Egypt National Railways Announces Delays Amid Extensive Infrastructure Upgrades

Egypt’s National Railways (ENR) has announced anticipated delays and slowdowns across its train network for Tuesday, December 23, 2025, in a new advisory to passengers.

The authority clarified in a post on its official Facebook page that these delays stem from comprehensive development works currently underway on several lines. These projects aim to bolster safety and security while elevating the standard of services offered to travelers.

The ongoing initiatives are part of what the ENR describes as an unprecedented boom in the railway fleet, introducing new carriages, Talgo trains, and services for the first time. Such modernization efforts are also reflected in programs like the training initiative for railway technology students at Sohag University, conducted within metro workshops for the first time.

Expected average delays on railway lines are as follows:

• Cairo – Alexandria line: 20 minutes
• Cairo – Assiut line: 60 minutes
• Assiut – Aswan line: 60 minutes
• Banha – Port Said line: 45 minutes
• Tanta – Mansoura – Damietta line: 45 minutes
• Qalyoub – Shibin El Qanater – Zagazig – Mansoura line: 45 minutes
• Tanta – Qallin – Kafr El Sheikh – Sherbin line: 70 minutes

The ENR expressed its apologies to passengers for any inconvenience caused by these delays. The authority attributed the disruptions to work slowdowns at new project sites, which include track renewal and maintenance, the upgrade of level crossings and stations, and the modernization of signal systems. These efforts are crucial for the long-term improvement of Egypt’s railway infrastructure.