluca. Be sure to pay attention to the price as operators try to overcharge tourists. The public ferry to Elephantine Island is LE5 for foreigners (LE1 for Egyptians, Nov 2018).

What are the best places to visit in Aswan?

Top sights in Aswan include Philae, Aswan High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk and Elephantine. A temple complex dedicated to Isis, moved stone by stone to Agilkia Island. Reach it by a short motorboat ride, and return in the evening for the sound and light show.

What are the top things to do in Aswan?

Popular experiences you can book in Aswan include Private Full Day Abu Simple by Bus, Full Day Aswan Private Tour and Private Nubian Village Tour by Motor Boat. Destina Holidays offers 15 tours and activities here.

Where should I stay in Aswan?

Popular areas for hotels in Aswan include Aswan. Well-reviewed options include Pyramisa Island Hotel Aswan and Old Cataract Aswan.

How many hotels can I book in Aswan?

Destina Holidays currently lists 38 properties in and around Aswan, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.