Luxor Travel Forum

I would like to go to Luxor from Marsa Alam and then by night train to Cairo. I would like to ask some questions:
1) is there some regular bus service from Marsa Alam, or i had to take a tour from marsa alam (but it is not quite reasonable, because i use this bus only in 1 way) ?
2) is it safe to travel by train in Egypt? Can i lock the compartment door ?
3) how are the compartments in night trains in Egypt, can i sleep good there?
4) need i buy the train tickets in advance, or is it sufficient to buy them just in luxor ?
thanks

There are buses (probably still no bus station, wait at petrolstation or T- junction) in the morning to Aswan (via Edfu, where you could change to Luxor) and to Hurghada and Cairo.
In the sleeper you probably could look the door (if the other people in the compartement agree, and the lock is working), but i donīt think itīs necessary, exept of the extremistīs itīs qute safe.
For reservation, right now with end of Ramadan, definately yes, othertimes probably sufficient to buy them just in luxor.
http://www.egyptrail.gov.eg/docs/sleep/sleep.html
http://www.seat61.com/Egypt.htm

I've taken the train between Cairo and Luxor. I took second class so I did not have a compartment. I was able to sleep in the seat but it was a tiring trip. There are super deluxe tourist sleepers but I understand they are somewhat expensive. Someone told me that air flights are similar when you book the flight in advance. Maybe you should look into this so you don't have to worry about train tickets.

http://www.egyptair.com.eg/english/Egypt

As far as second class train tickets. I got the tickets from Cairo to Aswan on the day of the trip. I tried to get tickets from Luxor to Cairo a few days early but was told by the station they were all sold out.

A travel hustler said he could get me a ticket on the black market but I would have to pay more. Someone else said they usually always have tickets in the morning before the trip. This is because travel agents and hustler hold on to tickets but have to return them to the train station the day of the trip if they have not sold them. He also said there is an overnight bus between Luxor and Cairo and showed me where I could buy them. The ticket office was near the Luxor train station.

He was correct, I was able to get second class night train tickets on the morning of the trip. This was mid April 2008. I don't know if it is more difficult at different times of the year.

I was nice that someone gave me good advice without trying to cheat me or wanting Baksheesh (tip).

Just a little info about the night trains from Luxor to Cairo.

The actual sleeper trains are very comfortable. Each two berth compartment is secure with doors that lock. The sheets are freshly laundered, you have your own wash basin and you are served an evening meal and a decent breakfast as well. BUT, as the other poster remarked, it's about the same price as a cheap flight.

The, quite reasonable, alternative is to travel on the first class night train. These carriages have very large seats in which it is easy to sleep, they have a generous recline. You may need something to cover yourself with, as the air-con gets very chilly through the night. First Class has the great advantage of being VERY cheap.

Of course the trains are safe. If you look at the other passengers carefully, you will soon see that there is a uniformed, and armed, policeman in your carriage, and also you will probably notice the Kalashnikov under the tweed coat of the Galabeya policeman who patrols the train up and down all night.

First class is a good experience, either day or night. Go for it!!

Best wishes,
Edward.

Correction to my above post. I took first class train between Cairo and Luxor, not second class as I said. They were a lot cheaper then the sleeper and I forget they were first class.

Try not to get a seat too close to the end. Sometimes people go thought the doorway to smoke. The smoke comes into the car and also the door opening and closing is disturbing.

Hi , im from Luxor and i would like tell that you needn't to use bus to travel from Luxor to Cairo , the distance is not short and it's take about 12hrs so the sleeper train is recommended in this case and it's gonna cost you just about 60 US dollars and just 9hrs