Luxor Warning or Danger Tips by Sneaky

If you decide to utilise the train service note that their are only three trains that are available for tourists to use at the following times, 8pm, 10:15pm and 01:00am.

At El Giza station do not be conned into purchasing a sleeper cabin if you do not require one as the station staff will inform you that there are no seats available. However if you remain at the counters long enough you will then see locals purchasing tickets for the same train with no problem. Also if you do require a sleeper, make sure you take US Dollars as they will not accept Sterling or Egyptian or Euros. If you do not have US Dollars there is no point going into the town to exchange some as there is not asingle bank that will sell you US Dollars.

Leave a Comment

Conveniently we were informed of this after we had had our bags stolen on the train.

According to the Chief of Transport Police there is a growing number of incidents occurring on the Tourist Trains whereby gangs of thieves are operating. Due to the long nature of the journey the only occupation is to sleep. If you travel first class you will be in a compartment with possibly 4 or 5 other occupants. ATTACH YOUR BAGS TO YOUR PERSON BY SOME MEANS as the train thieves will actually crawl across the floor to steal your bags if they are under the seats. If travelling in a group, ensure at least one of you is awake at any one time and if you leave the compartment wake someone else up to watch your bags. BE WARNED THE REPORTING PROCESS IS A LENGTHY MONOTONOUS AND INTIMIDATING ONE SO DONT EXPECT TO RELAX UPON YOUR ARRIVAL IF SOMETHING HAS BEEN STOLEN.

Leave a Comment

You probably wont know if you have never been but this is the run down on the authorities.

Tourist & Antiquities Police:

Found at most sites and in hotel receptions apparently there to help the tourists but finding one that speaks English may be difficult. These guys are not really police they are a private security firm that operates out of Cairo. Yes they have guns, yes they wear police uniforms no they are not the official police.

Traffic Police:

These guys stand at most junctions, picking their noses, smoking, blowing their whistles and generally ignoring every aspect of road safety ever concieved.

Transport Police:

These guys are the same as our British Transport Police. The majority of them wear civilians and are easily identifiable by the bulging H&K automatic weapon they carry under their jackets. If you get a problm on the train these guys are somewhere...ask a conductor.

Police Police:

Ah the real McCoy. You will probably only see these guys if you are having serious problems or having done something really naughty you are on your way to a one way ticket to a re-make of Midnight Express.

Militia:

Rarely seen riding around in converted pick ups. Green coveralls and some camouflage gear is all that is identifiable.

Army:

Primarily only seen at the military controlled airport where...yes.....you are expected to tip the soldier that checks your passport on your ingress...otherwise you may not be leaving with a passport.

Leave a Comment