On most Egyptian tours, the long overnight train journey from Cairo down the Nile to Luxor or Aswan is an essential part of the adventure. There are two main ways to make this journey, on the sitting train or the far more comfortable sleeper train. The difference between them is much like the difference between economy and business class on a flight, which makes the choice an easy one for most travellers.
The sleeper train offers a far superior experience, allowing you to rest comfortably overnight while enjoying the journey. You can relax, enjoy dinner in your cabin, and get a good night’s sleep before a full day of sightseeing in Luxor or Aswan. The sleeper train is also much quieter, with fewer people moving around during the night, making for a more peaceful trip.
Here are some of the key advantages of choosing the sleeper train:
- Comfortable temperature, the sitting train can get very cold at night with the air conditioning running at full blast.
- Better security, your bags are safely stored in your cabin, away from public view.
- Cleaner facilities, the toilets are significantly better maintained than on the sitting train.
- More reliable timing, sleeper trains are given priority on the tracks, although occasional delays can still occur (this is Egypt, after all!).
- Meals included, a simple airline-style dinner and breakfast are served directly to your cabin.
- Convenient cabin setup, each cabin includes a storage compartment, a small wash basin for freshening up, comfortable seats, and fold-down beds prepared by your room steward after dinner.
- Bedding provided, each bed includes clean sheets, a comfortable mattress, a pillow, and a warm blanket.
- Restaurant and club car, available on most services for socialising or having a drink.
- Reliable seating, unlike the sitting train, where broken or non-reclining seats can make for a long, uncomfortable night.
The condition of the sitting train toilets is notoriously poor, so bad, in fact, that they are not fit for description here. The sleeper train’s facilities are far from luxurious, but they are perfectly usable and kept clean enough to start your morning comfortably.
While many tour operators treat the sleeper train as an optional upgrade, often at an additional cost, with Encounters Travel it is already included in the price of your Egypt tour. This ensures that you arrive at your destination rested and ready to explore. When comparing prices with other companies, be sure to factor in the value of this inclusion, along with other extras such as the facilities boat provided during our felucca cruises. Once you do, you will see that our Egypt tours offer exceptional value, even if they might appear slightly higher in price at first glance.
If you have any questions, our reservations team is always happy to help. They can explain the differences between our services and those of other tour operators to help you make the best choice for your trip. We look forward to welcoming you on one of our tours soon.
Reservations: 0800 088 6002 | tours@encounterstravel.com
