Booking Aswan Tours with a Baby: Abu Simbel & Nile Cruise Tips

Planning a tour in Aswan with a baby? Here’s how we booked Abu Simbel and a Nile Cruise, plus tips for navigating Egypt’s unique travel system.

Main Journey
Events
Tips for Traveling with a Baby
Local Travel Tips
Travel Reflections

Main Journey

When our plane landed at Aswan International Airport, the building itself already gave off a temple-like atmosphere. We were exhausted but thrilled.

We stepped into the domestic arrival terminal, only to realize our luggage never showed up on the conveyor belt. Panic. After some running around, we were told that because our bags were transferred from Nairobi, they had been sent to the international terminal instead.

We finally found them—just sitting alone in a nearly empty claim area. Phew.

Security in Egypt is no joke. Even after immigration, our bags went through another round of scanning before we officially stepped out. The tension in the air was noticeable, but we were just grateful to have everything with us.

Outside the airport, we expected a swarm of taxis, but we were too late. They had already left, thinking no passengers remained from our flight. We were stranded in the heat, watching the empty parking lot like it was a desert mirage.

Events

After 20 minutes of waiting under the blazing sun, two taxis finally crawled back. And with them came the expected Egyptian bargaining game. They both started at 200 EGP for the ride into Aswan city—way too high.

We split up, negotiated separately, and managed to bring it down to 120 EGP. Still steep, but we needed to move. The city wasn’t going to come to us.

Security was tight again. Every car heading into the city was inspected, even the trunks. We were reminded again: Egypt is beautiful but cautious.

We checked into Yaseen Hotel—a popular stop among Korean travelers. It had the local flavor with a narrow alley entrance and vivid street scenes. 120 EGP per night, no negotiations. Egyptians don’t budge easily on prices!

Booking Tours in Aswan

We had two goals for the day:

Book an Abu Simbel tour
Reserve a Nile Cruise to Luxor

In the lobby of our hotel, a wide-eyed Egyptian man greeted us in Korean. “Hi! I’m Charlie!” he said, proudly claiming to be famous among Korean tourists.

At first, it was impressive. He spoke our language fluently and made everything sound easy. But for long-term travelers like us, we knew better than to get too comfortable.

Charlie’s prices were way above local rates:

Abu Simbel short tour: 180 EGP per person (locals pay as little as 100)
Nile Cruise: $120 for a double room per night (we later found offers for $60)

The deeper issue wasn’t just the price—it was the whole system. In Aswan, there are barely any visible travel agencies. Everything is handled through hotel middlemen like Charlie, who call “real” agents and take a commission.

Even when we tried to walk around and find a better deal, it was hopeless. Travel centers were closed. The streets were quiet under the brutal sun. 40°C and no shade. The tourist scene felt like a ghost town.

Eventually, we realized: unless you’re extremely lucky or have deep connections, you have to go through these hotel brokers.

Nile Cruise Negotiations

The short tour to Abu Simbel wasn’t a problem—it was cheap enough. But the cruise was expensive, and we didn’t want to be taken advantage of.

We asked around at different hotels and slowly chipped away at the price—from $120 to $70. One hotel lobby staff even offered $60. Half the price Charlie quoted us earlier.

The cruise would leave in two days, which didn’t fit our preferred schedule. We wanted to do the Abu Simbel tour early the next morning and get on a cruise that same afternoon. So we kept searching.

Abu Simbel Tour Confusion

Just when we thought we had a plan, we learned something that blew our minds.

The Abu Simbel tour doesn’t guarantee departure unless eight people are signed up. It’s run by a single minivan service, and unless it’s full, you could be waiting days. Even worse, the long tour (which includes the High Dam, Philae Temple, and the Unfinished Obelisk) isn’t run by them at all—you need to book a private car for that.

Guess what? That same day, the 8-person van was already full. Our only option was to hire a private car.

So that’s what we did:

Private long tour: 1125 EGP
Includes Abu Simbel, High Dam, Philae Temple, and Obelisk
No entry fees included (classic Egyptian surprise)

We had no choice. We couldn’t risk wasting days waiting for more tourists. But wow… that money could’ve covered 11 short tours to Abu Simbel!

To make things worse, Charlie claimed earlier that there were 2 spots left on the minivan. When we called him out, he just smirked. We were furious.

Evening in Aswan

We walked through Aswan’s quiet evening streets, still processing the chaos of the day. We stopped by a well-known local bakery for Egyptian-style oven-baked pizza.

The cheese was surprisingly good, thanks to Egypt’s long tradition of dairy products preserved as cheese due to the climate. The pizza, however, was expensive—150 EGP for a large.

That might sound cheap, but in Egypt, where a night’s stay costs 120 EGP and a full meal is under 10, it’s actually a splurge.

As the sun dipped behind the hills, we grabbed snacks and drinks for the tour and returned to our hotel.

Tomorrow, we leave at 3:30 a.m.

Tips for Traveling with a Baby

Luggage Claims in Egypt:
If your bags are transferred internationally, go to the international terminal, even on domestic arrival. Don’t wait at the wrong belt.
Avoid the First Taxi Offer:
Drivers will test you. Wait them out or bargain hard. Go in with a ceiling price in mind—expect double what locals pay.
Prepare for No Agencies on the Street:
Everything is arranged through hotel agents. It’s frustrating but standard in Aswan.
Early Sleep for Early Tours:
Abu Simbel tours start before dawn. Prep snacks, drinks, and baby essentials the night before.
Watch Out for “Friendly Locals” Who Speak Your Language:
If it sounds too easy, it probably is. Language comfort doesn’t equal fair prices.

Local Travel Tips

Withdraw Local Currency Immediately:
You’ll need cash for everything—tours, taxis, snacks. No cards accepted in most places.
Yaseen Hotel is Central:
Basic but walkable to key areas. Just don’t expect luxury.
Cruise Prices Can Be Negotiated:
Never accept the first offer. $60 per night is reasonable for a decent cruise.
Tour System is Unreliable:
Group tours need a minimum number of people. Private cars are the backup plan—but expensive.
Entry Fees Are Always Extra:
No tour includes them. Budget accordingly.

Travel Reflections

Aswan hit us like a whirlwind. From the moment we arrived, it felt like every step required strategy, bargaining, and resilience. It reminded me so much of India—the chaotic charm, the intense sun, the constant game of negotiation.

But even through all that, there were moments of quiet beauty. Watching Sweetie nap after a stressful day, seeing her curiosity in the hotel lobby, or walking through streets that looked like scenes from a thousand-year-old painting.

Egypt demands a lot from you—but maybe it gives something back in its own way.

Tomorrow we finally visit Abu Simbel. Let’s hope it’s worth the journey.