9-Day Cairo, Alexandria, Sleeper Train & Nile Cruise
Step and Bent Pyramids, Alexandria, one night on the sleeper train to Luxor, then four nights on a Nile cruise ship to Aswan. Guides, entrance fees and transfers are included.
The short answer
9-Day Cairo, Alexandria, Sleeper Train & Nile Cruise is a 9-day, 8-night trip to Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor and Aswan: 2 nights in Cairo, 1 in Alexandria, 1 on sleeper trains and 4 on a Nile cruise. Starts on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays or Sundays. It includes domestic flights, sleeper trains, an Egyptologist guide, entrance fees and transfers. Prices start at $2,501 per person, two sharing (Essential, October–April).
02Overview
A first look
Most Egypt tours fly you from the capital to the south. This one takes the long way round, and it is better for it. You begin in Cairo with a food tour and a day among the early pyramids at Saqqara, Memphis and Dahshur. Then you drive to Alexandria, where Egypt meets the Mediterranean, and spend a full day on its ancient and seaside sights.
That evening you board the sleeper train for the Alexandria to Luxor run. You sleep as the country rolls by and wake up in Luxor. From the station you go straight to your Nile cruise ship, and for four nights you sail from Luxor to Aswan with the temples of Karnak, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae along the way. On the last day a flight takes you to Cairo for your trip home. You choose the standard of hotel and ship when you book, and the sightseeing stays the same.
What lingers
- 01A private food tour on foot through Cairo on your first evening
- 02The Step Pyramid at Saqqara, Memphis, and the Bent and Red Pyramids at Dahshur in one guided day
- 03A full day in Alexandria: catacombs, Pompey's Pillar, the Qaitbay Citadel and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina
- 04The overnight sleeper train from Alexandria to Luxor
- 05Four nights on a Nile cruise ship from Luxor to Aswan, full board
- 06Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae with an Egyptologist
- 07A sunset felucca ride in Aswan and a visit to a Nubian village
Choose your comfort level
Prices are per person in USD, from 2 people sharing a double room, including accommodation at the properties listed or similar.
| Comfort level | Where you stay or similar | Per personfrom, Oct–Apr | Choose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essentialfrom $2,5013★ hotels · well-priced Nile cruises | Alexandria · 1 nightSan Giovanni Stanley Hotel and Restaurant Nile Cruise · 4 nightsSemiramis III · Magic I | $2,501May–Sep: from $2,354 | |
| Prestigefrom $3,5025★ deluxe hotels · 5★ deluxe Nile cruises | Alexandria · 1 nightHelnan Mamoura Nile Cruise · 4 nightsSonesta Moon Goddess · Nile Serenity | $3,502May–Sep: from $3,127 | |
| Luxuryfrom $5,1335★ luxury hotels · 5★ luxury Nile cruises | Cairo · 2 nightsSt. Regis Cairo Alexandria · 1 nightSteigenberger Cecil Hotel Alexandria Nile Cruise · 4 nightsSonesta St. George I · Cleopatra | $5,133May–Sep: from $3,972 |
Hotels on bed & breakfast · Nile cruise on full board. You'll stay in these properties, or a similar choice of the same quality. Choose your date in the booking panel for the exact price.
- New
Day by day
Detailed itinerary
9 Days / 8 Nights · Cairo · Saqqara · Dahshur · Alexandria · Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa · Luxor
- 1
Your driver meets you in the arrivals hall at Cairo Airport and takes you to your hotel, about an hour away. Rest after your flight. Later you set out on a private tasting walk from the hotel, a food tour of Cairo by night. You try local street food and snacks as you go, and see the city after dark when it comes alive.
- 2
A private day south of Cairo with your Egyptologist, in your own vehicle. At Saqqara you see the Step Pyramid, the oldest of the great pyramids. At Memphis you stand on the site of Egypt's first capital. At Dahshur you see the Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid, where the builders learned how to make a true pyramid. Entrance fees are included. Back to your hotel for a second night in Cairo.
- 3
After breakfast a private driver takes you from Cairo to Alexandria. Once you arrive you join a guide for a tasting walk through the city: street food, fresh seafood and a stop at one of the old cafés. It is a relaxed day, and a good way to get your first feel for the Mediterranean coast before the sightseeing starts tomorrow.
- 4
This is a full day with a private guide. You visit the catacombs, Pompey's Pillar and the Qaitbay Citadel on the harbor, and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the modern library built near the site of the ancient one. It suits good walkers. In the evening you are taken to the station and board the sleeper train from Alexandria to Luxor.
Tonight is your fourth night in Egypt, and it is spent on the train. The sleeper train runs on set days, so we plan your whole trip around its timetable.
- 5
You arrive in Luxor, and a transfer takes you from the train station to your Nile cruise ship, where you join the ship for four nights. Your Egyptologist guide then takes you to Karnak, the largest temple complex in Egypt, with its forest of columns and the Sacred Lake, and to Luxor Temple. Entrance fees and transport are included.
In the evening you can take a private horse carriage ride through the local market and past Luxor Temple lit up at night.
- 6
Cross to the West Bank with your Egyptologist. You see the Colossi of Memnon, two huge seated statues that guard the plain. In the Valley of the Kings you enter three royal tombs, and at Deir el-Bahari you see the terraced Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut. Your guide, entrance fees and transport are all included. You return to the ship for the night.
- 7
The ship cruises south and you go ashore with your guide at Edfu, where the Temple of Horus is one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt. Then you visit Kom Ombo, the double temple that stands right on the riverbank. The ship reaches Aswan, and the day ends on a felucca, the traditional sailing boat, with the sun going down over the Nile.
- 8
In Aswan you cross by boat to Philae, the temple of Isis on its island. You also see the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk, still lying in its quarry. In the afternoon an excursion takes you by boat to a Nubian village, with bottled water and an English-speaking guide. Guide, entrance fees and transport are included. This is your last night on the ship.
- 9
After breakfast you leave the ship. A private transfer takes you to Aswan Airport for the domestic flight to Cairo, which is included. In Cairo another private transfer takes you to the international airport for your flight home. There is no hotel night in Cairo at the end, so we suggest a late-evening or night international flight. The flight time is set by the airline schedule.
Bundled in
- Domestic flights
- Sleeper train
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Three hotel nights with breakfast, one night on the sleeper train, and four nights on a Nile cruise ship on full board
- Overnight sleeper train from Alexandria to Luxor
- Domestic flight from Aswan to Cairo
- All airport, hotel, station and port transfers by air-conditioned vehicle
- Private road transfer from Cairo to Alexandria
- Cairo food tour by night and Alexandria food walk
- Entrance fees to every site in the itinerary, including three tombs in the Valley of the Kings
- English-speaking Egyptologist guide on the sightseeing days
- Sunset felucca ride in Aswan and a Nubian village visit
- Meet-and-assist at the airport
Not included
- International flights to and from Egypt
- Egypt entry visa
- Gratuities for guides, drivers and ship staff
- Drinks on board and meals other than those stated
- Premium tombs such as Tutankhamun and Seti I
- Travel insurance and personal expenses
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
At Dahshur, climb into the Bent Pyramid or Red Pyramid only if you are comfortable with a long, low, steep passage.
- 02
Eat lightly before the Alexandria food walk; you will taste several street-food stops and old cafe bites in turn.
- 03
Pack a small overnight bag for the sleeper train, as your main luggage may travel separately from the compartment.
- 04
Book the Luxor horse carriage ride for the evening; temple floodlighting adds atmosphere to the market stroll.
Tailor it
Make it yours
Choose your hotel and ship standard when you book. Ask us about extra nights in Cairo or Luxor, or about adding Abu Simbel on a different tour.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- Travelers who want to see Egypt by road, rail and river, with Alexandria as well as the Nile. Suited to couples, friends and solo travelers who are comfortable sleeping one night on a train and walking for several hours on sightseeing days.
Maybe not, if
- Travelers who need step-free access to every site, or who want a slow pace. Day 4 is long, and the days that follow involve a lot of walking on uneven stone.
Honest assessment
Real trade-offs from our experience managing this tour.
Highlights
- Cairo's early pyramids, Alexandria, Luxor and Aswan in nine days
- The sleeper train replaces a flight on the Alexandria to Luxor leg
- Four nights on a ship, so no repacking between Luxor and Aswan
Things to Consider
- Day 4 in Alexandria is a full day before the night train
- Train dates are fixed, so your start date has to fit the timetable
- No Cairo night at the end, so the flight home must be late
Where it fits
A good fit if you have seen the usual Giza and Luxor highlights or want something different. Abu Simbel is not included. The sleeper train runs on set days, so we confirm your dates when you book.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Most Egypt tours fly between Cairo and Luxor. This one adds Alexandria and takes the sleeper train from Alexandria to Luxor, so the train is part of the trip, not a transfer. Your hotel and ship standard is your choice; the sightseeing does not change.
Compare
Similar tours to compare
On the ground
Your route
Snapshot
Good to know
- Travel style
- Guided Multi-Day Tour with Sleeper Train and Nile Cruise
- Accommodation
- Cairo and Alexandria hotels, a sleeper train berth and a Nile cruise ship, standard chosen at booking
- Destinations
- Cairo · Saqqara · Dahshur · Alexandria · Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa · Luxor · Karnak Temple · Valley of the Kings · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan · Philae Temple
- Includes
- 3 hotel nights with breakfast in Cairo and Alexandria · 1 night on the sleeper train, Alexandria to Luxor · 4 nights on a Nile cruise ship, full board · Flight Aswan to Cairo · Entrance fees to every listed site · Egyptologist guide on sightseeing days
- Best for
- Travelers who want rail and river as well as the sights · History-focused travelers · Second-time visitors who want Alexandria
The morning of
Meeting point & timing
- Where
- Cairo International Airport (CAI), Arrivals HallMap
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Passport and any required travel documents
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher
- Sun hat and sunglasses
- Refillable water bottle
- Any personal medication
- A small overnight bag for the sleeper train, with toiletries and a charger
- Small day bag for sightseeing
- Light layer for the train, the ship and the flight
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable clothing for sun and heat
- Closed shoes for temples, catacombs and uneven ground
- Clothing that covers shoulders and knees at mosques and temples
- A hat and sunglasses
- Comfortable clothes to sleep in on the train
- A light jacket for evenings on the Mediterranean coast and the river in winter
Children & families
Children are welcome. Every child takes a seat in the vehicle, so transport and guiding are charged at the adult rate at any age. Entrance tickets are free for children under 6 and full price from 6. Train berth, hotel and cruise cabin prices depend on the child's age and the room, berth or cabin used, so we give you the exact figure when you tell us the age at booking. The food walks and the full Alexandria day involve a lot of walking, which young children may find tiring.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This tour involves a lot of walking on large archaeological sites, with uneven stone, sand, steps and some narrow tomb passages. The Alexandria catacombs and the Qaitbay Citadel have stairs, and the Valley of the Kings and Karnak have long outdoor stretches with little shade. Boarding the sleeper train and the Nile cruise ship means steps and a gangway, and you sleep in a compact berth on the train. The vehicles are private and air-conditioned, but we cannot promise wheelchair access at every site or on the train. Tell us your needs when you book and we will tell you honestly which parts are suitable.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The tour uses private road transfers, one domestic flight, an overnight train and a Nile cruise ship, and the vehicle type can vary, so we do not claim a carbon saving. Taking the train from Alexandria to Luxor replaces a separate flight or a long drive on that leg. Sightseeing is guided by local Egyptologists and arranged through local suppliers in Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor and Aswan, so most of the money you spend stays in the places you visit. We ask guests to carry refillable water bottles and not to touch painted walls in tombs.
Licensed Egyptologist guides
State-licensed, and people we have worked with for years
Fair wages on the ground
Drivers + guides paid above market
Site preservation
We follow the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities' site rules: marked paths, no touching reliefs
Local teams, real help
Our own offices in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Sharm El Sheikh
If plans change
Cancellation and refunds
If you cancel, your refund depends on how early you tell us and on the type of trip. Read our current cancellation and refund policy
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01How does the sleeper train work on this tour?
On day 4 you finish your Alexandria sightseeing and board the overnight sleeper train to Luxor. You sleep on the train and arrive in Luxor the next morning, where a transfer takes you to your Nile cruise ship. The train runs on set days only, so we arrange your departure date around it and confirm your dates when you book.02Which nights are on the train and the ship?
Of the eight nights, one is on the sleeper train (night 4) and four are on the Nile cruise ship, on full board. The other three are in hotels, two in Cairo and one in Alexandria, with breakfast.03Which hotels and cruise ship will we have?
You choose a standard when you book, and we name the hotels and the ship for your dates. The tour is arranged at standard, first-class and luxury levels. The itinerary and the sightseeing are the same at every level.04Is the Alexandria day tiring?
Day 4 is a full day of sightseeing and then you take the night train, so it suits good walkers. You visit the catacombs, Pompey's Pillar, the Qaitbay Citadel and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina with a private guide. Wear comfortable shoes.05Will I make my international flight?
Domestic and international tickets are separate bookings, so a delayed flight from Aswan to Cairo can cost you the connection. This tour has no Cairo night at the end, so choose a late-evening or night international flight on day 9. Take travel insurance that covers missed connections.06Is Abu Simbel included?
No. This itinerary does not include Abu Simbel. Ask us if you would like to add it on a different tour.07Are international flights included?
No. The flight from Aswan to Cairo on day 9 is included, but your flights to and from Egypt are not.08Is this tour private?
Your driver and guide are private on the sightseeing days in Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor and Aswan. On the sleeper train and the ship you are with other guests.09When is the best time to go?
October to April is cooler and the most comfortable for walking around temples. Summers are hot, especially in Luxor and Aswan, so sightseeing starts early.
Last updated Product ID: TOU-CAI-145084
At a glance
- Length
- 9 days · 8 nights
- Starts
- Mon, Tue, Thu or Sun
- Route
- Cairo → Alexandria → Luxor → Edfu → Kom Ombo → Aswan → Cairo
- Nights
- 2 Cairo · 1 Alexandria · 1 sleeper train · 4 Nile cruise
- Includes
- Domestic flights, sleeper trains, Egyptologist guide, entrance fees, transfers