Sohag travel guide

Bus

The bus depot, T093-233 2021, is a 5-min walk south from the train station.There are 7 daily buses between 0730 and 2400 to Minya carrying on to Cairo (8 hrs, E£40-45). There are buses to Assiut at 0630, 0900, 1200 and 1300 (2 hrs, E£5).

Taxi

Service taxis run north as far as Assiut, from the depot near Midan Opera, on the north side of town. Services for the south leave from the southern end of Midan Al-Aref, going to Qena (3 hrs) via El-Balyana (for Abydos, 1 hr, E£2) and Nag Hammadi. Some also go direct to Luxor and Aswan, though it’s an uncomfortable journey. Be forewarned that bus and taxi travel for foreign visitors may be restricted.

Train

Travel by train is preferable, and offers the least restrictions. All trains travelling between Cairo and Luxor stop in Sohag. You should be allowed to get on any train and then pay on board, which costs a bit extra, but if you try to buy a ticket in advance you will only be sold ones for the tourist trains.

Banks

National Bank of Egypt and Barclays (T093-2230 2178), both on Sharia El-Gomhuriyya (the Corniche), have ATMs.

Internet

Salem Net, next to the Andalos Hotel, has a speedy connection for E£1 per hour, open 24 hrs.

Post office

On the Corniche, Sat-Thu 0800-2000, with the telephone exchange next door.