How much do hotels in Aswan cost?

Nubian guesthouses and budget properties run EGP 400-1,500 per night. Mid-range Corniche hotels cost EGP 2,000-7,000. The Old Cataract (Sofitel Legend) starts at EGP 15,000-30,000 per night for a Nile-facing room. The Movenpick on Elephantine Island runs EGP 7,000-15,000.

Is the Old Cataract Hotel worth the price?

For a special occasion or historical interest, yes. The building and setting are genuinely remarkable -- a granite promontory above the Nile with views to Elephantine Island. Agatha Christie wrote much of Death on the Nile during her stays. The afternoon tea on the terrace can be booked without staying, which many visitors prefer.

How far is Aswan Airport from city hotels?

Aswan International Airport (ASW) is 25km southwest of the city centre. Taxi cost is approximately EGP 120-250. The journey takes 25-35 minutes. Uber is available. Most Corniche hotels offer airport transfer packages for EGP 200-450.

Are Nubian guesthouses good quality?

The better-reviewed options on Booking.com are genuinely good -- clean rooms, Nile or rooftop views, and hosts who can arrange feluccas, village visits, and Abu Simbel transport at fair rates. Prices of EGP 400-900 per night including breakfast are among the best value in Egypt. Capacity is limited; book ahead during October to March.

Should I stay on Elephantine Island?

The Movenpick on Elephantine Island gives genuine quiet and separation from the city -- but the hotel ferry adds a step to every Abu Simbel early departure and every restaurant visit. Worth it if the island calm matters to you, less so if you have early-morning plans.

Aswan Hotels | The Egypt Guides

Aswan rewards slow exploration - every top hotel sits within easy walking distance of the East Bank Corniche, facing west across the Nile toward Elephantine Island and the desert cliffs beyond. Even mid-range hotels here benefit from the setting — the combination of Nile views, felucca sails, and the Nubian colour palette makes Aswan one of Egypt’s most appealing overnight stops.

This page covers named hotels with EGP pricing.

Getting from Aswan Airport to Your Hotel

Aswan International Airport (ASW) is 25km southwest of the city.

Taxi: EGP 120-250 for most Corniche hotels. Negotiate a fixed fare before departure. 25-35 minutes.

Uber/Careem: Available in Aswan. Typically EGP 100-200, cashless, with driver tracking.

Hotel transfer: Most mid-range and luxury properties offer airport collection. Budget EGP 200-450 for a private vehicle. Worth arranging for the convenience, particularly for early-morning arrivals.

Budget Hotels in Aswan (EGP 400-2,000 per night)

Nubian Guesthouses (north Corniche and Nubian villages) — family-run guesthouses in the Nubian neighbourhood north of Aswan offer some of the best value in Egypt. Typical rates: EGP 400-900 per night including breakfast. Rooms are often colourfully decorated with views over the Nile. Hosts can arrange felucca hire directly. Check Booking.com for recent reviews — quality varies but the top-rated options are consistently excellent.

Philae Hotel (Corniche area) — a long-established budget property with a rooftop terrace and Nile views that have made it a favourite among independent travellers for years. EGP 500-1,000 per night. A reliable, no-frills choice in a good central position.

Hathor Hotel (central Corniche) — a budget-to-mid option with Nile-view rooms and a functional setup. EGP 600-1,200. Convenient for the ferry dock and the central Corniche walk.

Sara Hotel (central) — a clean, modern budget option with air conditioning and private bathrooms throughout. EGP 500-1,000. Less character than the Nubian guesthouses but more consistent room quality.

Mid-Range Hotels in Aswan (EGP 2,000-8,000 per night)

Basma Hotel (southern, hillside above city) — a reliable 4-star on the hillside behind the southern Corniche with a pool and wide-angle views across the Nile and desert. EGP 2,500-5,000 per night. Good value in this bracket, particularly for the view quality.

Pyramisa Isis Island Resort (Isis Island, mid-Nile) — a resort on its own island in the Nile south of the city centre. The island setting is distinctive. EGP 2,500-5,500. Rooms face back across the water toward the city and the desert cliffs.

Noorhan Hotel (central Corniche) — a straightforward mid-range property in the right location at a competitive price. EGP 1,800-3,500. Good for a practical, well-placed overnight before or after an Abu Simbel trip.

Cleopatra Hotel (central Corniche) — a well-positioned 3-star hotel with Nile views from the better rooms, a rooftop restaurant, and consistent cleanliness reviews. EGP 1,500-3,000 per night.

Tolip Aswan Hotel — a newer mid-range property on the Corniche with a pool and contemporary rooms. EGP 2,500-5,000. Strong for families wanting a pool at a reasonable price point.

Luxury Hotels in Aswan (EGP 8,000+ per night)

Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan (southern Corniche, granite promontory) — the most famous hotel in Aswan and one of Egypt’s most historically significant. Built in 1899 on a granite bluff overlooking the Nile, with views toward Elephantine Island and the Nubian desert. Agatha Christie wrote much of Death on the Nile during her stays. Winston Churchill and the Aga Khan appear in the guest record. The Victorian colonial architecture was carefully preserved through renovation. The terrace afternoon tea is available without staying. EGP 15,000-30,000 per night for a Nile-facing room. A genuinely extraordinary property.

Movenpick Resort Aswan (Elephantine Island) — a well-run international-chain resort on Elephantine Island, reachable via the hotel’s own ferry across the Nile. The island setting delivers real quiet and separation from city noise. EGP 7,000-15,000 per night. A strong choice for those who want luxury without the Old Cataract price.

Anantara Jewel Nile Resort — a newer luxury entrant in the Aswan market offering contemporary design on the Nile. EGP 9,000-16,000 per night.

Elephantine Island Accommodation

Beyond the Movenpick, a small number of independent guesthouses operate on Elephantine Island. These provide a quieter alternative to the Corniche at budget-to-mid prices (EGP 500-2,000 per night). The ferry dependence adds a step to every early departure, which is worth considering if you have an early Abu Simbel transfer booked.

Nile Cruise Ships

A significant number of Aswan visitors sleep on Nile cruise ships moored along the Corniche. Most Luxor-Aswan cruises (3-4 nights from either end) are all-inclusive with guided excursions included. Aswan is either the start or finish point. Budget ships from EGP 8,000-15,000 per person for the cruise. Mid-range and luxury cruise ships are priced higher.

Staying Near Abu Simbel

Most visitors to Abu Simbel stay in Aswan and make a day trip (see our Abu Simbel hotels page for the handful of on-site accommodation options). The drive from Aswan to Abu Simbel is 280km, typically covered by air (30 minutes) or by convoy road transfer (3-3.5 hours each way).

Seasonal Pricing Notes

October to March: Peak season. Temperatures are comfortable (20-30C), and demand from European and domestic travellers is high. Prices are 30-50% above low-season rates. Book the Old Cataract three to four weeks ahead for this period.

April and September: Shoulder months with lower prices and still-manageable temperatures (30-35C). Good windows for independent travellers.

June to August: Low season. Heat is intense (40-46C). Prices drop substantially. Abu Simbel is best visited at 5am before the temperature climbs. Not recommended for those without heat tolerance.

Neighbourhood Guide

Aswan is compact and the best accommodation is concentrated along the East Bank Corniche or within a short walk of it. The Corniche itself faces west across the Nile toward Elephantine Island - a setting that makes even mid-range hotels feel more generous than their price suggests.

The Corniche: The majority of hotels worth considering in Aswan sit on or near the East Bank Corniche. Accommodation away from the Corniche loses most of what makes the city appealing - the felucca culture, the Nile views, and the ease of access to the Elephantine Island ferry and the Old Cataract area are all tied to the waterfront. Stay within walking distance of it.

Elephantine Island: The Movenpick operates on Elephantine Island and reaches it by hotel ferry. A small number of independent guesthouses also operate on the island. For travellers who want quiet and separation from the city, it’s a reasonable option - though the ferry dependence adds friction for early-morning Abu Simbel departures.

Nubian Villages (north of Aswan): Family-run guesthouses in the Nubian villages north of Aswan offer genuine hospitality, rooftop views, and hosts who can arrange feluccas, village visits, and Abu Simbel transport directly. Typically $25–50/night including breakfast (EGP 400–900 as of 2026) - some of the most characterful accommodation in Egypt at this price. Capacity is limited, so book ahead during peak season.

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Hotels in Aswan: Old Cataract to Nubian Guesthouses