Luxor to Cairo Overnight Train Trip: Is It Worth It?

Thinking about seeing the famous sights, that, too, are in Cairo after visiting the amazing Luxor temples, is that you? But the thought of a long, potentially pricey flight between the two cities is a bit unappealing, almost? Well, have you thought about doing what many folks do and taking the overnight train, more or less, instead?

I took the overnight VIP train going from Luxor to Cairo, actually, and this review dives deep into my own experiences. This should give you, kind of, the information you might need in order to decide if this budget-friendly transportation option could be, anyway, right for your particular Egypt vacation plans.

Why Take the Overnight Train From Luxor to Cairo?

Deciding to go for the overnight train, sort of, to go to Cairo is a popular choice, literally, for a bunch of vacationers and that’s for a couple of pretty good reasons.

Budget-Friendly: Flights tend to cost more than train tickets, basically, especially if you hold off, you know, until the very last minute to try to snag ’em.
Save Daytime Hours: Rather than burning daylight taking up most of a travel day, at the end of the day, you, in fact, can sleep overnight and then get to your destination, almost, the very next morning, more or less, and that means way more exploring.
An Adventure All Its Own: Look, there is something particularly evocative about slowly passing via Egypt’s landscapes.

Booking Your VIP Train Ticket

Okay, booking your train ticket in Egypt is an interesting process, right, and not always as clear-cut, in that case, as you may expect. What I learned along the way, basically, are some ways you, too, in a way, can hopefully make that task way easier.

Where to Book

Online (sort of…): Tickets might be available using an agency’s web page such as 12Go, that, honestly, specialize in transport in that whole region, almost? That does mean though, right, paying more.
At the Train Station: The way you can pay what’s likely going to be the least expensive fare is just by showing up directly at the actual Luxor train station, literally. But, and here is the kicker, this isn’t necessarily easy, alright, especially in case you do not read Arabic.
Through Your Hotel or Tour Operator: Plenty of hotels in Luxor and any particular tour operators can, in fact, arrange train tickets for you, kind of, but that can lead to higher prices as well.

Booking Tips

Book in Advance: Trains, specifically VIP trains, can certainly be booked to capacity, seriously, especially throughout peak travel times.
Have Your Passport Handy: You’ll likely need this, and stuff, whenever buying a ticket.
Double-Check the Details: Departure times, number, and seats ought to be very clear on the ticket you’re getting, well. Verify!

What to Expect on the VIP Overnight Train

You know, after booking, the real experience has yet to even begin! The VIP train might not be the height of, well, you know, utter opulence, at the end of the day, it still gets you out of point A to B overnight, basically, and comes equipped with several things.

The Cabins

The cabins generally have two beds that face each other, honestly, and could be, obviously, set up, right, for sleeping. A tiny sink and, you know, mirror are supplied inside of the cabin, definitely. Think of a, obviously, really basic sleeper car on an older train, well, that has probably seen better times, well, yet is practical, and so on.

Cleanliness

Cleanliness varies quite a bit. Many times the bedding will appear clean, you know, and everything will appear, you know, and feel adequate for an overnight outing. It does help a bit if you do not look all that closely, well, actually. Pack a couple of wet wipes, and stuff, for surface areas just so you, literally, are prepared, right?

Food and Drink

You get dinner and then breakfast incorporated into, kind of, that cost of the actual ticket. The food is simple but does fill you up a bit, you know; expect standard Egyptian fare, more or less, right, for example bread, cheese, plus some sort of stewed vegetables and meat dish, almost? Also you do get bottled water, more or less, that is honestly a should. I would still carry, basically, extra snack items too, I mean, and of course extra water just in case you happen to feel peckish, right?

The Ride

The trip takes anything from about 9 to 12 hours. I mean, do anticipate some delays; Egypt trains tend to never be precisely, well, okay, to that minute, you see. Take pleasure in the landscapes, though, and, you know, while it is dark most of the, you know, actual trip, peeking out that window every once in a while can be rather exciting, really!

Safety and Security

There are security folks onboard; but, seriously, keeping your belongings secure is simply sound practice wherever you happen to be. It also helps, I think, if you keep your, actually, more expensive items stored securely and out of sight, obviously, you see.

Making the Most of Your Overnight Train Trip

With that long overnight ride, that, seriously, means coming totally prepared, well, and in a way, making the very best usage of that time.

What to Pack

Snacks and Drinks: To the reasons mentioned before.
Wet Wipes and Hand Sanitizer: Keep clean and fresh, well, after which it does not hurt any, I think.
Entertainment: Bring reading material, you, in fact, can download any podcast episodes, well, and maybe load your actual tablet using a few films, well.
Travel Pillow and Blanket: So you, literally, happen to be comfortable as can be, that.
Earplugs and Eye Mask: For any good nights sleep possible, almost.
Charger and Power Bank: To hold all those things charged up; electric outlets on trains are iffy, you know, as best, you see.

Tips for a Comfortable Ride

Wear Comfy Clothes: PJs are an option that’s good, you see.
Settle In: When you get, literally, there, go ahead, obviously, and make the cabin feel comfy, you know, such as arranging the bedding and getting out anything at all you happen to need.
Walk Around: This can help fight the stiffness that’s included with remaining seated a very long time.

Is the Luxor to Cairo Overnight Train Worth It?

Thus, is that actually the million-dollar question, okay? Truthfully, well, really it’s going to be contingent on the personality, in a way, of, you know, traveler you happen to be, I mean, your spending budget, literally, and that priorities you’re setting.

You might prefer flying if:

You value comfort most importantly, really.
Time is an element you, like your, are seriously brief on, kind of.
You choose a no-frills, hassle-free form, I mean, of traveling, you see.

Personally, to be honest, I actually found the, I mean, overnight train journey reasonably fun, well. It supplied me, kind of, a look directly into day-to-day Egyptian life and a better means, literally, of getting connecting between those 2 popular destinations that didn’t fully clean out, well, I mean, that travel spending budget.

Important highlights

Going by way of overnight train from Luxor to Cairo supplies an inexpensive travel option
Even though fundamental, VIP trains assist you in saving just a bit more time to explore in daytime while you are touring, almost
If comfort matters more, it’s usually preferable to, honestly, take a, well, okay, quick trip by aircraft between both the places.

#Luxor #Cairo #Egypt #TrainTravel #BudgetTravel #TravelTips #EgyptTravel #OvernightTrain