Giza & the Sphinx
In the first morning
5.0 on TripadvisorPrivate tour 6 Days Cairo, Luxor & Aswan by Train
Six days by rail: sleeper train to Luxor, a day train to Aswan and a second sleeper back to Cairo, with the main sites on each stop.
- Duration
- 6 days / 5 nights
- Route
- Cairo, Luxor, Aswan
- Nile cruise
- None, three hotel nights and two sleeper nights
- Transport
- Sleeper train, day train, private vehicle on the ground
From, per person$1,0256 or more travellers · 3-star hotels
- Starts any day
- Free quote, no obligation
- Change anything you like
Why travellers choose this trip
This plan uses the Egyptian rail line that runs along the Nile for every long leg. Two of the five nights are in a sleeper compartment, which also saves two hotel nights and two domestic flights. You travel with a driver and guide on the ground, and the train gives you the distance.
The sleeper runs overnight: you board in the evening and arrive the next morning, in Luxor on the way south and in Cairo on the way back. Dinner and breakfast are served on board. Train times depend on the service, so we confirm the departure and the boarding station when we book. Luxor to Aswan goes by day train, and we confirm the train and seat class at the same time.
It suits travellers who like trains and want the main sites in a short week. It does not suit anyone who needs to sleep in a hotel bed every night, or who needs a fixed arrival hour.
Saqqara
The Step Pyramid
Sleeper train
An overnight train from Cairo to Luxor
Valley of the Kings
And Karnak, on separate days
Philae & High Dam
Philae temple and the Aswan High Dam
Return train
A second sleeper train back to Cairo
Your route
1Cairo1 night
2Luxor1 night
3Aswan1 night
Day-by-day itinerary
- 1
Day 1 · CairoArrival in Cairo
Arrival. You are met at arrivals by your guide, and the private air-conditioned vehicle drives you to your hotel in Cairo, where you check in. The meet-and-assist service starts in the arrivals hall, so you do not have to find your driver alone.
Rest of the day. No sightseeing is planned today. Your guide checks your train documents with you and explains how boarding works at the station, because the first sleeper leaves tomorrow evening. Pack a small bag for the night on the train. Lunch and dinner are not included today, and the guide can suggest places near the hotel.
- ReceptionMeet and assist at the airport
- Pick-upPrivate transfer to your hotel
- MealsNone included
Overnight in Cairo - 2
Day 2 · CairoPyramids, Saqqara, night train south
Morning. Your guide and driver collect you at the hotel for the Giza plateau, where the three pyramids date to the Fourth Dynasty. The guide explains who built them and why, and the entrance fees for the sites on the plan are included. The private vehicle waits for you between stops, with bottled water on board.
Afternoon. You drive about 30 km to Saqqara, where the Step Pyramid stands. Lunch is not included today, so the guide helps you choose a place on the way.
Evening. You check out of the hotel and the driver brings you and your luggage to the station for the sleeper to Luxor. Your two-berth compartment has seats that fold into beds for the night. Dinner is served on board and is included.
- GuideYour private guide
- TransportPrivate air-conditioned vehicle
- Entrance feesIncluded for the sites of the day
- MealsBreakfast, Dinner
Overnight on the train - 3
Day 3 · LuxorLuxor, west bank
Morning. The sleeper arrives in Luxor in the morning, and breakfast on board is included. Your guide and driver meet you at the station and take you straight to the west bank in the private vehicle. The Valley of the Kings holds tombs from about 1539 to 1075 BC. The guide explains who was buried there and how to read the scenes on the walls of the open tombs. The entrance fee for the valley is included. The tomb of Tutankhamun is a separate ticket and is not included, nor are the tombs of Seti I and Ramses VI.
Afternoon. Hatshepsut's temple sits against the cliff a few minutes away, and your guide walks you through it. Lunch is not included today, and the guide helps you choose a place. Hotel check-in is in the afternoon, and you sleep in Luxor tonight.
- GuideYour private guide
- TransportPrivate air-conditioned vehicle
- Entrance feesIncluded for the sites of the day
- MealsBreakfast
Overnight in Luxor - 4
Day 4 · AswanKarnak, Luxor Temple, day train to Aswan
Morning. Karnak comes first. Your guide leads you through the temple and explains what each main area was for, and the entrance fee is included. Luxor Temple follows. It stands on the east bank in the middle of the city, so the driver has only a short hop between the two.
Afternoon. Lunch is not included, and the guide helps you pick a place. After lunch you check out of the hotel and the driver takes you and your luggage to the station for the day train south to Aswan. We confirm the train and the seat class when we book. The driver meets you in Aswan and takes you to your hotel for check-in. Your guide is with you for the rest of the programme.
- GuideYour private guide
- TransportPrivate air-conditioned vehicle
- Entrance feesIncluded for the sites of the day
- MealsBreakfast
Overnight in Aswan - 5
Day 5 · AswanPhilae, High Dam, night train north
Morning. A boat takes you to Philae, where the temple of Isis now stands on Agilkia Island. Your guide explains the temple and the story of its move, and the boat and entrance fees are included.
Afternoon. The High Dam was built between 1960 and 1970, and your guide shows you where the lake begins. Lunch is not included, so the guide helps you choose a place between the two visits. You check out of the hotel during the day.
Evening. The driver brings you and your luggage to the station for the sleeper to Cairo. You have a two-berth compartment, and dinner on board is included.
- GuideYour private guide
- TransportPrivate air-conditioned vehicle
- Entrance feesIncluded for the sites of the day
- MealsBreakfast, Dinner
Overnight on the train - 6
Day 6 · CairoArrival in Cairo, departure
Departure. The sleeper reaches Cairo in the morning, and breakfast on board is included. Your guide meets you at the station and the private vehicle drives you to the airport. We confirm the arrival time when we book, so your flight home can be matched to it.
There is no hotel on this last day, so there is no check-out to plan. Keep your passport with you rather than in the luggage, since you go straight from the station to the airport.
- Drop-offPrivate transfer to the airport or station
- GuideYour private guide
- TransportPrivate air-conditioned vehicle
- Entrance feesIncluded for the sites of the day
- MealsBreakfast
Departure
How much does this 6-day trip cost?
| Per person, by group size | 3-star hotels | 4-star hotels | 5-star hotels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single traveller | $1,640 | $1,930 | $2,510 |
| Sharing a double room 2 travellers | $1,280 | $1,505 | $1,960 |
| 3 to 5 travellers | $1,130 | $1,325 | $1,725 |
| 6 or more travellers | $1,025 | $1,205 | $1,570 |
In US dollars, per person, for a private trip. The price in your written quote, made for your dates and group, is the one that counts. International flights are not included. Choose a hotel level in the booking box to see the total for your group.
Where you’ll stay
Cairo · 1 night
Hotel with breakfast.
Sleeper train · 2 nights
An overnight sleeper train between the cities.
Luxor · 1 night
Hotel with breakfast.
Aswan · 1 night
Hotel with breakfast.
What’s included
Included
- Meet and assist at the airport
- Private air-conditioned vehicle for all transfers
- 3 hotel nights with breakfast (Cairo 1, Luxor 1, Aswan 1)
- Sleeper train Cairo to Luxor and Aswan to Cairo (two-berth compartment, dinner and breakfast on board), and day train Luxor to Aswan
- Sightseeing and entrance fees as listed in the itinerary
- Private Egyptologist guide
- Bottled water, taxes and service charges
Not included
- International flights and Egypt visa
- Extra-ticket tombs (Tutankhamun, Seti I, Ramses VI) and other optional tickets
- Optional tours and drinks
- Meals not listed
- Tips
Booking policies
Important information
- International flights, the Egypt visa, extra-ticket tombs, optional tours, drinks and tips are not included.
- Programs can start on any day. We may change a time, route or hotel for reasons we cannot control, and offer you the closest alternative.
- You need a valid passport and the right visa for your nationality. Apply on the official Egyptian eVisa portal.
- Tell us about any health, mobility or diet need before you book, so that we can plan around it.
Payment and deposit
- Prices are in US dollars and the price in your written quote is the one that counts.
- The deposit is 30 percent of the total price (50 percent for trips that start from 18 December to 5 January).
- The balance is due 15 days before arrival. If you book later than that, the full amount confirms the booking.
- Payment instructions come with your written quote.
Cancellation and refund
Send every cancellation by email so that we can confirm it in writing. The charge is a percentage of the tour price, and anything you paid above it is refunded.
| Days before arrival | Normal dates | 18 Dec to 5 Jan |
|---|---|---|
| Until 61 days | 20% | 35% |
| 60 to 31 days | 35% | 50% |
| 30 to 15 days | 50% | 75% |
| 14 to 1 days, or no-show | 100% | 100% |
A bank and payment fee of 6 percent is deducted from every refund. Full rules: terms and policies.
Children
- Children under 3 travel free.
- Children from 3 to 11.99 years pay 50 percent of the tour price.
- From 12 years, travellers pay the adult price.
Please give the age of every child at the time of travel when you ask for a quote.
Travel tips
Good to know before you go
Best time
October to April is the comfortable season. The Christmas and New Year weeks (18 December to 5 January) sell out first.
Visa
Many passports get an e-Visa online or a visa on arrival in Cairo. Check yours before you fly.
What to pack
Light layers, a hat, sunscreen and closed shoes. Cover shoulders and knees for mosques and churches.
Money & tipping
Cards work in hotels; carry small notes for tips. Tipping is expected but not included.
Traveller reviews
What our travellers say
A Fantastic Tour of Egypt
“The entire trip was seamlessly executed.”
Best tour guide!!
“He made our trip to the pyramids and Alexandria fun and memorable.”
Amazing 2 week trip
“My friends and I spent two weeks in Egypt and he was with us every step of the way.”
FAQ
Questions about this trip
Still unsure? Message us on WhatsApp and a real person from our team will answer.
Where do I board the sleeper train?
Sleeper trains no longer leave from Cairo Ramses. The boarding station is Cairo Upper Egypt or Giza, depending on the train, and we confirm which one when we book. We handle the boarding.
Will I sleep well?
The seats in each compartment fold into beds for the night. Earplugs help.
Why not fly?
The train covers the same distance and replaces two hotel nights. If you prefer a flight, our flight-based 6-day plan covers the same route.
What if the day train is full?
Then the driver takes you by road, about 220 km, with the stops at Edfu and Kom Ombo on the way.
Add a day
Day tours you can add to this trip
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- Private guide and car
- Free enquiry, no payment now
- Quote usually within 24 hours
8 Hours Cairo, Giza
Pyramids, Memphis & Saqqara Private Day Tour
- Private guide and car
- Free enquiry, no payment now
- Quote usually within 24 hours
4 Hours Cairo, Giza
Giza Desert Quad Bike and Camel Sunset Tour
- Private guide and car
- Free enquiry, no payment now
- Quote usually within 24 hours
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Tell us your dates. We’ll send a day-by-day plan and a clear price.
Free and no obligation, from our team in Giza.