Travelling to Egypt

Trains do not connect Egypt to any of the international destinations to its northwest. However, the few railheads at Wadi Halfa in Sudan and Aswan are linked by a ferry across Lake Nasser. On the other hand, the national railway network of Egypt is an ideal means to travel between the major cities within Egypt.

Operated by Egyptian National Railways, trains in Egypt connect Aswan to Alexandria on the Mediterranean coast, via Nile Valley. Spread across an area of approximately 8600 km, this national rail system does not cover the whole. Abela Egypt, a privately owned company, also operates trains from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan.

Among the important railway stations serving Egypt, most important is the Ramses Station in Cairo. Originally built in the year 1856 as the terminal of the first Alexandria-Cairo link, this station was re-erected in 1892 and later renovated in 1955. Another major railway station is the Misr Station in Alexandria.

Other railway stations serving different regions of the country are those situated in Marsa Matruh, Suez, Ismailia, Port Said, Mansoura, Damietta, Giza, Minya, Luxor and Aswan.

Three types of trains run on the Cairo-Alexandria route, namely ordinary trains, express trains and superfast French-built 'turbotrains'. Considered to be the pride of Egyptian National Railways, these turbo trains cover 130 miles in 2 hours 10 minutes.

Unlike slow trains, the deluxe sleepers and AC express trains running on the Cairo-Luxor-Aswan route take less time to complete the journey. For a scenic view of Egypt, one can take the train running from Aswan (South) to Alexandria (North).

Egyptian trains offer four classes of accommodation, namely 1st class (AC), 2nd class (AC), 2nd class (ordinary) and 3rd class. The 1st and 2nd air-conditioned coaches are usually available on express trains. However, the ordinary 2nd class coaches are a part of slower trains. 3rd class coaches on the other hand are rare and hardly used nowadays.

The average fares for 1st class coaches range between 272.02 INR to 847.15 INR, while those of 2nd class coaches may vary from 147.67 INR to 427.46 INR. Discounts are also granted for students on all trains, except sleeping-cars.

Travelling from Cairo to Alexandria in 1st class costs about 193.42 INR. On the other hand, one-way ticket fares for travelling from Cairo to Aswan in 1st class AC coaches amount to 1,237.90 INR. Sleeper trains run by Abela Egypt on Cairo-Luxor-Aswan route charge 4,551.50 INR (2-berth compartment) or 5,461.80 INR (1-berth compartment).

All 1st and 2nd class coaches are air-conditioned. Refreshments are available on superfast turbo trains connecting Cairo to Alexandria. The overnight deluxe sleeper trains linking Cairo to Luxor and Aswan have 1- and 2-berth rooms, along with a club or lounge car. Evening tray meals and breakfast are also available.