In Egypt, infrastructure isn’t just laying the foundation for movement, it’s redrawing the map of how people live, vacation, and invest. With over EGP 2 tn poured into the transport sector between 2014 and 2024, the country is shifting gears fast. For those headed to Egypt’s coastal gems this summer, the difference is more than noticeable.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Industry Kamel Al Wazir announced that the country has built 7,000 km of new roads, revamped 10,000 km of internal roads, and is in the midst of upgrading another 10,000 km of railway lines, all forming the veins of a more connected Egypt.

Fast Tracks to the Coast

Nowhere is this change more visible than along Egypt’s iconic coasts. The completion of Wadi El Natrun–Alamein Road (135 km) and the expansion of the Suez/Ain Sokhna Road (60 km) directly support summer-bound traffic to hot spots like Alamein, Sokhna, and Marsa Matrouh. These roads do more than handle beachgoers; they connect tourist hubs to industrial and agricultural zones, facilitating smoother cargo movement and more predictable travel times.

The International Coastal Road, a 514 km route linking the country’s northern beach cities, is also undergoing upgrades — a welcome move for both tourism and trade. Meanwhile, the 270 km dualization of the 6th October/Oases Road opens up a strategic corridor between Cairo and the Western Desert, streamlining travel to emerging coastal towns.

High-Speed Change: Egypt’s Velaro Moment

August 2025 is set to bring a milestone: the arrival of Egypt’s first Velaro high-speed train. Built by Siemens Mobility, the train will operate on the Ain Sokhna – Alamein – Marsa Matrouh line, a backbone for the 2,000 km national high-speed rail network.

With speeds of up to 250 km/h, the Velaro will drastically cut travel times between Egypt’s Red Sea and Mediterranean coasts. For example, what once took six or more hours by car could soon be done in under two, connecting tourists, residents, and logistics operators with greater ease.

Kamel Al Wazir described the project as part of a broader vision for an integrated national system focused on economic and spatial development. Still, he said it was about economic and spatial development. And the numbers back it up: the railway upgrade program, worth EGP 225 bn, includes 110 new locomotives and signaling upgrades worth EGP 50 bn.

Making Egypt More Accessible Year-Round

For domestic travelers, these upgrades spell major relief. West Minya, Toshka, Ganat Misr, and East Oweinat, areas previously hard to reach, will now be part of the everyday travel grid. Marsa Matrouh and Alamein, once seen as seasonal escapes, are now accessible enough to support year-round activity, from tourism to business travel.

Domestic tourism will likely benefit the most. Once dependent on buses or private cars, vacationers can now look forward to faster, safer alternatives. And with trains offering Wi-Fi, climate control, and spacious seating, rail travel could rival even short domestic flights in terms of comfort and convenience.

What This Means for International Visitors

For foreign tourists, Egypt’s transport overhaul is an open invitation to explore more, without the baggage of complex internal travel logistics. Arrivals into Cairo, Alexandria, or Hurghada can now branch out across the country with ease. High-speed trains will allow for multi-city itineraries, linking Luxor, Aswan, and the Mediterranean coast in a single trip.

This ties into Egypt’s strategy to attract 30 mn tourists annually by 2028. Tour operators are already preparing to roll out rail-inclusive packages that mirror what travelers might find in Europe or East Asia. It’s no longer far-fetched to imagine a holiday that includes Cairo’s museums, Alamein’s beaches, and Luxor’s temples, all within a few days, all by rail.

Freight Gains and Economic Boosts

The Velaro network isn’t just built for people. It includes 41 dedicated freight locomotives aimed at strengthening Egypt’s position in regional trade. Agricultural goods from Mostakbal Misr or New Delta will now reach ports faster. Imports and raw materials can move inward with less delay, saving time and fuel.

The government also sees this as a logistical game-changer. With 60 passenger stations, two main depots, and five maintenance hubs, the system has the bones to become a regional transport and logistics backbone, anchoring Egypt’s coastal industrial zones to both local and international markets.

Bridges and Roads: The Supporting Cast

Road projects remain central to the plan. From the 180 km Cairo/Alexandria Agricultural Road upgrade to the 73 km Benha/Mansoura Road and the 45 km Nag Hammadi/Sohag dualization, efforts are aimed at bolstering key inter-governorate routes.

Bridges are booming too. Eleven are set for completion, including four new Nile crossings in Aswan, Assiut, and Beni Suef, and seven others across Qena, Sohag, and Giza. The Al-Ayyat/Beni Suef highway bridge and eight others along the Cairo/Alexandria corridor will ease congestion and improve safety.

A National Shift Toward Greener Transit

Transport officials are also leaning into electrification. From metro and monorail systems to electric buses and cars, the shift is designed to lower pollution and reduce dependency on fossil fuels. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, highlighted this push as central to Egypt’s Vision 2030.

The numbers speak volumes: daily metro and electric rail systems are expected to accommodate up to 8 mn passengers, while railway services are projected to carry 1.4 mn passengers each day. On the freight side, annual railway cargo capacity is set to reach 11 mn tons, and river transport is expected to handle an additional 8 mn tons annually.

Private sector investment is being encouraged across transport segments, including in the manufacturing of local vehicle and rail components—a move expected to create jobs and reduce reliance on imports.

Regional Inspiration

Egypt’s transport expansion is setting a regional benchmark. As the first African country to roll out the Velaro high-speed train, it is becoming a case study in how emerging economies can modernize without overreliance on air travel or outdated systems.

Neighbouring countries like Morocco and Kenya are closely watching. If Egypt’s model succeeds, it may trigger a wave of similar investments across Africa, potentially linking markets, cities, and ports in ways that were previously unimaginable.