sleeper train cabin egypt 1

7-Day Cairo, Luxor & Aswan by Sleeper Train

Duration
7 Days / 6 Nights
Route
Cairo · Luxor · Aswan · Cairo
Style
Private Touring · Sleeper Trains · Hotel Stays
Schedule
Daily Departures · Private

Overview

Experience Egypt by rail on this 7-Day Cairo, Luxor and Aswan Tour by Sleeper Train, a private journey connecting the country’s greatest ancient cities through overnight train travel and comfortable hotel stays.

Begin in Cairo with the Giza Pyramids, Great Sphinx and Grand Egyptian Museum before boarding the sleeper train south to Luxor. Explore Karnak and Luxor Temple on the East Bank, then cross the Nile to discover the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple and the Colossi of Memnon. From Luxor, travel privately by road to Aswan for Philae Temple, the High Dam and an early excursion to the extraordinary temples of Abu Simbel.

The two overnight train journeys make efficient use of your travel time and offer a more affordable alternative to domestic flights or a Nile cruise. Sightseeing remains private throughout, with your own Egyptologist guide and air-conditioned transportation, while the absence of fixed sailing dates allows greater freedom when choosing your departure.

Highlights

Giza Pyramids, Great Sphinx and Grand Egyptian Museum
Two overnight sleeper-train journeys
Karnak, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings
Philae Temple and the Aswan High Dam
Private road excursion to Abu Simbel

Itinerary

1Day 1: Arrival in Cairo
Welcome to Egypt. A Nile Empire representative will be waiting outside the arrivals hall at Cairo International Airport, holding a sign with your name and the company name. Travel privately to your hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle and receive assistance with check-in. The remainder of the day is free to rest after your journey or begin exploring Cairo independently. Overnight in Cairo.
2Day 2: Giza Pyramids, Grand Egyptian Museum and Sleeper Train
After breakfast, meet your private Egyptologist guide and travel to the Giza Plateau. See the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the only surviving Wonder of the Ancient World, together with the pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure. Continue to the panoramic viewpoint before visiting the Great Sphinx, carved from the limestone bedrock with the body of a lion and the head of a king. Later, explore the Grand Egyptian Museum, where monumental statues, royal possessions and the treasures of Tutankhamun reveal the craftsmanship and beliefs of ancient Egypt. After the tour, transfer to the railway station and board the overnight sleeper train to Luxor. Dinner is served aboard. Overnight aboard the sleeper train to Luxor.
🍽️ Meals Included Breakfast, Dinner
3Day 3: Arrival in Luxor and East Bank Temples
Breakfast is served aboard the train before arrival in Luxor, where a Nile Empire representative will meet you at the railway station. Begin your private tour of Luxor’s East Bank at Karnak Temple, the largest religious complex constructed in ancient Egypt. Walk through its monumental gateways and enter the Great Hypostyle Hall, where towering stone columns preserve the names and achievements of successive pharaohs. Continue to Luxor Temple, an elegant sanctuary beside the Nile that was connected to Karnak in antiquity by the Avenue of Sphinxes. After the visits, transfer privately to your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.
🍽️ Meals Included Breakfast
4Day 4: Luxor West Bank and Private Transfer to Aswan
Cross the Nile to Luxor’s West Bank, the great burial ground of ancient Thebes. Enter the Valley of the Kings, where New Kingdom pharaohs created richly decorated tombs within the desert cliffs. Continue to the Temple of Hatshepsut, a striking terraced monument built against the limestone cliffs of Deir el-Bahari. Before leaving the West Bank, stop beside the Colossi of Memnon, two monumental statues that once guarded the temple of Amenhotep III. After the tour, travel privately to Aswan in an air-conditioned vehicle. The road journey takes approximately three and a half to four hours. Arrive in Aswan, check in to your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.
🍽️ Meals Included Breakfast
Optional Excursion Hot Air-balloon Sunrise
5Day 5: Philae Temple and the Aswan High Dam
Meet your private Egyptologist guide and begin at the Aswan High Dam, one of modern Egypt’s most significant engineering projects. From the dam, see the vast waters of Lake Nasser and learn how its construction transformed agriculture and electricity production across the country. Continue by motorboat to Philae Temple, an island sanctuary dedicated principally to the goddess Isis. The temple complex was dismantled and reconstructed on higher ground after the creation of Lake Nasser threatened its original location. Return privately to your hotel after the visits. The remainder of the day is free to relax or explore Aswan at your own pace. Overnight in Aswan.
🍽️ Meals Included Breakfast
Optional Excursion Nubian Village tour
6Day 6: Abu Simbel and Sleeper Train to Cairo
Depart early with a breakfast box for the private road journey across the desert to Abu Simbel. The site contains the Great Temple of Ramses II and the smaller Temple of Queen Nefertari, both carved directly into the mountainside near Egypt’s southern border. Four colossal statues dominate the façade of the main temple, while its interior chambers celebrate royal authority, military victory and devotion to the gods. After exploring the temples with your Egyptologist guide, return privately to Aswan. Later, transfer to the railway station and board the overnight sleeper train to Cairo. Dinner is served aboard. Overnight aboard the sleeper train to Cairo.
🍽️ Meals Included Breakfast, Dinner
7Day 7: Arrival in Cairo and Departure
Breakfast is served aboard the train before arrival in Cairo. A Nile Empire representative will meet you at the railway station and provide a private transfer to Cairo International Airport for your onward flight. This itinerary is best suited to an international departure scheduled for the late afternoon or evening. Travellers with an earlier flight should add a final night in Cairo.
🍽️ Meals Included Breakfast

By sleeper train vs by Nile cruise

FeatureBy sleeper train (this trip)By Nile cruise
CostLowerHigher
Departure datesFlexible, most days of the weekFixed sailing days
Where you stayCity hotels in Aswan & LuxorOn board the cruise ship
Major monumentsSame temples, reached overlandSame temples, reached by river
Best forBudget & flexible travellersScenic, all-inclusive relaxation

Prefer to sail the Nile? See our 7-Day Cairo & Nile Cruise package.

What’s Included

Included

  • Meet-and-assist service upon arrival at Cairo International Airport
  • All airport and railway station pickups and drop-offs required for the itinerary
  • One night in a 4-star Cairo hotel on a bed-and-breakfast basis
  • One night in a 4-star Luxor hotel on a bed-and-breakfast basis
  • Two nights in a 4-star Aswan hotel on a bed-and-breakfast basis
  • Two nights aboard the sleeper train on a half-board basis
  • Private air-conditioned transportation for all scheduled transfers and tours
  • Private road transfer from Luxor to Aswan
  • Private road excursion from Aswan to Abu Simbel
  • Private sightseeing tours as described in the itinerary
  • Certified English-speaking Egyptologist guide during sightseeing
  • Main entrance fees for the included attractions
  • One bottle of water per person during each sightseeing day
  • All taxes and service charges

Not Included

  • International flights to and from Egypt
  • Egypt entry visa
  • Entry inside the Great Pyramid and specially ticketed tombs in the Valley of the Kings
  • Optional tours or activities not listed as included
  • Meals and beverages outside the stated meal plans
  • Personal expenses and travel insurance
  • Tipping for guides, drivers and hotel staff
Pricing Information

Prices are shown in US dollars per person. Seasonal supplements may apply during Christmas, New Year and Easter unless a specific seasonal price is displayed.

Children’s Policy
0-5.99 years
Free of charge
6-11.99 years
Pay 50% of tour price
12+ years
Pay full tour price as per adult person

Note: Child rates apply to children travelling with their parents. Where accommodation is included, a maximum of one child per room applies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Egyptian sleeper train like?
The sleeper train is a scheduled overnight service with private single and twin cabins. Cabins are simple and functional, with beds and a small washbasin, while toilets are shared within the carriage. Dinner and breakfast are served aboard. It provides practical overnight transportation rather than a luxury train experience.
Is this better than a Nile cruise?
It offers a different experience. The sleeper-train tour costs less, stays in city hotels and is not restricted by fixed cruise departures. A Nile cruise provides a slower, more scenic journey with full-board accommodation and visits to Kom Ombo and Edfu.
Can the sleeper-train journeys be replaced with flights?
Yes, subject to flight availability. Replacing either train journey would change the accommodation arrangements and possibly the itinerary, so the revised package would be quoted accordingly.
Is the tour private?
Yes. Your sightseeing in Cairo, Aswan and Luxor is private with your own Egyptologist and driver. The sleeper train itself is a scheduled service with private cabins.
What time should my departure flight be on Day 7?
A late-afternoon or evening departure is recommended because you arrive in Cairo that morning by sleeper train. An earlier international flight would require an additional Cairo night or a change to the return transportation.

Why Book With Nile Empire

Local experts

An Egypt-based team that lives and breathes these journeys.

Private & tailor-made

Every trip built around your dates, pace, and budget.

Certified Egyptologists

Your own private guide at every temple and tomb.

Confirm before you pay

We confirm availability and your final price first. A deposit is only due once you are happy to proceed.

What Our Travellers Say

★★★★★
We had a fully organized two-week Egypt itinerary with Nile Empire, and the experience was completely faultless from start to finish. Every part of the journey was carefully arranged, and we were guided and assisted throughout the entire trip. The Egyptologist guides were excellent, informative, and professional, and everything throughout the itinerary ran smoothly and on time. Highly recommended for anyone planning a trip to Egypt.
Sommerstar · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
We recently completed an unforgettable Egypt trip organized by Nile Empire, and the entire experience was handled with professionalism and excellent attention to detail from start to finish. The itinerary between Cairo, Abu Simbel, Luxor, and the Nile cruise was perfectly coordinated, with quality hotels, punctual transfers, and continuous support throughout the journey. We especially appreciated how responsive and attentive the team remained during the entire stay. Our guides in Cairo and Upper Egypt were both knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about Egyptian history, making every visit more enjoyable and meaningful. We highly recommend Nile Empire for travelers looking for a well-organized and professionally managed Egypt experience.
Abdelaziz · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
From the moment we arrived in Egypt until the day we left, Nile Empire made every part of our journey feel special and unforgettable. The team went above and beyond to ensure we felt comfortable, safe, and genuinely cared for throughout the trip. During our 7-day Egypt tour, everything was smoothly organized between Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, and the Nile cruise. A special thank you to Soliman and Rami for their exceptional attention to detail and for making my birthday celebration truly memorable throughout the journey. The experience felt personal, warm, and professionally managed from start to finish. We would absolutely recommend Nile Empire to anyone planning a trip to Egypt.
CE · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
We booked our Egypt trip with Nile Empire based on a recommendation, and now we are happy to recommend them ourselves. From the initial planning stage until our final day in Egypt, everything was handled with professionalism, flexibility, and genuine care. The itinerary was carefully customized around our requests, including experiences like a hot air balloon ride in Luxor and scuba diving in Hurghada. Our guides and drivers were knowledgeable, friendly, and always supportive throughout the trip. Every part of the journey felt smooth, organized, and memorable thanks to Soliman and the Nile Empire team. A fantastic choice for travelers looking for a personalized Egypt experience.
Mangesh Satpute · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
Our Egypt trip with Nile Empire felt like much more than just a holiday — it was a fully personalized experience from start to finish. Everything was thoughtfully customized around our preferences, making the journey feel smooth, comfortable, and genuinely special. The accommodations, transportation, and daily planning were all very well organized, and it was clear that a lot of attention went into every detail. We especially appreciated the support throughout the trip and the flexibility of the private tours. A special thank you to our Cairo driver, our wonderful guide Mariam, and to Soliman and Rami for organizing such a memorable Egypt experience.
Priyanka Kannan · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
Our experience with Nile Empire was excellent from start to finish. Soliman helped us redesign our Egypt trip on very short notice and customized everything around our schedule, including internal flights, hotels, and a Nile cruise. We loved that all sightseeing tours were private, giving us flexibility throughout the trip. The guides, drivers, and overall organization were outstanding, and we never had to worry about anything during our stay in Egypt. The Nile cruise between Aswan and Luxor was one of the highlights of our trip, and the additional tours to Abu Simbel, Dendera, and the Nubian Village made the experience even more special. We highly recommend Nile Empire for anyone looking for a reliable and professionally organized Egypt tour.
M & S Krebs · TripAdvisor
★★★★★Rated excellent on TripAdvisorRead reviews

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$1,400 /pp