Help Centre

Use the search box on the homepage to select your route and date. You'll see available trains with cabin options. Select your cabin, enter your passport details, and pay securely via Stripe. Your ticket will be emailed within 2 hours.

You'll need the following for each traveller: full name as it appears on the passport, passport number, and nationality. You'll also need an email address for ticket delivery and a phone number. Keep your passport handy when booking. The details must match exactly.

Yes. A double cabin accommodates two passengers sharing one private cabin. You'll enter passport details for both travellers during checkout. Single cabins are for one person only.

You'll receive an instant payment confirmation from Stripe as soon as you pay. Your ticket PDF will be emailed to you within 2 hours. If nothing has arrived after 2 hours, check your spam folder. Still nothing? Email us at bookings@trainsegypt.com and we'll resolve it immediately.

We recommend booking at least 2–3 weeks in advance, especially for travel between November and March (peak season) and during Egyptian public holidays. Cabin availability on popular dates (particularly double cabins) goes fast.

Yes, simply make two separate bookings, one for each direction. Go back to the homepage, select the return route and date, and complete a second booking. Each booking is independent.

You pay in your own local currency. Stripe automatically presents the price in your card's currency with no additional fees from us. You can also view prices in GBP, USD and EUR on the results page using the currency toggle.

Yes. All payments are processed by Stripe, the same payment technology used by Amazon, Booking.com, and thousands of other trusted sites. We never store your card details.

Within 2 hours of payment. If you book outside business hours (e.g. late at night), your ticket will arrive first thing the next morning. Always check your spam folder.

No printing needed. Show the PDF on your phone at the station entrance gate. Your name is also registered on the train manifest, the conductor checks names, not paper tickets.

First check your spam or junk folder. If it's been more than 2 hours and there's nothing there, email us at bookings@trainsegypt.com with your booking reference and we'll resolve it immediately.

Date changes and amendments are not guaranteed; they depend on availability and must be requested before the train departs. Email us as early as possible at bookings@trainsegypt.com with your booking reference and the change you need. We'll do our best to help, though we cannot promise availability on your preferred new date. This is why we recommend checking all details carefully before completing payment.

Sleeper train tickets are non-refundable once issued, in line with Egypt Railways' policy. Please double check all dates and passenger details carefully before completing payment. If you spot an error immediately after booking, contact us urgently and we'll do our best to help.

Bashtil Station is in the Imbaba area of Cairo. The easiest way is by Uber or Careem, search for "Bashtil Station" or "Upper Egypt Station". Allow at least 45–60 minutes from central Cairo, more during peak traffic hours. We recommend arriving at the station at least 45 minutes before departure.

Arrive at least 45 minutes before your scheduled departure. This gives you time for the entrance check, finding your carriage, and getting settled. The trains generally depart on time.

Once through the entrance gate, look for the departure boards or ask any member of staff, they are used to helping international travellers and will point you to the right platform. Your ticket shows your carriage number. Walk along the platform until you find it; your cabin attendant will be at the door and will show you to your cabin. The train is not enormous, so if you start at the wrong end it's a short walk. Don't stress about finding it, the staff actively help passengers board.

Cairo to Luxor: approximately 9–10 hours overnight.
Cairo to Aswan: approximately 13–14 hours overnight (the train stops at Luxor en route).
Luxor to Cairo / Aswan to Cairo: similar durations in reverse.

Trains typically depart in the evening and arrive in the morning. You travel while you sleep and wake up at your destination. Exact times depend on the specific train; your ticket will show the scheduled departure and arrival.

There are two trains per night on the Cairo–Luxor–Aswan route: Train 85 and Train 87. Each departs from Cairo in the evening. Not all days may have both trains available for booking by foreigners. Use the search on our homepage to check availability on your specific date. If you see no results for a date, try the day before or after.

Minor delays of 30–60 minutes do occasionally occur, particularly on the return journey from Aswan. Significant delays and cancellations are rare. If your train is cancelled or severely delayed, email us at bookings@trainsegypt.com and we'll advise on options. We recommend building a buffer into your travel plans. Don't book a flight out of Luxor or Aswan on the same morning you're due to arrive.

There are no strict luggage rules, but cabins are compact. A medium suitcase or large backpack per person fits comfortably under the lower bunk. Overpacking makes the cabin uncomfortable. We'd suggest travelling light. You don't need much for an overnight train. Leave bulky luggage at your hotel if you can.

Yes. Egypt's sleeper trains are a well-established and popular way for tourists to travel between Cairo, Luxor and Aswan. Cabins are private and lockable from the inside. The service has operated for decades and is used by thousands of international travellers each year.

Your ticket includes a private lockable cabin with a fold-out bed, pillow and blanket, plus dinner and breakfast served in your cabin. Both Standard and Elite cabins include meals. Elite Sleeper offers an upgraded interior.

Yes, and children tend to absolutely love the sleeper train experience.

Before you book, drop us an email at bookings@trainsegypt.com and tell us how many adults and children you have, and the ages of your kids. We'll come back to you with exactly what to book, how many cabins you'll need, and how to make sure your family is together on the train. It usually takes one email and a few minutes.

We'd rather you get this right than figure it out at the station.

Elite Sleeper cabins have been recently refurbished and offer a noticeably more premium experience. For a special trip or if you simply want the best experience on the train, Elite is worth it.

A single cabin has one berth for one person. A double cabin has two berths for two people sharing. Both are private and lockable. If you are travelling alone and want maximum privacy, book a single cabin.

Yes. There are shared toilets and washing facilities at the end of each carriage. They are basic but functional. We recommend bringing your own toiletries, a small towel, and hand sanitiser.

No, there is no WiFi on the sleeper train. Mobile signal is available in towns and cities along the route but can drop in rural stretches. Download anything you want to watch or read before you board. Most passengers find the journey a pleasant opportunity to disconnect.

Standard cabins have limited socket availability; it varies by carriage. Elite Sleeper cabins are more reliably equipped. We recommend fully charging your devices before boarding and bringing a portable power bank. Egypt uses Type C plugs (European round-pin, 220V).