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Above, a Talgo train at Aswan. Buy Egyptian train tickets at 12Go.com or Bookaway.com.
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Route map
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© OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the creative commons licence. See larger map |
See Egypt by train!
Egypt is fabulous, and Egyptian Railways are easily the most comfortable and interesting way to travel between Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor & Aswan. It's more than transportation, the views from the train along the Nile give you a insight into the country. Let this page give you the knowledge & confidence to see Egypt by train!
Useful country
information - visas, currency, time zone...
How to buy tickets
How to buy tickets at the station
What are Egyptian trains like?
Station guides
Cairo Ramses station (for all
trains except sleepers)
Cairo Upper Egypt station (for
sleepers to Luxor & Aswan)
Giza station (alternative boarding point
for Luxor & Aswan)
Train times & fares for key routes
Cairo
to Qena, Luxor, Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan
Cairo/Alexandria
to El Alamein & Mersa Matruh
Sharm el Sheikh, Hurghada, Siwa
Oasis (bus)
International travel to/from Egypt
Suggested hotels & other tips
Suggested hotels in Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor
& Aswan
Travel insurance, mobile data, VPNs & other tips
Route map: Click for larger map
Useful country information
How to check train times
Timetables for Cairo-Alexandria, Cairo-Luxor-Aswan, Cairo/Alexandria-Port Said and several other key routes are shown further down this page. But here's how to check train times online:
Check train times at enr.gov.eg
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The most reliable way to check train times & fares for express trains between major cities is using the Egyptian National Railways (ENR) website enr.gov.eg.
You can't buy tickets here as it only sells tickets for Egyptian citizens at the local Egyptian price, but foreigners can still use it to check train times and availability. It's more accurate than other apps or ticket ordering websites as you're looking at 'live' booking data. In fact, I'd check train times at enr.gov.eg (and check the Egypt Trains app as well) before buying tickets from a ticket ordering website such as www.bookaway.com or 12Go.com.
Be aware of its limitations: It won't show trains within the next 48 hours, only from 48h onwards. You can only look up to 2 weeks ahead, so check times for next week and assume they'll be similar for the next few months. It only shows air-conditioned express trains between major stations, it doesn't show local trains or trains to/from some smaller stations such as Kom Ombo or El Alamein.
The ENR site shows how many seats are left on each train, so you can get a feel for how busy trains are and how soon they get booked up.
PLD = Passenger Long Distance.
Special = VIP Express or Express.
AC1, AC2, AC3 = air-conditioned 1st, 2nd, 3rd class. GA2 = Good Air 2nd tier train = 3rd class with pressure-ventilation.
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ENR app |
Download the ENR app
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You can also download the ENR app for your phone, using this link for iPhone or this link for Android.
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The ENR app shows the same data with the same limitations as their website, but is useful to have on your phone when travelling.
Download the Egypt Trains app
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Egypt Trains |
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I recommend downloading the Egypt Trains app, a third-party app by Ahmed Mokhtar.
Use this link for iPhone or this link for Android.
The app's ads are annoying, but unlike the ENR app, this shows all trains between all stations, even local trains, so you can look up trains between Alexandria and El Alamein for example (in this case, enter Moraham Bek as the station in Alexandria).
It shows which trains are VIP Express (shown as VIP), which are Express (shown as Spanish A/C) and which Russian (shown as AC Russian if they have AC3 cars or plain Russian if they have 3rd class non-air-con cars). It shows ordinary trains as improved, referring to the modern seats retro-fitted to these trains, visible in the photo here.
The app also shows a train's calling points, ticket prices for Egyptian citizens and how many seats remain available.
On the other hand, the app shows a standard daily timetable which they update periodically, so you may not see any recent changes - the ENR website/app will be more accurate, at least for express trains between major stations.
Since December 2022, non-Egyptians must pay higher 'foreigner prices' for train tickets, priced in US dollars and paid in USD or Euros. The Egyptian National Railways app and website only sell tickets at Egyptian prices for Egyptian citizens, so you either need to order foreigner tickets from an online agency such as www.bookaway.com (option 1) or 12Go.com (option 2) or buy in person at the station when you get to Egypt.
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Buy Egyptian train tickets online at 12Go.com |
Option 1, buy at 12Go.com
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Why use 12go?
12Go.com is a ticketing agency which allows you to order foreigner tickets for express trains between Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor & Aswan and they can book the Cairo-Luxor-Aswan deluxe sleeper trains too.
You pay a mark-up but it's the only way to be sure of being on a specific train on a specific date. You can see prices in various currencies including £, €, $, Au$, overseas payment cards no problem.
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When does booking open?
You can order tickets months ahead, 12go's handling agent will buy your tickets when Egyptian Railways opens bookings 2 weeks before departure. You must book at least 2 days ahead. Booking for the Abela sleeper trains opens 4-5 months ahead, this varies.
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Direct booking links:
Cairo to Alexandria - Alexandria to Cairo
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Booking tips
Read up on the different types of train before booking, so you know what type you want or are willing to accept.
Look up train times for any day next week using the ENR app or Egypt Trains app as shown here. Assume that this timetable continues for future months. Pick the train you want to book using those apps first, then look for that departure time and train type on 12go.
Why? Well, the times listed by 12go don't always 100% match what's running. For example, as I write this, the ENR & Egypt Trains app correctly show top-quality Talgo trains leaving Alexandria for Cairo at 07:00, 14:00 & 18:50, as does my Alex-Cairo timetable below. 12go show these, but also offers Talgos leaving Alex at 08:00, 09:00, 11:00 & 15:00, none of which really exist (at least, they're not Talgos). If your heart is set on a top-quality Talgo, you'll get it if you select 07:00, 14:00 or 18:50, but if you select the non-existent 08:00, 09:00, 11:00 or 15:00 you'll probably end up with a ticket for a VIP express or express leaving at a similar time. You'll know this if you checked the ENR/Egypt Trains app first. Clear?
When the results appear, change Sort by from Recommended to Earliest departure, as they make more sense in time order.
Look carefully through the search results to find the type of train, class, departure time and the specific origin/departure stations you want.
When booking a Talgo, select 1st or 2nd class with the photo of a Talgo carriage. Any Talgo option that says VIP is an error.
When booking tickets to or from Alexandria, ignore options to/from Sidi Gaber, a station on the outskirts that's irrelevant for most tourists. If you use my direct booking links above you shouldn't see any Sidi Gaber tickets as I have specified Alexandria Train Station.
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How are tickets delivered?
The Cairo-Luxor/Aswan sleeper trains are e-ticketed so can be emailed.
Foreigner tickets for all other trains cannot be e-ticketed, 12go use an Egyptian ground agent to buy hard-copy foreigner tickets and deliver them to your hotel or you can collect at Cairo Ramses station.
After booking you're emailed a voucher with details of how to contact 12go's Egyptian agent at least 10 hours before departure to arrange local ticket delivery to your hotel or ask for ticket collection at Cairo Ramses.
12go sub-contract some bookings to Bookaway, using Bookaway's ground agent with the same ticket delivery or collection options explained in option 2 below. Other bookings are sent to a different ground agent, in this case collection at Cairo Ramses was by meeting a member of their ground agent's staff an hour before departure (they may ask you to Whatsapp them a selfie, so they know who they're looking for), rather than collection from the tourist police. Feedback appreciated.
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Buy Egyptian train tickets online at www.bookaway.com |
Option 2, buy at Bookaway.com
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Why use Bookaway?
Bookaway.com is another reliable agency from which you can order foreigner tickets for express trains between Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor & Aswan and for the Cairo-Luxor-Aswan deluxe sleeper trains.
You can see prices in various currencies including £, €, $, Au$, overseas credit cards no problem. You pay an agency mark-up, but it's usually hassle-free.
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When does booking open?
You can order tickets months ahead, Bookaway's Egyptian handling agents will buy your tickets when booking opens 2 weeks or so before departure. You must book at least 2 days ahead. Booking for the Abela sleeper trains opens 4-5 months ahead, this varies.
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Direct booking links:
Cairo to Alexandria - Alexandria to Cairo
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Booking tips
Read up on the different types of train before booking, so you know what type you want or are willing to accept.
Look up train times for any date next week using the ENR app or Egypt Trains app as shown here. Assume that this timetable continues for future months. Pick a train using those apps first, then look for that departure time and train type on Bookaway.
Look carefully through the search results to find the type of train, class, departure time and origin/departure station that you want.
When booking tickets to or from Alexandria, ignore tickets to/from Sidi Gaber, Sidi Gaber is a station on the outskirts which you do not want. Make sure you select a ticket to or from Alexandria Train Station, in the city centre. With Bookaway there's no easy way to weed these out.
When booking sleeper trains between Cairo and Luxor or Aswan, you'll see sleepers listed in the search results twice, once for regular sleepers and once for an Elite sleeper (recommended). The Elite option is correctly illustrated with an Elite sleeper photo and has a slightly higher price. Bookaway use a photo of a Ukrainian 4-berth sleeper to illustrate the regular 1 or 2 berth sleeper with the older Spanish or German interior.
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How are tickets delivered?
The Cairo-Luxor/Aswan sleeper trains are e-ticketed so can be emailed.
Foreigner tickets for all other trains cannot be e-ticketed, Bookaway use a ground agent in Cairo to buy hard-copy foreigner tickets and deliver them to your hotel or have them waiting for you with the tourist police at Cairo Ramses station. It is not 'live' online booking.
After booking you'll be emailed a voucher with details of how to contact their Egyptian agent at least 10 hours before departure to arrange ticket delivery to your hotel or ticket collection at Cairo Ramses station.
If you ask to collect tickets at Cairo Ramses, tickets can be left with the tourist police. From outside the station, find Entry No.(1) and walk into the left-hand passageway. The tourist police office is a door on the left just before you reach the x-ray scanner. Alternatively, when inside the station ask at either of the tourist police desks in the corners of the main hall. Don't be surprised if the police don't ask for your name or booking reference or voucher, just for the time & date of your train and any return train. They reappear with tickets for those trains! Feedback appreciated.
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Buy daytime train tickets online at enr.gov.eg (if working!) |
Option 3, buy at enr.gov.eg
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Sadly still not possible for foreigners
enr.gov.eg is the official Egyptian National Railways website. However, a message makes it clear that booking is for Egyptian nationals only, booking for foreigners has been 'under construction' for several years now.
You can still use it to check train times, they will be more accurate than most other websites, but until it's sorted you'll have to buy using Bookaway or 12go as shown above or buy at the station.
I've known several people use it to book trains as an Egyptian national, then go to the Arab and Foreign Reservation Office in Cairo, show the booking and pay the extra for foreigners. But that may or may not work!
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What can it book?
It can book tickets at Egyptian citizen prices for all major air-conditioned express & Russian trains between Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor & Aswan.
It won't book the Cairo-Luxor-Aswan sleeper trains, or tickets for local trains such as Alexandria to El Alamein.
You can book up to 4 people at a time. If you want to book more, you'll have to make two bookings and if necessary open two accounts.
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When does booking open?
Booking opens 2 weeks before departure, and closes 2 days before departure. If you try to book more than 2 weeks before you want to go, it says there's no availability. So wait until booking opens. If you need tickets for today or tomorrow, you must buy at the station.
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How to use it
Go to enr.gov.eg/o-city/obs/enr/railway/en/booktickets, if it opens in Arabic change ar to en top left for English.
Click Sign up and enter your email. They send you a code to enter to verify your email. When your account has been set up, log in again. Run an enquiry on a date within the next 2 weeks, remember you can't book further ahead than this.
AC1, AC2, AC3 = Air-Conditioned 1st, 2nd, 3rd class. GA2 = Good Air 2nd, meaning pressure-ventilated, non-air-con.
You get a pdf e-ticket which you can show in the app or print out.
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ENR app |
Option 4, buy on the ENR app
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Also not possible for foreigners
The official Egyptian National Railways (ENR) mobile phone app is available for iPhone and for Android.
The app works just like the website, selling tickets at Egyptian citizen prices for major express trains. But there remains no option for tourists to buy tickets at foreigner prices. You can at least use the app to check train times and availability.
Option 5, buy at Abelatrains.com (sleepers only)
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The deluxe sleeper trains between Cairo & Luxor/Aswan have been outsourced to a company called Abela Trains and they have a separate booking system. You can buy tickets from Bookaway.com as shown in option 1, or from the Abela website, Abelatrains.com. You may find Bookaway easier to use, the Abela website is quite slow and has more than its share of quirks. But here's how to use it:
Booking opens 4 to 5 months ahead, this varies.
For Cairo, select Upper Egypt, the new station in Cairo also known as Bashtil, or select Giza if you prefer to board there. Do not select Cairo as that means Cairo Ramses station and you'll get no trains in the search results as the sleeper trains no longer leave from there.
Select Elite for beds in sleeping-cars which have been refurbished in 2025-26 with the new Elite interior.
Select Beds for beds in cars with the much older and more worn Spanish or German interiors.
I strongly recommend Elite, these cars are vastly superior to those with the older Spanish or German interiors, for only a few dollars more.
When completing the online booking form, it won't work if you leave any of the fields blank. If you don't have a middle name, enter a dot.
If booking 2 people in a 2-berth sleeper, when you enter passenger data make sure you select Yes under Family. That ensures you are given beds in the same compartment. Otherwise you may get berths in separate compartments each shared with another passenger of the same gender.
Children under 4 go free (but without their own berth), children 4 to 9 inclusive pay the child rate.
You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone. Feedback appreciated.
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Or use the Abela app
If you have problems with the Abela website, their app often works better. Download the Abela app for iPhone or Abela app for Android. For English, click the language button top left, labelled 'A' for Arabic.
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Or contact Abela by phone or fax
Alternatively, contact Abela by phone or fax, fax your booking request to + 202 37 489 680 quoting your email address or phone their reservation office on + 202 374 893 88 or + 202 374 894 88 (lines open 09:00 to 15:00 Egyptian time, daily except Fridays, English spoken, feedback appreciated!).
They will email you a booking reference and you can pick up the tickets and pay for them in Egyptian pounds, US Dollars or euros at the Abela reservation offices in Cairo, Giza, Luxor or Aswan.
How to buy tickets at the station
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Are tickets usually available on the day?
Many people buy tickets at the station. Between Cairo & Alexandria it's normally easy to buy 1st class tickets on the day of travel or the day before. If you find a particular train or class fully-booked, there will usually be seats available on another train or in another class. Availability is not normally a problem.
Between Cairo and Luxor or Aswan it's better to book a few days ahead, although you may well find seats available at least on some trains if you book on the day or the day before.
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How to check availability
You can use the ENR website or ENR app to check seat availability, even if they won't let you buy online. Run an enquiry for the day after tomorrow and see how many seats remain available on each train. That should give you the confidence to buy in person at the station a day or two ahead, even if you're normally obsessed with booking things months in advance. Remember that it won't show availability within the next 24 hours, so a lack of trains shown for today and tomorrow morning doesn't mean all the trains are booked up!
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Write down what you want
It can help to write down what you want to show the ticket clerk, in the format from, to, date, time, train number, class, number of passengers.
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In Cairo, go upstairs to the Arab and Foreign Reservation Office
In Cairo there's a special Arab and Foreign Reservation Office, you can buy all your tickets here.
Walk into the main hall at Cairo Ramses station, passing through the metal detector and X-ray bag check at the station entrance. Head up the escalators to the mezzanine floor & foodcourt. Turn left into the corridor, then right along the corridor to the Arab and Foreign Reservation Office at the end. Sometimes it's busy, sometimes it's quiet. If you find it a zoo, come back later!
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In Alexandria, Luxor & Aswan
Look for a ticket window marked Tourist tickets (or similar) in the row of windows in the regular ticket office. It's usually marked with a paper notice stuck to the inside of the ticket window.
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Payment for train tickets
You can pay in USD, euros or (at the Arab and Foreign Reservation Office in Cairo) by credit card, there's a 2.5% credit card fee.
Credit cards may or may not be accepted at other main stations such as Alexandria, Luxor or Aswan, feedback appreciated.
I recommend carrying crisp clean USD or Euro notes. Egyptian Pounds might be accepted, but usually not. It may depend who you talk to!
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Tickets for the Cairo-Luxor-Aswan sleeper
The Cairo-Luxor-Aswan deluxe sleeper can be booked online or booked in person at the separate Abela Trains Reservation Office at Cairo Ramses station, located on the outside of the western facade of the station building next to Entry No.(1). The office location is marked on this satellite view of Cairo station, see the photo below. Tickets must be paid for foreign currency, either US dollars, euros or pounds sterling, credit cards accepted. There's an Abela sleeper office at Giza station, and Abela sleeper ticket windows at Luxor & Aswan.
The sleeper may have berths available if you book a day or two in advance, but at peak times such as Easter it gets fully-booked by tour groups, so pre-booking is strongly recommended.
Tourist ticket windows at Luxor station above left. Above right: Foreigner tickets, printed on thin paper, about the size of a credit card.
Travel tips
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Download a train timetable app
Download an Egyptian train times app as shown here, using this on your phone will be much easier than asking at the station. It also means you'll already known which train you want (and can have a second choice ready if your first choice is fully-booked) when you go to buy tickets at the station.
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Learn Arabic numbers!
Being able to read Arabic numbers often comes in handy. A seat and car number will be printed on your ticket using western numerals, but when boarding you'll often find car numbers written in Arabic on a small sign next to each car's entrance door. Once inside the train, seat numbers are written in both Arabic and western script.
Departure boards at stations often use Arabic numerals to show train numbers, departure times & platform numbers, only the main departure boards flick over periodically to western script and numbers. If you know Arabic numbers, you can read these, making it easy to find your train from the departure time, even if you can't read the destination.
Arabic numbers are written left-to-right, the same as western numbers, even though Arabic words are written right-to-left.
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How to find your train & seat
The departure board at Cairo Ramses station shows train number, platform, destination, switching between Arabic and Western script every few seconds. Each platform has an LED display showing the departure time, train number & destination of the train at that platform.
But it pays to know what type of train you're booked on (Talgo, VIP, express, sleeper) and what it looks like. It also helps to know that Egyptian trains keep left (like British trains) so at stations with only two platforms such as Giza, Esna or Edfu, the platform on the eastern side handles southbound trains, the platform on the western side northbound trains.
At Luxor and Aswan, northbound express & sleeper trains to Cairo leave from the platform immediately adjacent to the station building.
There's no check in, you just go and get on your train any time before departure, but remember there's a brief baggage X-ray check at the entrance to the station. I'd be at the station half an hour before.
Your ticket shows your train number, train type, class, car number and seat number in both Arabic and Western script. When you reach your train, car numbers are shown next to each car's entrance door, in western numerals on a Talgo, on a small metal plate often only in Arabic numerals on other express trains. Once inside your car, seat numbers are usually shown in both Arabic and western numerals.
There are automatic ticket gates at the entrance to the platforms in Cairo, Alexandria & Giza (but at the time I write this, not at Aswan or Luxor), scan the QR code on your ticket to open the gates.
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Do Egyptian trains run on time?
Of course not, this is Egypt! But Express trains get priority, so are more likely to run on time than lesser trains. Take it in your stride, make sure you have food & drink with you, and enjoy the ride. Avoid booking trains due to arrive at midnight, so you don't end up arriving at silly o'clock.
On a recent trip, southbound sleeper train 86 from Cairo to Aswan was just 8 minutes late. The 19:00 Talgo from Aswan reached Luxor spot on time, but returning northbound from Luxor on sleeper train 87 we were 60 minutes late into Cairo (actually a bonus, as who wants to arrive at 06:25 anyway?!). My Cairo-Alexandria express train was 30 minutes late, returning to Cairo my VIP express was 20 minutes late.
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Luggage, power sockets & WiFi
Luggage goes on the racks above your seat. Nobody measures or weighs it, backpacks and suitcases are fine.
You'll find power outlets of the 2-pin European type on the Talgo and in the Elite sleepers on the Abela sleeper trains, but not on most other Egyptian trains. WiFi is fitted to the Talgos, but is not in use.
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Cafe at Cairo & Alexandria stations
If you arrive at Cairo Ramses station early, there are two good cafes in the food court on the mezzanine floor, up the escalators from the main hall. This is a great place for an inexpensive cappuccino or bite to eat before your train, the main A La Gare cafe accepts card payment, too. The food court overlooks platforms 1-4 through a large glass wall.
Alexandria has a station cafe behind the buffer stops, before you go through the ticket gates onto the platform. A good place for a coffee or soft drink before your train.
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Taxis & Uber in Cairo & Alexandria
Always use a white taxi as these are metered, and are a cheap way to get from anywhere in central Cairo to the station. Make sure the meter is switched on. Cairo's black & white taxis and Alexandria's black & yellow taxis do not have meters and you will need to agree a price before you get in, so they usually work out much more expensive. You can also use Uber, which may be a better option as you can see what the price is, specify your destination clearly in the app, and pay with card.
The LED departure board on platform 4 at Cairo Ramses station, clearly showing VIP train 905 from Cairo to Alexandria leaving at 08:00. Courtesy of Paliparan.com.
What are Egyptian trains like?
There are two broad categories of train in Egypt, express trains and other trains.
Express trains are air-conditioned with 1st & 2nd class seats (AC1 & AC2) and refreshments. Tickets come with a specific assigned seat.
Express trains further divide into three categories, Talgo using new Spanish-designed Talgo trains, VIP express using cars with a stainless-steel exterior and Express.
Talgos are higher quality than other trains and higher fares apply. VIP Express and Express have similar fares and there's frankly little to choose between them.
Other trains are slower and usually come with either pressure-ventilated 3rd class seats (GA2), air-con 3rd class seats (AC3) or occasionally air-con 2nd class seats (AC2). A huge fleet of Russian-designed carriages has progressively entered service since 2020 to operate many of these lesser trains.
Most visitors understandably stick with the air-conditioned expresses, although I once used a non-air-con slow train between Aswan & Luxor, the advantages are opening windows and lots of local colour.
Last but not least there are the overnight deluxe sleeper trains between Cairo and Upper Egypt, outsourced to a private company called Abela Trains.
Talgo trains
These are Egypt's top-quality express trains, introduced in 2023. They're a cut above other express trains and higher fares are charged. They operate several Cairo-Alexandria express services plus a Cairo-Luxor-Aswan overnight seated service.
The Talgos are modern air-conditioned articulated trains built by the Spanish Talgo company, with 1st & 2nd class and a cafe counter. Luggage goes on the racks above your seat, backpacks and suitcases no problem. There's an Egyptian/European 2-pin power outlet for every pair of seats for mobiles & laptops, WiFi is fitted but not in use. Video information screens show the train's location and speed. With the unique Talgo concept, each car is much shorter and lighter than a conventional carriage with just one pair of wheels beneath each articulation.
A trolley service comes down the train selling tea, coffee, soft drinks and snacks and you may be offered a pre-packed meal served at your seat, veg or non-veg, typically costing around £4 or $5. They may give you a meal and come back for payment later, it is not included in the fare. See video, Cairo to Alexandria by Talgo.
The 07:00 Talgo train from Alexandria to Cairo, boarding at Alexandria station. Note the car number by the door, this is car 5.
VIP express trains
These are the next best trains after the Talgos, on both Cairo-Alexandria and Cairo-Luxor-Aswan routes. They're air-conditioned with 1st & 2nd class (AC1 & AC2) and cafe counter, all tickets come with a specific reserved seat. Luggage goes on the rack above your seat. There are no power sockets or WiFi. A refreshment trolley comes down the train selling tea, coffee & soft drinks. Seats normally face forward (staff rotate them at the end of each trip) or can be rotated to create a bay of 4 for families by pressing a foot pedal. These trains consist of stainless-steel cars with bodyshells built in China, assembled in Egypt, over 200 of which were delivered 2015-16. On some departures you may be offered a meal served at your seat, veg or non-veg, typical cost around £4 or $5. They may give you a meal and come back for payment later, it is not included in the fare.
VIP express 906 from Alexandria, arrived at Cairo Ramses platform 1. Note the stainless steel exterior and Venetian blinds between the panes of glazing.
Express trains
The next rank down from VIP Express is (plain) Express, sometimes known as Spanish express trains (not to be confused with the Spanish-designed Talgos). There's little difference between VIP Express and Express and similar fares apply, so just pick whichever departure suits you best. They have comfortable 1st & 2nd class (AC1 & AC2) seating, all tickets come with a specific assigned seat. Luggage goes on the rack above your seat. There are no power sockets or WiFi. A refreshment trolley comes down the train selling tea, coffee & soft drinks. Seats all face forward (staff rotate the seats at the end of each trip), but can be rotated to create a bay of 4 for families by pressing a foot pedal.
Air-conditioned express train 913 from Cairo to Alexandria, arrived at Alexandria station. The I near the door indicates AC1. You can also see a small square next to the right of the entrance door, this shows the car number, written as an Arabic numeral.
Russian trains
The first batch of new carriages built by a Russian-Hungarian consortium were delivered in 2020-2021. This huge order includes 500 pressure-ventilated 3rd class cars (shown as GA2 where GA = Good Air and the '2' refers to second-tier trains rather than the class of seat), 500 air-conditioned 3rd class cars (the first air-conditioned 3rd class cars in Egypt, shown as AC3), 210 air-conditioned 2nd class cars (AC2) and 90 air-conditioned 1st class cars (AC1). These cars have now replaced most older 2nd & 3rd class cars on the Cairo-Alexandria, Cairo-Port Said & Cairo-Luxor-Aswan routes and they may turn up on air-con expresses in due course. Seats in GA2, AC2 & AC3 on Russian trains are reserved, you get a car & seat number.
A Russian train of air-con 3rd class (AC3) cars at Alexandria station, in a distinctive colour scheme.
Air-conditioned 3rd class seats (AC3) on a Russian train. 3rd class non-air-con seating (GA2) is identical, but with opening windows.
Ordinary trains
Ordinary trains are slower, with non-air-conditioned 3rd class seats. Seats are unreserved, you sit where you like. One advantage is that without air-con the windows open, which is better for seeing and photographing the scenery. I once took one from Aswan to Luxor as that's only a short hop, my train wasn't crowded, a breeze blew through the open windows, and I met some interesting Egyptian people on board, a journey I have never forgotten.
An ordinary train at Cairo Ramses station, with 3rd class non-air-con unreserved seats.
Deluxe sleeper trains
One, two or occasionally three comfortable sleeper trains link Cairo & Giza with Luxor, Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo & Aswan in each direction every night, with air-conditioned sleeping-cars and a club car. It's the most time-effective way to travel between Cairo and Upper Egypt, it saves a hotel bill, and waking up to palm trees along the Nile is a real Egyptian experience!
Trains 86 (southbound) & 87 (northbound) run every day all year, extra trains run when needed. Train 1088/1089 runs Alexandria-Luxor-Aswan on Thursdays & Sundays southbound, Fridays & Mondays northbound.
Foreigners are charged higher fares than Egyptian nationals and there are separate quotas of berths for Egyptians and foreigners in separate cars.
Egyptian National Railways have outsourced the operation of these sleeper trains, since 2023 they've been operated by a company called Abela Trains who took over from former contractor Ernst, who ran the service as Watania Sleeping Trains.
Elite, Spanish or German interior?
This is important so listen up! All the sleeping-cars on these trains were built in East Germany in the early 1980s, but they come with 3 very different interiors. Bear this in mind when reading reviews!
When you book, if you choose Elite you'll get a modern sleeper freshly refurbished to a high standard in 2025-2026, see the Elite photos below. In early 2026 Abela had 12 sleeping-cars refurbished as Elite out of a fleet of over 100 cars, but more are being given the Elite makeover in 2026-27. A journey in an Elite car is wonderful, I've experienced it myself, highly recommended!
If you choose a regular sleeper, you'll either get a sleeping-car with the original 'German' interior as delivered in the 1980s, or one with a 'Spanish' interior, refurbished with the help of Spanish company CAF in the 2000s, see the Spanish & German photos here. Both these interiors are getting tatty and dusty, although the good news is that dinner, breakfast, clean bedding and service are the same as in Elite. The original German interior has held up better than the fibreglassy Spanish interior. Abela tell me that by the end of 2027, all cars with the Spanish interior should have been refurbished as Elite, but cars with the German interior will remain.
Service on board
The sleeping-cars have lockable 2-berth compartments which can be sold for single or double occupancy. The berths fold away to reveal seats for evening and morning use, the middle of the three seats folds down to form a table as you can see in the photos.
Each compartment has a washbasin, soap, towel & clean bedding are provided. The Elite cars have a 2-pin socket near each berth for recharging laptops or phones. Luggage goes with you into your compartment, there's a large recess for bags over the door to the corridor.
The fare includes a tasty tray-meal in the evening and breakfast with omelette and tea or coffee in the morning, served in your compartment. Your sleeper attendant will set up small tables for you, these slot into the wall next to each seat.
The sleeping-cars are non-smoking, but you can smoke if you need to in the vestibules at each end of the carriage. There's a connecting door between adjacent compartments which can be opened if 3 or 4 of you occupy both compartments.
Passengers travelling alone who don't want to pay the single-berth fare can book one bed in a 2-berth and share with another passenger of the same sex.
There is a lounge car roughly in the centre of the train serving tea, coffee and soft drinks, but not alcohol.
For more information see Abelatrains.com. Watch the sleeper video. Sleeper train times & fares. How to book the sleeper.
Elite sleeper in day mode (above left) and night mode (above right.
Above left, dinner is included in the fare, served in your compartment. It's tasty!
Above left, luggage space above the door. Above right, breakfast with tea or coffee (and a nice omelette!) is included in the fare.
Club car at Cairo Upper Egypt station.
Club car selling tea, coffee and soft drinks, although not alcohol.
Sleeping-cars with the older 'Spanish' or original 'German' interiors, on sleeper train 86 boarding at Cairo Upper Egypt station.
Above left, a sleeper with the 'Spanish' interior, refurbished in the 2000s. Above right, a sleeper with the original German interior from 1980.
Video: Cairo to Aswan in Elite class
Station guides
Cairo Upper Egypt (Bashtil) station
Cairo Ramses station
Most mainline trains use Cairo's historic central station, known as Cairo Ramses, see location map.
The exceptions are the Abela sleeper trains to Luxor and Aswan which now use Cairo's new Upper Egypt Station, and trains to Suez which use Cairo's smaller Adly Mansour station.
The first station opened here in 1856, the current station building dates from 1892. It was extended in 1955 and modernised in the 2010s with marble flooring and air-conditioning, it's an impressive Cairo landmark in its own right.
How to reach Cairo Ramses
You can reach Cairo Ramses station by metro, Al-Shohadaa metro station on lines 1 & 2 is directly adjacent.
Entering the station
You enter the station from the west side through one of four passageways labelled Entry No.(1) and Entry No.(3), putting your bags through an X-ray machine and walking through a metal detector, as you do when entering most Egyptian tourist attractions, museums and major hotels. It only takes a few seconds, it's nothing like an airport, there's no need to remove shoes or belts or metal-framed glasses. Indeed, I have walked through with my iPhone in my pocket and the metal detector still didn't register!
Ticket gates
Automatic ticket gates were installed in 2022. The row of ticket gates on the north side of the main hall (on your left immediately after walking in) leads onto platform 8, from where a passageway runs under the tracks to platforms 9, 10 & 11. The row of gates on the east side of the hall between the two escalators (on the opposite side of the hall after walking in) leads to platforms 1-4, from where you can access platforms 5, 6 & 7. You scan the QR code on you ticket to let you through the gates.
Which platform for your train?
The station is both a through station and a terminus, see satellite view station plan.
On the east side of the main hall is an impressive trainshed housing terminus platforms 1-4 facing Alexandria, with terminus platforms 5, 6 & 6 outside to the left.
Talgo, VIP express & express trains to Alexandria usually leave from platforms 1-4.
On the north side of the main hall are the through platforms, numbered 8-11, with platform 8 adjacent to the main building.
Trains to Luxor & Aswan leave from the through platforms, with key trains such as VIP express 980 to Luxor & Aswan typically leaving from platform 8.
In fact, there are more terminus platforms on the far side of the station, numbered 12 upwards, used by ordinary trains heading north, but you're unlikely to need these. There's also a separate secondary station known as Cairo Pont Limon (or Cairo Al Limon or El-Qahira El-Liamoon), just east of the main station, which handles local trains to the Nile Delta, but again you're unlikely to need this.
Food court
For somewhere to wait for your train, head up one of the two escalators from the main hall to the food court on the mezzanine level. There are two good cafes here, the main one is A La Gare, which has table service and sells good coffee, good food and you can pay by card.
Arab and Foreign Reservation Office: See the how to buy tickets section.
Abela sleeper train ticket office: See the how to buy tickets section.
Cairo Ramses station, approached from the busy square on its south side. A large fenced & gated area surrounds it.
Cairo Ramses station, western side. The station entrances are either side of the ornate central door. Entry No.(1) on the right and Entry No.(3) on the left. The Abela sleeper reservation office is to the right of Entry No.(1). Bags are X-rayed when you enter the station. Larger photo.
The main hall at Cairo Ramses station, viewed from just inside Entry No.(1). Larger photo.
The main hall at Cairo station, looking back from the food court on the mezzanine level. Larger photo
There's a decent food court up the escalators on the mezzanine floor, overlooking platforms 1-4. A good place for a coffee, snack or meal before your train. Food photo courtesy of Paliparan.com.
Above left, the Arab and Foreign Reservation office. Head up the escalators to the food court, turn left, then right. Above right, ticket office for Egyptians.
Ticket gates to platforms 1-7 for Alexandria. The departure board switches periodically from Arabic to Western script.
Platforms 1-4 (numbered right to left), seen from the mezzanine level food court through the glass wall. These are terminus platforms in an impressive trainshed, platforms 5-7 are out of shot to the left, alongside the trainshed. On platform 2, a Talgo has just arrived from Alexandria.
Cairo Upper Egypt station
Cairo's vast and impressive Upper Egypt Railway Station opened in October 2024, roughly 7 km west of Cairo Ramses, see location map. It's also known as Cairo Bashtil (or Bashteel). The Abela sleeper trains to Luxor & Aswan now leave from this station and no longer use Cairo Ramses. Most other trains from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan still start from Cairo Ramses but call at Cairo Upper Egypt station 15 minutes later, see the Cairo-Luxor-Aswan timetable below.
How to reach Cairo Upper Egypt station
Take a taxi or Uber to get here, as unfortunately, there's no metro station nearby.
Entering the station
You enter through the main entrance, putting your bags through an X-ray machine and walking through a metal detector. It only takes a few seconds, no need to remove shoes or belts or metal-framed glasses.
Which platform for your train?
If you're catching an Abela sleeper train, this is easy. Walk straight ahead from the main entrance into the huge glass pyramid. Then turn left into the broad passageway marked Upper Egypt. At the end of this passageway is a row of ticket gates (not in use for the sleeper trains) and a row of glass doors onto the main platform for Luxor and Aswan. The Abela sleeper trains for Luxor and Aswan leave from this platform.
Food & drink
There is an 'iHop' cafe and mini-market down a passageway on the left after the glass pyramid, before you get to the seating & ticket office area. There is also a 'Mini-Mart' next to the ticket gates to the Upper Egypt platform, ideal for stocking up for the journey with drinks and snacks.
Main entrance to Cairo's new Upper Egypt Railway Station.
Above left, the entrance hall. Above right, a little further on, you walk into the vast glass pyramid hall.
Beyond the glass pyramid you enter the vast booking hall with ticket windows either side and a waiting area.
Above left: For the Abela sleeper trains to Luxor & Aswan, turn left under the glass pyramid into the passageway marked Upper Egypt.
Above right: Walk along that passageway to the ticket gates & doors onto the main platform for the sleeper train to Luxor & Aswan.
Cairo Upper Egypt station platforms, with train 87 from Aswan & Luxor arrived on the main Upper Egypt platform.
Giza station
All trains between Cairo, Luxor & Aswan call at Giza station, 8 km southwest of Cairo Ramses station and some 8 km east of the Giza pyramids, see location map & see the Cairo-Luxor-Aswan timetable.
Some people prefer to board the Abela sleeper trains or daytime VIP express trains to Luxor or Aswan at Giza rather than Cairo Upper Egypt or Cairo Ramses stations, depending on where they're staying in Cairo. If you're staying near the Pyramids, boarding a train to Luxor or Aswan at Giza station makes more sense than heading into downtown Cairo.
How to reach Giza station
From a hotel near the Giza pyramids you'll need a taxi or Uber as Giza station is 8 km to the east.
From downtown Cairo, take metro line M2 (the red line) to Giza station, follow the signs for direction El Monib, see www.cairometro.gov.eg.
The metro starts off underground, but emerges into daylight several stations before Giza. It then climbs up onto a viaduct before arriving at Giza metro station, the metro platforms are located on the viaduct above the mainline railway.
Go down one level from the metro platform to the metro ticket hall and look for the exit marked Giza E.N.R. (ENR = Egyptian National Railways). Walk out of that exit and you'll see the railway tracks below you and the two mainline platforms just ahead. Go down a flight of steps on your left marked Upper Egypt and walk to the Egyptian National Railways station.
There are a couple of kiosks selling drinks & snacks outside Giza ENR station if you need to stock up for the journey.
Which platform for your train?
This is easy: Giza station only has two platforms, one southbound, one northbound. The southbound platform for trains to Luxor & Aswan is the one adjacent to the station building, so once you're through the ticket gates then the usual X-ray baggage check and metal detector, you're on the right platform. Learn to recognise what your train looks like (sleeper, VIP, express, Russian...) so you'll recognise it when it comes in.
Ticket offices
Unusually, the ticket windows are not inside the station, but outside in a 'wing' of the station building to the right of the main part, see the photo below. The Abela sleeper ticket office is in a separate shed-like building to the right of the main ticket windows.
Giza ENR (Egyptian National Railways) station, showing location of ticket offices and the metro station.
Giza station platforms, seen from the exit from the metro, looking south. That's the metro viaduct on the right. As you can see, Giza station only has two platforms, that's a Russian train in the Cairo-bound platform, the southbound platform is empty. You can see the roof of the station building in the distance to the left.
Above left: A metro train at Giza metro station. Above right, the Abela sleeper ticket office and (to the left) the regular ticket windows.
Alexandria station
Alexandria is the oldest railway station in Africa, first opened in 1856. The current station building was built between 1915 & 1927, a magnificent landmark in its own right. Note that trains to El Alamein and Marsa Matrouh leave from Moharam Bek station 4 km to the south.
Entering the station
You enter the station through a passageway to the left of the central portico, putting your bags through an X-ray machine and walking through a metal detector, as you do when entering most Egyptian tourist attractions, museums and major hotels. It only takes a few seconds, there's no need to remove shoes or belts or metal-framed glasses or even empty your pockets. You then find yourself in the ticket hall with the row of ticket windows to your left. Walk forwards into the trainshed.
Ticket gates
Two rows of automatic ticket gates separate the circulating area at the rear of the trainshed from the platform area. You scan the QR code on you ticket to let you through the gates.
Which platform for your train?
The station has 8 platforms, with platforms 1-6 lined up in front of you inside the main trainshed, numbered from left to right. There are no departure boards, so the first thing to do is know what sort of train you're booked on and what this type of train looks like. For example, there is only likely to be one Talgo train sitting in a platform leading up to departure time, so if you're booked on the Talgo, that'll be it! You may then need to ask to be sure.
Buying tickets
You pass through the ticket office when entering the station, to the left of the central portico as you look at the station facade. One window has a paper sign sellotaped to it saying Tourist tickets.
Station cafe
The station cafe is a comfortable place to wait, opening off the circulating area opposite the ticket gates to platforms 2 & 3. They do a decent double expresso if you need waking up for the 7am train! You can also buy water or soft drinks here, or there are various kiosks around the station and on the platforms.
Alexandria station.
Looking towards the buffer stops on platforms 4 & 5. You exit through ticket gates and through the main central exit straight ahead.
Alexandria station. You enter through the passageways visible to the left of the central portico, through an X-ray & metal detector check.
Ticket gates into the platform area, with platforms 2 & 3 in view. Scan your ticket's QR code to enter.
Above left, ticket windows, one of which is marked for tourist tickets. Above right, the station cafe. Click for larger photos.
On the left, express train 913 has arrived from Cairo on platform 5. On the right on platform 4 is a VIP express with stainless-steel carriages.
Luxor station
Entering the station
You put your bags through an X-ray machine and walk through a metal detector when entering the station. It only takes a few seconds, there's no need to remove shoes or belts or metal-framed glasses or even empty your pockets. You then find yourself in the main hall with a row of ticket windows to right and left, entrance onto the main northbound platform in front of you.
Which platform for your train?
If you're heading to Cairo by express train or Abela sleeper train, these usually leave from the main northbound platform directly adjacent to the station hall.
If you're heading south, walk from the station hall onto the northbound platform, go down the steps and through the pedestrian subway to the far platforms.
You should know what sort of train you're booked on and what that type of train looks like so you recognise your train when it comes in. By all means ask to be sure.
Buying tickets
When you walk into the station from the street, there's a row of ticket windows at both ends of the main hall. You want the row on the right, the Abela sleeper ticket window is on the far left of that row, the Tourist ticket window (for daytime tickets) is next to it with a notice saying Tourist reservations to the glass, see the photos below.
Food & drink, ATMs
There are plenty of kiosks around the station selling drinks and snacks. There are several ATMs in the main hall.
Luxor station at night.
Luxor station main hall. Note one of the two entrances with X-ray machine and metal detector on the left.
Above left, ticket windows for Abela sleeper tickets and tourist tickets on day trains, at the right-hand end of the main hall as you enter from the street.
Above right, the platforms.
Aswan station
Aswan station is not in fact a terminus, the railway continues south to El Sadd El Ali station at the Aswan High Dam. However, a lot of trains start or terminate at Aswqan station.
Entering the station
You put your bags through an X-ray machine and walk through a metal detector when entering the station. It only takes a few seconds, there's no need to remove shoes or belts or metal-framed glasses or even empty your pockets. You then find yourself in the main hall with a row of ticket windows to right and left, entrance onto the main northbound platform in front of you.
Which platform for your train?
If you're heading to Cairo or Luxor by express train or Abela sleeper train, these usually leave from the main northbound platform directly adjacent to the station hall.
If you're heading south, walk from the station hall onto the northbound platform, go down the steps and through the pedestrian subway to the far platforms.
You should know what sort of train you're booked on and what that type of train looks like so you recognise your train when it comes in. By all means ask to be sure.
Buying tickets
When you walk into the station from the street, there's a row of ticket windows at both ends of the main hall. You want the row on the right, the Ticket Office for Foreigners (for daytime trains) is in the corner at the right-hand end of the row of ticket windows, see the photos below.
Food & drink, ATMs
There are plenty of kiosks around the station selling drinks and snacks. There's an ATM in the main hall.
Aswan railway station.
Aswan station, main hall. Entrance from street on the right. Main northbound platform to the left.
Above left: Entering the main hall from the street, the Abela sleeper window is at the left end of the row of ticket windows on the left.
Above right: Entering the main hall from the street, the Ticket Office For Foreigners is at the right-hand end of the row of ticket windows on the right.
Aswan station, main platform. Note the sign telling you where to wait for car 11, when boarding trains here.
Cairo to Alexandria
The best way to travel between Alexandria and Cairo is by train. There are two broad categories of train, air-conditioned expresses with comfortable 1st & 2nd class reserved seats (AC1 & AC2), and slower Russian-built trains with either 3rd class air-conditioned seats (AC3), 3rd class seats with pressure ventilation (GA2), or on some departures, 2nd class air-conditioned seats (AC2). Most visitors stick with the air-conditioned expresses, highlighted below in bold type.
The air-conditioned expresses further divide into three types, the excellent new Talgo trains, the second-rank VIP express trains, and (plain) express trains. All are comfortable, but the Talgo trains are a cut above the rest and worth building your plans around. However, the VIP express trains and express trains are fine and there's very little difference between those two types, so just choose whichever departure suits you.
Train times northbound
Train times southbound
Notes for the timetable
Cairo to Alexandria is 208 km (129 miles). All these trains call at Sidi Gaber, a local station 3 km from Alexandria's main station.
You can check these times using the ENR website or Egypt Trains app as shown above. Tickets for all these trains are for a specific departure with an assigned seat.
Bold type = Air-conditioned express trains, most visitors use these.
Talgo = Talgo train, high-quality train with air-conditioned 1st & 2nd class seats & cafe car, see the photos above. Higher fares apply.
VIP = VIP express train, with air-conditioned 1st & 2nd class seats & cafe car, see the photos above.
Exp = Express train, fast air-conditioned express with 1st & 2nd class seats & cafe car, see the photos above.
Ru = Russian train with 3rd class seats, forced ventilation (GA2).
Ru* = Russian train with 3rd class seats, air-conditioned (AC3).
Ru** = Russian train with 2nd class seats, air-conditioned (AC2).
Recommended hotels: See suggested hotels in Cairo & Alexandria.
Children aged 0 to 3 travel free, children 4 to 9 travel at half fare, children 10 and over pay full fare.
Higher prices for foreigners were introduced in December 2022, these are early 2026 prices. If you get a photo of the latest foreigner fares list, please get in touch!
How to buy tickets
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Option 1, buy tickets at www.bookaway.com.
This is by far the easiest option, and the least hassle. www.bookaway.com is a reliable agency, you pay a reasonable agency mark-up but it's a painless way to get your train tickets booked in advance from outside Egypt at the correct foreigner fare.
Booking normally opens 17 days before departure, you must normally book at least 2 days ahead.
www.bookaway.com can book seats on all the most popular air-conditioned express trains between Cairo and Alexandria including the Talgo, although it can't book every possible train or book to/from smaller stations.
Tip: As a tourist, you should buy tickets to/from Alexandria train station, the main terminus in the city centre. Be careful not to select an option to/from Sidi Gaber, which is a secondary station in the east of the city, most trains call there on their way to/from Alexandria station.
Bookaway will email you a voucher, it tells you to contact their agent at least 10 hours before departure to arrange local ticket delivery to your hotel or perhaps collection Cairo Ramses station.
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Option 2, buy tickets at 12Go.com.
Also an easy option option with least hassle. 12Go.com is another reliable ticketing agency who sells Egyptian foreigner tickets through an Egyptian handling agent.
Booking normally opens 17 days before departure, you must book at least 2 days ahead.
Tip: In the search results, use the filters on the left to specify Train and then plain Alexandria with train symbol as your arrival or departure station, this eliminates results to or from Sidi Gaber.
12go will email you you a voucher, it tells you to contact their agent at least 10 hours before departure to arrange local ticket delivery to your hotel or perhaps collection Cairo Ramses station.
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Option 3, buy tickets at the station, see the advice here.
Alexandria's harbour-front Corniche, seen from a balcony at the Cecil Hotel, Alexandria's most famous hotel.
Cairo to Luxor & Aswan
The deluxe sleeper trans are the most time-effective way to travel between Cairo & Luxor or Aswan, saving a hotel bill and in effect as fast as flying - but far better for the environment and much more of a genuine Egyptian experience. Going southbound to Aswan, you'll wake up to beautiful Nile Valley scenery.
If time is tight, go sleeper both ways, but ideally go one way by sleeper and the other by daytime VIP express. The daytime journey along the Nile an insight into Egyptian life, past palm trees, feluccas, camels and fellahin working in the fields. You'll see how the Nile makes a small strip of land green either side of the river.
I've highlighted the deluxe sleeper trains and the best VIP express daytime trains below in bold type. Train 980 or 2010 are the best option southbound, trains 2011, 981 or 983 northbound, you'll see most of the route in daylight and an hour delay won't mean arriving at silly o'clock. Most visitors stick with the air-conditioned expresses but the Russian trains are fine for short hops, for example between Qena, Luxor, Kom Ombo, Edfu & Aswan.
Since the higher foreigner fares were introduced for seats trains in 2022, an uncomfortable overnight journey on a seated train no longer saves much money compared to paying for a bed on a sleeper, so if you're going to travel overnight, take the sleeper.
Train times southbound
Train times northbound
Notes for timetable
Cairo to Luxor is 671km (419 miles). Cairo to Aswan is 879 km (549 miles).
You can check these times using the ENR website or Egypt Trains app as shown above.
Bold type = recommended sleeper trains or daytime VIP express trains between Cairo & Upper Egypt.
Sleeper = Deluxe sleeper train with sleeping-cars & club car, special fares apply. Trains 82, 83, 86, 87 run daily. Trains 1086 & 1087 run when required.
Talgo = high-quality Talgo train with air-conditioned 1st & 2nd class reserved seats & cafe car. Higher fares apply. Not recommended for overnight travel, but a good choice for evening travel from Aswan to Luxor.
VIP = VIP express train with air-conditioned 1st & 2nd class reserved seats & refreshments, see the photos above.
Exp = Express train with air-conditioned 1st & 2nd class reserved seats & refreshments, see the photos above.
Ru = Russian train with 3rd class seats with pressure ventilation (GA2).
Ru* = Russian train with 3rd class air-conditioned seats (AC3).
Ru** = Russian train with 2nd class air-conditioned seats (AC2).
Giza station is a 8 km from the Giza pyramids, if you're staying near the pyramids it can be better than going into Cairo city centre, see more about Giza station.
Al Balyana is the station for the Great Temple of Abydos, a 22-minute 9.8 km taxi ride from the station.
Qena is the station for the Dendera temple complex, a 22-minute 9.3 km taxi ride from the station.
Recommended hotels: See suggested hotels in Cairo, Luxor & Aswan.
Fares are one-way, a return is two one-ways. Add 2.5% credit card fee if paid by card.
Children aged 0 to 3 travel free, children 4 to 9 travel at two-thirds fare, children 10 and over pay full fare.
On the sleeper trains, children aged 4 to 9 pay $70 one-way, children under 4 go free but without a berth - they pay the child rate if if they need a bed.
Higher prices for foreigners were introduced in December 2022, these are 2026 prices. If you get a photo of the latest foreigner fares list, please send me a copy!
Although foreigners have always had to pay higher prices for the sleeper trains.
How to buy tickets
Tickets for seats:
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Option 1, buy tickets at www.bookaway.com.
This is by far the easiest option, and the least hassle. www.bookaway.com is a reliable agency, you pay a reasonable agency mark-up but it's a painless way to get your train tickets booked in advance from outside Egypt, at the foreigner fare.
Booking normally opens 17 days before departure, you must normally book at least 2 days ahead.
www.bookaway.com can book seats on all the most popular air-conditioned express trains between Cairo/Giza and Luxor/Aswan, although it can't book every possible train or book to/from smaller stations.
Bookaway email you a voucher with details of how to contact their agent at least 10 hours before departure to arrange local ticket delivery to your hotel.
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Option 2, buy tickets at 12Go.com.
Also an easy option option with least hassle. 12Go.com is another reliable ticketing agency who also sells Egyptian foreigner tickets through an Egyptian handling agent.
Booking normally opens 17 days before departure, you must book at least 2 days ahead.
Tip: In the search results, use the filter to specify Alexandria Railway Station as your arrival or departure terminal, this eliminates results to or from Sidi Gaber.
12go email you a voucher with details of how to contact their agent at least 10 hours before departure to arrange local ticket delivery to your hotel or perhaps collection Cairo Ramses station.
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Option 3, buy tickets at the station, see the advice here.
Tickets for sleepers
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Option 1, you can easily buy sleeper tickets online at www.bookaway.com and receive an e-ticket.
You'll see the sleeper train listed twice, once for regular sleepers, and a second time for booking an Elite sleeper with a slightly higher price correctly illustrated with a photo of an Elite sleeper. If the photo is of a Ukrainian 4-bed sleeper (yes, that's what they use!), that's the regular sleeper with the older Spanish or German interior.
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Option 2, book at the Abela website or using their app, see the how to buy tickets section.
For Cairo, select Upper Egypt, or select Giza if you prefer to board there.
Option 3, buy tickets at the station at the special Abela sleeper ticket office, see the how to buy tickets section.
Visiting the temples at Abydos & Dendera
Traveller Krys Garnett reports: "Visiting the temples of Abydos and Dendera from Luxor is easy by train, and much more convenient than the convoy or bus. For Dendera, take a train to Qena, where the station master will arrange a taxi and inform the tourist police. A policeman will accompany you in the taxi, but you won't get a convoy. Visiting the Abydos, take the train to Al Balyana, then a taxi."
Travellers' reports, sleeper
Traveller Sean Sickinger reports: "On the ticket you're advised to be on the platform at least 30 minutes before departure, although this doesn't mean the train will be on time! On my trip, the train was 30 minutes late leaving and nearly 2 hours late into Luxor, so factor a possible delay into your plans. Giza mainline station is right next to Giza metro station and there are a few small shops selling snacks or water, plus a small restaurant. At the station there are small numbers hanging from the platform canopy, these indicate the approximate location of the carriages so if you're booked in car 6, stand next to sign number 6. Don't expect to find any Abela staff on the platform, just wait for the sleeper train on the main platform with everyone else. You may be approached by people with official looking notebooks offering to help you who ask you for your ticket, but don't show it to them - they write down your name and destination as if they were verifying your ticket, then call their buddies in Luxor who will approach using your name and claiming they are there to pick you up, a basic taxi and hotel scam. Once the train arrives at the platform, Abela staff will step out in front of each carriage to check your ticket and make sure you get into the right car & compartment. The onboard staff are generally very friendly and helpful. After the train leaves and people have settled into their compartments, the staff bring you your dinner, selected when you book your ticket. Breakfast is served about an hour prior to arrival at your destination. Don't expect the same level of smoothness as a European overnight train, as there's a certain amount of jostling and vibration from the tracks, but overall this is not a bad option to get from Cairo to Luxor or Aswan."
Traveller Jess Painter took the sleeper from Cairo to Luxor and back: "When boarding from Cairo to Luxor, no-one asked for a marriage certificate, although they checked our tickets as we boarded - onto the wrong carriage, telling us it was the right one, of course! They serve dinner within an hour which was a piece of breaded chicken, rice, vegetables, potato wedges and some sort of cake. An hour later, just after 10pm, they come around to turn the seats into beds. Next time I'll ask for this to be done straight away as the beds are much more comfortable than the seats, two people can sit on the bottom bunk playing cards very comfortably. The rooms have a sink so you can brush your teeth, with bottled water if you have some, and there's a power socket so you can keep everything charged in the case of a delay. The toilets are cleaned at regular intervals but you have to time it right. There are two toilets per carriage. You might go in one time and have a horrendous greeting and decide to wait you might go in another time and feel comfortable enough to use the facilities! They permit smoking on the trains but not in the cabins, only at either end of the carriage. So it's best to leave your door shut so the wafting smoke doesn't enter your cabin, even though this can feel a little claustrophobic at times! The return journey was much the same except that tickets weren't checked on the platform, again no marriage certificate check. Tickets were not even checked on board. We asked for our beds to be made up immediately, passed on dinner as it was already 10.30pm when we boarded, and we slept right through until 8am. It was a very successful journey and one I would recommend to anyone and definitely do again!"
Traveller's reports, day train
Traveller Jerome Wise reports: "We took the daytime air-conditioned express train from Cairo to Luxor, which took 10 hours or so. It was great fun, a bit of an adventure and a great way to see the real Egypt. The children (8 and 6) even enjoyed it. The great thing about the first class seats is that, whilst they are in an airline configuration, you can swivel them so you have facing and back - great for four people travelling together."
Traveller Ian Green took a Cairo to Luxor then Aswan to Cairo daytime trains: "We bought our train tickets online at the Egyptian National Railways website having followed your instructions and signed up. We caught train 980 from Cairo to Luxor in first class leaving at 8am (platform 8) and the 983 train from Aswan to Cairo first class, leaving at 7am. The tea was lovely, service pretty good, seats comfy. Toilets passable. Both trains left on time, both were in the station half an hour early, but both were about 3 hours delayed getting to the final stop. Take supplies!"
Valley of the KIngs: Above, the entrance to Tutankhamun's tomb in the Valley of the Kings at Luxor. The standard entry ticket includes any 3 of the 'included' tombs. Several notable tombs including Tutankhamun and Ramses VI are optional add-ons, requiring a separate ticket.
You can check these times online as shown here.
* Alexandria Mu. Bek = Moharam Bek New station, 4 km from Alexandria's main station, see location map. The station is near a major bus station, ignore taxi drivers who tell you there are no trains and want to take you there instead!
Ru = Russian train with 3rd class forced ventilation (GA2).
Ord = Ordinary train with 3rd class unreserved non-air-con seats.
Note A = Express train with air-conditioned 1st & 2nd class seats, runs June-September only.
Note B = Sleeper, Abelatrains.com. Runs on Monday, Wednesday, Saturday mid-June to mid-September.
Note C = Sleeper, Abelatrains.com. Runs on Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday mid-June to mid-September.
Fares: Foreigner fares for this route are not known, feedback appreciated.
Buy tickets at the station, see the advice here.
Above: In 2026, the original El Alamein station building from WW2 was still standing, see El Alamein: The wayside station that named a battle.
Cairo & Alexandria to Port Said
Ru = Russian train with 3rd class forced ventilation (GA2).
Ru* = Russian train with air-conditioned 3rd class (AC3).
Ord = Ordinary train with 3rd class unreserved non-air-con seats.
Fares: Foreigner fares not known, feedback appreciated.
Buy tickets at the station, see the advice here.
Ru = Russian train with 3rd class forced ventilation (GA2).
Ord = Ordinary train with 3rd class non-air-con seats.
Adly Mansour is a modern station & transport hub located northeast of downtown Cairo, see location map. It's around 11km further out than the Ain Shams station which is replaces as terminus for the direct line to Suez. I'd stick with the Russian train from Cairo Ramses.
Fares: Foreigner fares not known.
Buy tickets at the station, see the advice here.
Abu Simbel is one of Egypt's most famous sites, it's some 275 km along a desert road from Aswan. A daily bus service leaves Aswan at 08:00, arriving Abu Simbel at 12:00. Returning, it leaves Abu Simbel at 13:00 arriving back in Aswan at 16:00. Alternatively, there are many tourist day tours, most leaving Aswan very early - for example, 04:00.
You can book the bus, shared tourist minivan or a private transfer between Aswan & Abu Simbel at www.bookaway.com or 12Go.com.
Abu Simbel - worth the journey!
Sharm el Sheik, Hurghada, Siwa
Sharm el Sheik
To/from Cairo: There are no trains to Sharm el Sheik, but there are buses to/from Cairo. The 485 km journey takes about 7 or 8 hours by bus.
Go Bus Egypt run a dozen or more buses a day between Sharm el Sheik and Cairo. The cost varies depending on the class of bus.
Buses can be booked online from reliable booking agencies 12go.com or www.bookaway.com.
If you use this route, feedback & any photos would be appreciated. There are also buses run by the East Delta Bus Co and the Super Jet Bus Co. although currently neither company has a website.
To/from Luxor: Sharm El Sheik is the far side of the Gulf of Suez from the Nile Valley, so for Luxor you need to return to Cairo by bus, then travel by train from Cairo to Luxor, There are no longer any ferries between Sharm El Sheik & Hurghada on the other side of the gulf.
Hurghada
To/from Cairo: There are no trains to Hurghada, but there are buses to & from Cairo. The 500 km bus journey takes about 7 hours, the fare ranges depending on the class of bus. Go Bus Egypt run a dozen or more buses a day between Hurghada and Cairo, they can easily be booked online at reliable booking agencies 12go.com or www.bookaway.com. If you use this route, feedback & any photos would be appreciated.
To/from Luxor: Luxor to Hurghada (255 km) takes 4 hours by bus, with 2 or 3 departures daily. The buses can easily be booked online at reliable booking agencies 12go.com or www.bookaway.com.
Siwa Oasis
To/from Alexandria: 3 daily buses link Alexandria with Siwa taking 6 hours for the 590 km, check at www.bookaway.com.
To/from Cairo: There's a daily overnight bus from Cairo at 21:15 to Siwa, arriving around 08:15 next morning, run by the West Delta Bus co. You can also book a shred minivan or tourist car. You can book all of these www.bookaway.com.
Unfortunately, it's now difficult to get to Egypt without flying.
UK to Egypt using a ferry
This used to be easy, but sadly there are currently no passenger ferries across the Mediterranean to Egypt.
Until 1995, Adriatica Line's Espresso Egitto sail weekly from Venice and Piraeus to Alexandria, Michael Palin used it in 1989 when filming Around the World in 80 days and I used it in 1990 to travel from London to Cairo, Luxor & Aswan and back without flying. Sadly, this service ceased.
From 1995 to 2001, Salamis Lines sailed weekly from Greece to Egypt via Cyprus, but their services were suspended because of the problems in Israel, the ship's ultimate destination. Then a new weekly ferry service started in May 2010 linking Venice in Italy with Alexandria in Egypt, run by Visemar Line. However, this service didn't last more than a year, it ran in a circle via Syria, and fell victim both to problems in Egypt reducing tourist numbers and the civil war in Syria.
Yet another ferry then started up, running twice a week from Iskenderun in southern Turkey to Port Said in Egypt, Sisa Shipping, but this ended in 2013.
There are now more cruise ships in the Med than ever, going round in circles. But no ferry transportation whatsoever from anywhere in Europe to Egypt.
UK to Egypt overland via Istanbul
It used to be possible to travel overland, London-Paris-Istanbul-Aleppo-Damascus-Jordan-Sinai-Egypt. However, the war in Syria has scotched this route too, as all travel to or through Syria is inadvisable.
UK to Egypt via Morocco, Tunisia, Libya
You can't travel to Morocco or Tunisia then travel eastwards to Egypt as (a) the Morocco-Algeria border has been closed for years (although Morocco-Tunisia is open) and (b) it means passing through Libya, which is no-go for political reasons.
Suggested hotels
Hotels in Cairo
Sadly, the famous Shepheards Hotel, much-frequented by British officers in both world wars, burned down in 1952. The name is now mis-used by a modern hotel in a different location. The Windsor Hotel was a traveller's favourite with great character (it was Michael Palin's favourite), but it too has sadly closed.
Modern Cairo: On a budget, try the Hotel Carlton for comfort with character, a 22-minute 1.5 km walk from Cairo Ramses station. For something more modern and upmarket but still inexpensive by western standards, the Steigenberger el Tahrir is also in the city centre, in an excellent location overlooking Tahrir Square and the Egyptian Museum, 2.4 km from Ramses station. It's difficult to go wrong with a Steigenberger hotel.
Old Cairo: The main street in old Cairo is the celebrated El Muizz el din Allah, a street with more ancient mosques per 100m than anywhere else. Tour groups never come here, but you should definitely do so, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Muizz_Street. There are two good options for staying in this historic area, the Gamaleya Boutique Hotel with great reviews and affordable prices, or for a modest splurge the lovely Le Riad Hotel de Charme which I can personally recommend, overlooking El Muizz el din Allah itself with comfortable Egyptian-style suites and a rooftop restaurant for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I walked from Cairo Ramses to the hotel, an surprisingly easy 34-minute, 2.3 km walk mostly through interesting shaded pedestrian bazaars. Both these hotels are a short stroll from the impressive Bab-el-Futuh gate in the city walls of Old Cairo - some people visit Cairo and don't even realise there's an old city with walls!
Giza pyramids: The other location you might want to stay is Giza, to the south of the city, ideally in a hotel overlooking the pyramids. The famous Mena House Hotel is the expensive 5-star option, but for a more affordable hotel with pyramid & sphinx views and excellent review scores, try the Great Pyramid Inn, Panorama View Pyramids or Alivia Scarab Pyramids View.
Le Riad Hotel de Charme on El Muizz el din Allah in Old Cairo. Above right, a suite.
Le Riad Hotel de Charme. Above right, the rooftop restaurant.
Above left, a view of El Muizz el din Allah, Cairo's most fascinating street. Above right, Bab-el-Futuh, a gate in the city walls of Old Cairo.
Hotels in Alexandria
Cecil Hotel: The most famous hotel in Alexandria is the historic Cecil Hotel, opened in 1929 and now part of the Steigenberger chain. Churchill and Al Capone stayed here (probably not together), and it features in Lawrence Durrell's novels, The Alexandria Quartet. In 1942 it became General Montgomery's headquarters in the run up to the Battle of El Alamein, and the bar on the 1st floor is named 'Monty's' in his honour. Centrally located on the harbour-front Corniche, many rooms have a sea view and it's remarkably inexpensive by western standards. Check prices & book. For more about its history see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cecil_Hotel_(Alexandria).
Metropole Hotel: For old-world charm at a slightly cheaper rate, try the Metropole Hotel across the square, with art deco features and a lift that dates from 1932. I stayed here in 1990 when I was 24 and couldn't afford the Cecil. However, the faded grandeur and peeling paintwork of 1990 have been fully renovated, it's grand interior with high ceilings and double doors into the rooms remain. Check prices & book.
The Cecil Hotel, opened in 1929.
Above left, Cecil Hotel lobby with elderly lifts. Above right, a spacious junior suite on a corner overlooking the harbour.
Hotels in Luxor
Winter Palace: In Luxor the classic place to stay is the famous and fabulous Winter Palace Hotel, opened in 1907. It used to be cheap, but it's temporarily closed until July 2027 while being renovated for the Mandarin Oriental hotel group, and will no doubt reopen with sky-high western prices. At least have a drink in the bar! If you do splurge on a night here, request a room in the old part of the hotel, to avoid ending up in the modern extension. For the hotel's history see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_Palace_Hotel.
More affordable hotels: For some R&R at a modern resort hotel with extensive swimming pools overlooking the Nile, try the highly-rated Steigenburger Resort Achti. Or perhaps the Aracan Eatabe Luxor Hotel, also with great reviews, Nile views and a large swimming pool. For a budget hotel in the centre with excellent reviews overlooking Luxor Temple and the Nile, try the Nefertiti Hotel, only an 11-minute 750m walk from Luxor station.
Winter Palace Hotel, Luxor.
Hotels in Aswan
Old Cataract Hotel: The Old Cataract Hotel is a historic landmark overlooking the Nile, built by Thomas Cook and opened in 1900. Agatha Christie stayed and set part of Death on the Nile here. Winston Churchill, Princess Diana, Jimmy Carter and Tsar Nicholas II have all stayed here. Now operated by Mandarin Oriental, it commands sky-high prices even by western standards. If you splurge on a night here, ask for a room in the original building of 1900-1902, not the ugly tower block wing opened in 1961. Check prices & book. See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Cataract_Hotel.
More affordable hotels: Try the Obelisk Nile Hotel Aswan, a modern hotel with swimming pool overlooking the Nile.
Recommended restaurant: Trust me on this, have a meal at the family-run Nubian restaurant King Jamaica on Elephantine island. It's billed as the best restaurant in Aswan, and I won't disagree. I cannot recommend their camel tagine highly enough!
The Old Cataract Hotel, Aswan.
Guidebooks
Paying
for a guidebook may seem unnecessary in the internet age, but it's a
tiny fraction of what you're spending on your trip.
You'll see so much more, and know so much more about what
you're looking at, if you buy a decent guidebook. Easily the best guidebook is either the
Lonely Planet or Rough Guide. Both books provide an
excellent level of practical information and historical and
cultural background. You won't regret buying one of
them!
Click the images to buy at Amazon.co.uk
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Travel insurance & other tips
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Always take out travel insurance
Never travel overseas without travel insurance from a reliable insurer, with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover. It should also cover cancellation and loss of cash and belongings, up to a sensible limit. An annual multi-trip policy is usually cheaper than several single-trip policies even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself. Here are some suggested insurers. Seat61 gets a small commission if you buy through these links.
www.staysure.co.uk
offers enhanced Covid-19 protection & gets 4.7 out of 5 on
Trustpilot.
www.columbusdirect.com
is also a well-know brand.
If you live in the USA try
Travel Guard USA.
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Get an eSIM with mobile data package
Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a European mobile data package and stay connected. Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list. There's no need to buy a physical SIM card! Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data.
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Get a Curve card for foreign travel
Most banks give you a poor exchange rate, then add a foreign transaction fee on top. A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month at time of writing. The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.
How it works: 1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android. 2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses. 3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card. 4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app. You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.
I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader. The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than digging a card out). I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great. See details, download the app and get a Curve card, they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.
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Get a VPN for safe browsing. Why you need a VPN
When you're travelling you often use free WiFi in public places which may not be secure. A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi. It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply. See VPNs & why you need one explained. ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using the links on this page, you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription. I get a small commission to help support this site.
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Carry an Anker powerbank
Tickets, reservations, vaccination records and Interrail or Eurail passes are often held digitally on your mobile phone, so it's vital to keep it charged. I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over if I can't get to a power outlet. Buy from Amazon.co.uk or from buy from Amazon.com.
Touring cities? Use hill walking shoes!
One of the best things I've done is swap my normal shoes for hill-walking shoes, in my case from Scarpa. They're intended for hiking across the Pennines not wandering around Bangkok, but the support and cushioning for hiking works equally well when you're on your feet all day exploring foreign cities. My feet used to give out first and limit my day, now the rest of me gives up before they do!