During a tour through Egypt you can choose the most obvious means of transport (read: plane), but how nice is it to choose a slightly more adventurous option. We went for the latter, the night train Cairo to luxor en Aswan, in the South of Egypt.
The Nile Cruise is a special way to discover Egypt. Cruise along the Nile past ancient temples, immerse yourself in history and culture while enjoying your sailing all-inclusive hotel.
The Nile Cruise Egypt can be expanded with additional hotel nights, excursions and a unique sunrise balloon flight.
- Incl. flights ✈️ and transfers 🚐
- super comfortable
- Well priced
- Centuries-old temples and Pharaohs
- Unique excursions and balloon flight
Plan your holiday to Africa here
- Itineraries you can compare + request quotes Africaplus, Africa tailor-made, Djoser, king monkey, rickshaw travel, sawadee en shoestring.
- Flight tickets for Africa you book through Skyscanner.
- Hostels, Hotels and Resorts in Africa you book Booking.com.
- Rental cars : Sunnycars en rental cars.
- Tours and Activities in Africa you book through GetYourGuide.
- travel items such as suitcases, bags and more you can buy at Bol.com.
- SIM cards for Africa you buy extra International sim.
- Parking at the airport you can arrange via Parkos, park care of iParking.
Reserving the night train in Egypt
Since we had a tight schedule for Cairo, we didn't have time to go to the train station one or two days in advance to buy tickets. This is actually always preferable because you can be sure that you are buying it from the right provider and such a physical ticket always works just that little bit better abroad. But due to the tight schedule, this time we chose to purchase the tickets online via Abela Train Services.
You complete the payment online and the train tickets should then arrive in your mailbox. Unfortunately we did not receive any email. So with some stress we went to the train station 4 hours in advance to hopefully arrange something there. It is normally advised to arrive 2 hours in advance. That became clear later The beauty had only recently taken over the operation of the night train (since August 2023). It is not surprising that a month later they still did not have their booking system in order.
Ramses Train Station
The night train from Cairo to luxor en Aswan departs from Ramses Train Station (Location here). This is located a bit outside the center, but is easy to reach with an Uber. Make sure the Uber drops you off at the right place. We were dropped off at the super busy market opposite (due to traffic) and it took about 20 minutes to arrive at the train station. So if in doubt, check Google Maps to see if you are in the right place. Cairo train station is very easy to recognize.
When buying a train ticket for the night train from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan, it is recommended to be at the train station 2 hours in advance. Fortunately, the train station is equipped with a café where you can get coffee/tea and something tasty, and not unimportantly; there are also sockets you can use.
Abela Train Services
The office of Abela Train Services is located at Ramses Train Station Head Office 1st Floor – Office 205. Sounds complicated, but it is very easy to find when you go to the Ramses Train Station. It is located next to the entrance, not to be missed. To our great surprise, we were helped very quickly. During the ordering process of your train ticket you provide your passport details, so this turned out to be a matter of 'issue your passport and it will be arranged'. We then received our paper ticket for the night train from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan.
Train number (86)
On the signs in the station hall you can see from which platform which train departs. Exactly the same as in The Netherlands, just a little more chaotic. That's why there are a lot of people around who you can contact to help you. There is even an information desk in the middle. When you arrive at the correct platform, you will find the train number on the signs on the train platforms (also the same as NL). Along the way you will most likely be approached by 5 people, all of whom are platform managers and want you to wait in the right place. We listened to everyone and experienced nothing negative. Just don't forget to tip the person walking with you. Or politely decline if you don't want this.
Train departure time (19:45:00)
On the signs you can see the departure time behind the train number. Our departure time was 19.45:19.46 PM. You would say the same as in the Netherlands. It is just that the departure time is not adjusted in the event of a delay. When it is 19.45:XNUMX p.m. the system shows the next train, while the XNUMX:XNUMX p.m. train will still arrive. So no reason to panic. But all platform managers can also tell you that in detail.
Coach No (No 2)
The coach number is the carriage where you should board so that you are as close as possible to your designated spot. You will find this number on the train when it arrives, but this is also told (several times) by the many platform managers at Cairo train station.
Bed No (No 7)
The bed number is your assigned seat or bed. You can find this number on the steel frame of the chair or bed.
Also read: Nile Cruise Egypt | Sail along and be amazed
Costs of the night train in Egypt
A ticket for the night train from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan will cost you 84 USD per person for a double cabin (168 USD in total). When you travel alone, you pay the price for a single cabin. This will cost you 130 USD Dollars. Fairly pricey, especially when you consider that a flight from Cairo to Aswan is not much more expensive.
But the night train from Cairo to Luxor and Awan does offer a more sustainable outcome that you will probably remember for longer than a flight. You can easily pay for a ticket with your credit card. For this price you get a private cabin in a train where other tourists are also located. We thought it was a nice idea (think of the shared toilet...).
Impression of the journey on the night train from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan
From avond
After you have settled in, the train manager will come by to check if everything is okay and about an hour later you will receive the food you ordered when booking your train ticket.
You can choose from chicken, light meal and 2 others. A little later the waste is collected again and then the train manager comes by one more time to help you renovate the room so that you have two beds to sleep in. There are pillows and thick blankets on the beds. Fortunately, because it is very cold at night. You also have a small sink, a mirror, a towel and soap in the cabin. You can control the lights in your cabin yourself, but the air conditioning is centrally controlled. Also nice to know; You can lock the cabin from the inside.
The negative points of the night train from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan? You can't turn your back, especially with backpacks that go into the cabin. The night train makes a lot of noise and is quite bumpy. Not at all comparable to the luxury trains we know in the Netherlands. So a tip is to take earplugs with you.
The morning
In the morning the train manager comes by again to fold the bottom bed, so that you can both sit in a chair again (with a table in between). A little later you will get your breakfast. The breakfast is more than sufficient and excellent. It just turned out to be exactly the same as the light meal for dinner. So if you don't want the same thing twice, you shouldn't choose this.
Also read: Must sees Egypt | 7x treasure hunts in the ancient desert
Half an hour before arriving at your destination, the train manager will come by to tell you to be ready. Our journey by night train from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan took a total of 15 hours. We got off in Aswan. Are you planning to go to Luxor? You will then arrive at your destination about 3 hours earlier.
Conclusion night train Egypt
This was my third time traveling abroad by public transport. I did that before Vietnam en Thailand. The night train from Cairo to luxor en Aswan I definitely thought it was the best organized on this list. The ordering process was a bit unclear, but I think if you go to the station to buy your ticket, it will be better organized.
To our great surprise, the entire trip from Cairo to Aswan was well organized and perhaps even above expectations in terms of service. What gets a big thumbs up is the hygiene in the cabin and the public toilet on the train. In addition, the temperature in the cabin and the long travel time. All in all, a very nice experience that you should definitely not miss during your tour through Egypt.
The Nile Cruise is a special way to discover Egypt. Cruise along the Nile past ancient temples, immerse yourself in history and culture while enjoying your sailing all-inclusive hotel.
The Nile Cruise Egypt can be expanded with additional hotel nights, excursions and a unique sunrise balloon flight.
- Incl. flights ✈️ and transfers 🚐
- super comfortable
- Well priced
- Centuries-old temples and Pharaohs
- Unique excursions and balloon flight
Plan your holiday to Africa here
- Itineraries you can compare + request quotes Africaplus, Africa tailor-made, Djoser, king monkey, rickshaw travel, sawadee en shoestring.
- Flight tickets for Africa you book through Skyscanner.
- Hostels, Hotels and Resorts in Africa you book Booking.com.
- Rental cars : Sunnycars en rental cars.
- Tours and Activities in Africa you book through GetYourGuide.
- travel items such as suitcases, bags and more you can buy at Bol.com.
- SIM cards for Africa you buy extra International sim.
- Parking at the airport you can arrange via Parkos, park care of iParking.
