2-Night, 1-Day Private Trip to Luxor from Cairo by Sleeper Train
Journey through time aboard a classic sleeper train and discover the ancient wonders of Thebes in a single unforgettable day.
This carefully crafted private tour offers a rare opportunity to experience a Luxor day trip from Cairo by sleeper train, combining the romance of overnight rail travel with a packed itinerary covering the most significant monuments of ancient Egypt. A dedicated tour guide greets you at the platform and accompanies you throughout the day, ensuring a seamless and informed visit.
Luxor, built upon the ruins of ancient Thebes, holds the greatest concentration of pharaonic monuments on earth. From the towering columns of Karnak Temple to the hand-carved royal tombs hidden beneath the desert hills of the West Bank, each site tells a chapter of a civilization that endured for more than three thousand years.
This private itinerary is structured to cover both banks of the Nile in a single day, allowing you to move at a comfortable pace without the constraints of a large group. Lunch at a local Luxor restaurant is included, and optional experiences such as the Karnak sound and light show are available for those who wish to extend the experience before the return train.
The journey itself is part of the experience. Boarding a deluxe sleeper train from Giza station and waking up on the platform of Luxor is a travel ritual that has been enjoyed by generations of visitors, offering a connection to the classic era of Egyptian exploration.
Tour Highlights
Travel between Cairo and Luxor aboard a classic deluxe sleeper train, an iconic Egyptian rail experience.
Explore the Valley of the Kings and enter three royal tombs carved deep into the Theban hills.
Walk through the vast Hypostyle Hall of Karnak Temple, the largest religious complex ever constructed.
Visit the mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, one of the most architecturally striking monuments in Egypt.
Stand before the Colossi of Memnon, two massive stone statues that have guarded the West Bank for over 3,400 years.
Enjoy a fully private experience with a dedicated guide and air-conditioned transport throughout the day.
Itinerary
1
Evening Departure from Cairo by Sleeper Train
Your tour leader meets you in the lobby of your Cairo hotel and transfers you by private air-conditioned van to Giza train station. You board the deluxe sleeper train bound for Luxor and settle in for an overnight journey along the Nile Valley.
2
Arrival in Luxor and West Bank Tour
Upon arriving at Luxor station early in the morning, your local guide meets you directly at the train door. Your first stops are on the West Bank of the Nile, beginning with the Colossi of Memnon before proceeding to the Valley of the Kings, where you visit three decorated royal tombs.
3
Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir El-Bahari
The tour continues to the extraordinary mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut, built into the cliffs at Deir El-Bahari. Rising in a series of elegant terraces from the desert plain, the temple is dedicated to the only female pharaoh in ancient Egyptian history.
4
Karnak Temple Complex and Lunch
Cross to the East Bank to explore Karnak Temple, the most sacred religious site of the ancient world, known by its original name Ipet-isut. You walk through the famous Hypostyle Hall, a forest of 134 massive columns, before enjoying lunch at a local Luxor restaurant.
5
Free Time and Optional Sound and Light Show
After the main tour, you have free time for leisure, including a visit to local papyrus institutes and an alabaster factory. Due to the late evening departure of the return train, you have the option to attend the Karnak Temple sound and light show at an additional cost.
6
Overnight Return to Cairo by Sleeper Train
Your guide transfers you to Luxor train station for the overnight sleeper train back to Cairo. Upon arrival at Giza station the following morning, you are met and transferred back to your hotel.
What Is Included
Included
Return sleeper train tickets (Cairo to Luxor and back)
Private air-conditioned vehicle transfers throughout
Professional licensed Egyptologist guide in Luxor
Entrance fees to the Valley of the Kings (3 tombs)
Entrance fees to Hatshepsut Temple
Entrance fees to Colossi of Memnon
Entrance fees to Karnak Temple
Lunch at a local restaurant in Luxor
All applicable service taxes and fees
Not Included
Gratuities for guides and drivers
Personal travel insurance
Karnak sound and light show (optional, additional cost)
Entrance to the tomb of Tutankhamun (optional, additional cost)
Beverages not included in meals
Any personal expenses or souvenirs
Important Information
This is a private tour. All transport and guiding services are exclusively for your group. Please arrive at your hotel lobby on time for the evening pickup to avoid missing the train departure.
Duration
The full experience spans 2 nights and 1 full day. The outbound sleeper train departs in the evening and arrives in Luxor the following morning. The return train departs Luxor in the evening and arrives in Cairo the next morning.
What to Bring
Bring comfortable walking shoes, lightweight clothing suitable for warm temperatures, sun protection including a hat and sunscreen, a refillable water bottle, and a valid passport or ID. A light layer is recommended for the sleeper train.
Cancellation Policy
Please review the cancellation terms provided at the time of booking. Train ticket reservations may affect refund conditions. It is strongly recommended to book with adequate notice and to secure travel insurance.
Accessibility
This tour involves moderate walking on uneven terrain, including desert paths and ancient stone surfaces. The Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple involve inclines and steps. The tour is rated moderate in difficulty and may not be suitable for guests with limited mobility.
Age Range
This tour is suitable for most ages. Children and older travelers are welcome on this private trip. Guests should be in reasonable physical health given the walking distances involved at archaeological sites.
Reserve Your Private Luxor Sleeper Train Tour
Secure your place on this private journey from Cairo to Luxor and experience the monuments of ancient Egypt with an expert guide by your side. Private availability is limited, so early booking is recommended.
What type of sleeper train is used for this trip?▼
The tour uses a deluxe sleeper train service operating between Cairo (Giza station) and Luxor. These trains include private sleeper cabins with basic amenities suitable for an overnight journey.
How many tombs are included in the Valley of the Kings visit?▼
The standard entrance to the Valley of the Kings includes access to three royal tombs. The tomb of Tutankhamun requires a separate additional ticket and is not included in the base price.
Is Luxor Temple included in the itinerary?▼
A visit to Luxor Temple is listed as an optional addition. Given the full-day schedule covering the West Bank and Karnak Temple, availability depends on timing. Discuss this with your guide on the day.
Can this tour be combined with a return to Hurghada instead of Cairo?▼
The itinerary notes that guests can be returned to a hotel in Hurghada instead of Cairo at the end of the day tour, before the return train journey. Please confirm this preference at the time of booking.
Is the Karnak sound and light show included in the tour price?▼
The Karnak Temple sound and light show is an optional activity available at an additional cost. It is recommended as a way to make use of the time before the evening departure of the return sleeper train.
What is the difficulty level of this tour?▼
This tour is rated as moderate. Visitors should expect extended walking on uneven archaeological terrain, exposure to heat, and some inclines at sites such as Hatshepsut Temple. Comfortable shoes and sun protection are essential.
Luxor Day TripSleeper Train EgyptValley of the KingsKarnak TempleHatshepsut TempleCairo to LuxorAncient Egypt TourPrivate Egypt TourNile West BankColossi of MemnonThebes MonumentsEgypt Train Travel
This tour operates along the Nile Valley corridor connecting Cairo, the capital of Egypt, with Luxor, a city in Upper Egypt built on the ruins of ancient Thebes. Luxor sits approximately 670 kilometers south of Cairo and is accessible by overnight sleeper train from Giza station. The tour covers two primary geographic zones: the West Bank of the Nile near Luxor, which includes the Theban Necropolis, the Valley of the Kings, and the mortuary temples at Deir El-Bahari; and the East Bank, home to the Karnak Temple Complex. These sites are located within the Luxor Governorate and are recognized as part of the ancient city of Thebes and its Necropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The broader region of Upper Egypt along the Nile Valley is one of the most historically significant archaeological landscapes on earth, drawing visitors from Cairo, the Red Sea coast including Hurghada, and international destinations worldwide.
Location: Luxor, Upper Egypt | Departure City: Cairo, Egypt | Transport Mode: Overnight Sleeper Train | Tour Type: Private Guided Day Tour | Primary Sites: Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, Temple of Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon | Region: Nile Valley, Upper Egypt | UNESCO Status: Ancient Thebes and its Necropolis (World Heritage Site) | Difficulty: Moderate | Trip Style: Cultural Heritage, Archaeological
Gift more than a trip
Extraordinary experiences, beautifully gifted
Give the joy of travel with a ToursXplorer Gift Card. Perfect for every occasion.
