Where to Sleep on Rails: the 8 Best Overnight Trains

1.Egypt on Budget – 8 Days ( Cairo , Aswan , Nile Cruise – Luxor ) Sleeper Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 121 reviews · from $844Our pick

See the Giza Pyramids, Saqqara, Memphis, Coptic Cairo, and the Citadel with a guide, then travel by private sleeper cabin to Aswan. Cruise three nights from Aswan to Luxor, visiting Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Karnak, and the Valley of the Kings before returning to Cairo by train.

“The pyramids were amazing The temples and tombs were sensational The tour guides were really informative The drivers and all the connections went like clockwork The trip down the Nile was fantastic”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.2-Day 2-Night Sapa Tour by Overnight Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 96 reviews · from $168

Travel from Hanoi to Sapa by shared four-berth overnight train, then trek through Sin Chai, Y Linh Ho, Lao Chai, and Ta Van with an English-speaking local guide. You get one hotel night, meals, village walks, and a daytime return to Hanoi. Guides may include Ai, Sung, or Zua. Bring warm layers and shoes with firm grip.

“Easily the best activity that we have done in Vietnam. Our guide Ai was the sweetest Hmong guide. She communicated clearly and was funny. She took us to our trekking tours and helped us cross rice fields. The trekking is not east so you need good shoes or gum boots. Locals accompany you along the way. We read various comments but the ladies along the road are necessary. If they help you be a nice traveller and buy something from them. This was the highlight and definitely recommend it. Good value for money. The train experience was great and our hotel very clean and spacious. Thank you to Ai for…”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Sapa: 3-Day, 3-Night Trek and Hotel with Overnight Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 64 reviews · from $212

Spend three days exploring Sapa’s hill villages, rice terraces, waterfalls, and mountain paths with local English-speaking guides such as Su Su, Ai, Mai, or Chu. The trip includes an overnight train, one Sapa hotel night, a Ta Van homestay, meals, and transport from Hanoi. Expect sturdy walking, basic village lodging, and persistent sellers along the trail.

“I had the best time in Sapa. The weather was sunny, but not hot like in Hanoi, so very comfortable for trekking. Our guide, Chu is very friendly and knowledgeable. I want to discover the daily life of local people, that's why I chose this tour to stay at homestay. Everyone was friendly and easy-going. Food was so yummy. Berths on the train look like your bed at home, so interesting and easy to sleep. Definitely recommend this tour !”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Sapa Hill Tribes 2-Day Tour by Overnight Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 62 reviews · from $199

Ride an air-conditioned sleeper train from Hanoi to Lao Cai, then trek through Cat Cat, Lao Chai, Ta Van, and Giang Ta Chai. You’ll meet H’Mong, Black H’Mong, Red Dzao, Dzay, and Tay communities with a local English-speaking guide. Choose a shared four-bed cabin, private cabin, hotel, or homestay option.

“Great two-days trip through fantastic landscape and villages surrounding SaPa. Our guide - Chi talked really good English and had a lot to tell about the landscape, plants and the way of living in the remote villages in the area. We did this trekking with the best pace on tour with small group. Great food at the village in the middle of nowhere! Highly recommended!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.6- Days Aswan , Abu Simbel , Cruise , Luxor & Round Sleeper Train

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 25 reviews · from $645Top rated

Travel from Cairo to Aswan by overnight sleeper train, then cruise north to Luxor aboard a 5-star Nile boat. Visit Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu, the Valley of the Kings, Karnak, and Luxor Temple, with an optional Abu Simbel trip. Guides such as Khaled, Magdy, and Mustafa lead the sightseeing.

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Luxor East and West Banks Tour & Overnight SLEEPER Train Rounded trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 21 reviews · from $350

Travel from Cairo to Luxor and back by overnight sleeper train, with station transfers, onboard dinner and breakfast, and a private air-conditioned tour. A licensed Egyptologist guide leads you through the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut’s temple, Karnak, Luxor Temple, and the Colossi of Memnon. Guide Hany is associated with some departures.

“SEAMLESS EXPERIENCE Itinerary - Giza to Luxor (round trip) - Pre/Leaving Giza: we had a driver who picked us up from our hotel and took us to the station and to our cabin room. We had booked for 3 people but researched the cabins were iRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Luxor East and West Banks Tour by Overnight Sitting Train Rounded trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews · from $244

Travel from Cairo to Luxor on a first-class seated overnight train, then spend a full day with a licensed guide and private air-conditioned vehicle. Visit the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut’s temple, Colossi of Memnon, Karnak, and Luxor Temple before returning by train. Guide Khalad el Sassy has earned especially warm praise.

“Khalad el sassy was absolutely amazing today the knowledge this man has of Egypt was tremendous, I highly recommend him to anyone coming to see these fantastic sights here and making memories. Top class man and I give him 10/10”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Sa Pa Trekking 2 Days 3 Nights Homestay by Night Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 11 reviews · from $165Best value

Travel from Hanoi to Sa Pa by night train, then trek for two days through mountain villages and rice terraces with a local guide such as Tú. You will stay one night with a Hmong family, share meals, and visit four hamlets and two ethnic communities. The group is limited to eight people.

Check availability →Read our full review