Routes and stations
Trains run overnight between Cairo, Luxor and Aswan, southbound and northbound. In Cairo most passengers board at Cairo Upper Egypt station in Bashtil. Giza, reachable by metro, is the other boarding point.
The sleepers no longer leave from Cairo Ramses, but Abela keeps a ticket office there. A connecting service from Alexandria runs on some days of the week.
Cabins and service
Each lockable compartment has two berths, a washbasin, towels and clean bedding. Seats convert to beds in the evening. Elite cars have a power socket by each berth.
A tray dinner is served in the evening and breakfast in the morning, both in your cabin. A club car serves tea, coffee and soft drinks. Cabins are non-smoking.
Tickets and fares
Fares are the same to Luxor or Aswan. Recent prices are about US$125 per person in a shared Elite cabin and US$170 for sole use. Standard cars cost about US$110 shared and US$150 alone.
A return trip costs two one-way fares. Prices are set in foreign currency and can change, so confirm when booking.
How to book
You can book on the Abela website or app, by phone, or at Abela offices, including the one at Ramses. Agencies such as 12Go and Bookaway also sell tickets.
Booking opens about four to five months ahead, and tickets are electronic. At offices, pay in US dollars, euros or pounds sterling; a card is accepted at the Ramses office.
Tips for travellers
Book early in the winter high season, when cabins sell out. Keep a small bag in the cabin; large cases go on the shelf above the door.
Allow time to reach Bashtil by taxi, as it has no metro. Arrival times can slip, so avoid tight onward connections.
Last checked: October 2026. Fares and timetables change, so confirm on the official website before you travel.
