Local travel tip: Tips on transportation within Egypt

Location: Cairo, Egypt

When it comes to transport system, Egypt is known to have one that is very extensive both public and private wise. For this sole reason, tourists and locals alike can travel to anywhere within Egypt at relatively low price. It is pertinent to note that most of the streets in Egypt do not have names which make navigating on your own very difficult, especially if you are on a first time visit. Fortunately for you, there are several locals – those who speak English – who are ready to help you in finding your way around but for a little token, so to say. In the years past, reports have been received of several cases of ferry disasters and bus crashes in which several lives were lost, including both foreigners and locals. We are not trying to scare you here but it is necessary that you keep in mind that you have to do your best to avoid putting yourself in unnecessary danger. An example is utilizing transport options that are deemed questionable like boarding night buses or taking taxis which are dodgy-looking. With all these said, let’s move on to the various tips on transportation within Egypt. Now let’s talk about transportation within Egypt. We shall be discussing train travel. The colonial like Ramses train station is the main train terminus in Cairo. This train station has a left-luggage office attached to it. It would interest you to know that this office charges up to E£2.50 per luggage. There is also a tourist information office which is open between the hours of 9.00am and 7.00 pm. This train station is recommended for those who intend to board train to Luxor. One of the side attractions is the exquisite Nile views you will enjoy while on your journey to Luxor. Another train service is the Abela Egypt Sleeping Train which leaves Cairo by 8.00pm and gets to Luxor by 5.05am the following morning. If the trip is scheduled for Aswan, then the train will get there by 8.15am the next morning, having left Cairo by 8.00pm. The trip from Cairo to Luxor costs $53.00 per person in a single cabin while $74.00 per person is charged for those traveling in the Double cabin. Payment for tickets is only accepted cash in Euros or US dollars. This amount covers both dinner and breakfast and believe me, you are surely going to enjoy the old-fashioned way of rendering services on the train. Train 980 is yet another rail service provided both locals and foreigners. This train leaves Cairo for Luxor and Aswan by 7.00am on daily basis. Train 996 leaves for the same destination by 10.00pm while train 1902 departs by 12.30am for the same Luxor and Aswan. The duration of the journey from Cairo to Luxor is 10 hours while from Cairo to Aswan is 13 hours. The fare for those making use of the first class cabin to Luxor is E£67.00 while those traveling second class pays E£45.00. For the trip to Aswan, those in the first class cabin pay a fare of E£81.00 while those in the second class cabin pay E£47.00. In order to be on the safer side, ensure to buy your tickets at least 2 or 3 days in advance.