What better way to start a weekend get-away with a leisurely ride on the train rather than a rush-hour tour by car? Take the metro to Giza station, walk a few metres to the platform for long-distance trains and wait for the evening service to Aswan. We were shocked at first about the condition of trains passing through the station and never sure which one would be ours. Fortunately, the rail staff were super friendly and prevented us from boarding one of the overcrowded trains, which many travellers found their way into trough the window. The actual sleeper train, however, was rather comfy and almost on time. We hoisted our luggage into our private compartment, closed the door and felt blissfully insulated from the brouhaha outside. After a dinner of carbohydrates of different sorts (lentils, rice, potatoes... well, you might want to bring your own) we soon fell asleep in beds equipped with fresh linen and fluffy pillows. Then, after a good night's rest, came the best part of the journey: walking up in the morning to a panorama of green fields dotted with donkeys and birds, palm trees full of dates and the occasional village to match. We immediately knew we were in for some peace and quiet and relaxation far from the hustle and bustle of Cairo.
Tickets are US$60 per person one way (incl. dinner and breakfast) can be booked online at
http://e7gezly.com/sleepingtrains/
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