How to Travel From Cairo to Alexandria, Egypt by Rail

One of the best ways to enjoy Egypt's rich history is to travel the country by rail. The train trip from Cairo to Alexandria will take you along one of the country's most picturesque routes. You can take the speedy "Turbotrain" and reach Alexandria in just over two hours. Follow these steps to start planning your trip.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer with Internet access
• Passport and visa if necessary
• Credit card for booking tickets online or by phone

Book Train Tickets

1. Book your tickets online through the Egyptian National Railways Web site (see Resources below).
2. Call Egyptian National Railways at 011 ([phone] to book your trip.
3. Remember that, once you're in Egypt, you can buy tickets at the train station's ticket office. However, you may find long lines there.
4. Avoid the lines by booking your tickets in advance via email through an Egyptian travel agency.

Choose Arrival and Departure Times

5. Understand that the express trains dominate this route's schedule. An express train departs from Cairo every hour or so.
6. Keep in mind that Cairo's main train station, Ramses Station, is located in a part of Cairo known for congested traffic and crowds. If you're leaving from this station, it's a good idea to pick a departure time that allows you to avoid peak-hour traffic.

Choose a Train

7. Know that three types of trains are available for this route. The Turbotrain is the fastest and most luxurious. It offers air-conditioning, refreshments and the choice of first- and second-class seats.
8. Save money and book your ticket on the express train. It isn't as quick as the Turbotrain, but it's more affordable and offers fairly decent first- and second-class accommodations.

Tips & Warnings

• All phone numbers include the U.S. international prefix "011." When calling internationally outside the United States, substitute that "011" with "00."
• All country codes in phone numbers given here are within parentheses and begin with a "+" sign.
• Only a handful of Turbotrains leave the Cairo station each day. If you pick this train, you'll have a bit less flexibility with your schedule.
• The distance from Cairo to Alexandria is 130 miles. The ultra-fast Turbotrain makes this trip in just 2 hours and 10 minutes.
• Though the ordinary trains offer the cheapest fares, they have no air-conditioning. Their accommodations are rudimentary at best. These trains are not recommended for tourists.
• Arabic is Egypt's official language; but English and French are widely spoken.
• Learn to read Arabic numbers. At main stations, arrival and departure times are shown in Arabic.
• If you're an American tourist, you'll need a visa to enter Egypt. If you plan on staying for less than month, you can buy a visa in Egypt upon arrival.