Egypt is Getting a Nationwide Electric Express Train with Four Lines

If there's a faster way to get Egypt's public transportation up to speed, we can't imagine anything quicker than an express electric train system. With Siemens and a host of Egyptian companies at the helm, a high-speed electric railway network linking the entire nation together with 1750 km of tracks is exactly what Egypt is getting. At a total cost of USD 23 billion, the railway will be comprised of four lines, with the first - a 460 km long line connecting Ain Sokhna in Suez to Cairo, the New Administrative Capital, Sixth of October City, Giza, Alexandria and New Alamein City - to be completed in 2023.

The second line will connect the Red Sea's main port with Alexandria's port, and Matrouh Gargoub's port. The third will connect Luxor and Qena with Safaga and Hurghada, while the last line will connect Sixth of October City with Luxor and Aswan. Each line will be built within two years. With speeds of up to 250 km/h, we're talking about two-hour train trips from Hurghada to Luxor, turning what would normally be a plane ride into a leisurely countryside journey for tourists on a gorgeous train car, producing minimal pollution and almost no noise.

The project is expected to create 15,000 job opportunities and 2,000 jobs in the first stage alone, and will help alleviate pressure on the encumbered traditional train lines in Upper Egypt.