Train travel in middle East?

[deontebolaw]

I wanted to take my wife on a train trip threw the Holy Land but was wondering if there is a way to travel from say Turkey to Israel and Egypt?

[Rick]

Have you watched the news lately? Good luck.

[Hpine1]

I bet you $100.00 that you won't make it to egypt

[Marc]

Originally Posted by deontebolaw

I wanted to take my wife on a train trip threw the Holy Land but was wondering if there is a way to travel from say Turkey to Israel and Egypt?

Not by land; primarily because you have to cross Syria. There has been overland travel from Israel to Egypt but I have seen only buses; not trains. Air or sea will be a lot easier to navigate than trying to go overland.

[Paul Motter]

Also - the border between northern Israel and Lebanon is considered too dangerous by the US State Department for US citizens. It is off-limits to us, as far as I know (and it should be, it can be a very dangerous place).

[Paul Motter]

This is one reason why cruises to the Holy Land are such a good deal.

[Manuel]

I would not risk such a trip at this time.

TM

[Paul Motter]

There used to ba a fair amount of tourism between Israel and Egypt and Jordan - part of the peace process after the 1976 truce (implemented by Jimmy Carter). But since the regime change in Egypt things have changed - however Abercrombie and Kent report more demand for Egypt lately - even adding extra cruises in 2015.

I really suggest you do it like this - plan to spend several days in Israel (Jerusalem/Dead Sea, etc), and then fly to Egypt and take a Nile cruise. If you can avoid Cairo, or limit it to one day to see the pyramids and Sphinx that would be fine, but the best of Egypt is upriver on the Nile - take a 7-day river cruise.

[Marc]

Originally Posted by Paul Motter

There used to ba a fair amount of tourism between Israel and Egypt and Jordan - part of the peace process after the 1976 truce (implemented by Jimmy Carter). But since the regime change in Egypt things have changed - however Abercrombie and Kent report more demand for Egypt lately - even adding extra cruises in 2015.

I really suggest you do it like this - plan to spend several days in Israel (Jerusalem/Dead Sea, etc), and then fly to Egypt and take a Nile cruise. If you can avoid Cairo, or limit it to one day to see the pyramids and Sphinx that would be fine, but the best of Egypt is upriver on the Nile - take a 7-day river cruise.

This itinerary is really good advice. I lived in Israel for a short while in 1980 just after travel to Egypt was opened up. Those that took a trip on the Nile enjoyed their trip a lot more back then and still true from what i hear from traveling friends today. I would also recommend adding at least four days in Jordan. We spent ten days in Israel a couple years back and then we crossed at Allenby Bridge leaving behind one driver and glad to see another driver when we got to other side of bridge. Same experience in reverse when we crossed from Aqaba to Eilat for our flight back to Tel Aviv. Jordan is beautiful. Jerash, Mt Nevo, Madaba, and of course Petra and Wadi Rum.

Marc

[Alyson]

Denebola, No Middle Eastern country has an extensive railway network and there are few international services. Most railway lines in the region were built primarily for strategic or economic reasons, and many are either no longer in use or only carry freight. However, where there is a choice (such as in Israel and Egypt) the trains are usually much more comfortable than the buses and compare favorably in price. On the other hand, they are less frequent and usually slower, while many stations are some distance out of the town centers they serve. In general, tickets are only sold at the station and reservations are either compulsory or highly recommended. It's always advisable to book bus seats in advance at the bus station, which is usually the only ticket outlet and source of reliable information about current services. Reservations are a must over the Muslim weekend (Friday) as well as during public holidays.

[Manuel]

Originally Posted by Manuel

I would not risk such a trip at this time.

TM

Under the current situation, I repeat my post.


TM