Egypt by train

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 5 min read

Egypt's rail network is one of the oldest in Africa and the Middle East, and its single most useful line for travellers is the corridor running south along the Nile from Cairo through Luxor to Aswan — the backbone of the country's ancient sites. Away from that corridor, the network is more limited and less geared toward tourism. Here is how it actually works, and what foreign visitors need to know before booking.

The main line: Cairo to Aswan via Luxor

Egyptian National Railways (ENR) runs the Nile Valley main line from Cairo Ramses station south through Asyut, Luxor and on to Aswan — a distance of around 900 km from Cairo to Aswan. This is by far the most-used rail corridor for travellers, since it links the capital to Egypt's two great archaeological hubs: Luxor (ancient Thebes, with Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and more) and Aswan (the base for Abu Simbel and Nubian sites further south).

Both daytime intercity trains and an overnight sleeper serve this route, though — importantly — foreign visitors have not always had unrestricted access to every service.

The overnight sleeper: Watania/Abela

The tourist-oriented overnight sleeper on the Cairo–Luxor–Aswan corridor is operated by Abela Egypt (marketed historically under the Watania Sleeping Trains brand, a joint venture with Austria's ÖBB), using dedicated air-conditioned sleeping cars separate from the ordinary ENR rolling stock. Trains depart Cairo Ramses in the evening and reach Luxor the following morning — roughly nine to ten hours — continuing to Aswan in a further three hours or so for those going all the way south.

Cabins come as private doubles or singles, with bedding provided and dinner and breakfast served on board. It is considerably more expensive than an ordinary daytime ticket, but for most foreign visitors it is the recommended way to cover this leg: comfortable, secure, and it saves a hotel night by travelling overnight. Book through Abela Egypt's own booking channels, at Cairo Ramses station, or via an authorised travel agent, ideally a few days ahead in the busy October-to-April season.

Daytime intercity trains

Where available to foreign visitors, ordinary ENR daytime intercity trains on the Nile Valley line run in first and second class, taking roughly nine to twelve hours for Cairo to Luxor — slower than the sleeper's overnight schedule once you account for the fact that the sleeper delivers you at your destination without losing a day, whereas the day train consumes one. The scenery from Asyut southward, with the green Nile ribbon cutting through desert, is genuinely worthwhile if your schedule and the current access rules allow it.

First class on Egyptian daytime trains is air-conditioned with assigned seating and is reasonably comfortable by regional standards; second class is more basic and considerably cheaper. Both are a step down from the tourist-oriented sleeper in comfort but are used daily by large numbers of Egyptian travellers.

Other lines: Cairo, Alexandria and the Delta

Away from the Nile Valley line, ENR also runs a busy corridor between Cairo and Alexandria, Egypt's second city on the Mediterranean coast, with frequent daytime trains taking around two and a half to three hours depending on the service — a straightforward, unrestricted route that foreign visitors use freely. Regional trains also serve the Nile Delta towns north of Cairo, though these see relatively few tourists and information in English can be harder to come by. There is no rail service into the Sinai Peninsula, so if your trip includes the Red Sea coast, see our Cairo to Sharm el-Sheikh guide for the flight and bus alternatives that cover that leg instead. The network also does not reach the Western Desert oases.

Booking and tickets

Tickets for the Abela/Watania sleeper are best booked online or through an agent in advance, particularly for the private double and single cabins, which are limited in number and popular in high season. Ordinary ENR tickets, where bookable by foreigners, can be bought at station counters, though queues and language can be a challenge without some Arabic or a guide's help; some routes are increasingly bookable online through ENR's own system. Cairo Ramses station is the main hub and can be busy and disorienting on a first visit — arrive with a reasonable buffer of time.

What to expect on board

Egyptian trains, both the tourist sleeper and ordinary services, are generally reliable but punctuality can be inconsistent, particularly on longer daytime services — build slack into onward plans rather than booking a tight connection straight off a train. Snacks and drinks are sold on board or at platforms; on the sleeper, meals are included and served in your cabin. Security presence on trains and at stations is routine in Egypt and not a cause for concern.

Planning around the rail network's limits

Because Egypt's railway is essentially a single north–south spine with a Cairo–Alexandria branch, most visitors end up combining the train with at least one other mode. A common pattern is riding the sleeper down the Nile Valley to Luxor and Aswan, then flying back to Cairo or on to the coast rather than retracing the route by rail. If Egypt is part of a wider trip, check current entry requirements in our Africa entry requirements overview before you travel, since visa and e-visa rules can change and vary by nationality.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best way to travel from Cairo to Luxor by train?

For most foreign visitors, the Abela/Watania overnight sleeper is the recommended option: comfortable private cabins, meals included, and it saves a hotel night by travelling while you sleep. It takes around nine to ten hours.

Can tourists book ordinary Egyptian trains, not just the sleeper?

Rules have varied over time — at certain periods, foreign nationals have been steered toward the Abela sleeper on the Cairo–Luxor–Aswan line specifically. Check the current position before assuming you can freely book any daytime service.

Is there a train to Sharm el-Sheikh or other Red Sea resorts?

No. Egypt's rail network does not reach the Sinai Peninsula. Travel to Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab or Nuweiba is by plane, bus or car only.

How long does the train take from Cairo to Alexandria?

Around two and a half to three hours on frequent daytime intercity services, and unlike the Nile Valley sleeper corridor, this route has no special access restrictions for foreign visitors.