Day 237 – Alexandria to Cairo
Today, after breakfast we walked 3km to the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa from our accommodation, Transit Alexandria Hostel. The entrance fee for the tombs is 80 EGP / $6.89 AUD per person. We did walk past Pompey’s Pillar which was closed yesterday (Day 236), but we decided to skip it; one, due to time constraints and two, due to being able to see the pillar from the gate.
Trams in Alexandria 
A market in Alexandria
The Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa has signs everywhere that says no photos. We were pretty much the only people not taking photos though. Most other people, were part of tours, so might have connections with their tour guides, but we didn’t want to risk it.
Only the photos of the catacombs we dared to take
The catacombs themselves are really nice, as there are steps in a circular staircase, that go 2-3 stories down. At the bottom, is a very nice tomb, with some very preserved carvings into the stone. It is very cool to see. There are also more tombs of the “normal” people of to the side, which are just like rectangular boxes. The area is surprisingly large and all underground. It was impressive to think how hard it would be to dig up all that rock.
After spending a few hours, we walked back to our accommodation and checked out. Since we had our bags now, we took a Uber to the Alexandria Train Station. Here we had some fun trying to buy our train tickets, but long story short, locals may lack English, but they are super friendly.
Alexandria Railway Station First Class Counter First Class Cabin
Turns our there is actually a first class counter separate to where the hoards of locals were at the front of the station. The first class counter is just to the side of Platform 1. You can enter from the left side of the building or walk past where the locals are buying tickets and through the security gate. On your left will be some offices and small stalls. Keep going past these, and you will see a nice looking area (that sort of looks like a bank), where they sell the 1st class ticket. The first class tickets only cost 70 EGP / $6.03 AUD per person.
For ticket information look at Egyptian National Railways website and enter the required details.
Finding the platform is a little hard, as they don’t print it on the ticket and make an announcement in Arabic only. The platform changes depending on the day, is what we were told. Luckily we found a local who was on the same train, going to Cairo, who was able to help us.
The train itself was old, but nice and it left on time. The journey took us 3 hours and 15 minutes. As the train left Alexandria, the buildings changed into green fields and streams. And once again, as the train approached Cairo’s Ramsis Railway Station we were surrounded by buildings again. Rug up on the train, as the AC can get a bit chilly. From the station, we walked to City Hostel which we had booked online.
City Hostel, is actually located here which is only a little bit off from where google says it is. The staff spoke limited English, but were super friendly. The room had 3 beds once again, and a large clean bathroom. For dinner we were recommended GAD Restaurant, which had tasty filling food.
Cairo / Ramsis Railway Station City Hostel GAD Restaurant Streets of Cairo
Our first impressions of Cairo…hectic and busy.
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