6-Day Cairo, Aswan & Abu Simbel Holiday by Sleeper Train
Giza, the Grand Egyptian Museum, Philae and Abu Simbel, with the overnight train doing the travelling between Cairo and Aswan. You have a private cabin and an Egyptologist guide on every day of sightseeing.
The short answer
6-Day Cairo, Aswan & Abu Simbel Holiday by Sleeper Train is a 6-day, 5-night trip to Cairo, Aswan and Abu Simbel: 2 nights in Cairo, 2 on sleeper trains and 1 in Aswan. It includes sleeper trains, an Egyptologist guide, entrance fees and transfers. Prices start at £1,040 per person, two sharing (Essential, October–April).
02Overview
A first look
Six days is not long for Egypt, so this holiday uses the night train to save daylight. You sleep two of your five nights in a private cabin on the sleeper, once going down to Aswan and once coming back, and there are no internal flights to organise or worry about.
The first two days are in Cairo. Day 2 takes in the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum. On the afternoon of day 3 you see the Citadel and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, and that evening you board the train. At Aswan you have a full day for the High Dam, Philae and the Unfinished Obelisk, followed by the very early road journey to Abu Simbel. The second night train brings you back to Cairo for a morning at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization before you head to the airport. Hotels are chosen from budget to luxury when you book, and the itinerary is the same whichever you pick.
What lingers
- 01The Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum in a single guided day
- 02The Citadel, the Muhammad Ali Mosque and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar on day 3
- 03Two nights on the sleeper train between Cairo and Aswan, each in a private cabin
- 04The High Dam, Philae Temple and the Unfinished Obelisk in one full day at Aswan
- 05Abu Simbel by road, the temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari
- 06A morning at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization and its Royal Mummies Hall
Choose your comfort level
Prices are per person in GBP, from 2 people sharing a double room, including accommodation at the properties listed or similar.
| Comfort level | Where you stay or similar | Per personfrom, Oct–Apr | Choose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essentialfrom £1,0403★ hotels | Aswan · 1 nightHapi Hotel Aswan | £1,040May–Sep: from £1,010 | |
| Comfortfrom £1,0954★ hotels | Cairo · 2 nightsJewel Sport City | £1,095May–Sep: from £1,065 | |
| Classicfrom £1,1465★ hotels | £1,146May–Sep: from £1,075 | ||
| Prestigefrom £1,2765★ deluxe hotels | Aswan · 1 nightTolip Aswan | £1,276May–Sep: from £1,252 | |
| Luxuryfrom £1,6425★ luxury hotels | Cairo · 2 nightsSt. Regis Cairo Aswan · 1 nightThe Zen Wellness Resort Aswan | £1,642May–Sep: from £1,592 |
Hotels on bed & breakfast. You'll stay in these properties, or a similar choice of the same quality. Choose your date in the booking panel for the exact price.
- New
Day by day
Detailed itinerary
6 Days / 5 Nights · Cairo · Giza Plateau · Great Sphinx · Grand Egyptian Museum · Islamic Cairo · Khan el-Khalili
- 1
A driver is waiting in the arrivals hall at Cairo Airport and drives you to your hotel, around an hour away. We have planned nothing else for today, so you can put your feet up after the flight ahead of the pyramids tomorrow. There are no meals included on day 1.
- 2
This is a full day of roughly 8 hours with your Egyptologist guide and a private air-conditioned vehicle. You are collected from the hotel and spend 4 to 6 hours at Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum, beginning with the pyramids and the Great Sphinx. Lunch is at a restaurant with a view.
After lunch you step inside the Grand Egyptian Museum to see the Tutankhamun collection and its giant royal statues. Entrance fees for the outdoor sites on the Giza Plateau and for the museum are covered. You are back at your hotel for a second night in Cairo.
- 3
The morning is yours. In the afternoon your guide picks you up for a half-day in the old city: the Saladin Citadel with the Muhammad Ali Mosque, a walk through Islamic Cairo, and time in the Khan el-Khalili bazaar. Guide, private vehicle and the entrance fees for the Citadel and the mosque are all included.
Later a transfer of about 45 minutes runs from your Giza hotel to Giza train station, where you board the sleeper train for Aswan. You have a private cabin, and you sleep while the train carries you south overnight.
- 4
You arrive in Aswan in the morning, where a driver meets you at the station and takes you to your hotel. The rest of the day is a full day of sightseeing with your Egyptologist guide. You see the Aswan High Dam, take a boat across to Philae Temple on its island, and finish at the Unfinished Obelisk in the old granite quarries. The guide, entrance fees and transport are included.
Tonight you sleep in a proper hotel bed, which is welcome before the long day that follows.
- 5
Expect a very early start and a full day. You travel by road from Aswan to Abu Simbel, where Ramses II carved two great temples into the cliff, one for himself and one for Queen Nefertari. They were lifted to higher ground in the 1960s as the lake rose. Entrance fees to Abu Simbel are included, along with your guide and a private vehicle.
Back in Aswan you are taken to the train station in the evening and board the sleeper to Cairo, for your second night in a private cabin.
- 6
The sleeper train arrives in Cairo in the morning. Your guide then takes you to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization for a half-day visit of about 4 hours, taking in the main exhibition hall and the Royal Mummies Hall. Lunch is at a restaurant nearby with a view over the Nile. Guide, private vehicle and museum tickets are included.
A driver then takes you to Cairo Airport for your flight home. There is no hotel tonight, so please book an evening or night departure.
Bundled in
- Sleeper train
The fine print
What's included – and what is left out
Included
- Three nights in hotels (two in Cairo, one in Aswan) and two nights in a private cabin on the sleeper train
- Sleeper train from Cairo to Aswan and from Aswan to Cairo
- Airport transfers on arrival and departure, plus transfers to and from the train stations
- The Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum, with lunch
- Half day in Islamic Cairo: the Citadel and Khan el-Khalili
- Full day at Aswan: the High Dam, Philae Temple and the Unfinished Obelisk
- Abu Simbel by road from Aswan, with entrance fees
- Half day at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, with lunch
- English-speaking Egyptologist guide on every sightseeing day
- Entrance fees for the listed sites and private air-conditioned transport
Not included
- International flights to and from Egypt
- Egyptian entry visa
- Tips for guides and drivers
- Drinks and any meals not listed
- Travel insurance and personal spending
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Take only an overnight bag onto the sleeper train and store the rest at the hotel; the compartments are snug and everything must fit beside you.
- 02
Begin at the Grand Egyptian Museum's great staircase with your guide, because the statues are far easier to appreciate before the coach parties turn up.
- 03
On the boat to Philae, stand on the open side of the deck, where the island and its temple come into view across the water.
- 04
Abu Simbel means a very early start, so nap on the train beforehand and wear a warm layer for the chilly desert sunrise.
Tailor it
Make it yours
Pick your hotel standard when you book. Ask us about adding a final night in Cairo, extra nights in Aswan, or a longer holiday that includes a Nile cruise.
Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- Travellers who want the pyramids and Abu Simbel on a short break and do not mind sleeping on a train. A good fit for couples, friends and solo travellers who can manage several hours of walking and two early mornings.
Maybe not, if
- Travellers who need step-free access to every site or to the train, or who prefer a gentle pace. Days 2, 4 and 5 are long.
Honest assessment
The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.
Highlights
- The pyramids, the Grand Egyptian Museum, Philae and Abu Simbel in six days
- Two nights on the train count as travel time, so no daylight is wasted
- No internal flights to book or miss
Things to Consider
- A very early start for Abu Simbel, followed by the night train that evening
- Uneven stone, steps and little shade at the main sites
- No spare night in Cairo: the holiday ends with a morning museum visit, then the airport
Where it fits
A sound first visit to Egypt for those short of time who want to see Abu Simbel. It is not a slow holiday, as the Abu Simbel day is a full one.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Many six-day Egypt holidays between Cairo and Aswan rely on flights. This one uses the sleeper train, so two of your five nights are spent travelling and you still reach Abu Simbel. You choose the hotel standard; the sightseeing is identical.
Compare
Similar tours to compare
On the ground
Your route
Snapshot
Good to know
- Travel style
- Guided multi-day holiday by sleeper train
- Accommodation
- Cairo and Aswan hotels and a private sleeper cabin, standard chosen at booking
- Destinations
- Cairo · Giza Plateau · Great Sphinx · Grand Egyptian Museum · Islamic Cairo · Khan el-Khalili · Aswan · High Dam · Philae Temple · Unfinished Obelisk · Abu Simbel · National Museum of Egyptian Civilization
- Includes
- 3 hotel nights (2 in Cairo, 1 in Aswan) · 2 nights in a private sleeper cabin · Sleeper train from Cairo to Aswan and back · Entrance fees to every listed site · English-speaking Egyptologist guide on sightseeing days · All transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle
- Best for
- First-time visitors · Travellers who want Abu Simbel without internal flights · Anyone interested in history who is short of time
The morning of
Meeting point & timing
- Where
- Cairo International Airport (CAI), Arrivals HallMap
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Passport and any travel documents you need
- Comfortable walking shoes with a good grip
- Sun cream, SPF 30 or higher
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- A refillable water bottle
- Any medication you take
- A small overnight bag for the train, so the big suitcase can stay packed
- A light layer for the air-conditioned train and cool early mornings
What to wear
- Light, breathable clothes for sun and heat
- Closed shoes for temples and rough ground
- Tops and bottoms that cover shoulders and knees at mosques and temples
- A hat and sunglasses
- A light jacket or scarf for the train and the early start at Abu Simbel
Children & families
Children are very welcome. Each child has a seat in the vehicle, so transport and guiding are charged at the adult rate whatever their age. Entrance tickets are free for under-6s and full price from 6. What we charge for hotel rooms and train cabins depends on the child's age and how many are sharing, so tell us the age when you book and we will give you an exact figure. The night trains and the very early start for Abu Simbel are easier for older children than for toddlers.
Accessibility
Who can join this
There is a good deal of walking here, on uneven stone, steps and open ground at Giza, the Citadel, Philae and Abu Simbel, often with little shade. The boat to Philae has steps. Boarding the sleeper means a climb into the carriage with your bags, and the corridors and cabins are narrow. Our vehicles are private and air-conditioned, but we cannot promise wheelchair access at every site or on the train. Tell us what you need when you book and we will say honestly which parts will work for you.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
Two overnight train journeys replace internal flights on this holiday, but road vehicles vary and we do not claim a carbon saving. Your sightseeing is led by local Egyptologists and arranged through suppliers based in Cairo and Aswan, so most of what you spend stays in the communities you visit. Please bring a refillable water bottle and keep your hands off the painted walls in the temples.
Licensed Egyptologist guides
State-licensed, and people we have worked with for years
Fair wages on the ground
Drivers + guides paid above market
Site preservation
We follow the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities' site rules: marked paths, no touching reliefs
Local teams, real help
Our own offices in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Sharm El Sheikh
If plans change
Cancellation and refunds
If you cancel, your refund depends on how soon you let us know and on the kind of holiday. See our current cancellation and refund terms
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01Where will we sleep?
Two of your five nights are on the sleeper train, in a private cabin: Cairo to Aswan on day 3 and Aswan back to Cairo on day 5. The other three nights are in hotels, two in Cairo and one in Aswan. Once you pick a standard we name the hotels for your dates.02Will I make my flight home?
Internal and international tickets are separate bookings, so a delayed train could cost you your connection. On this holiday the train gets you to Cairo on the morning of day 6, you visit the museum and then go to the airport; there is no spare night in Cairo. Book an evening or night flight home on day 6 for some breathing space, and take travel insurance that covers missed connections. If you would like more margin, we can add a final night in Cairo and quote for it.03Are there any internal flights?
No. The sleeper train links Cairo and Aswan in both directions, so there are no domestic flights on this holiday. International flights are not included.04How tiring is the Abu Simbel day?
It is a long one. You leave very early, spend the day on the road from Aswan, and board the night train to Cairo in the evening. Wear comfortable shoes, carry water and a hat, and try to get an early night on day 4.05Do the guide, entrance fees and transport come with the holiday?
Yes, for everything listed. On sightseeing days you have an English-speaking Egyptologist guide, private air-conditioned transport and entrance tickets, including Giza, the Grand Egyptian Museum, Abu Simbel and the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. Transfers to and from the train stations are also included.06Which meals are included?
Day 1 has none. Day 2 has breakfast and lunch, days 3, 4 and 5 have breakfast, and day 6 has breakfast and lunch. Let us know about any dietary requirements when you book.07What is the sleeper train like?
You board in the evening, at Giza on day 3 and at Aswan on day 5, and spend the night in your own cabin while the train travels. It reaches Aswan on the morning of day 4 and Cairo on the morning of day 6. The operator sets the timetable, so we send you the exact times with your final documents.08Is the sightseeing private?
Yes. Your Egyptologist and vehicle are private for the sightseeing in Cairo and Aswan, and your sleeper cabin is private too.09What is not included?
International flights, your Egyptian visa, tips for guides and drivers, drinks and meals other than those listed, travel insurance and personal spending.
Last updated Product ID: TOU-CAI-586182
At a glance
- Length
- 6 days · 5 nights
- Starts
- Daily
- Route
- Cairo → Aswan → Abu Simbel → Cairo
- Nights
- 2 Cairo · 2 sleeper train · 1 Aswan
- Includes
- Sleeper trains, Egyptologist guide, entrance fees, transfers