We travelled down and up the Nile River twice and tried multiple modes of transport along the way, including day trains, overnight sleeper trains and buses. These are the best ways of getting from Cairo to Luxor in our opinion. 

On our first trip up the Nile, we took the day train to Luxor and returned down the Nile in the overnight train (not the sleeper train). The second time around, we took a bus from Cairo to Luxor and returned with the Abela overnight sleeper train. This is what we learned from our experiences. 

Key Takeaways

• Take the day train from Cairo to Luxor for an affordable and scenic journey, but expect a long trip with many stops and possible delays.
• The overnight sleeper train offers private cabins and a unique experience but can be noisy, uncomfortable, and more expensive than flying.
• Buses, especially the GoBus service, are a budget-friendly and comfortable option, with overnight trips that save you a hotel night.
• Booking a Nile cruise from Cairo to Luxor combines transport and sightseeing but takes several days and is pricier.
• Flying is the fastest way to get from Cairo to Luxor, with flights taking about one hour, though airport transfers and procedures add extra time.

Made it to Luxor? This is Where to Stay in Egypt’s Ancient Capital

For your stay in Luxor, we recommend picking a hotel on the East Bank of the Nile for a shorter transfer from the train station to your hotel. These are 3 of the best hotels in Downtown Luxor: 

Budget	Abeer Guest House	from $ 19 per night	Click here for rates.
Comfort	Iberotel Luxor	from $ 53 per night	Click here for rates.
Luxury	Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa	from $ 132 per night	Click here for rates.

All Ways of Getting from Cairo to Luxor from Cheap to Expensive 

Cairo is the capital city of Egypt, for now, and the start and end point of any trip along the Nile River. Luxor, on the other hand, is the ancient Egyptian capital of Memphis and the home of the Valley of the Kings. Both cities absolutely deserve a place in your Egypt itinerary. So, let’s find out how to get from one to another. 

For getting from Cairo to Luxor, you can choose between the following modes of transport: 

• Train: Among the most popular options, the Egyptian National Railways operate train journey all the way from Alexandria to Aswan, including Cairo and Luxor as well. 
• Bus: While they might not be very popular among tourists, Egypt does have lots of buses running between major cities such as Cairo and Luxor. And they are not as bad as you might think. 
• Cruise: Everybody has at least thought about booking a Nile cruise for their Egypt trip. So, what if you get it for your transfer from Cairo to Luxor? 
• Taxi: Get collected at the doorstep of your hotel in Cairo and dropped at the doorstep of your hotel in Luxor. Travelling by taxi couldn’t be more convenient and is not a pricy as you’d think.
• Plane: In order to save time, you may also take a one-hour flight from Cairo to Luxor, though we beg to differ on the time-saving part of this option. 

Getting from Cairo to Luxor by Train: The Most Popular Option 

Taking a train from Cairo to Luxor might just be the most popular option of travelling along the Nile River, even before the famous Nile Cruises. And you know what? We totally get it. 

There is just something adventurous of catching a train at Ramses Station and travelling up the Nile – and quite literally back in time. Plus, there are many different kinds of trains in Egypt, giving you everything from a budget ride to a luxury experience. 

For your train journey from Cairo to Luxor, you may choose between the following trains operated by Egyptian National Railways: Mix, AC, Russian, AC Russian, VIP and Talgo. Additionally, there is the sleeper train that is operated by a separate company called Abela Trains. 

Taking the Day Train 

If you choose to travel from Cairo to Luxor during the day, you can catch any of the normal trains operated by Egyptian National Railways. The day trains depart from Cairo Ramses Station and El Giza Station. At Ramses Statin, you can both choose your train time, train type and get your train tickets. 

As for choosing your train to Luxor, you can go for one of the local trains, usually an AC, Russian or AC Russian train. Local trains are only equipped with air conditioning if explicitly stated and stop up to 40 times during your trip to Luxor. They are also the cheapest train connection between the two cities. 

For more comfort, we recommend getting a Talgo or VIP train. They have different seats, less crowded cabins and much less stops along the way. All trains take somewhere in between 9 and 13 hours to reach Luxor, with delays all but certain. 

Technically, you should be able to just buy your daytime train tickets on the Egyptian National Railways website, but in our experience the website has issues every other day. So, spare yourself the hassle and just book at the railway station a day or two in advance. Train tickets are to be paid in foreign currency.

There is a two-tiered ticket system for the trains in Egypt. Foreign tourist pay around 10 times more than locals for their train tickets. We did manage to get the train tickets for the regular price by asking an Egyptian friend to buy them for us, but we wouldn’t bet on it going well, if you don’t look slightly Egyptian or speak at least a little Arabic. 

Key Facts for taking the Day Train to Luxor 

• There are several types of trains; choose one with A/C. 
• Get your tickets at Ramses Station or El Giza Station; plan for delays. 
• The trip takes up to 13 hours with several stops along the way, tickets start around $ 80 per passenger. 
• Foreigners pay up to 10 times more than the local rate. 

Taking the Sleeper Train 

If you’d rather travel from Cairo to Luxor by night, you can either just take one of the normal trains as outlined above or splurge on a sleeper train. 

The sleeper trains in Egypt are operated by a company called Abela. Abela took over the old Watania sleeping trains in 2023 and are now the only ones offering a true sleeper experience in Egypt. Luckily for you, this also means a proper website for booking your train tickets in advance. Well, in theory. 

There are multiple Abela trains leaving for Aswan in the evening between 7 pm and 11 pm. When travelling from Cairo, you can either catch them at Upper Egypt Station (Bashtil Station) or El Giza Station. Both railway stations are located in Giza, so make sure to plan for a longer transfer from Downtown Cairo. 

Once you have made your mind up which night train you will be taking to Luxor, head to the Abela website, search your itinerary and book your tickets. If the website is acting up, visit one of the Abela train stations one or two days prior to buy tickets in-person. Bring your passport along with you. 

On the Abela sleeper train, you can choose between regular seats, premium seats and private sleeper cabins. If you are taking the sleeper train overnight, we highly recommend booking a sleeper cabin. Each cabin is equipped with two fold-out beds, and a sink. 

The current ticket price for the beds is $ 157.5 per foreigner and $ 110.25 each, if you book both beds in one cabin. The ride has a lot of stops along the way, up to 15 to be exact, and takes about as long as a regular train ride. 

Key Facts for the Abela Sleeper Train to Luxor

• Abela Sleeper Trains leave from Upper Egypt Station (Cairo) or El Giza Station. 
• You can choose between regular seats, premium seats and beds. 
• Booking a double cabin with two beds will cost you $ 220.50 for two passengers. 
• Booking works best on the mobile app or directly at the station. Bring your passport. 

Is the Nile sleeper train really worth it? 

Having taking several sleeper trains in Europe and the Middle East, we’d say that the Abela Sleeper Trains are on the rougher end. For comparison, you will hear a lot more engine sounds in your beds than in the Dogu Express in Turkey. 

Overall, the train is charming, with a rustic lounge car where smoking is allowed, but dinner and breakfast felt cheaper than what you would get at a hostel. Also, we noticed that the ticket prices have been climbing recently. For our in-depth review, check out this article on riding the sleeper train from Aswan to Cairo. 

How to Get Your Sleeper Train Tickets to Luxor: Step-by-Step Guide 

Given the fact that booking websites for Egyptian trains seem to be out of service for most of the time, we’d like to show you an (almost) sure-fire way of booking your sleeper train tickets online. 

To book tickets for the Abela trains, simply follow these 5 steps: 

1. Download the Abela App: Since the website has been experiencing issues once again, we recommend downloading the Abela App. It’s available in the Google Play Store and the App Store. 
2. Switch to English: Upon first opening the app, you will see everything in Arabic. To change that, click on the language symbol in the top left corner. English is the only other language available. 
3. Pick your route: Enter the details of your desired itinerary. Next, you will see details for every route from how many seats are available to prices. Pick the route that best suits your Egypt itinerary. 
4. Enter your details: Once you have made up your mind, click on “Reserve” and start filling in your details. Have your passport ready; you will be prompted to enter your passport number. 
5. Pay your tickets: Choose a payment method and complete the payment of your tickets. Tickets details will be sent to your email. In case of technical, issues repeat the process at the station. 

On station names: Remember that Upper Egypt is the official name of the Cairo train station. If you are travelling from Downtown Cairo, however, El Giza Station will actually be faster to reach. 

Getting from Cairo to Luxor by Bus: The Cheapest Option 

What surprises us the most when it comes to travellers moving around Egypt, is how few of them actually travel by bus. In our opinion, travelling by bus in Egypt is not only budget-friendly, but also more comfortable. 

Regular buses from Cairo to Luxor operate from all of Cairo’s major bus stations, mostly as overnight buses. For the easiest transfer, get an overnight bus from Tahrir Station right behind the Old Egyptian Museum in Downtown Cairo. 

Personally, we prefer travelling with GoBus. We have used them to travel to Luxor, Alexandria and even the Sinai Peninsula and have never experienced a problem. A bus ticket from Cairo to Luxor costs only 480 Egyptian Pounds. A bus ticket for the business service comes in at 950 EGP. Both types of buses come with air conditioning, but on the business class you get free drinks and snacks and a screen in front of your seat. 

Overnight buses from Cairo to Luxor depart around midnight and take around 9 hours, making them a lot fast than a train ride. This way, you will arrive at Luxor Station the next morning around 9 a.m, feeling fresh and well-rested for a day of exploring. 

Overnight bus tickets are easy to book online. Simply visit the GoBus website. It rarely experiences issues, support booking in English and is very easy to operate. Simply choose your itinerary, check departure times, choose your bus type and pay. There are no separate charges for foreigners.

Key Facts for the Overnight Bus to Luxor

• Overnight buses depart from Tahrir Station in Downtown Cairo. 
• There are lots of companies to choose from; we prefer GoBus. 
• Simply check itineraries online and book your ticket. No special foreigner prices for buses. 
• The bus ride is rather comfortable and takes around 9 hours. 

Getting from Cairo to Luxor by Nile Cruise: The All-Inclusive Option

Nile cruises remain a popular option for travelling up and down the Nile River, and while we don’t really get the hype, we understand how they can be a great choice. 

Booking a Nile cruise from Cairo to Luxor means that you will not only have your transportation sorted, but also your hotel and food and drinks for the days on the cruise. Plus, the cruise essentially drops you off right where the best sites are, without the hassle of moving through a bustling city. 

The average Nile Cruise from Cairo to Aswan, including a stop in Luxor, takes between four and five days. Now, you won’t spend all day on the Nile, but rather get the chance to do stops along the way. These include Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae Island and the Aswan High Dam. 

When booking a Nile Cruise, however, you have to book tickets for the full route from Cairo to Aswan in most cases. This means that you will have less time in between to go on your own day trip or to simply stay longer at a place you really like. On the other hand, you’ll have your whole trip set with one booking. 

As for booking your cruise, there are plenty of private companies to choose from. Simply google “Cairo to Luxor Nile Cruise” and click through the offers you see pop up. On average, you should expect to pay between $ 200 and $ 300 per night for single cabin on a cruise ship. For more security, book your tickets through a third-party provider such as TripAdvisor or GetYourGuide. 

Key Facts for the Cairo Luxor Nile Cruise

• Nile Cruises are generally an all-inclusive affair. 
• To get to Luxor, you have to book the full Cairo Aswan Nile Cruise. 
• The full Nile Cruise will take around 4 to 5 days. 
• Expect to pay around $ 200 to $ 300 per night for your Nile Cruise. 

To spare you the lengthy research, we scouted the internet for fair Nile cruise offers. This is the best Nile cruise offer for the 2026 season we could find. Check it out! 

Getting from Cairo to Luxor by Taxi or Private Car: The Most Comfortable Option

If you can’t be bothered to head to a train station two days before or to travel to a bus station on the day of your transfer, you can simply book a private transfer to Luxor. 

If you are travelling with a larger group, we recommend checking out the GoMini service by GoBus that allows you to hire a private mini bus for your trip to Luxor. Prices for these transfer are given upon request, so reach out to them via the website or visit one of their office, if you want to know more. 

Alternatively, you can find a myriad of other providers online and win Facebook groups that offer to take you to Luxor in mini vans. When checking these offers, make sure to book with a reputable service with real reviews by other travellers.

Another option that works surprisingly well in Egypt is simply ordering an Uber or an InDrive from Cairo to Luxor. Even though the distance is quite large, most app will allow you to request a ride. Use InDrive’s intercity feature to request your trip and see for how much drivers are willing to take you to Luxor in their private car. 

When figuring out pricing, do consider that the ride fare also needs to cover their return journey. Agree on a clear pickup time with your driver and stay flexible in case of any delays. By private car the transfer from Cairo to Luxor should take around 7 hours. 

Key Facts for Getting to Luxor by Private Car 

• Book private transfers with reputable online providers or through a ride sharing app. 
• For larger groups, check out the GoMini service by GoBus. 
• An average private transfer from Cairo to Luxor takes around 7 hours. 
• Offer fair prices on ridesharing apps. Consider that the driver will have to pay fuel both ways. 

Getting from Cairo to Luxor by Plane: The ‘Fastest’ Option 

Finally, you can actually just take a domestic flight from Cairo to Luxor instead of spending close to, or more than, ten hours in another mode of transport. But then again, where is the adventure in that? 

For those seeking a fast transfer from Cairo to Luxor, the carrier Air Cairo operates daily flights from Cairo International Airport (CAI) to Luxor International Airport (LXR), coming in at a little more than 100 € (or $ 120) per person and direction. Luggage is already included and the flight takes just one hour. 

Generally, this flight seems like a great option for those who are planning to make the most of their short time in Egypt, as it s the fastest method to get from Cairo to Luxor. The itinerary can be a little deceiving though. 

While the flight itself takes just one hour, you will have to factor in at least 1,5 more hours for procedures at the airport, plus one hour for getting there in the first place. The airport is located far from the center and traffic in Cairo can be numbingly slow and you don’t want to find out the hard way. Last time we took a taxi to the airport, it took us 35 minutes from Downtown Cairo – at 1 in the night. 

While this flight might not be a huge time saver, it is still considerably faster than all the other modes of transports, with train clocking in at over 12 hours, buses at 9 hours and private cars at 7 hours. But is it really worth paying up to 10 times more as compared to the overnight bus? Well, that’s for you to decide. 

Key Facts for Getting to Luxor by plane

• Flights from Cairo International Airport (CAI) to Luxor International Airport (LXR) operate daily.
• A one-way ticket costs a little more than 100 € (or $ 120) with luggage already included.
• The flight itself takes around one hour; account for extra time spent in transfer and at the airport.
• Luxor International Airport (LXR) is located some 15 minutes from Downtown Luxor.

Where We Stayed in Luxor (and Why You Should, too) 

Both times we travelled to Luxor, it was important to us to find a good hotel near Luxor Station, so we would not have to spend hours figuring out where to go after a long ride. 

When looking for a place to stay in Luxor, this means one thing from the get-go: Find a place on the East Bank of the Nile. 

The Egyptian railway runs along the East Bank of the Nile, meaning that any hotel on that same side of the river will be much closer to your. This is especial true with Luxor as the only Nile crossing, the Luxor Bridge, is located in the far south of the city. So, if you don’t want a city tour after your train ride, stay on the East Bank. 

For our stay in Luxor, we ended up going for the Iberotel Luxor and, honestly, we could not have been more impressed. Initially, we just booked our stay at this hotel because of the fair price and its location. Well, good for us, because we were in for a treat. 

On the interior, the Iberotel Luxor is a solid hotel all around. The lobby is nice, the rooms are comfortable and the buffets are just about what you would expect from a mid-range hotel. Nothing too crazy, really. 

Where this hotel really stands out, is the outside areas. This hotel is not only located right on the banks on the mighty Nile river, but it has a pool that is literally floating on it. Additionally, the hotel operates its own small cruise ship that can take you further up the Nile and has Feluccas docking right at the hotel to take you for a sunset ride or to the other side of the river. 

Believe me when I say, that you cannot find another hotel in Luxor in a similar price range that will give you anywhere close to the same amenities as the Iberotel Luxor. 

How to Get From Luxor Station to Your Hotel 

Whether you are staying at the Iberotel Luxor or at any other somewhat centrally located hotel on the East Bank of the Nile, you can simply hail down a taxi at Luxor Station and you will be there in under 10 minutes. Technically, you can even walk there as the Iberotel is located just 15 minutes by foot from the Luxor Railway Station. 

If you opt for the taxi, make sure to get your prices right. Thanks to Luxor being VERY touristy, drivers tend to overcharge tourists that have no clue what a taxi ride in Egypt should really cost. For reference, you can expect to pay around 50 EGP to 100 EGP for a 10-minute taxi ride. To avoid lengthy discussion, simply hail your ride on an app such as Uber or InDrive. 

If you opted for the flight to Luxor, you will arrive to Luxor International Airport (LXR) which is located a few kilometres away from the city. A taxi ride to Downtown Luxor takes around 15 minutes on a good day and should cost no more than 250 EGP, though drivers might be tougher to bargain with at the airport. 

Have you made it to Luxor safely? Rest up and get ready for your first day of exploring. We have already compiled the best things to do during your time in Luxor. 

The Bottom Line

From train travel straight out of man Egyptian history book to first class service on a 10 € overnight bus to a simple 1-hour flight, there are plenty of ways to get from Cairo to Luxor. If we were to decide again, which mode of transport to take on our third trip down to Luxor, we would opt for the overnight bus again without a doubt. 

The overnight buses are faster, cheaper and more comfortable than all the trains, taxis and plane connections you will find in Egypt – especially if you splurge on the 10 € business class service. 

Whichever mode of transport you end up choosing, we wish you safe travels and the best of times exploring the ancient Egyptian capital of Memphis. 

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