- Price
- From £130 per personTwo sharing a Standard cabin. Single cabin from £179.
- Departs Cairo
- 19:45 or 21:10Daily, from Bashtil Station
- Arrives Aswan
- 09:25 or 11:10The next morning, via Luxor
- Journey time
- About 13½ to 14 hoursOvernight, in your own cabin
- Distance
- 879 km
- Included
- Dinner and breakfastServed in your cabin
Coming back? Aswan to Cairo train. Only going to Luxor? Cairo to Luxor train
Latest updates
- Oct 2026 Guide rewritten by our concierge team with the timetable, prices, a cabin chooser, your night hour by hour and what to do when you arrive in Aswan.
- Oct 2024 Bashtil Station (Upper Egypt Station) replaces Ramses as the departure point for all Cairo sleeper trains.
Cairo to Aswan, the long overnight journey
The Cairo to Aswan night train is the longer of Egypt's two great rail journeys, covering nearly 900 kilometres through the Nile Valley. You board in Cairo in the evening, sleep through the night, pass Luxor in the early morning and arrive in Aswan with the day ahead of you.
Aswan is the gateway to Abu Simbel, the Nubian Museum, Philae Temple and the slow boats to Nubian villages on the Nile. Arriving by sleeper saves you a night in a hotel and a day of travel.
Cairo to Aswan 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 13½ to 14 hours, overnight | About 1 hour 25 minutes in the air, plus airport transfers and check-in | Around 12 to 14 hours |
| Leaves from | Bashtil Station, Cairo | Cairo International Airport | Cairo bus stations |
| 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 arrive ready to explore. Our train vs flight guide compares them in more detail.
How long is the train from Cairo to Aswan?
About 13½ to 14 hours. The overnight train runs every day, leaves Cairo in the evening and arrives in Aswan the next morning. It calls at Luxor in the early morning, and you stay on board. Here is the timetable for the sleeper trains we sell.
| Train | Departs Cairo | Arrives Aswan | Journey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 86 | 19:45 | 09:25 (next day) | 13h40 |
| 82 | 21:10 | 11:10 (next day) | 14h00 |
Times are for the trains we sell. Your ticket shows the exact times for your train.
How much is the Cairo to Aswan 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 Cairo to Aswan 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 Cairo to Aswan 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 Upper Egypt means Bashtil Station in Cairo, not Ramses.
- 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: Bashtil, not Ramses
Since October 2024, all sleeper trains leave from Bashtil Station (also called Upper Egypt Station) in the Imbaba area of Cairo, not from Ramses Station. Many travel sites still show the wrong station.
Allow at least 60 minutes from central Cairo, more in evening traffic. Use Uber or Careem and search for "Bashtil Station" or "Upper Egypt Station". From Downtown, Zamalek or Garden City an UberX is usually EGP 80 to 150.
What to do when you get to Bashtil
- At the entrance, your bags go through an X-ray scanner. It takes seconds.
- Show your ticket on your phone and the passport you booked with at the entrance gate.
- Walk straight ahead into the glass pyramid hall. The waiting area is just beyond it.
- Pick up water and snacks at the cafe or one of the mini-markets.
- Sleeper trains leave from platforms 8 to 11. Check the departure board, or ask any member of staff.
- On the platform, find the coach number on your ticket. Your attendant is waiting at the door.
Free download: Bashtil Station walking mapNo sign-up, no email. Save it to your phone so you have it at the station.
Leave Cairo with the essentials sorted
Your phone will help you get to Bashtil, keep your ticket accessible and find your way when you arrive in Aswan 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 →Read our full Bashtil Station guide for detailed directions and tips.
Your night on the train, hour by hour
- 45 minutes before departureArrive at Bashtil 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.
- 19:45 or 21:10The train leaves CairoSettle in. Your cabin is yours for the night.
- Soon after leavingDinner in your cabinBrought to your door. You chose your meal when you booked.
- Around 22:00Your bed is made upThe attendant turns the seats into beds, with fresh sheets and a pillow.
- OvernightSleep as you travel southThe train follows the Nile through the night.
- Early morningThe train calls at LuxorStay on board. Aswan is further south.
- Later that morningA knock to wake you, then breakfastTime to wash, dress and pack before you arrive.
- 09:25 or 11:10Arrive in AswanStep out into the centre of Aswan, ready for the day.
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 Aswan
The train arrives at Aswan Railway Station in the centre of town, by the market district and about 15 minutes' walk from the Nile Corniche. Taxis wait outside the main exit.
- To your hotel: most central hotels are a short taxi ride away. Hotels on Elephantine Island or another Nile island also need a boat, so send your hotel your arrival time.
- Joining a Nile cruise: cruise boats need a separate transfer. Agree the exact meeting point with your cruise company before you travel.
- Philae Temple: about 20 minutes by taxi to the boat dock, then a short ferry. Easy to fit into your first day.
- Abu Simbel: about 280 km south, around 3 hours each way by road. Most visitors leave around 4am, so plan it for the morning after you arrive.
Agree taxi fares before you set off. Our Aswan station guide and three days in Aswan have more detail.
Visiting Luxor and Aswan in one trip
If your trip includes both, a popular plan is to take the sleeper all the way to Aswan, spend a few days there, travel north to Luxor, then take the Luxor to Cairo sleeper home. You cover the whole route without repeating any of it.
Only going to Luxor? Book the Cairo to Luxor sleeper train instead. It is the same train, you simply get off earlier.
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
Coming back? Read our Aswan to Cairo guide.
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Travellers often ask
How much does a Cairo to Aswan 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 Cairo to Aswan train leave?
The sleeper trains we sell leave Bashtil Station in Cairo at 19:45 or 21:10, pass through Luxor overnight, and arrive in Aswan at 09:25 or 11:10 the next morning. Your issued ticket shows the exact times for your train.
Does the Cairo to Aswan train stop in Luxor?
Yes. Luxor sits about halfway along the route and the train calls there in the early morning before continuing south. If Luxor is your destination, book the Cairo to Luxor journey rather than travelling on to Aswan.
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.
Which station in Cairo does the Aswan sleeper train leave from?
Bashtil Station, also called Upper Egypt Station, in north west Cairo. It is not Ramses. Arrive 45 minutes before departure and allow at least 60 minutes to get there from central Cairo, more in evening traffic. Our Bashtil Station guide has the full walkthrough.
Is the train better than flying from Cairo to Aswan?
Flying is quicker, about 1 hour 25 minutes in the air. The sleeper takes the night instead of a day, includes dinner and breakfast, and saves you a hotel night, so for most travellers it is the better choice. Our train vs flight guide compares them in full.
Can I join a Nile cruise in Aswan after the train?
Yes. The train arrives in the morning, which suits most cruise departures. Cruise boats need a separate transfer from the station, so agree the meeting point with your cruise company before you travel.
Are meals included on the Cairo to Aswan sleeper train?
Yes. Dinner is served in your cabin after departure and breakfast is served before you arrive in Aswan. Both are included for Standard and Elite cabins, and you choose your meal when you book.
Can I take children on the Cairo to Aswan 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.
Is the Cairo to Aswan train ever late?
Delays of 30 to 60 minutes happen occasionally. Long delays and cancellations are rare. Don't book a flight out of Aswan on the morning you arrive.
Do I need to print my ticket?
No. Show the PDF on your phone at the station entrance. Your name is also on the train's passenger list, which staff check against your passport.
How far in advance should I book Cairo to Aswan?
As early as you can. Any date can be booked today and your cabin is secured as soon as you pay. December and January are the busiest months, so book those further ahead. See how far in advance to book for the quieter months.