Egypt's railway provider is the Egyptian State Railway (tel: (02) 575 3555). Reservations can only be made at the station. The network is limited but efficient and reasonably comfortable in first class or second class superior. All trains stop at Cairo's main station, the Ramses Station, Midan Ramses (metro: Mubarak Station). There is a tourist office, post office and left-luggage facilities at the station.

Rail services: Cairo is connected to the other major Egyptian cities, such as Alexandria (journey time - 2 hours 20 minutes), Luxor (11 to 12 hours) and Aswan (14 hours). If travelling along the Nile Valley (as opposed to within the Nile Delta), tourists must use the guarded ‘tourist trains' for security reasons. You can reserve tickets up to seven days in advance at Ramses Station. Abela Egypt (tel: (02) 2574 9274; website: www.sleepingtrains.com) runs first-class sleeping trains, primarily to Luxor and Aswan. It is possible to book these through its website or the Egyptian State Railway number, or the Central Reservation Office outside the station, but it is easiest to use a travel desk at a major hotel or at local travel agencies for a small commission. Foreign students are entitled to a substantial discount with a valid student card.