How to Book Train Travel From Luxor to Cairo, Egypt

With sights like the Egyptian Museum and the nearby Giza Pyramids, Cairo is a must-see for visitors to Egypt. Cairo offers a chance to see a metropolis that's one of Africa's oldest and largest cities. Follow these steps to book train travel from Luxor to Cairo.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Book Train Travel From Luxor to Cairo

1. Nab your tickets online using the Egyptian National Railways Web site (see Resources below).

2. Reserve by calling Egyptian National Railways at 011 ([phone].

3. Plan ahead by booking your ticket via an Egyptian travel agent. These agents may be reached by email or fax.

4. See the sights along the way by journeying on a daytime express train. These trains offer air-conditioned first and second-class accommodations. The trip from Luxor to Cairo will run you between $7 and $10 if you travel via an express train.

5. Travel in style by picking an overnight deluxe sleeper train for your journey from Luxor to Cairo. These trains offer air-conditioned first and second-class accommodations along with amenities such as an onboard bar and room service. The cost of traveling from Luxor to Cairo via an overnight sleeper train is around $60 to $80.

6. Be fiscally conservative by traveling on an overnight express train. These trains more affordable than sleeper trains. Air-conditioned first and second-class seats are available. Expect to pay between $7 and $10 for travel from Luxor to Cairo on an overnight express train.

Prepare for Train Travel From Luxor to Cairo

7. Buy a book that offers translations of Arabic numbers. Most Egyptians are fluent in English and French, but train stations display arrival and departure times in Egypt's mother tongue.

8. Don't book your travel during Ramadan, the Muslim holy month. Find out when Ramadan begins and ends; its timing is fluid and varies slightly each year. Typically, the religious holiday takes place around September and October. During Ramadan, businesses and tourist sites close early.

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 are within parentheses and begin with a "+" sign.
• Ordinary trains are also available for travel from Luxor to Cairo. They're the least expensive option, but they're hardly the bargain they appear to be. Amenities are rudimentary, below the standard expected by tourists.