Transport in Egypt is centred in Cairo and largely follows the pattern of settlement along the Nile. The Ministry of Transportation and other government bodies are responsible for transportation in Egypt, whether by sea, river, land or air.
Regarding rail, air and waterway travel, the main line of the nation’s rail system follows along the Nile River and is operated by Egyptian National Railways. In addition to overseas routes, Egypt Air provides domestic air service to major tourist destinations from its Cairo hub. The Nile River system (about 1,600 km (990 mi)) and the principal canals (1,600 km (990 mi)) are important locally for transportation. People still travel via the Nile, mainly between Cairo and Aswan. The Suez Canal is a major waterway for international commerce and navigation, linking the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. Major ports are Alexandria, Port Said, and Damietta on the Mediterranean and Suez and Safaga on the Red Sea.
Regarding driving, Egypt has one of the highest incidents of road fatalities per mile driven in the world. The poorly maintained road network has expanded rapidly to over 33,796 km (21,000 mi), covering the Nile Valley and Nile Delta, the Mediterranean and Red Sea coasts, the Sinai and the Western Oasis. Impatient drivers routinely ignore traffic rules.
Road system Transport in Egypt
Two routes in the Trans-African Highway network originate in Cairo. Egypt also has multiple highway links with Asia through the Arab Mashreq International Road Network. Egypt has a developing motorway network connecting Cairo with Alexandria and other cities. Though most of the transport in the country is still done on the national highways, motorways are becoming an option for road transport within the country. The existing motorways in the country are:
- Cairo – Alexandria Desert Road: It runs between Cairo and Alexandria, with an extension of 215 km (134 mi); it is the main motorway in Egypt.
- International Coastal Road runs along the Northern Nile Delta from Alexandria to Port Said. Also, amongst other cities, it connects Damietta and Baltim. It has a length of 280 km (170 mi).
- Geish Road runs between Helwan and Asyut along the Nile River, connecting Beni Suef and Minya. Its length is 306 km (190 mi).
- Ring Road: It serves as an inner ring road for Cairo. It has a length of 103 km (64 mi).
- Regional Ring Road: It serves as an outer ring road for Cairo, connecting its suburbs like Helwan and the 10th of Ramadan City. Its length is 130 km (81 mi).
Plus, Egypt has developed an extensive system of 4-lane highways that can be classified as freeways because they serve as normal roads and do not discriminate against the traffic on them, thus rendering them slower than motorways.
Railways Transport in Egypt
The Egyptian railway system is the oldest railway network in Africa and the Middle East and the second oldest globally. The first line between Alexandria and Kafer Eassa was opened in 1854. In 2018, the system was about 5,085 km (3,160 mi) long and was operated by the Egyptian National Railways. ENR carries about 800 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of freight annually.
A significant investment programme was planned to begin in 2007 to modernise the rail network and improve safety standards. Trains are usually a safe means of transportation in Egypt.
The Cairo Metro serves the city of Cairo, which the National Authority runs for Tunnels. In addition, the city of Alexandria is done by the Alexandria Tram.
Waterways
There are 3,500 km (2,200 mi) of waterways in Egypt, including the Nile, Lake Nasser, Alexandria-Cairo Waterway, and many smaller canals in the Nile Delta.
Satellite image of Ever Given blocking the canal in March 2021
The Suez Canal, 193.5 km (120.2 mi) (including approaches), is used by oceangoing vessels, drawing up to 17.68 m of water (2011).
Pipelines
As of 2018, the information in the CIA World Factbook states the following regarding Egypt’s pipelines: “condensate 486 km; condensate/gas 74 km; gas 7,986 km; liquid petroleum gas 957 km; oil 5,225 km; oil/gas/water 37 km; refined products 895 km; water 65 km (2013)”.
Ports
Egypt has 15 commercial ports and 29 specialised ports. The specialised ports include five tourist seaports, 12 petroleum seaports, six mining seaports, and six fishing seaports.
Commercial Ports
- Alexandria Port
- El-Dekheila Port
- Damietta Port
- Port Said Port
- East Port Said Port
- Arish Port
- Suez Port
Petroleum Dock Port
- Adabiya Port
- Sokhna Port
- Nuwaiba Port
- Al-Tour Port
- Sharm El Sheikh Port
- Hurghada Port
- Safaga Port
Merchant marine
In 2018, the number of Egypt’s sea vessels, according to the CIA World Factbook is 399 as follows:
- bulk carrier: 14
- container ship: 8
- general cargo: 33
- petroleum tanker: 36
- Other: 308 (2017)
Airports
Numerous international airlines, including Egypt Air and Nile Air, use Cairo International Airport.
Airports with paved runways
- total: 72
- over 3,047 m: 15
- 2,438 to 3,047 m: 36
- 1,524 to 2,437 m: 15
- 914 to 1,523 m: 0
- under 914 m: 6 (2017)
Airports with unpaved runways
- total: 11
- 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
- 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
- 914 to 1,523 m: 4
- under 914 m: 3 (2013)
Heliports
- 7 (2013)
Monorail
In 2015, plans to construct two monorail systems were announced, one linking October City to suburban Giza, 35 km, and the other linking Nasr City to New Cairo, 52 km. They will be Egypt’s first monorail systems. In May 2019, Bombardier Transportation, Derby, England, awarded the contract to build 70 four-car trains. Delivery of the trains is expected between 2021 and 2024. The network is to be made by Orascom Construction and Arab Contractors.
