Felucca rides in Aswan at a glance
A felucca is a traditional wooden sailboat. In Aswan the boats leave from the Nile waterfront and drift between Elephantine Island, the west bank and the small islands upriver. The wind decides the speed and sometimes the route. On a calm day the boat may move slowly, and that is part of the ride.
No official fare for felucca rides is published, so there is no fixed harbor tariff to quote. The prices on this page are examples from one local operator, listed for 2026. They show what one private offer costs. They are not a market rate and not a recommendation of that operator.
Felucca prices compared
One operator's private offers for the whole boat, 2026. The price is per group, not per person.
| Ride | 1 to 4 guests | 5 to 8 guests |
|---|---|---|
| Sunset ride, 2 hours | $35 | $40 |
| Short ride, 3 hours | $42 | $45 |
| Long ride, 6 hours | $84 | $90 |
The transfer to the pier is not included in these examples. If there is too little wind, the operator lists a motor boat for an extra $15. Ask on the dock what is included, how long you sail and who pays for the motor before you agree. A street offer can differ a lot from these figures.
Our picks: felucca rides
A ride to Elephantine and the Botanical Garden, or a sunset sail with tea.
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.
Felucca sunset sail with tea and cakes
A local captain, tea, cakes, drinking water and safety equipment are included. Transfers are not, so you make your own way to the meeting point on the Corniche.
Check availability →
Felucca ride to Elephantine and the Botanical Garden
Two hours with hotel transfer, a private guide, about an hour under sail and water. Entry to the Botanical Garden is not included.
Check availability →Boat trips and tours around Aswan
Felucca and river trips with live prices and availability.
Felucca routes around Aswan
The routes are loose. Time and wind decide how far you get. A short sunset ride will not reach every stop below, so pick one or two and ask the captain what fits your hours.
- Elephantine Island. A sail along the island shows its villages and ruins from the water. See the page on Elephantine Island for the sights on land.
- The west bank and the tombs of the nobles. The hill of rock tombs sits above the river. The boat can pass below it, and one operator lists it as a possible stop.
- Kitchener Island. This island is the botanical garden. Ask about current entry and boat fees and opening hours when you book.
- St. Simeon Monastery. The operator lists a possible stop at the desert monastery west of Aswan on a longer day.
- Sehel. A trip toward the island of Sehel is also on the list. Sehel is an island village and not the same place as Gharb Soheil. See Gharb Soheil for that village.
Sunset sailing
The classic short ride is the 2-hour sunset sail.
Timing
Ask the captain when to leave so that you are on the water as the light drops. Sunset time changes through the year.
What you see
Sails against the rock of the river banks, the low outline of Elephantine, and the west bank lit by the last light.
Heat
Long-term averages show daily highs of about 41 degrees Celsius from June to August. In those months an evening or early-morning ride is more comfortable than midday. Bring water, a hat and sun protection.
Before you board
These points are worth settling on the dock.
Agree the price and the route
Fix the price for the whole boat, the length of the ride and the stops in advance. Confirm whether the pier transfer is included and what happens if the wind drops.
Landing stops
A landing on an island is not guaranteed on every route. The Saluga and Ghazal islands near Aswan form a protected area set up in 1986 for plants and birds. A felucca captain may not be allowed to land everywhere, so follow his advice and keep to the paths.
Swimming
Germany's foreign office advises against swimming in fresh water in Egypt because of the disease schistosomiasis. This is a health recommendation, not a local ban. Jumping in from a felucca is better avoided.
Life jackets and safety
Ask whether life jackets are on board before you leave, especially with children.
Plan the rest of your trip
Where the felucca fits.
Longer Nile cruises between Aswan and Luxor are covered by the sister guide: see Nile cruises on Visit Luxor. A felucca ride is a short river trip, not a cruise.
Felucca rides in Aswan: frequently asked questions
How much does a felucca ride in Aswan cost?
There is no official fare. One local operator lists a private 2-hour sunset ride for $35 for 1 to 4 guests and $40 for 5 to 8 guests, a 3-hour ride for $42 and $45, and a 6-hour ride for $84 and $90 in 2026. Prices on the dock can differ.
Is the price per person?
In the examples above it is per group of 1 to 4 or 5 to 8 guests, not per person. Ask this question first when a price is quoted.
What happens if there is no wind?
The boat moves slowly or not at all. One operator lists a motor boat for an extra $15. A pure sailing trip cannot be promised.
Can I see Kitchener Island on a sunset ride?
It depends on time and wind. A short sunset sail may not include every stop, so ask the captain before you leave.
Is it safe to swim from the boat?
The German foreign office advises against swimming in fresh water in Egypt because of schistosomiasis. It is a health recommendation, not a local rule, and the sensible choice is to stay out of the water.