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 | Refurbished 2025 interior, new bedding | Double or Single | 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
What is the Egypt sleeper train really like?
The overnight cabin is compact, private and lockable. You settle in after boarding, dinner is served in the cabin during the evening, and breakfast arrives before you reach Luxor. Two cabin classes run on the same train: Standard and Elite.
Honest advice. The cabin gets cold at night, so bring a light layer even in summer. Meals are practical railway meals rather than restaurant dining, so carry water and a small snack. Power sockets and Wi-Fi cannot be guaranteed on every carriage, so charge devices before boarding. Some noise and movement is normal, which most travellers find part of the experience. Returning north afterwards? See the Luxor to Cairo sleeper train guide, and if the operator name confuses you, read Watania or Abela.
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.
One thing to sort before you travel
You'll use your phone to find Bashtil, book your ride and keep your ticket with you. Having mobile data working before you arrive means there is one less thing to figure out in Cairo.
Your usual SIM may work in Egypt, but roaming charges can quickly add up. Sort your data before you travel, know what you're paying in advance, and arrive with your phone ready to use.
Have your data ready for Egypt →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 |
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Frequently asked questions
How long does the Cairo to Luxor sleeper train take?
The journey takes approximately 10 to 12 hours depending on which train you take. Trains leave Cairo in the evening and arrive in Luxor the following morning, so the travelling is done while you sleep and you lose no daylight from your trip.
Which station does the Cairo to Luxor sleeper train leave from?
All overnight sleeper trains leave from Bashtil Station, also called Upper Egypt Station, in north west Cairo. They do not leave from Ramses. Arrive 45 minutes before departure and allow at least 60 minutes to get there from central Cairo, more between 5pm and 8pm. Our Bashtil Station guide covers getting there, the entrance gate and the platforms.
What is the difference between a Standard and an Elite cabin?
Both are private cabins that lock from the inside, and both include dinner and breakfast served to you in the cabin. Elite cabins were refurbished in 2025, so the interior and bedding are newer. Standard cabins are the same layout at a lower price. Either class can be booked as a double, with two berths, or as a single for one person.
Are meals included on the Cairo to Luxor sleeper train?
Yes. Dinner is served in your cabin during the evening and breakfast is served before you reach Luxor. Both are included in the fare for Standard and Elite. If you have a dietary requirement you choose your meal when you book.
How far in advance should I book Cairo to Luxor?
As early as you can. You can book any date today, whatever the season, and your cabin is secured as soon as you pay. December and January are the busiest months, followed by October, November and February. See how far in advance to book for the full month by month picture.
Is the sleeper train better than flying from Cairo to Luxor?
The flight itself is about an hour, but the airport transfers, check in and security typically turn it into most of a day, and you still pay for a hotel that night. The sleeper leaves in the evening, includes your bed and two meals, and puts you in Luxor in the morning ready to go. It also drops you in the centre of the city rather than at an airport.