Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Egypt is set to join the ranks of countries operating high-speed rail next month, as the Ministry of Transport announced the start of trial operations for the nation’s first high-speed electric train line on November 9. The milestone marks a new chapter in Egypt’s transport modernization drive, with the system designed to connect the Red Sea and the Mediterranean through a state-of-the-art network capable of speeds up to 250 kilometers per hour.
The inaugural trial, which will run without passengers, will take place during the sixth edition of the International Transport Conference. The first train will travel from the main depot at Hadayek October Station to the new October Station, marking the initial activation of the 660-kilometer first line that will eventually link Ain Sokhna on the Red Sea to Marsa Matrouh on the Mediterranean coast.
More than half of the track for this first corridor has already been completed, while electromechanical and operational systems are being installed along 360 kilometers of the route.
Siemens Trains from Germany Undergoing Testing
The trains for Egypt’s high-speed network are being manufactured by Siemens Mobility in Germany, in partnership with Egyptian contractors. Siemens is currently shipping and supplying completed trains that have already undergone extensive testing on German tracks. The rolling stock will be tested again on Egyptian soil during the trial phase before entering full public operation.
The network will feature three types of trains: the Velaro high-speed train, capable of reaching 250 km/h; the Desiro regional train, designed for speeds up to 160 km/h; and freight locomotives operating at up to 120 km/h. Together, they are intended to serve passengers, commuters, and industrial zones, linking major cities, ports, and new urban communities across the country.
Linking the Red Sea to the Mediterranean
The first high-speed line will stretch approximately 660 kilometers, with 21 stations, 13 for the high-speed service and 8 for the regional service. It will connect Ain Sokhna, the New Administrative Capital, 6th of October City, Alexandria, Alamein, and Marsa Matrouh, effectively creating a “new Suez Canal on rails” by uniting Egypt’s two seas through a modern overland corridor.
Plans are also under study for a 59-kilometer extension from Ain Sokhna to Suez, passing through the new city of Suez to accommodate growing populations in the region.
Interconnected Transport Hubs
The new line is designed to integrate seamlessly with Egypt’s expanding public transport network. It will connect with the electric light rail (LRT) at the Central Capital Station, the second high-speed line at Hadayek October, the West Nile monorail at 6th of October City, and the Cairo–Aswan railway at Giza Station. Future connections are also planned with the sixth metro line at Mohamed Naguib Station.
Capacity and Economic Impact
Once operational, the Ain Sokhna–Marsa Matrouh line is expected to carry up to one million passengers and 8,500 tonnes of freight per day. Civil works are being executed by Egypt’s leading construction firms, while systems integration, signaling, and rolling stock manufacturing are led by Siemens Mobility. Electromechanical works inside stations are being implemented by a consortium including Orascom Construction, Arab Contractors, and El Sewedy Electric.
Officials describe the project as a transformative leap for Egypt’s transport infrastructure a sustainable, high-capacity, and environmentally friendly system that will redefine national mobility. The high-speed network is central to the government’s strategy for green transport, designed to cut carbon emissions and reduce dependence on road freight.
A Catalyst for Development
Beyond improving travel, the network is expected to act as a powerful catalyst for economic growth. By connecting industrial centers such as Ain Sokhna, 6th of October, Borg El Arab, and Aswan to export ports on both coasts, it will enhance Egypt’s logistics capacity and stimulate trade. The system will also link new agricultural regions like New Delta, Toshka, and West Minya with domestic markets and export hubs.
Tourism is set to benefit as well, with the network offering travelers the ability to move quickly between the Red Sea resorts, the Mediterranean coast, and Egypt’s historic and religious landmarks, supporting new and diversified tourism itineraries.
The project further strengthens Egypt’s multimodal transport vision by integrating airports, ports, and road networks including key airports such as the New Administrative Capital, Sphinx, Alexandria, and Marsa Matrouh with the rail system.
When completed, the three-line network will connect 60 cities across the country, providing a modern alternative to diesel-powered rail and setting a new standard for speed, safety, and sustainability in Egyptian transport.
The launch of the first trial journey on November 9 will mark not just the beginning of operations, but the dawn of a new era for Egypt’s railway system an era of high-speed connectivity and nationwide development.
