Egyptian Train Quick Tips
Train travel in Egypt can be a special experience. First I will make a short list of suggestions, then I will explain them.
Wear Shoes (not sandles/slip-ons)
If you are going on a train for more than 1 hour I would highly suggest that you were actual shoes and not sandles or slip-ons. There are two reasons. One, the less important of the two is you might get your feet stepped on in the crowds. The second and far more important reason is that bathrooms on Egyptian trains are often disgusting and trust me, you don't need someones fecal matter and urine on your feet.
Bring bathroom stuff
Expect to be squatting while in the train and unless you are skilled at the art of squatting on the move you are going to have to touch that disgusting stabilizing bar. Yes, everyone who has ever shat there has done the same. There is generally a chained up water bucket to wash off your behind and there probably won't be soap. Carry soap, toilet paper, and hand sanitizer.
Lock-up your bag
If you are planning on snoozing, resting your eyes, or going to the washroom make sure your bag is locked up. Buying a chain and securing it to the overhead bars is a good method. This is especially important if you are on an overnight train. You don't need people stealing your goods. Don't trust other backpackers implicitly either.
Buy tickets in advance
There are several ways to buy tickets in Egypt. You can go to a travel agent and pay too much, or you can go to the train station and go to the lines and buy your tickets. In Egypt they normally have a line for tourists to buy their tickets, but guides also buy their tickets there and you will find people very pushy. They will walk in front of you and you really need to aggressively push them out of the way or you will never make any forward progress in line. Normally you can buy tickets one or two days in advance without any problem, but holidays and tourist high-season can often lead to full trains. As soon as you know when you want to go somewhere, I suggest you buy your tickets right away.
Splurge on your ticket
Being a budget traveler means saving money. I know that it seems like a great idea to save that extra 3-4 dollars and travel second class, but let me tell you... There is a MAJOR difference between first and second class. If you are traveling for over an hour or two just spend the extra few dollars and you will be a much happier person for it.
Meals on wheels
If you are on long haul trains and you haven't brought food with you (why not?) then you are about to be ripped off. My "average" meal in Egypt would be about 1-2 dollars for a good meal. On the train if you get breakfast with coffee or tea in pre-made plastic container you will be looking at about 5-7 dollars.
Trains running on time
Most of my time waiting at trains stations was caused only because I am always early and over-estimate the time it will take me to arrive at places. Trains in Egypt normally run "on-time" that is to say that they start or arrive within about 15 minutes of their scheduled time. Only once did I have to wait 3.5 hours for a very late train.
Tourist trains
One frustrating things about Egypt is the fact that tourists are only allowed to travel on certain trains, certain buses, and are generally assigned to sit near each other or in the same cabin. I inquired about this at they said it was for security reasons, additional guards are placed on the trains and they take the protection of tourists very seriously as much of the Egyptian economy relies on tourism.
It is possible to buy tickets from neglectful clerks at the ticket counter, but normal trains and buses get searched at security check-points and not only slower but you will be pulled off the train and asked many questions about why you aren't on a "tourist" vehicle. You will probably have several armed guards questioning you.
- Wear Shoes (not sandles/slip-ons)
- Bring bathroom stuff
- Lock-up your bag
- Buy tickets in advance
- Splurge on your ticket
- Meals on wheels
- Trains running on time
- Tourist trains
Wear Shoes (not sandles/slip-ons)
If you are going on a train for more than 1 hour I would highly suggest that you were actual shoes and not sandles or slip-ons. There are two reasons. One, the less important of the two is you might get your feet stepped on in the crowds. The second and far more important reason is that bathrooms on Egyptian trains are often disgusting and trust me, you don't need someones fecal matter and urine on your feet.
Bring bathroom stuff
Expect to be squatting while in the train and unless you are skilled at the art of squatting on the move you are going to have to touch that disgusting stabilizing bar. Yes, everyone who has ever shat there has done the same. There is generally a chained up water bucket to wash off your behind and there probably won't be soap. Carry soap, toilet paper, and hand sanitizer.
Lock-up your bag
If you are planning on snoozing, resting your eyes, or going to the washroom make sure your bag is locked up. Buying a chain and securing it to the overhead bars is a good method. This is especially important if you are on an overnight train. You don't need people stealing your goods. Don't trust other backpackers implicitly either.
Buy tickets in advance
There are several ways to buy tickets in Egypt. You can go to a travel agent and pay too much, or you can go to the train station and go to the lines and buy your tickets. In Egypt they normally have a line for tourists to buy their tickets, but guides also buy their tickets there and you will find people very pushy. They will walk in front of you and you really need to aggressively push them out of the way or you will never make any forward progress in line. Normally you can buy tickets one or two days in advance without any problem, but holidays and tourist high-season can often lead to full trains. As soon as you know when you want to go somewhere, I suggest you buy your tickets right away.
Splurge on your ticket
Being a budget traveler means saving money. I know that it seems like a great idea to save that extra 3-4 dollars and travel second class, but let me tell you... There is a MAJOR difference between first and second class. If you are traveling for over an hour or two just spend the extra few dollars and you will be a much happier person for it.
Meals on wheels
If you are on long haul trains and you haven't brought food with you (why not?) then you are about to be ripped off. My "average" meal in Egypt would be about 1-2 dollars for a good meal. On the train if you get breakfast with coffee or tea in pre-made plastic container you will be looking at about 5-7 dollars.
Trains running on time
Most of my time waiting at trains stations was caused only because I am always early and over-estimate the time it will take me to arrive at places. Trains in Egypt normally run "on-time" that is to say that they start or arrive within about 15 minutes of their scheduled time. Only once did I have to wait 3.5 hours for a very late train.
Tourist trains
One frustrating things about Egypt is the fact that tourists are only allowed to travel on certain trains, certain buses, and are generally assigned to sit near each other or in the same cabin. I inquired about this at they said it was for security reasons, additional guards are placed on the trains and they take the protection of tourists very seriously as much of the Egyptian economy relies on tourism.
It is possible to buy tickets from neglectful clerks at the ticket counter, but normal trains and buses get searched at security check-points and not only slower but you will be pulled off the train and asked many questions about why you aren't on a "tourist" vehicle. You will probably have several armed guards questioning you.
