Train or plane from Cairo to Luxor--which is best?

I have a choice between taking a plane or train from Cairo to Luxor. Obviously the plane is quick and convenient, and it's a long train ride. I do like trains. I'd like to hear from people who have taken the DAY train whether they felt it was a really good experience, especially for a chance to see and experience parts of Egypt, or whether it's kind of a drag worth it mainly to save money. Thanks.

I have done all those things. I have taken the day train from Cairo to Aswan (through Luxor) and have flown from Luxor to Cairo on an EgyptAir flight.

I love trains. The scenery though between Cairo and Luxor gets a bit boring after a while. It's around nine hours. My rough guess is that three of those hours at various places have an interesting view out the wndow. The rest of the time it's not worth it.

The flight is short and easy. If you book early it can be very inexpensive as well. Even though I made the reservations from the US, I entered the EgyptAir site through the Egyptian portal, clicked on English and found a flight for around $25.

All things considered I'll probably fly next time.

Good luck.

I used the train few times from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan, and I enjoyed it tremindosly. I mean the view was nice but for me it was NOT only the view.I am NOT an Egyptian but growing up following Egyptian news, watching Egyptian movies and song. it was interesting to see these little towns that I heared about, like Mallowi the home town of Khalid Al-Islamboli who assassinated Egyptian president Anwar Al-Sadat. so it was nice to see these places

I was also amazed at how the palm tree look differnt than the ones in the Arabian Peninsula, where the palm tree consist of a single trunk but along the train tract in Egypt I saw plenty palm trees that had double or triple trunks.

From the train I can actually see the daily lives of Egyptians in away I did NOT see while riding trains in other countries

You have to take with you some thing to read to occupy the long travel time.I never used the plain to Luxor and I love the train ride

I would definitely take the train. Flights aren't really cheap in Egypt and the train journey is stunning. There are some nice stretches and you'll meet the local people. For more about travelling in Egypt overland as a budget backpacker check out our Egypt Blogs. There are also some great ways to see the Western deserts while your there... It's not so hard to get over there and for us it was the highlight of Egypt. See our blogs about the places listed below for more about the Western deserts.
Dakla
Baharia
Siwa Oasis

For everything you need to know about Egypt including costs, accommodation, highlights, weather and off the beaten path secrets, check out this Budget Backpackers Guide To Egypt
Enjoy Egypt it's one of the greatest places on earth! Hope this helps!
Goats On The Road

Edited by: goatsontheroad

I enjoyed the day train, but it takes a long time. If you are limited for time, then fly to make to most of your time. If you have a day to kill, take the train. The scenery is nice, meeting and speaking to people is nice, but again, only if you have the time to enjoy it.