What Tourists Need To Know Before Taking The Train From Cairo To Aswan In Egypt

If you've never been to North Africa, you're definitely missing out. Many travelers escape the cold winters to warmer destinations and head to sunny Africa where the weather is moderate during this time. If you're thinking of visiting Egypt, be prepared to be left in awe of the rich culture, hospitality, and of course the fascinating history of Ancient Egyptians. 

Some of the most incredible winter destinations in Egypt are Luxor and Aswan which are home to some of the most fascinating temples as well as monuments and artifacts that should not be missed. If that sounds like something you'd be excited about, there are a few common tourist mistakes that many first-time travelers make when visiting Egypt. If you're landing in Cairo and have the ancient cities of Luxor and Aswan on your itinerary, read this before opting to take the sleeper train, as well as potential alternatives along this vast journey.

While Egypt is considered cheap for most Western visitors, the sleeper train is a bit spendy compared to flying. You can either pay $90 for a shared double cabin or $130 for a single cabin. Given that you'll spend over 10 hours on the train, you'll be surprised to learn that it is often cheaper to fly to Aswan than take the sleeper train as flights can be as low as $50. But if you've had a long flight and are looking forward to dozing off or want to save a night in a hotel before reaching your destination, it could be a convenient option despite the price. 

The best way to prearrange your sleeper train is to make sure the cabins are available in advance online through the Abela Trains website. If you're traveling from Cairo, choose your starting destination as El Giza and pick Luxor or Aswan as your end destination depending on your itinerary. Just keep in mind that while the train suggests comfort, it is noisy and many reviews have said it is less than pristine clean. This could make it difficult to sleep unless you've been on a long flight before that.

The sleeper train offers two meals, which are included in the price of the ticket. Dinner consists of rice, chicken, vegetables, and fruit, while breakfast includes pastries and yogurt, but travelers aren't wowed by the quality. On a positive note, crossing through multiple Egyptian cities and seeing the views and landscapes change in the morning light is an experience worth seeing if you do decide to take the sleeper train. 

While the sleeper train might sound convenient, if you know you won't sleep you can book a fast train in advance using a third-party website. The Talgo Train offers two different seating options to get from Cairo to Luxor or Aswan — first class or second class. The ticket ranges from $95 to $109 depending on the cabin you choose but it's a lot newer, more comfortable, and faster than the sleeper train. Otherwise, you can book at the main train station in Egypt — Ramses — which costs $25 for second class and $30 for first-class tickets. While it will be subject to availability, multiple trains are running each day, making the chances of finding an available ticket possible.

Other alternatives include taking a flight from Cairo to Aswan which can cost as low as $50 depending on the time of booking and the season. The flight is just over an hour and will save you a day's worth of traveling, allowing you to start your trip refreshed and revived as soon as you hit the ground. To make your trip to Luxor or Aswan incredible, the best time of year to visit Egypt, and especially Luxor and Aswan, are the months of October to April when the weather is bearable. Otherwise, the temperature could reach over 107 degrees Fahrenheit.