- Price
- From £120 per personTwo sharing a Standard cabin. Single cabin from £169.
- Departs Luxor
- 19:45 or 20:35Daily, from Luxor Railway Station
- Arrives Cairo
- 05:30 or 06:25Bashtil Station, the next morning
- Journey time
- About 10 hoursOvernight, in your own cabin
- Distance
- 679 km
- Included
- Dinner and breakfastServed in your cabin
Going the other way? Cairo to Luxor train. Coming from Aswan? Aswan 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.
Why take the sleeper train from Luxor to Cairo?
The Luxor to Cairo night train gives you a full last day in Luxor. You board in the evening, have dinner in your own private cabin, sleep as the train runs north along the Nile, and wake up in Cairo the next morning.
It saves you a night in a hotel and a day of travelling, so you reach Cairo ready for the Pyramids, the museums and the rest of your trip.
Luxor to Cairo by train or plane?
| Sleeper train | Flight | |
|---|---|---|
| Journey time | About 10 hours, overnight | About 1 hour in the air, plus airport transfers and check-in |
| Your last day | A full day in Luxor, you leave in the evening | Depends on your flight time |
| 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 wake up in Cairo. Our train vs flight guide compares them in more detail.
How long is the train from Luxor to Cairo?
About 10 hours. The overnight train runs every day, leaves Luxor in the evening and arrives in Cairo early the next morning. Here is the timetable for the sleeper trains we sell.
| Train | Departs Luxor | Arrives Cairo | Journey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 83 | 19:45 | 05:30 (next day) | 9h45 |
| 87 | 20:35 | 06:25 (next day) | 9h50 |
Times are for the trains we sell. Your ticket shows the exact times for your train.
How much is the Luxor 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 £120 | From £169 |
| Elite Sleeper Newest | From £144 | 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 Luxor 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 Luxor 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 Luxor.
- 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.
I had an issue with my ticket and the customer service provided by James was wonderful. His responses were timely and provided great details in his explanation. He even followed up before my trip to assure me that everything was taken care of! Highly recommended.
Website very easy to use - and information accurate. Even with a minor error no issues correcting. Responsive staff and confirmations received very promptly.Highly recommend.
Read all our reviews on Trustpilot
Departure station: Luxor Railway Station
The train leaves from Luxor Railway Station, on the East Bank in the centre of town, close to the Luxor Temple area. Most East Bank hotels are a short taxi ride away.
Staying on the West Bank? Allow extra time to cross the Nile, by the local ferry and a taxi, or by road over the bridge.
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
- Plan your last visit so you reach the station with time to spare
What to do when you get to Luxor 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 at the station kiosks.
- On the platform, find the coach number on your ticket. Your attendant is waiting at the door.
One thing to sort before you travel
You'll use your phone to keep your ticket with you and to book your ride from Bashtil when you reach Cairo. Having mobile data working from the start means one less thing to figure out on arrival.
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 →Our Luxor station guide has more detail.
Your night on the train, hour by hour
- 45 minutes before departureArrive at Luxor 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 20:35The train leaves LuxorSettle 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 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.
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 Luxor guide. Coming from Aswan? Read our Aswan to Cairo guide.
Save this search
Enter your email and travel date and we will send you a link so you can come back and book when you are ready.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Travellers often ask
How much does a Luxor to Cairo 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 £144 per person. You see the exact price for your date before you pay.
What time does the Luxor to Cairo train leave?
The sleeper trains we sell leave Luxor Railway Station at 19:45 or 20:35 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.
Which station does the Luxor 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.
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 Luxor 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 Luxor 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 Luxor 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 Luxor to Cairo?
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 gives you a full last day in Luxor before you leave.