Trains in Egypt: Your Best Travel Guide

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

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

Types of Trains in Egypt with Ticket Prices – Egypta Tours 

• 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.

Type of Train	Ticket prices
Passenger Trains	First-class: 250:500 EGP Second-class: 150:300 EGP Third-class: 75:150 EGP

 

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.

Type of Train	Ticket prices
Freight trains	prices vary depending on the distance traveled and the weight of the load..

 

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.

Types of Train	Ticket prices
High-Speed Trains	From 450 up to 1200 EGP

 

Tourist Trains in Egypt

 

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

Types of Train	Ticket prices
Tourist trains	Depending on the train destination

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