Getting to Philae from Aswan
The trip has three legs that are easy to mix up: the journey to Aswan, the road transfer to the landing and the boat to the island. Aswan Airport (ASW) is the nearest airport to Philae. The landing at Marina Philae, also called Shellal, lies about 8 to 12 km south of the center of Aswan, roughly 15 to 20 minutes by car. The boat then takes 10 to 15 minutes each way.
There is no road to the temple itself. If you would rather have the legs arranged, Aswan tours to Philae include the transfer and the crossing in one booking, so check what the offer lists.
Our pick: hotel pickup in Aswan
This half-day Philae tour collects you from your Aswan hotel and brings you back, so you do not arrange the road to the boat landing yourself.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Transfers and tours to Philae
Tours that include the transfer to the landing and the boat crossing, with live prices and availability.
Taxi and transfer from Aswan Airport (ASW)
Airport, landing and boat are separate legs.
From the airport to the landing
Take a taxi or a pre-booked transfer straight to Marina Philae (Shellal). Agree the fare before you set off, and say that you want the landing, not the temple itself.
The boat
The boat is priced per boat and paid on the spot. It covers the crossing there and back with the wait. Agree the price before you board.
Your ticket
Buy the temple ticket online or at the counter. It costs EGP 550 for foreign adults in 2026. See the tickets page.
Time of day
The temple is open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the last entry is at 3 p.m. A morning arrival leaves you the whole day.
The airport looks close to Philae on a map, but a straight line is not the driving route. Treat the airport, the landing and the island as three separate steps with their own cost.
Cairo to Aswan train
The overnight sleeper is the classic way south.
Sleeper train 86 runs daily. It leaves Cairo Upper Egypt (Bashtil) at 7:45 p.m. and Giza at 8:15 p.m., reaches Luxor at 6:10 a.m. and Aswan at 9:25 a.m. From Bashtil that is a journey of 13 hours 40 minutes.
Typical sleeper fares are USD 110 per person in a double cabin or USD 150 for one person in the cabin on the standard class, and USD 125 or USD 170 in the Elite class, each way. Children aged 4 to 9 pay USD 70, and under 4 travel free without their own bed. Check the timetable and fares when you book, since they can change.
Luxor to Aswan
Train, cruise or road.
By train, Luxor to Aswan takes 3 hours 15 minutes on the sleeper schedule, leaving at 6:10 a.m. and arriving at 9:25 a.m. Cruises between Luxor and Aswan run in both directions and usually take 3 to 7 nights. See Luxor to Aswan by Nile cruise and how to reach Luxor.
Driving outside the larger cities and resorts at night is not recommended, because the risk of accidents is higher. Check the current road situation before you drive between Luxor and Aswan.
Entering Egypt
Visa basics for 2026.
e-Visa
The e-Visa costs USD 30 for a single entry and USD 65 for multiple entries. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from arrival, and you need a printout of the e-Visa plus your travel and accommodation details.
Visa on arrival
German citizens pay USD 30 for a single entry at the official bank counters. At Cairo a QR procedure applies for the visa, with USD 30 plus USD 6, paid by card at terminals. The bank counter alternative is USD 36 in cash. The procedure has been in place since late summer 2026.
Sinai-only stamp
A visa-free resort stamp for the Sinai does not entitle you to enter Aswan.
Travel advice
Check your own government's advice before you book. Germany's partial travel warning for Egypt has applied since 29 September 2026, and regional tension can affect flights. The UK advice exempts Aswan and Abu Simbel from its warning about large parts of the Western Desert, which is not a safety guarantee.
The tourist police number is 126 and the ambulance number is 123. For your stay in town, see where to stay in Aswan.
Getting to Philae: frequently asked questions
How do I get from Aswan Airport to Philae?
Take a taxi or a transfer to the landing at Marina Philae (Shellal), then the boat for 10 to 15 minutes. Agree the fare and the boat price before you set off.
How far is the landing from the center of Aswan?
About 8 to 12 km to the south, roughly 15 to 20 minutes by car, depending on where you start.
Can I reach Philae by public transport?
There is no road to the temple, so you always need the boat for the last stretch. For the road leg, a taxi or a pre-arranged transfer is the usual choice.
Is there a train from Cairo to Aswan?
Yes, the overnight sleeper train 86 runs daily and reaches Aswan at 9:25 a.m. The timetable and fares change, so check them when you book.
Do I need a visa for Egypt?
Visa rules depend on your nationality. An e-Visa costs USD 30 for a single entry, and your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from arrival.
How much is the sleeper train from Cairo to Aswan?
Typical fares are USD 110 per person in a double cabin in standard class and USD 125 in Elite class, each way. Check the timetable and fares when you book.