Alexandria Travel Forum

Hi,

Due to flight changes, we'll have an extra 2 nights in alexandria and so we've decided to spend 2 nights in cairo and travel by train.

Any answers on the following questions would really be appreciated !

- What is the best , turbo train or express train ?
- Can one buy a return ticket or are only one way tickets sold ?
- What is the most convenient way , buy the tickets yourself or through a travel agency ?
- Can one buy a train ticket on the travel day itself or should one buy the tickets a day before ? Is there a difference between turbotrain and express train tickets ?
- Is it easy to find your way in the train stations if one doesn't speak arabic ?
- Where can I find an up-to-date train time schedule alexandria-cairo-alexandria for alexandria-cairo travelling on monday 30 october and for cairo-alexandria on wednesday 1 november ?

Many thanks for your answers/help !

Kind regards,

ralf,
Belgium

Hi there,I dont know how much the things change since I been to Egypt last summer.Well, the answer that I can give you is based on my experience.
1-Turbo train would be fine and it is cheaper.(Apologise me if I swap between turbo and express).What I reckon,the price for both maybe a bit different but the time they take to arrive maybe about 15 to 30 minutes differ from each other.
2-I think you can buy return ticket but single journey would be suffice.I dont think they have discount for return journey,or you can just buy the ticket to Cairo when you arrive at Alexandria train station.
3-If you dont mind about the hassle buying the ticket from the counter or you want to have new experience,you can buy by your own.It is not that hard.The person who sells the ticket usually can speak and understand English specially at Ramsis St. (Cairo) and Alexandria station.Otherwise,you can just buy from travel agent.
4.You can buy the ticket up to 7 days as I remember before travelling.You can also buy the ticket on the day yuo want to travel but you maybe at risk if the seats is full.Buying a day in advance is advisable.
5.If you have any problem at the train station specially at Ramsis or Alexandria,just go to the information office and they will help you.You can also go to the tourist police officer/or train officer and show them you ticket and they will guide you.Most of the tourist police and information officer can speak at least a little english.The train ticket is written in both arabic and english,so it should be any problem.
6-you can get the updated train timetable at the train station.usually,the timetable is fixed but any changes will appear next to the timetable.
Hope those answers will help you.Wishing you having a nice holiday there!!

Hi Exeteur,

Many thanks for your answers.They are highly appreciated!

Kind regards,
ralf,
belgium

Train is no trouble. I don't speak a word of Arabic, except I think that Chokran means thank you.

I arrived in the middle of the night at the airport and the taxi driver did everything for me, carried my luggage, bought my ticket and put me on the train, and when he became difficult I threatened to go to the Tourist Police office which is readily apparent inside the train station, and he became easy again. He bought my ticket for me and a friend and he put my luggage on the train. His friend wanted a tip too, but I told him to share in the driver's tip, and he was satisfied. So it's really no problem. But the ticket was a strange cardboard card all in Arabic writing.

Thomas Cook probably has the best official bus-train schedules for Egypt. Otherwise, I don't know.

By the way, I loved Belgium, and want to return soon.

Maybe I am too late for replying but as you didnt mention a date : I went by train 1st class to Cairo and it was 4 Euro one way. Seats were very comfortable and travelling very nice.
Regards from Vienna, Richard

Hello
I am an Egyptian living in Paris. Most of what the last person wrote for you is correct.Be aware that the tickets need to be purchased in advance. The first class tickets ( And this is how you want to travel , trust me ! ) go fast and they are really very inexpensive. Buy your round trip ticket at the station , it is very easy. I hear that the best train is called the spanish ( Espani)it is also the fastest. As the last answer mentions , the difference in time between the fast train and the one that has three stops is only 15 to 30 minutes so don't worry about it too much. Alexandria has two stations and depending on where you are in Alexandria you can choose which one works better for you. Mahattat masr , is the one down town and it is very large and very chaotic but an interesting building to check out. The other cleaner and much smaller station is called Sidi Gaber . All trains start at the main station and ten minutes later stop at Sidi Gaber before they head to Cairo. English is not widely spoken but it is not a problem . All is very simple and Egyptians are very friendly. The train system is generaly on time and very comfortable but not very luxurious , first class seats will be old and not spotless as in Europe but that said , they will be very comfortable. A five pound tip will be more than enough for the bagge handlers.
While is Alexandria do not miss a half day at the Montazah gardens , the summer residence for the ex king. also enjoy a great meal at a seaside restaurant called tekka or fish market. Great sea food in a covered terrace with beautiful views of Alexandria. have a safe and enjoyable trip and let me know if you need any further help or recommendations.