Abela Night Train Review 2026: Cairo to Aswan Sleeper Experience
Embark on a unique journey with Egypt's Abela Night Train from Cairo to Aswan. Discover honest insights on booking, amenities, and what to expect on this iconic sleeper adventure.
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Embark on a unique journey with Egypt's Abela Night Train from Cairo to Aswan. Discover honest insights on booking, amenities, and what to expect on this iconic sleeper adventure.
From Cairo to Aswan ABELA Night Train |
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
📍 El Giza Station
2655+M5R, Al Omraneyah Ash Sharqeyah, El Omraniya, Giza Governorate 3724110 Egypt
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!
📌 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]
The Abela sleeper train takes 13 hours and costs approximately $94.5 for a double room. A flight takes 90 minutes and costs about ~$104, while a bus takes 14 hours and costs around ~$14-$21.
The Abela sleeper train can be boarded at EL-GIZA Station, which is the boarding point for trains to Luxor and Aswan. Caution is advised when using the lounge due to past incidents of unfriendly staff or racial discrimination. Additionally, train delays are frequent and can be up to 2 hours.
Two meals are provided: one after departure and another an hour before arrival. The evening hot meal's rice had a spoiled 'yakbap' (sweet glutinous rice) taste, and the light meal sandwich and breakfast bread were also not recommended. It's advisable to bring cup noodles, as hot water can be provided upon request.
The restrooms on the sleeper train are in terrible hygienic condition, and waste is discharged directly onto the tracks. There are no shower facilities, and announcements may be made to refrain from using them while the train is stopped. If it's extremely urgent, it's best to use them only immediately after departure and avoid using them before arrival.
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