Trains in Egypt: Complete Guide for Travelers

Trains in Egypt are more than just a means of transportation; They are living channels of the nation’s history and development. Rhythmic locomotives echo through the registers of time, connecting the contemporary with the ancient.

Now, EgyptaTours will take you on a wonderful journey on the wings of imagination to the land of Egypt where you will discover together the amazing stories of the artistic wonders and cultures that shaped the Egyptian railway system into what it is today as we travel the magnificent views and Egyptian countryside on board Egyptian trains.

History of Trains In Egypt

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The history of trains in Egypt dates back to the 1850s when British engineers built Egypt’s first railway line connecting Cairo and Alexandria in 1854. In the early years, Muhammad Ali Pasha proposed that Egypt establish a railway system to facilitate trade and facilitate travel. Then construction of the railway began in 1851.

The First Railway Line in Egypt Trains in Egypt 

The Cairo-Alexandria Railway was the first railway line in Egypt to connect the capital, Cairo, to Alexandria, an important port on the Mediterranean Sea. The Egyptian railway system start in 1854 with the completion and opening of the line, which was about 220 kilometers long and greatly assisted in the movement of goods and people between the two cities.

Developments in the railway network in Egypt

Egypt’s railway network was later rapidly expanded with the construction of the Cairo-Alexandria Railway. Then other lines were created to connect many cities and destinations in Egypt. Trains reached more cities in the 19th and 20th centuries, including Port Said, Suez, Luxor, and Aswan, boosting trade, industry, tourism, etc. The Egyptian government established the Egypt Railways (ESR) in 1856 to modernize and expand railway infrastructure, and the ESR was important in establishing and maintaining railways in Egypt.

The railway system in Egypt evolved from steam to sparks

Steam engines previously powered Egyptian trains, but by the 20th century, railways switched to electric trains. The first electric railway line from Cairo to Helwan was opened in 1902. The Egyptian railway system has been modernized over time by electrifying new lines with diesel engines to improve the network, as well as modernizing stations and services.

Reviving railways in Egypt

Train trade in Egypt was disrupted by the Suez Crisis in 1956, and in the 1970s the Egyptian railway network began to deteriorate due to lack of investment, and then in the first decade of the twenty-first century the Egyptian government began to participate in expanding the railway network. The new railway line between Cairo and Alexandria is scheduled to begin operation in 2023.

Types of trains in Egypt and ticket prices

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• Passenger Trains

Train passengers are divided into three different categories. They are the most common means of transportation in Egypt and transport passengers between the cities and villages of the country.

The Freight Trains

Freight trains transport goods and materials across Egypt because they are much longer than passenger trains and can carry different types of goods.

High-Speed Trains

These trains are the fastest in Egypt, reaching a high speed of 250 kilometers per hour. Egypt’s largest cities, Cairo and Alexandria, are connected by high-speed trains.

Tourist Trains in Egypt

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Tourist trains in Egypt were created for visitors and included panoramic windows allowing passengers to enjoy the views from the trains.

Train Ticket

Egypt has launched its first light rail transit system to linked the new capital with Cairo, a new and improved version of the electric-powered tram that is faster and more environmentally friendly. The Cairo Light Rail connects Greater Cairo to the New Administrative Capital and 6th of October City via a different route than the monorail. The LRT has 22 trains and 19 stations and can transport up to 500,000 passengers per day. It is the first of its kind In Egypt and aims to develop means of transportation in the country, as it is one of the clean energy transportation systems in Egypt.

Tickets price:

3 stations: 15 pounds.

6 stations: 20 pounds.

9 stations: 25 pounds.

12 stations: 35 pounds.

There are also parking spaces next to the stations where you can leave your car until your return.

Please note that these prices are approximate and may vary depending on time of year and ticket availability.

Directions for using trains in Egypt

Available Directions to Use Trains in Egypt – Egypta Tours 

Cairo to Alexandria

The train journey between the two cities takes about two hours and 30 minutes, and is the most popular railway journey in Egypt.

Second class, air-conditioned: 57 pounds

First class, air-conditioned: 73 pounds

VIP train: 130 pounds

Cairo to Luxor

The rail journey between the two cities takes about ten hours, and is another popular train in Egypt.

Second class, air-conditioned: 114 pounds

Air-conditioned first class: 202 pounds

Sleep Train: From 40 pounds to 120 pounds

Cairo to Aswan

This is a long train journey that takes about 12 hours, however it is a wonderful trip as you will enjoy the Nile River and the desert while you are on the train.

First class, air-conditioned: 230 pounds

Second class, air-conditioned: 170 pounds

VIP train: 350 pounds

Alexandria to Luxor

This railway is less popular, but still a good alternative if you want to avoid crowds, and the rail journey between the two cities takes about 12 hours.

Second class, air-conditioned: 281 pounds

Air-conditioned first class: 359 Egyptian pounds

Cairo to Port Said

The train from Cairo to Port Said takes around 3 hours and 30 minutes, and the train travels at an average speed of 120 kilometers per hour.

Second class, air-conditioned: 99 pounds

First class, air-conditioned: 130 pounds

Cairo to Marsa Matruh

The train from Cairo to Marsa Matrouh takes about 5 hours, with an average speed of 100 kilometers per hour.

Second class, air-conditioned: 130 pounds

Air-conditioned first class: 220 pounds

Cairo to Ismailia

The train from Cairo to Ismailia takes about two hours and 30 minutes with an average speed of 120 kilometers per hour.

Second class: 30 pounds

First class: 47 Egyptian pounds

Cairo to Tanta

The train from Cairo to Tanta takes about one hour and 30 minutes, with an average speed of 100 kilometers per hour.

Second class: 10 pounds

First class: 20 pounds

Cairo to Beni Suef

The train from Cairo to Beni Suef takes about one hour and 45 minutes, with an average speed of 100 kilometers per hour.

Second class: 10 pounds

First class: 20 pounds

Alexandria to Marsa Matruh

The train from Alexandria to Marsa Matrouh takes about 5 hours, with an average speed of 100 kilometers per hour.

Second class: 105 pounds

First class: 150 Egyptian pounds

Luxor to Aswan

This is a great way to see the temples and other monuments in Luxor before continuing on to Aswan, which is a short train ride, taking about two hours.

Second class, air-conditioned: 85 pounds

The Kafr El-Zayyat Accident and Infrastructure Improvements

Originally, the railway line between Cairo and Alexandria crossed the Nile at Kafr El-Zayyat using an 80-foot (24-meter) car float. On 15 May 1858, a tragic accident occurred when a special train carrying Ahmad Rifaat Pasha, Sa’id’s heir, fell from the float into the Nile. The prince drowned as a result of the accident.

Following this incident, Robert Stephenson replaced the car float with a swing bridge nearly 500 meters (1,600 feet) long, greatly improving safety and reliability at this critical crossing.

Expansion Across the Nile Delta (1860–1863)

By the end of Sa’id Pasha’s rule, the railway network had expanded significantly across the Nile Delta:

• Banha to Zagazig on the Damietta branch of the Nile opened in 1860.
• A branch to Mit Bera followed in 1861.
• Another line from Tanta to Talkha, further down the Damietta branch, was completed in 1863.

Railway Growth Under Isma’il Pasha

Sa’id was succeeded by Isma’il Pasha, who actively pursued modernization and strongly supported railway development.

Key expansions during his reign included:

• In 1865, a new branch reached Desouk on the Rosetta Nile.
• A second, more direct route between Cairo and Talkha was opened, strengthening the link between Cairo and Zagazig.
• In 1866, a southward branch from Tanta reached Shibin El Kom.

Southern Expansion Along the Nile

The railway network began extending south along the west bank of the Nile:

• The line from Imbaba, near Cairo, to Minya opened in 1867.
• A short branch to Faiyum was added in 1868.
• That same year, a line connecting Zagazig and Suez via Nifisha was completed.

In 1869, further progress was made:

• The line from Talkha was extended north to Damietta on the Mediterranean coast.
• Additional branches reached Salhiya and Sama’ana.

1877–1888: Financial Crisis and Railway Reorganization

By 1877, Egypt already had several major railway lines in operation and the Nile Delta was served by a fairly dense rail network. However, despite this progress, the ambitious development policies of Isma’il Pasha had pushed the country deep into debt. Surprisingly, during its first twenty-five years of operation, Egypt’s national railway had never issued a single annual report.

To address the growing problems, a Council of Administration was formed in 1877, bringing together Egyptian, British and French representatives. Their task was to restore order to the railway system. Two years later, in 1879, the council published the railway’s first official annual report. That same year, political pressure led to Isma’il Pasha being deposed and exiled. He was replaced by his son Tewfik Pasha. Not long after, in 1882, Britain effectively invaded and occupied Egypt.

During this period of political upheaval, railway expansion largely came to a halt. Between 1877 and 1888, the rail network saw little growth. On the other hand, railway administration became far more organized. The Egyptian Railway Administration focused on restructuring management and improving efficiency.

In 1883, the administration appointed Frederick Harvey Trevithick as Chief Mechanical Engineer. He soon discovered that the railway owned up to 246 steam locomotives, built by many different manufacturers in England, Scotland, France and the United States. The lack of standard designs made maintenance difficult and disrupted daily railway operations.

Between 1877 and 1888, even basic maintenance was a challenge. However, by 1887, Trevithick succeeded in launching a renewal program. He began upgrading 85 locomotives with new boilers, cylinders and motion systems. For the remaining engines, he introduced a plan to replace them with four standardized locomotive types starting in 1889:

• An 0-6-0 class for freight services
• A 2-4-0 class for mixed traffic
• An 0-6-0T tank locomotive for shunting
• A small class of ten 2-2-2 locomotives for express passenger trains

By ensuring that these classes shared as many common components as possible, Trevithick greatly simplified maintenance and significantly reduced operating costs.

1888–1914: Expansion, Bridges and Modern Infrastructure

By 1888, the railway system was stable enough to resume expansion. In 1890, a second railway line between Cairo and Tura was opened. Two years later, on 15 May 1892, the Imbaba Bridge was completed across the Nile, finally connecting Cairo with the railway line running south along the west bank of the river. The bridge was designed by Gustave Eiffel and remains historically significant as the only railway bridge across the Nile in Cairo, despite later renovations.

In the same year, Cairo’s main terminal, Misr Station, was completely rebuilt. Railway construction then pushed steadily south. From Assiut, the line reached Girga in 1892, Nag Hammadi in 1896, and Qena in 1897. By 1898, trains were running all the way to Luxor and Aswan.

With the railway now reaching Upper Egypt, work began in 1898 on two major infrastructure projects: the Aswan Dam and the Assiut Barrage. These projects were part of a broader government plan, launched in 1890, to modernize agriculture, increase exports and strengthen Egypt’s ability to repay its European debts.

Railway Growth in the Nile Delta and Canal Zone

In northern Egypt, railway development continued steadily. In 1891, a new link line connected Damanhur and Desouk. That same year, the line to Shibin El Kom was extended south to Menouf, later reaching Ashmoun in 1896. Meanwhile, a route across the Nile Delta expanded from a junction north of Talkha toward Biyala. By 1898, it had reached Kafr el-Sheikh, creating a more direct rail connection between Damietta and Alexandria.

A major strategic extension followed in 1904, when a line along the west bank of the Suez Canal linked Nifisha, Ismailia, Al Qantarah West and Port Said. After this, railway expansion slowed. Still, two short link lines north of Cairo were completed in 1911, followed by another connection between Zagazig and Zifta in 1914.

Sinai Railways and Regional Conflict

El Ferdan Railway Bridge

The first El Ferdan Railway Bridge crossing the Suez Canal was completed in April 1918 and was built specifically for military purposes. After the end of the First World War, the bridge was removed because it interfered with maritime navigation and blocked shipping traffic through the canal.

During the Second World War, a steel swing bridge was constructed in 1942 to restore rail connectivity. This structure, however, did not last long. It was damaged and eventually dismantled in 1947. A double swing bridge replaced it in 1954, but the 1956 Israeli invasion of Sinai once again interrupted railway movement across the canal.

Another replacement bridge was completed in 1963, yet it was destroyed only a few years later during the 1967 Six-Day War. In 2001, a new double swing bridge was finished. At the time, it became the largest swing bridge in the world, marking a major engineering achievement.

Despite this, the later construction of the New Suez Canal once again separated Sinai from the rest of Egypt’s railway network. To overcome this challenge, plans were introduced to build two railway tunnels beneath the canal, one near Ismailia and the other close to Port Said.

The Palestine Railways Main Line and Regional Conflict Impact

Historically, the main line of Palestine Railways connected Al Qantarah East with Palestine and Lebanon, forming a key regional rail corridor. Construction took place in several stages during the First and Second World Wars. Work began in 1916, and the line reached Rafah as part of the Sinai and Palestine Campaign against the Ottoman Empire. After the war ended, the railway was extended northward to Haifa, and in 1942 it was pushed further to Tripoli, where it became an essential wartime supply route.

The situation changed after the 1947–1949 Palestine War, when the railway was cut at the 1949 Armistice Line, effectively breaking the through connection. Rail links across Sinai were disrupted again during the 1956 conflict. In that period, Israel captured several locomotives and pieces of rolling stock, which were later absorbed into the fleet of Israel Railways. Before withdrawing from Sinai in 1957, Israeli forces systematically destroyed large parts of the railway infrastructure.

Further damage followed during the 1967 war. Captured railway materials were then reused in the construction of the Bar Lev Line along the Suez Canal. Today, several historic railway vehicles from this period have survived and are preserved in Haifa, serving as physical reminders of the railway’s military and political history.

The Egyptian Railway Museum

Egypt’s railway heritage is preserved at the Egypt Railway Museum, which was built in 1932 beside Ramses Station in Cairo. The museum officially opened in January 1933 to coincide with the city’s hosting of the International Railway Congress.

Its collection includes more than 700 items, ranging from detailed models to historic drawings and photographs. Among the most important exhibits are three preserved steam locomotives, built between 1861 and 1905, which reflect the technological evolution of Egypt’s railway system over more than half a century.

 FAQs about Trains in Egypt

What are the main types of trains in Egypt?

Egyptian National Railways runs fast intercity, regular intercity, and overnight sleeper trains. There are first-class and second-class seating, plus sleeper cabins on some long routes.

Which routes are most popular for tourists?

Cairo to Alexandria (daytime), Cairo to Luxor and Cairo to Aswan (overnight), and occasional day trips to the Red Sea coast are the common tourist routes.

How long is the trip from Cairo to Alexandria by train?

About 2.5 to 3 hours on the faster intercity services.

How long does it take from Cairo to Luxor or Aswan?

Cairo to Luxor around 9–11 hours; Cairo to Aswan roughly 12–14 hours by overnight train.

What classes are available on Egyptian trains?

First class and second class (and on some long routes, sleeper or couchettes). Sleeper options are typically on overnight lines.

Can I buy tickets online or only at the station?

Tickets can be bought at stations, and online booking is available on official or partner portals where offered. Availability varies by route and date.

How far in advance should I book?

For popular routes (Cairo–Luxor/Aswan, holidays), book as early as possible. For domestic short trips, last-minute tickets may be available but can sell out.

Are there reserved seating and assigned seats?

Yes on many intercity trains; seats are usually assigned when you buy the ticket. Keep your seat number handy.

What luggage allowances are there?

Typical luggage allowances are moderate: one big bag plus small personal items. Be prepared to handle your bags yourself; there’s little checked baggage service on most trains.

Is the train comfortable for long overnight trips?

Sleeper cabins are the best option for long overnight journeys. Sleeper trains offer enclosed compartments with beds; comfort varies by age of the train and route.

How safe is train travel in Egypt?

Generally safe for travelers. Use licensed stations, keep valuables secure, and stay aware of your surroundings, especially in busy hubs.

Are trains on time in Egypt?

Punctuality varies. Delays can occur due to track work, weather, or operational issues. Plan some buffer time for connections.

Can I take a train with children or accessibility needs?

Family-friendly trains exist, and some stations offer basic accessibility. Check in advance with the operator for specific accessibility options and services.

Do trains have onboard dining or Wi-Fi?

Some longer intercity or sleeper trains offer snacks or meals; onboard Wi-Fi is not widely guaranteed. Bring water and snacks just in case.

What’s a good travel tip for riding trains in Egypt?

Arrive early at the station, know your platform and carriage, confirm your seat, and keep your valuables secure. If you’re booking a sleeper, choose a compartment with a window and a comfortable bed setup.

If you want, I can tailor these to specific routes or add route-by-route details (durations, current schedules, and ticketing