Transport inEgypt is centered inCairo and largely follows the pattern of settlement along theNile. TheMinistry of Transportation and other government bodies are responsible for transportation in Egypt, whether by sea, river, land or air.

With regards to rail, air and waterway travel, the main line of the nation's rail system follows along the Nile river and is operated byEgyptian 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. TheSuez Canal is a major waterway for international commerce and navigation, linking theMediterranean andRed Sea. Major ports areAlexandria,Port Said,Damietta on the Mediterranean andSuez andSafaga on the Red Sea.

Egypt has significantly expanded and modernized its road network, primarily through theNational Roads Project, which aims to construct 7,000 km of new roads. By 2024, 6,300 km had been completed at a cost of 155 billion Egyptian pounds, increasing the total length of main roads by 29.8% to 30,500 km, compared to 23,500 km in 2014. Additionally, 8,400 km of roads have been upgraded at a cost of 110 billion Egyptian pounds, out of a 10,000 km target. These improvements have enhanced Egypt’s Road Quality Index, which rose from 2.9 points (118th place) in 2015 to 5.53 points (18th place) in 2024.^[1]

Egypt is integrated into regional road networks, with two routes in theTrans-African Highway network originating inCairo and multiple highway links connecting toAsia through theArab Mashreq International Road Network. While national highways remain the primary mode of transport, the country has developed an extensive system of 4-lane highways that function asfreeways, though they accommodate mixed traffic, making them slower than dedicated motorways.

Despite infrastructure improvements, traffic regulations are poorly enforced and frequently disregarded,^[2][3] resulting in one of the highest rates of road fatalities worldwide per miles driven.^[2]

Some of the country's major motorways include:

• Cairo - Alexandria Desert Road: It runs betweenCairo andAlexandria, with an extension of 215 km (134 mi), it is the main motorway in Egypt.
• International Coastal Road: It runs fromAlexandria toPort Said, along the Northern Nile Delta. It has a length of 280 km (170 mi). Also, amongst other cities, it connectsDamietta andBaltim.
• Geish Road: It runs betweenHelwan andAsyut, along the Nile River, also connectingBeni Suef andMinya. Its length is 306 km (190 mi).
• Ring Road: It serves as an inner ring-road forCairo. It has a length of 103 km (64 mi).
• Regional Ring Road: It serves as an outer ring road forCairo, also connecting its suburbs likeHelwan and10th of Ramadan City. Its length is 130 km (81 mi).

Egypt's railway system is the oldest inAfrica and theMiddle East, with its first line betweenAlexandria and Kafr Eissa opening in 1854. As of 2018, the network spans approximately 5,085 km (3,160 mi) and is operated byEgyptian National Railways, carrying around 800 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of freight annually. A modernization program was initiated in 2007 to enhance safety and infrastructure.^[4]

In 2021, Egypt signed a $4.5 billion contract withSiemens Mobility,Orascom Construction, andArab Contractors to construct and maintain a 660 km (410 mi) high-speed electrified railway connectingAin Sokhna,Mersa Matruh, andAlexandria. Known as the "Green Line" or "Suez Canal on Rails," it is designed for both passenger and freight transport. Siemens will supplyVelaro high-speed trains,Desiro regional sets, andVectron freight locomotives. In 2022, the project expanded to include two additional lines linkingGreater Cairo toAswan, andLuxor toHurghada andSafaga.^[5][6][7]

TheCairo Metro currently operates three lines, with a fourth under construction and further expansions planned. Additionally, anAlexandria Metro system is under development to improve urban transportation.^[8]

Egypt has 3,500 km (2,200 mi) of navigable waterways, including theNile,Lake Nasser, theMahmudiyya Canal connectingAlexandria with the Nile, as well as numerous smaller canals in theNile Delta. TheSuez Canal, spanning 193.5 km (120.2 mi), serves as a major maritime route, accommodating oceangoing vessels with a maximum draft of 17.68 meters (as of 2011).^[9]

TheNile River system (about 1,600 km (990 mi)) and the principal canals (1,600 km) are used for local transportation.^{[citation needed]}Motorboats,ferries andfeluccas are common means of transport along the Nile.

TheSuez Canal is a critical maritime corridor connecting theMediterranean Sea to theRed Sea, facilitating global trade since its completion in 1869. Built under the direction ofFerdinand de Lesseps, it established a direct shipping route betweenEurope andAsia, significantly reducing travel distances by eliminating the need for passage around theCape of Good Hope. The canal has undergone multiple expansions to meet the growing demands of international shipping. In 2021, over 20,600 vessels transited the canal, averaging 56 ships per day.^[10]

To enhance capacity, the Egyptian government initiated an expansion project in 2014, widening key sections and increasing the daily transit capacity from 49 to 97 ships.^[11] TheNew Suez Canal, inaugurated in 2015, introduced a parallel lane and deepened sections of the original canal, reducing transit times from 18 to 11 hours and minimizing delays for vessels.

As of 2018, Egypt's pipeline infrastructure includes 486 km (302 mi) of condensate pipelines, 74 km (46 mi) of condensate/gas pipelines, and an extensive 7,986 km (4,962 mi) network for natural gas. The country also operates 957 km (595 mi) of liquid petroleum gas pipelines, 5,225 km (3,247 mi) for crude oil, and 37 km (23 mi) designated for oil, gas, and water transport. Additionally, Egypt has 895 km (556 mi) of refined product pipelines and 65 km (40 mi) for water distribution.^[9][12]

Egypt has 15 commercial ports^[13] and 29 specialized ports. The specialized ports include 5 tourist seaports, 12 petroleum seaports, 6 mining seaports, and 6 fishing seaports.^[14]

• Ain Sokhna Port
• Alexandria Port
• Dekhela Port
• Damietta Port
• Port Said Port
• East Port Said Port
• Arish Port
• Suez Port
• Petroleum Dock Port
• Adabiya Port
• Sokhna Port
• Nuweiba Port
• El Tor Port
• Sharm El Sheikh Port
• Hurghada Port
• Safaga Port

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

Cairo International Airport is used by numerous international airlines, including the country's ownEgypt Air andNile Air.

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

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)

• 7 (2013)

Egypt is currently constructing a two-linemonorailrapid transit system in theGreater Cairo region. Upon completion, it is projected to be the longest driverless monorail system in the world.^[15] The system will provide the first public transport link between theNew Administrative Capital and6th of October City with the greater Cairo metropolitan area.^[16] The 53 km line connecting theNew Administrative Capital to easternCairo is expected to have a travel time of approximately 60 minutes, while the 42 km line linking6th of October City toGiza is expected to take around 42 minutes.^[17]

• Transport in Cairo
• Arab Union for Land Transport Company
• List of bus companies in Egypt
• List of lighthouses in Egypt

• Map
• Egyptian National Railways
• The Holding Company for Maritime and Land Transport (archived 24 February 2018)

  This article incorporatespublic domain material fromThe World Factbook.CIA.