Latest updates
- Mar 2026 Daily departures confirmed running. Prices updated for 2026 season.
- Oct 2024 Bashtil Station (Upper Egypt Station) replaces Ramses as the departure point for all Cairo sleeper trains.
Why take the sleeper train from Cairo to Luxor?
The overnight sleeper train from Cairo to Luxor is one of Egypt's great travel experiences, and one of the best-value ways to travel between the two cities. You board at Bashtil Station in Cairo in the early evening, enjoy dinner in your private cabin, sleep as the train rolls south through the Egyptian night, and wake up in Luxor with the whole day ahead of you.
Flying takes less than an hour but you lose an evening, pay for a hotel, and miss the experience entirely. The sleeper train turns the journey into an adventure.
Station update (October 2024): Cairo sleeper trains now depart from Bashtil Station (Upper Egypt Station), not Ramses Station. Most travel guides and booking sites still show the wrong station. Please plan your journey to Bashtil.
Schedule and journey time
Sleeper trains between Cairo and Luxor run daily. There are typically two evening departures from Cairo, one in the early evening and one later at night. The journey takes approximately 10 to 12 hours depending on the train, arriving in Luxor in the morning.
Check live availability for current departure times, as these can vary by season.
Prices and cabin types
There are two classes of sleeper cabin: Standard Sleeper and Elite Sleeper. Both offer a private, lockable cabin.
| Cabin type | Berth size | Occupancy | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Sleeper | Standard berth with fold-out bed | Double or Single | Dinner & breakfast included |
| Elite Sleeper | Wider berth, more headroom | Double or Single | Upgraded dinner & breakfast included |
A double cabin has two berths and is ideal for couples or two friends travelling together. A single cabin is one berth for one person. Both cabin types are private and lockable from the inside.
What's included
- Private lockable cabin with fold-out bed
- Pillow and blanket
- Dinner served in your cabin in the evening
- Breakfast served in your cabin in the morning
- Shared toilet and washing facilities at the end of each carriage
Departure station, Bashtil not Ramses
This is the most important thing to get right. Since October 2024, all sleeper trains depart from Bashtil Station (also known as Upper Egypt Station). They no longer depart from Ramses Station, despite what the majority of travel websites and guidebooks still say.
Bashtil Station is in the Imbaba area of Cairo. Allow at least 45 to 60 minutes to reach it from central Cairo by taxi, Uber or Careem. Search for "Bashtil Station" or "Upper Egypt Station" in your ride-hailing app.
Read our full Bashtil Station guide for detailed directions and tips.
How to book
You can book directly through Trains Egypt in minutes. Select your route and date, choose your cabin type, enter your passport details, and pay securely. Your ticket will be emailed within 2 hours.
You'll need the following for each passenger: full name as on passport, date of birth, passport number, passport expiry date, and nationality.
Tips for the journey
- Arrive at Bashtil Station at least 45 minutes before departure
- Bring a small bag for overnight essentials, your main luggage goes under the berth
- The cabin gets cold at night, bring a light layer even in summer
- Meals are included but basic, a small snack for the journey is a good idea
- No printing needed, show your ticket PDF on your phone at the entrance gate
- The conductor will check your name against the manifest, not your paper ticket
Sleeper train vs flying Cairo to Luxor
| Sleeper Train | Flight | |
|---|---|---|
| Journey time | ~11 hours overnight | ~1 hour + airport time |
| Arrives | Luxor station, city centre | Luxor airport, outside city |
| Hotel night needed | No, you sleep on the train | Yes, extra cost |
| Meals included | Yes, dinner and breakfast | No |
| Luggage | No restrictions | Checked baggage fees apply |
| Experience | The journey is part of the trip | Just another flight |