Egyptian National Railways operates 5,085 route kilometers across the Nile Valley and Delta, making it the oldest railway system in Africa and the Middle East. The British constructed the first line between Alexandria and Cairo in 1854, a distance of 225 kilometers. The network carries approximately 500 million passengers annually, though this figure fluctuates based on service reliability and political stability. The core trunk line follows the Nile River from Alexandria through Cairo to Aswan, covering 1,100 kilometers with stops at all major Nile Valley cities including Beni Suef, Minya, Asyut, Sohag, Qena, and Luxor. A separate line serves the Nile Delta, connecting Cairo to Port Said (220 kilometers), Ismailia (139 kilometers), Mansoura (125 kilometers), and Tanta (94 kilometers). The Suez Canal cities are linked by rail to the capital, with services terminating at Port Said and Ismailia.
Egyptian National Railways distinguishes between several service classes. Ordinary trains stop at every station, covering the Cairo-Aswan route in 15 to 18 hours depending on delays. Express trains reduce this to 13 to 14 hours by skipping smaller stations. Air-conditioned trains designated as "Special" services operate between Cairo and Alexandria in 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes, running 12 to 15 times daily. Spanish-built Talgo trains, introduced in 2009, cover the Alexandria-Cairo route in 2 hours on their fastest scheduled runs, though these services have experienced irregular operation since 2017. Sleeping trains operated by Watania Sleeping Trains Company run nightly between Cairo and Luxor (10 hours) and Cairo and Aswan (13 hours), using rolling stock manufactured by Romanian company ASTRA in the 1980s. First class sleeping cabins contain two berths with sink and bedding; second class cabins fit three passengers. Dinner and breakfast are included in the ticket price, which ranges from 120 to 180 US dollars for foreign passengers depending on cabin type and direction.
Foreign visitors pay separate fares from Egyptian nationals on most routes. A foreigner's first-class ticket from Cairo to Aswan on the regular daytime train costs approximately 200 Egyptian pounds (fluctuates with exchange rate), while the same journey in second class runs 100 to 120 pounds. Egyptians pay roughly half these amounts. The sleeping trains charge tourists exclusively in US dollars or euros and do not accept Egyptian currency from foreign passport holders. First class seats on air-conditioned services between Cairo and Alexandria cost foreigners 80 to 100 pounds versus 40 to 60 pounds for second class. Tickets can be purchased at station windows, though English is not consistently spoken outside Cairo and Alexandria terminals. Ramses Station in Cairo serves as the main hub, with separate windows for different train types creating long queues during peak hours.
Safety incidents have affected the network's reputation. On February 27, 2019, a train crashed into a barrier at Ramses Station in Cairo, causing a fuel tank explosion that killed 25 people and injured 50. On March 26, 2021, two passenger trains collided near Sohag, killing 19 passengers and injuring 185. Derailments occur with some regularity on the Cairo-Aswan line, often attributed to aging infrastructure and track maintenance deficiencies. The railway's official statistics for accidents are not published consistently. Rolling stock age varies considerably—some air-conditioned coaches date from the 1990s, while ordinary second-class cars include examples from the 1960s and 1970s. Track condition deteriorates noticeably south of Luxor, where speed restrictions limit trains to 60 to 80 kilometers per hour on sections where rail bed subsidence or alignment issues exist.
Platform access at most stations involves climbing steep stairs with luggage, as ramps and elevators exist only at Cairo Ramses, Alexandria Misr, and the newer portions of Giza Station. Toilets on non-air-conditioned trains are squat type, often without running water by mid-journey. Air-conditioned trains have seated toilets, though cleanliness varies by route and time of day. Luggage storage consists of overhead racks in first class and floor space in second class, with no baggage car or checked luggage system. Passengers boarding at intermediate stations frequently stand in corridors and vestibules when seats sell out, particularly on the Cairo-Alexandria route during Thursday and Friday travel periods.
The Egyptian government announced plans in 2019 to develop a high-speed rail network connecting Red Sea resorts to the Nile Valley and Mediterranean coast, contracting Siemens Mobility for 2,000 kilometers of new lines. The first phase would link Ain Sokhna on the Gulf of Suez to El Alamein on the Mediterranean coast via the New Administrative Capital east of Cairo, covering approximately 660 kilometers. Construction began in 2023 with completion projected for 2027, though Egyptian infrastructure projects historically experience delays. Proposed top speed is 230 kilometers per hour. This network would operate separately from Egyptian National Railways using different track gauge and stations.
Cairo Metro opened its first line in 1987, becoming the first full metro system in Africa and the Arab world. The network now comprises three lines totaling 89 kilometers with 65 stations, carrying approximately 4 million passengers daily on weekdays. Line 1 runs north-south from Helwan in the southern suburbs to El Marg in the northeast, covering 44 kilometers with 35 stations. French company Alstom provided the original rolling stock, while newer trains came from South Korean manufacturer Hyundai Rotem. Line 2 extends 21 kilometers from Shubra El-Kheima in the north to Giza in the southwest, crossing the Nile River on a dedicated bridge. Line 3 currently operates 34 kilometers from Cairo Airport to Rod El-Farag, with extensions under construction that will eventually reach 41 kilometers to Imbaba.
Each metro train includes two women-only cars, typically the fourth and fifth cars from the front during off-peak hours and the middle cars during peak periods. Signs on platforms indicate where these cars stop. Male passengers entering these cars face fines of 50 Egyptian pounds, though enforcement varies by station and time. Rush hour extends from 7:00 to 10:00 AM and 3:00 to 7:00 PM, when trains arrive every 2 to 4 minutes on Line 1 and every 5 to 7 minutes on Lines 2 and 3. Outside peak hours, frequency drops to 7 to 10-minute intervals.
Fares operate on a single-price system regardless of distance. As of 2024, tickets cost 8 Egyptian pounds per journey for the first nine stations, 10 pounds for longer distances, and 15 pounds for trips extending beyond 16 stations. Rechargeable cards are available for 15 pounds deposit, allowing tap-in/tap-out access. Ticket windows at each station sell magnetic strip tickets, while vending machines accept exact change only. No daily or weekly passes exist for tourists. Trains run from 5:00 AM to midnight Sunday through Thursday, extending to 1:00 AM on Friday nights and reducing to 5:30 AM starts on Fridays.
Station accessibility remains limited. Of the 65 stations, only 12 have elevators, concentrated on Line 3 which opened most recently between 2012 and 2022. The others require navigating stairs with luggage or mobility aids. Escalators exist at major interchange stations including Sadat, Attaba, and Shohadaa, though mechanical failures sometimes leave them inoperative for weeks. Platform screen doors were installed on Line 3 but not retrofitted to earlier lines, where passengers wait behind yellow safety lines. Air conditioning functions in trains on all three lines, though not on platforms. Stations lack public toilets except at terminal points.
Signage appears in Arabic and English at all stations, with route maps posted inside cars and on platforms. Recorded announcements play in Arabic only, with no English audio warnings for upcoming stops. Station names are written in Latin script on platform signs, though spelling sometimes differs from official English transliterations. The Sadat station serves Tahrir Square and provides access to the Egyptian Museum within a 400-meter walk. Ramses Station connects to the main railway terminal through an underground passage. Giza Station on Line 2 sits 12 kilometers from the Pyramids of Giza, requiring a taxi or bus connection.
Line 4, Line 5, and Line 6 are in various planning stages. Line 6 will connect Giza's 6th of October City to New Cairo, covering approximately 42 kilometers when completed in phases through 2030. Line 4 will serve the western suburbs with a projected 19 kilometers and 17 stations. Line 5 will link Nasr City to 6th of October City. Construction timelines have been revised multiple times, with funding coming from the European Investment Bank and African Development Bank alongside Egyptian government allocations.
Long-distance bus services connect all governorate capitals and tourist destinations through multiple competing private companies. Go Bus operates the most extensive network, with modern coaches featuring air conditioning, onboard toilets, and WiFi on major routes. Tickets on Go Bus from Cairo to Alexandria cost 80 to 120 Egyptian pounds depending on departure time, with the journey taking 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours via the Desert Road. The same route on East Delta Bus Company costs 50 to 70 pounds with older vehicles and fewer amenities. Super Jet serves premium routes with prices 20 to 30 percent above Go Bus, offering wider seats and guaranteed air conditioning functionality.
Cairo's intercity buses depart from multiple terminals depending on destination. Turgoman Bus Station in central Cairo serves Upper Egypt destinations including Luxor (10 to 11 hours, 150 to 250 pounds), Aswan (13 to 14 hours, 200 to 300 pounds), and Hurghada (6 to 7 hours, 120 to 180 pounds). Al-Moneeb Terminal in southern Giza handles some Sinai routes. The East Delta Terminal in Abbasiya district serves Sinai Peninsula destinations including Sharm el-Sheikh (7 to 8 hours, 200 to 280 pounds), Dahab (9 to 10 hours, 220 to 300 pounds), and Nuweiba (10 to 11 hours, 250 to 320 pounds). West Delta Bus Company operates from its own station near the Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road entrance, focusing on Mediterranean coast destinations like Marsa Matruh (7 to 8 hours, 150 to 200 pounds) and Siwa Oasis (12 to 14 hours, 280 to 350 pounds).
Tickets can be purchased at station windows or through company websites, though online booking often requires an Egyptian mobile number for confirmation codes. Go Bus and Super Jet accept credit cards online; most other companies require cash payment at terminals. Reserved seating is standard on all intercity services, with seat numbers printed on tickets. Companies maintain ticketing offices in major hotels in Cairo and Alexandria where reservations can be made without visiting terminals. Departure times cluster in early morning (6:00 to 9:00 AM) and evening (8:00 to 11:00 PM) for overnight routes, with limited midday options on most connections.
Luggage allowances vary by company. Go Bus permits one checked bag up to 25 kilograms plus one carry-on without additional fees. Super Jet allows 30 kilograms checked. Smaller operators charge 10 to 20 pounds per bag over unstated weight limits, assessed arbitrarily by drivers or station staff. Bags are stored in underfloor compartments without receipts or tracking systems. Valuable items should remain with passengers, as luggage theft occurs occasionally at rest stops where compartments are opened for passenger access.
Rest stops occur every 2 to 3 hours on routes exceeding 6 hours, typically at roadside restaurants with facilities. Stops last 15 to 20 minutes, with departure times announced by drivers in Arabic. No formal system alerts passengers who may have wandered out of earshot. The Cairo-Luxor route stops at Beni Suef or Minya depending on company and time. Sinai routes stop at Suez or Ain Sokhna. Toilets at rest stops are squat type, usually requiring 2 to 5 pounds payment to attendants. Buses have onboard toilets that may or may not be functional; drivers often keep them locked on shorter routes under 5 hours.
Road conditions influence journey times significantly. The Desert Road between Cairo and Alexandria is a four-lane highway with good pavement, allowing buses to maintain 90 to 100 kilometers per hour. The route parallels the Nile from Cairo to Aswan uses the East Bank Road, a two-lane highway through cities and agricultural areas where speeds drop to 40 to 60 kilometers per hour in populated sections. The Hurghada Road crosses the Eastern Desert via Ain Sokhna, featuring long straight sections but suffering from heavy truck traffic bound for Red Sea ports. Sinai routes require crossing the Ahmed Hamdi Tunnel under the Suez Canal, where security checkpoints sometimes create 30 to 60-minute delays during high-alert periods.
Checkpoints appear regularly on all intercity routes. Police and military stations require buses to stop for passenger identity checks, particularly on Sinai routes where tourist convoys are sometimes mandatory. These convoys require buses to wait for predetermined departure times and travel in groups with security escorts, occurring daily for Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab, and Saint Catherine's Monastery routes. Convoy departure times from Cairo are typically 8:00 AM and 10:00 PM, meaning buses arriving before these windows wait at checkpoints. Individual travelers cannot opt out of convoys when required. Passport checks occur at checkpoints, requiring foreign passengers to present documents to police officers who board buses.
Upper Egypt Access Permits were previously required for foreigners traveling to Luxor, Aswan, and Abu Simbel, but this system was officially discontinued in 2018. Permits remain theoretically required for travel to Siwa Oasis and Western Desert sites, obtained from the Ministry of Interior, though enforcement is inconsistent. Some bus companies request permits; others do not. Travelers should check current requirements at their point of origin, as regulations change without public announcement.
Cairo's urban bus network consists of government-operated CTA (Cairo Transport Authority) buses, private microbus services, and intermediate minibus lines. CTA operates approximately 2,500 buses across 120 routes, though vehicle availability fluctuates due to maintenance issues. Older buses from the 1990s and 2000s run alongside newer Chinese-manufactured vehicles acquired between 2019 and 2023. Fares cost 3 to 5 Egyptian pounds regardless of distance, collected by conductors who issue paper receipts. Routes are numbered but signage appears in Arabic only, with no official English route maps. Major corridors include the Airport Road to Tahrir Square, the Pyramids Road from downtown to Giza, and the Corniche routes along the Nile. Buses run from 5:30 AM to 11:00 PM, with frequency varying from 10 minutes on central routes to 45 minutes on peripheral services.
Microbuses are privately owned minivans seating 12 to 14 passengers, operating on fixed routes without formal timetables. Drivers depart when vehicles fill to capacity. Fares range from 3 to 10 pounds depending on distance, paid to the driver or front-seat passenger who acts as fare collector. Destinations are called out by drivers or assistants leaning from windows, always in Arabic. No written route numbers or destination signs exist. Microbuses congregate at informal stands near metro stations, major intersections, and transportation hubs. The stand layout and system logic are opaque to first-time users and most tourists avoid this transport mode due to communication barriers. Microbuses serve areas unreached by metro or formal buses, including many residential neighborhoods, informal settlements, and suburban areas between Giza and 6th of October City.
Alexandria's urban transport relies heavily on trams alongside buses and microbuses. The Alexandria Tramway operates two lines dating from 1863, making it among the oldest continuously operating tram systems globally. The Raml Line runs 12 kilometers along the Mediterranean corniche from Ras El Tin to Victoria Station, serving 31 stops with blue-and-cream colored trams built in Japan during the 1970s and 1980s. Tickets cost 3 pounds purchased from conductors onboard. The Abu Qir Line extends 22 kilometers eastward from Raml Station to Abu Qir, using yellow trams of similar vintage. Both lines operate from 5:00 AM to midnight with 8 to 15-minute frequencies. Signs at stops list station names in Arabic; announcements are in Arabic only. Seating is first-come basis, with standing room filling during rush hours.
Alexandria's bus network is operated by AACT (Alexandria Automated Company for Transport) with approximately 200 vehicles covering 40 routes. Fares match Cairo at 3 to 5 pounds, collected by conductors. Route information in English is absent, limiting usefulness for short-term visitors. Microbuses fill the gaps, particularly for routes connecting Alexandria to nearby towns like Borg El Arab, Abu Qir, and Rashid.