Intercity Transportation - Train

Ticket windows at Ramses Station are open 8am-10pm. If you have time, first go to the tourist office on Adly St. and have them write out the desired destination and other details in Arabic to avoid confusion. Which line you stand in depends upon whether you are reserving a seat in advance or trying to buy a ticket for the same day (often impossible). Women (and men traveling with women) can take advantage of the special women’s line that may form at crowded times, which is much shorter and faster than the corresponding men’s line. In addition, women are permitted (possibly expected) to push to the front of the fine, head held high. If you give up one day and come back the next, don’t assume that you want the same ticket window. If you are willing to travel third class (solo women shouldn’t), you can buy tickets from the conductor on the train. Students can get 50% discounts on fares-show an ISIC or student ID.

The trains enter their berths at least a half-hour before departure time. None of the train numbers or destinations are in English, but fellow travelers and the tourist police will lend a hand. Nonetheless, be prepared for yet another infusion of confusion. For information at Ramses Station, call 75 35 55. An information desk is directly ahead as you enter the station and the grudgingly helpful tourist information is on your left. For more information on trains, see Transportation in the Egypt Introduction and under specific destinations.

In between lines, take a moment to admire the towering Statue of Ramses II in front of the train station. The statue was excavated in 1888 near the remains of the ancient city of Memphis.