What is the best way to get from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan? Flying is fastest: about an hour from Cairo to Luxor and a little longer to Aswan. The overnight sleeper train is the classic alternative, taking about 10 hours to Luxor and 13 to 14 hours to Aswan, and it saves a night in a hotel. Buses are slower but run often, and many travelers combine a flight one way with a Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan. This guide compares every option, explains how to book, and covers the Luxor–Aswan and Abu Simbel connections.
Planning a trip? See our Egypt itinerary, things to do in Luxor and our Abu Simbel and Aswan guide.
Cairo to Luxor and Aswan compared
Here is how the five ways from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan compare: the plane is fastest, and the sleeper train is the best experience.
| Option | Cairo to Luxor | Cairo to Aswan | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plane | About 1 hour | About 1 hour 20 minutes | Fastest; several flights a day |
| Sleeper train | About 10 hours, overnight | About 13–14 hours, overnight | Private cabin with dinner and breakfast; saves a hotel night |
| Day train | About 10–11 hours | About 13–14 hours | Scenic Nile valley views; long day |
| Bus | About 10–11 hours | About 13–14 hours | Frequent departures; slowest and least comfortable |
| Car with driver | About 8–9 hours | About 11–12 hours | Flexible but tiring; best split with stops |
Journey times are approximate and trains can run late. Check current timetables when you book.
By plane
Flying is the quickest way to reach Upper Egypt and the best choice if you are short on time.
- Airlines: EgyptAir and Air Cairo fly from Cairo International Airport to Luxor and Aswan, and some routes also leave from Sphinx International Airport near Giza.
- Flight time: about an hour to Luxor and about an hour and 20 minutes to Aswan.
- Door to door: allow about four hours in total, including getting to the airport and security.
- Open-jaw trips: a popular plan is to fly Cairo to Aswan, sail to Luxor on a cruise, and fly Luxor back to Cairo, or the reverse.
- From the Red Sea: Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh also have flights to Cairo, and Luxor is about four hours from Hurghada by road.
By sleeper train
The overnight sleeper is one of Egypt’s great journeys: you board in the evening in Cairo and wake up next to the Nile in Luxor.
- Operator: the sleeper trains are run by Abela Trains, which took over the service from Watania in 2023.
- Where to board: Cairo’s Upper Egypt (Bashtil) station or Giza station. Giza is easier to reach from central Cairo by metro.
- Journey time: about 10 hours to Luxor and 13 to 14 hours to Aswan, overnight.
- Cabins: private one- or two-berth compartments, with dinner and breakfast served in the cabin.
- Booking: through Abela’s website or offices, or through agencies such as 12Go. Booking usually opens a few months ahead; reserve early for October to April.
- Foreign visitors pay in foreign currency or by card and have their own berth quota.
By bus or car
Buses and cars are the slowest options from Cairo, but they are flexible and run every day.
- Buses: companies such as Go Bus and Upper Egypt Bus run between Cairo, Luxor and Aswan, with day and overnight departures. Buses are cheap and frequent but slow.
- Car with driver: useful if you want to stop on the way, for example at Abydos and Dendera between Cairo and Luxor. Split the journey over two days if you can.
- Night driving: avoid long drives after dark.
Luxor to Aswan: train, road or Nile cruise
Luxor and Aswan are about 200 km apart, and there are four good ways to travel between them.
| Option | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Nile cruise | 3–4 nights | Seeing Edfu and Kom Ombo temples on the way, at river pace |
| Dahabiya (sailing boat) | 4–5 nights | A small, quiet boat with few passengers |
| Train | About 3 hours | A cheap, simple day connection |
| Car with driver | About 3–3.5 hours | Stopping at Edfu and Kom Ombo in one day |
Read more in our Nile cruise guide.
Getting to Abu Simbel
Abu Simbel is about 280 km south of Aswan by road, near the Sudanese border.
- By road: about three and a half hours each way from Aswan, usually leaving before dawn to arrive early in the day.
- By air: short flights from Aswan, when scheduled, are the fastest option.
- Overnight: staying in Abu Simbel lets you see the temples at sunrise and at the evening sound and light show.
Read our Abu Simbel and Aswan guide for the full plan.
Which option is best for you?
The best option depends on your time and budget: fly if you are short on time, and take the sleeper train or a cruise for the experience.
- Short on time: fly Cairo to Luxor or Aswan, and fly back.
- Want an experience: take the sleeper train one way and a Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan.
- Traveling on a budget: day trains or buses, with the train between Luxor and Aswan.
- Want to see the temples on the way: a car with driver or a cruise.
For full routes, see our Egypt itinerary and Egypt travel tips.
Travel with a local guide
Simsem’s local hosts run cruises and guided days in Luxor and Aswan:
4-Day Nile Cruise: Aswan to Luxor with Guided Tours
Sail from Aswan to Luxor with guided visits to the temples along the Nile.
Luxor to Aswan Nile Cruise: 4 Nights, 5 Days
Sail the Nile between Luxor and Aswan, stopping at the great temples along the way, with a local guide.
Private Valley of the Kings Tour in Luxor – West Bank Highlights
The royal tombs and the great temples of Luxor’s West Bank with a local guide in Luxor.
Aswan Felucca Tour at Sunrise: Nile Birdwatching
An early-morning sail among the islands of Aswan with Khaled Zaky, watching the birds of the Nile.
Meet every host on our local guides in Egypt page.
FAQ
How long is the flight from Cairo to Luxor?
About an hour. Allow around four hours door to door, including airport transfers and security.
Is the sleeper train from Cairo to Luxor worth it?
Yes, for the experience and to save a hotel night. It takes about 10 hours overnight, with a private cabin, dinner and breakfast.
Where does the sleeper train leave from in Cairo?
From Cairo’s Upper Egypt (Bashtil) station or from Giza station, not from Ramses Station.
How long is the train from Cairo to Aswan?
About 13 to 14 hours on the overnight sleeper.
What is the best way to travel from Luxor to Aswan?
A 3- or 4-night Nile cruise, which stops at Edfu and Kom Ombo. The train takes about 3 hours if you are short on time.
Can you drive from Cairo to Luxor?
Yes, it takes about 8 to 9 hours by car. Most visitors fly or take the train instead.
Sources
- Seat61 — Cairo to Luxor and Aswan by sleeper train (2026)
- EgyptAir
- Air Cairo
- Egyptian National Railways
- Wikimedia Commons — photographs credited in each caption
