- Price
- From £120 per personTwo sharing a Standard cabin. Single cabin from £169.
- Departs Cairo
- 19:45 or 21:10Daily, from Bashtil Station
- Arrives Luxor
- 06:10 or 07:50The next morning
- Journey time
- About 10½ hoursOvernight, in your own cabin
- Distance
- 679 km
- Included
- Dinner and breakfastServed in your cabin
Coming back? Luxor to Cairo train. Going further? Cairo to Aswan 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 expect from the toilets.
- 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 Cairo to Luxor night train, the overnight sleeper, is one of Egypt's great journeys. You board in Cairo in the evening, have dinner in your own private cabin, sleep as the train runs south along the Nile, and wake up in Luxor with the whole day ahead of you.
It saves you a night in a hotel and a day of travelling, and it drops you in the centre of Luxor, a short ride from the temples and the river.
Cairo to Luxor by train or plane?
| Sleeper train | Flight | |
|---|---|---|
| Journey time | About 10½ hours, overnight | About 1 hour in the air, plus airport transfers and check-in |
| Arrives | Luxor station, in the city centre | Luxor airport, outside the city |
| Hotel night needed | No, you sleep on board | Yes |
| Meals | Dinner and breakfast included | Varies by airline |
| Luggage | Your bags stay with you in the cabin | Checked baggage rules apply |
If you are short of time, flying is quickest. For most travellers the sleeper works best: no daylight lost, no hotel night to pay for, and you arrive ready to explore. Our train vs flight guide compares them in more detail.
How long is the train from Cairo to Luxor?
About 10½ hours. The overnight train runs every day, leaves Cairo in the evening and arrives in Luxor early the next morning. Here is the timetable for the sleeper trains we sell.
| Train | Departs Cairo | Arrives Luxor | Journey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 86 | 19:45 | 06:10 (next day) | 10h25 |
| 82 | 21:10 | 07:50 (next day) | 10h40 |
Times are for the trains we sell. Your ticket shows the exact times for your train.
How much is the Cairo to Luxor 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 £120 | From £169 |
| Elite Sleeper Newest | From £134.50 | From £199 |
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 Luxor 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 Luxor 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.
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.
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 morningA knock to wake you, then breakfastTime to wash, dress and pack before you arrive.
- 06:10 or 07:50Arrive in LuxorStep out into the centre of Luxor, 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 Luxor
The train arrives at Luxor Railway Station, on the East Bank, in the centre of town and close to the Luxor Temple area.
- East Bank hotels are a short taxi ride away. Send your hotel the train details and ask about a pickup.
- West Bank hotels are across the Nile, by the local ferry and a taxi, or by road over the bridge.
- Arriving early? Ask your hotel before you travel whether they can hold your bags or offer an early check-in.
- Taxis wait outside the main exit. Agree the fare before you set off.
Our Luxor station guide has more detail.
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
Going on to Aswan? Read our Cairo to Aswan guide. Coming back? Read our Luxor to Cairo guide.
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Travellers often ask
How much does a Cairo to Luxor train ticket cost?
From £120 per person when two share a Standard cabin, with dinner and breakfast included. A Standard single cabin, just for you, is from £169. Elite is from £134.50 per person. You see the exact price for your date before you pay.
What time does the Cairo to Luxor train leave?
The sleeper trains we sell leave Bashtil Station in Cairo at 19:45 or 21:10 and arrive in Luxor at 06:10 or 07:50 the next morning. Your issued ticket shows the exact times for your train.
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 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 Luxor on the morning you arrive.
Can I take children on the Cairo to Luxor 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.
Which station does the Cairo to Luxor 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. Our Bashtil Station guide has the full walkthrough.
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.
Are meals included on the Cairo to Luxor sleeper train?
Yes. Dinner is served in your cabin in the evening and breakfast before you reach Luxor. Both are included for Standard and Elite, and 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, 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 Cairo to Luxor?
For most travellers, yes. The flight is about an hour, 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 puts you in the centre of Luxor in the morning, ready to go.