- Price
- From £130 per personTwo sharing a Standard cabin. Single cabin from £179.
- Departs Aswan
- 16:20 or 17:15Daily, from Aswan Railway Station
- Arrives Cairo
- 05:30 or 06:25Bashtil Station, the next morning
- Journey time
- About 13 hoursOvernight, in your own cabin
- Change trains
- NoneSame train through Luxor
- Included
- Dinner and breakfastServed in your cabin
Going the other way? Cairo to Aswan train. Leaving from Luxor? Luxor to Cairo train
Latest updates
- Oct 2026 Guide rewritten by our concierge team with the timetable, prices, a cabin chooser, your night hour by hour and arriving at Bashtil in Cairo.
- Oct 2024 Bashtil Station (Upper Egypt Station) replaces Ramses as the Cairo station for all sleeper trains.
Aswan to Cairo, the long overnight journey
The Aswan to Cairo night train is the longer of Egypt's two great rail journeys, covering nearly 900 kilometres north through the Nile Valley. You board in Aswan in the late afternoon, have dinner in your private cabin, call at Luxor in the evening, sleep through the night and wake up in Cairo.
It saves you a night in a hotel and a day of travel, so you can spend your last day in Aswan and still reach Cairo ready for the Pyramids, the museums and the rest of your trip.
Aswan to Cairo by train, flight or bus?
There are three ways to make the trip. The sleeper is the only one that turns the journey into a night's sleep.
| Sleeper train | Flight | Bus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Journey time | About 13 hours, overnight | About 1 hour 25 minutes in the air, plus airport transfers and check-in | Around 12 to 14 hours |
| Leaves from | Aswan Railway Station, central Aswan | Aswan Airport | Aswan bus station |
| Sleep on the way | Yes, in a private cabin | No | Only in your seat |
| Meals | Dinner and breakfast included | Varies by airline | Not included |
Flying is quickest if you are short of time. For most travellers the sleeper works best: you lose no daylight, save a night's accommodation and wake up in Cairo. Our train vs flight guide compares them in more detail.
How long is the train from Aswan to Cairo?
About 13 hours. The overnight train runs every day, leaves Aswan in the late afternoon and arrives in Cairo early the next morning. Here is the timetable for the sleeper trains we sell.
| Train | Departs Aswan | Arrives Cairo | Journey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 83 | 16:20 | 05:30 (next day) | 13h10 |
| 87 | 17:15 | 06:25 (next day) | 13h10 |
Times are for the trains we sell. Your ticket shows the exact times for your train.
Does the Aswan to Cairo train stop in Luxor?
Yes. The train calls at Luxor in the evening, around 19:45 or 20:35. You stay on board in your cabin: there is no change of train, and your bags stay with you all the way to Cairo.
How much is the Aswan to Cairo sleeper train?
Every ticket includes a private, lockable cabin, fresh sheets and a pillow, dinner and breakfast. You see the exact price for your date before you pay.
| Cabin | Two sharing, per person | Single cabin, just you |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Sleeper | From £130 | From £179 |
| Elite Sleeper Newest | From £144 | From £215 |
Which cabin is right for you?
| You are | Our pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Travelling alone | Single cabin | The whole cabin is yours. You never share with a stranger. |
| A couple or two friends | Double cabin | Two beds in one private cabin, at the lowest price per person. |
| A family or group | Several double cabins | Up to 8 travellers in one booking. Add a single for an odd number. |
| After the newest interior | Elite Sleeper | Refurbished in 2025, with new bedding. Same train, same meals. |
| Watching the budget | Standard double | The best value way to travel, with dinner and breakfast included. |
Travelling with children? Under 4s travel free and share a bed with a parent. From age 4, each child needs their own ticket and bed.
What's included
- Your own private cabin that locks from the inside
- Fresh sheets and a pillow, with the beds made up for you
- Dinner served in your cabin in the evening
- Breakfast served in your cabin before you arrive
- A sink and mirror inside your cabin
How to book Aswan to Cairo train tickets
Many travellers find booking directly with the rail operator from abroad difficult. International cards are often declined, payments sometimes go through without a ticket appearing, and putting it right can take weeks.
When you book with Trains Egypt
- The total you see is the total you pay, with no booking or card fees
- Your cabin is secured the moment you pay
- Travelling within 3 months (Elite) or 3 weeks (Standard)? Your ticket arrives within 2 hours. Booking further ahead? We email it 3 months (Elite) or 3 to 4 weeks (Standard) before your trip
- A real person on our concierge team answers every email
- Our full refund guarantee: your ticket, or every penny back
Booking takes a few minutes. Choose your date, pick your cabin, enter each passenger's name exactly as it appears on their passport, and pay securely.
Your Aswan to Cairo train ticket, explained
- Ticket number Your booking with the railway. Quote it if you ever need help.
- Name Each passenger, as on their passport. It may show an extra initial, such as James J Smith. That is normal.
- Train number The train to look for on the departure board.
- Departure station The station you board at. For this journey it shows Aswan.
- Coach number Your carriage. The number is on the side of the train.
- Departure time When the train leaves.
- Seat number Your bed. Staff at the carriage door show you to your cabin.
- Cabin type Single or double, as you booked.
- Train type Your cabin class, Standard or Elite.
- QR code Your ticket details in one code. Show it on your phone at the station entrance.
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Departure station: Aswan Railway Station
The train leaves from Aswan Railway Station, in the centre of town near the market district. It is separate from Aswan Airport and from the cruise boat moorings.
Most central hotels are a short taxi ride away. Staying on Elephantine Island or another Nile island? Allow extra time for the boat across before your taxi.
Before you leave your hotel
- Ask your hotel to hold your bags after checkout, so you are free for your last day
- Keep your passport and ticket in your day bag
- Arrange a taxi or hotel transfer to the station
- Visiting Abu Simbel that day? It is around 3 hours each way by road, so only go if you are back with plenty of time to spare
What to do when you get to Aswan Station
- Arrive at least 45 minutes before the departure time on your ticket.
- Show your ticket on your phone and the passport you booked with at the entrance.
- Pick up water and snacks for the evening.
- On the platform, find the coach number on your ticket. Your attendant is waiting at the door.
Leave Aswan with the essentials sorted
Your phone keeps your ticket to hand on the journey and helps you book your ride from Bashtil when you arrive in Cairo the next morning.
Your usual SIM may work in Egypt, but international roaming can be expensive. Sort your data before you travel so you know what you're paying and your phone is ready when you need it.
Get connected before you travel →Our Aswan station guide has more detail.
Your night on the train, hour by hour
- 45 minutes before departureArrive at Aswan StationShow your ticket on your phone at the entrance and head to the platform.
- At the platformMet at your carriageA member of staff at each carriage door checks your ticket and shows you to your cabin.
- 16:20 or 17:15The train leaves AswanSettle in and watch the Nile Valley go by. Your cabin is yours for the night.
- In the eveningDinner in your cabinBrought to your door. You chose your meal when you booked.
- Around 19:45 or 20:35The train calls at LuxorStay on board. There is no change of train.
- Around 22:00Your bed is made upThe attendant turns the seats into beds, with fresh sheets and a pillow.
- OvernightSleep as you travel northThe train follows the Nile through the night.
- Early morningA knock to wake you, then breakfastTime to wash, dress and pack before you arrive.
- 05:30 or 06:25Arrive in CairoStep off at Bashtil Station, ready for your day in Cairo.
Are the toilets clean on the Egypt sleeper train?
It is the question we are asked most, so here is exactly what to expect.
Photos taken in an Elite carriage.
- Your cabin has its own sink and mirror, so you can wash and brush your teeth in private
- Two shared toilets at the end of every carriage, just a few steps from your door
- The toilets are cleaned at regular intervals through the journey
Pack a small wash bag with your toiletries, a small towel, tissues and hand sanitiser, and you will have everything you need.
Luggage and the club car
Your luggage stays with you in the cabin, under the lower bed or on the rack above the door. A medium suitcase or a large backpack each fits comfortably, so travel light.
There is a club car in the middle of the train, usually next to the Elite carriages, with tables and tea, coffee and soft drinks. The sleeping carriages are non-smoking.
Arriving in Cairo: Bashtil Station
The train arrives at Bashtil Station, also called Upper Egypt Station, in the Imbaba area of Cairo, not Ramses. It is 8 to 12 km from Downtown, Zamalek and Garden City.
- Uber or Careem is the easiest way to your hotel. Set your pickup to "Bashtil Station" or "Upper Egypt Station".
- Taxis wait outside. Agree the fare before you set off.
- Arriving early? Trains reach Cairo at 05:30 or 06:25. Ask your hotel before you travel whether they can hold your bags or offer an early check-in.
- Your bags come with you. There is no left-luggage office at Bashtil, so head straight to your hotel.
- Flying home? Book a flight for later in the day or the next day, not the morning you arrive.
Typical journey times from Bashtil by car
| To | Time |
|---|---|
| Downtown Cairo / Tahrir Square | 30 to 50 minutes |
| Zamalek | 25 to 45 minutes |
| Garden City | 35 to 55 minutes |
| Giza / Pyramids area | 40 to 60 minutes |
| Cairo International Airport | 45 to 70 minutes |
Our Bashtil Station guide has more detail.
Aswan to Cairo direct, or via Luxor?
| Go direct from Aswan when | Stop in Luxor first when |
|---|---|
| You have already visited Luxor | You still want a few days in Luxor |
| You want one overnight journey | You prefer a shorter sleeper journey |
| Your next stop is Cairo | You like to travel north in stages |
Visiting both? A popular plan is to take the sleeper from Cairo to Aswan, travel north to Luxor, then take the Luxor to Cairo sleeper back. You cover the whole route without repeating any of it.
Tips for the journey
- Keep a small overnight bag with medication, chargers and water within easy reach
- Bring a light layer, the air conditioning can be cool at night
- Pack earplugs, an eye mask and a power bank
- Download films, music or books before you board
Starting your trip in Cairo? Read our Cairo to Aswan guide. Planning a few days in Aswan? See three days in Aswan.
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Travellers often ask
How much does an Aswan to Cairo train ticket cost?
From £130 per person when two share a Standard cabin, with dinner and breakfast included. A Standard single cabin, just for you, is from £179. Elite is from £144 per person. You see the exact price for your date before you pay.
What time does the Aswan to Cairo train leave?
The sleeper trains we sell leave Aswan Railway Station at 16:20 or 17:15 and arrive at Bashtil Station in Cairo at 05:30 or 06:25 the next morning. Your issued ticket shows the exact times for your train.
Do I change trains in Luxor?
No. The train calls at Luxor in the evening and you stay on board in your cabin, with your bags, all the way to Cairo.
Which station does the Aswan to Cairo train arrive at?
Bashtil Station, also called Upper Egypt Station, in the Imbaba area of Cairo. It is not Ramses. Book an Uber or Careem from the station to your hotel. Our Bashtil Station guide has the full walkthrough.
Can I visit Abu Simbel on the day I take the train?
Only with plenty of time to spare. Abu Simbel is about 280 km south of Aswan, around 3 hours each way by road, and most visits leave around 4am. Check your train time first, and allow time to collect your bags and reach the station 45 minutes before departure.
Is the sleeper train safe for a woman travelling alone?
Yes. Your cabin is private and locks from the inside, and a single cabin is yours alone. Staff check every passenger onto their carriage, and the service is used by thousands of international travellers each year. Our solo female travel guide covers it in detail.
Will I have to share my cabin with a stranger?
No. When you book with us, a single cabin is entirely yours, and a double cabin is for you and the person you are travelling with.
Are the toilets clean?
Yes. There are two shared toilets at the end of every carriage, cleaned at regular intervals through the journey, and your cabin has its own sink and mirror. See the photos above.
Can I bring a big suitcase?
Yes. Your luggage stays with you in the cabin, under the lower bed or on the rack above the door. A medium suitcase or a large backpack each fits comfortably.
What can I do with my bags when I arrive early in Cairo?
Ask your hotel before you travel whether they can hold your bags or offer an early check-in. There is no left-luggage office at Bashtil, so take your bags straight to your hotel.
What if the train is late?
Delays of 30 to 60 minutes happen occasionally. Long delays and cancellations are rare. Don't book a flight out of Cairo on the morning you arrive.
Can I take children on the Aswan to Cairo train?
Yes. Children under 4 travel free and share a bed with a parent. Children aged 4 and over need their own ticket and bed, at the adult price. A double cabin has two beds, so two adults and a child aged 4 or over need a double and a single, or two doubles.
Do I need to print my ticket?
No. Show the PDF on your phone at the station entrance, with the passport you booked with.
Are meals included on the Aswan to Cairo sleeper train?
Yes. Dinner is served in your cabin in the evening and breakfast before you reach Cairo. Both are included for Standard and Elite, and you choose your meal when you book.
How far in advance should I book Aswan to Cairo?
As early as you can. You can book any date today, and your cabin is secured as soon as you pay. December and January are the busiest months. See how far in advance to book for the month by month picture.
Is the sleeper train better than flying from Aswan to Cairo?
For most travellers, yes. The flight is about 1 hour 25 minutes, but transfers, check-in and security take up most of a day and you still pay for a hotel that night. The sleeper includes your bed and two meals, and you wake up in Cairo.