Abela Night Train Review 2026: Cairo to Aswan Sleeper Experience

From Cairo to Aswan ABELA Night Train

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This is , here to make your journey smooth.

Recently, as seen on Choo Sung-hoon's "You Gotta Earn Your Meal,"

I'll be sharing my experience of traveling

on the night train (Abela) from Cairo to Aswan.

I'll give you an honest review, covering everything from

train booking, station and lounge info, cabin review, in-flight meals, to bathroom details.

Table of Contents

What is the ABELA Night Train?

Train Station & Lounge Information

Cabin Interior & In-Flight Meal Review

Bathroom Hygiene

Conclusion & What to Pack

1. What is the ABELA Night Train?

Cairo-Aswan Transport Comparison

Category	Pros	Cons
Plane (EgyptAir / Air Cairo)	Fast, takes 90 minutes	Approx. ~$104, pricey
Bus (Superjet)	Around ~$14, cheap	No bathroom, old/deteriorated
Overnight Bus (12GO)	Around ~$21, saves on accommodation costs	Uncomfortable seats, takes 14 hours
Night Train (Abela)	2 people per room possible, includes a bed	Approx. ~$90, takes 13 hours

Price

Cabin Type	Price per person
Single Occupancy (Single)	$136.5
Double Occupancy (Double)	$94.5

While around $189 for two people (approx. ~$179) is certainly not cheap,

it's popular for the **unique experience of spending a night in a bed**.

How to Book

👉For more detailed booking instructions, please refer to the [Booking Guide].

2. Train Station & Lounge Information

Departure Station: EL-GIZA Station

This is the boarding location for trains heading to Luxor and Aswan.

Show your ticket to the staff, and they will guide you to the platform.

ABELA LOUNGE Important Notes

⛔️Unfriendly Staff Story

After complaining multiple times to the lounge staff that the drinks were overpriced,

they reported us to the police (pretending not to look but glancing sideways).

We were subjected to continuous ticket checks, and that staff member kept making racist remarks towards East Asians.

Train Delays

Train delays are very frequent,

and we even found cases of **delays up to 2 hours**.

We boarded about 30 minutes late **(Departed 20:45 ➡️ Arrived 09:43)**.

3. Cabin Interior & In-Flight Meal Review

Cabin Layout

The night train carriages are not interconnected, so you board directly into your designated carriage.

Our first impression was that it was cramped and messy,

but if you utilize the storage space well, it feels surprisingly spacious.

Even though the sheets had a sandy smell and there was a broken window,

I actually had a surprisingly comfortable bed and slept like a baby.

The lower bunk bed was set up by the staff after dinner.

Cabin Amenities

Onboard Meals: My Candid Thoughts

Two meals were served: one after the train departed, and another an hour before arrival.

You can choose your meal option for the evening meal when you book your train ticket.

<Hot Meal>

A combination of rice, meat, and bread.

The rice had a strange, slightly spoiled sweet-and-savory taste.

The meat was decent.

<Light Meal>

3 dry sandwiches + a snack.

Not only were the sandwiches uninspiring,

but the spicy and sour snack was equally unappetizing.

<Breakfast>

A combination of bread, cheese, juice, and a snack.

Skip the bread (unless it's part of the snack)!

For the first time on an international trip, I found myself enjoying instant cup noodles.

Hot water is available if you ask the staff,

so definitely pack some instant cup noodles!

4. Restrooms

Seriously, the restrooms are a definite no-go..!!

There are no shower facilities inside the sleeper train.

The restroom hygiene is absolutely terrible! They actually discharge waste directly onto the tracks.

I kept wondering why there was a lingering stench at the train stations,

and then I realized they discharge waste directly onto the tracks... I couldn't have imagined it!

I even heard announcements advising against using them while the train was stopped.

If you absolutely can't hold it, only use them right after departure,

and definitely don't use them before arrival!

(And trust me, you don't want to know why either.)

5. Final Thoughts

Today, we've taken a deep dive into the sleeper train journey from Cairo to Aswan.

While there were certainly a few drawbacks—like the unwelcoming lounge, the concerning hygiene in the restrooms, and the unappetizing onboard meals—

the moment I lay in bed and watched the Egyptian landscape drift by,

I couldn't help but think, "Despite everything, I'm so glad I took this train."

If you're looking to have a truly unique travel experience at least once,

I highly recommend the Abela Sleeper Train.

🍯 Packing Checklist

✅Humidifying Mask: A lifesaver in dry Egypt.

✅Eye Mask & Earplugs : Absolutely essential for a comfortable sleep on the train.

✅Two 2L Bottles of Water: Perfect for a quick wash, brushing your teeth, and staying hydrated.

✅Instant Cup Noodles & Snacks: An absolute must since the onboard meals aren't exactly gourmet.

✅Toilet Paper: Always wise to have, just in case!

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📌 Related Posts You Might Enjoy

🔗 [Essential Egypt Travel Information]

🔗 [Egypt Transportation Guide]

🔗 [How to Buy a SIM Card at Egypt Airport & ATM Withdrawal Guide]

🔗 [Egypt Historical Sites: Opening Hours & Admission Fees Guide]

🔗 [Egypt Tours: A Comprehensive Guide]

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