Train to El-Balyana Station for Abydos

[Kingrocker]

Hi Members, Visiting Luxor at the end of the year, have visited many times before.

Would like to take the train from Luxor too El-Balyana Station for Abydos.
If any member could offer me advice on train times it would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You.

[Brian Yare]

I always use the Seat61 website for train times. You are not allowed to travel on the day-time trains, but if you purchase your ticket on-board you should be o.k.

You could book ahead up to 2 weeks in advance at https://enr.gov.eg/ticketing/public/login.jsf but el-Balyana seems not to be supported.

[A-Four]

Hi Kingrocker,
I notice your period of membership of this forum, therefore am sure you have a good ground knowledge of Egypt in general, though I am certain you will appreciate life is quite different when one moves away from the usual tourist areas.

I have no idea what security is like in Luxor these days but, in the past if you got on to a platform at that rail station without a ticket, a policeman would approach you to ask where you were going, you would say El Balyana, and he would walk away and you would think nothing more. When you then arrive at El Balyana railway station, there would be at least one or two police officers who speak English waiting to escort YOU to your final destination. This is just one of the many ways the authorities once worked in Egypt to protect the average awaja, without the average awaja even knowing this.

If you are simply going to Abydos for a day your method would be a poor one the journey time is approx three hours from Luxor direct, the train crosses the Nile at a fantastic city called Naga Hammadi in Middle Egypt, El Balyana is about 40 minutes from here.

On arrival at this small station, which reminds me of a average small country town station in England, you will need to take a 20 minute fast taxi directly west to Abydos. There is no need to buy a ticket at either station, simply pay on the train. Note. The train stops at El Balyana for only a short period. It may be wise to take your passport with you, and certainly so if you wish to remain there either overnight or a few days.

WARNING. If you know Abydos and other, shall we say, hidden sites around it from the past, I can certainly tell you things are not the same, while the two major sites there are quite safe, others are not so, under the present 'climate'.

[Who2]

Hi Kingrocker,
My mate who looks after my Jeep rushed in the other day to say over 100 Harleys with Police escorts where visiting Hatshepsuit.
He was very excited he said 'beautiful motor-bikes with beautiful women with babies and people
dressed just liked my mate Axel (mr gruin) who sports many 'tats.
He said that the noise was brilliant!
They do this yearly but iv'e never seen them.....

Ps:Q: What do you call a group of Harley Owners with a collective IQ of 120?
A: Sturgis!

[BBLUX]

I think a bunch of them were in El Gouna the other week. There was a noise like rolling thunder passing through Downtown for about 10 - 15 minutes. I saw a few parked up later on.

[Who2]

They do an annual tour of Egypt, so I'm told...

[Kingrocker]

A- 4, Thank You for all the info.