Cairo Metro Information
The first of only two fully-fledged metro systems in Africa, the Cairo Metro is a 77.9 km network of 3 lines with 61 stations. The system opened in 1987 and is operated by The Egyptian Co. for Metro Management & Operation. Already a popular mode of transport, it is set for further expansion, with 3 more lines planned. The metro network has an annual ridership of 8 million. The extension of Line 2 under the Nile made history as the first metro tunnel built under a river.
The Cairo metro map illustrates the city’s heavily used public transport system, which carries an astonishing 3.6 million passengers per day. The fare for a single journey is very affordable at €0.10.
The system does not operate 24 hours a day and only five stations have air conditioning. In addition, passengers cannot walk between platforms, and there are no driverless trains or screen doors on platforms.
Trains can reach a maximum speed of 100 km/h. The metro is supervised by the Egyptian Railway Authority. It operates daily from 5:00 am to 1:00 am. The fare is set at 1 Egyptian pound in local currency.
Cairo Metro Map
Map of Cairo Metro showing different lines and stations. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Cairo Metro map in PDF format.
- Name: Metro
- Number of Lines: 3 (2 operational, 1 under construction)
- Number of Stations: 57
- System Length: 65.5 Km
- Annual Passenger Count: 600 million
- Max Speed: 100 km/h
- Operator and Owner: Egyptian Railway Authority
- Start of Operations: September 27, 1987
Lines and Stations
Line 1, Red Line or “French Line”
Line 1, also known as the “French line” and marked in red, is 44.3 km long, of which most (41.3 km) is above ground and the remaining 3 km underground.
The trains on this line consist of 9 carriages each, with a capacity of 2,583 seats per train and a maximum speed of 100 km/h. The line operates 500-550 trips per day, with a 3-4 minute interval between each train. It has the capacity to carry up to 60,000 passengers per day in each direction.
The line serves 35 stations, with its terminus at Helwan (south of the city) and New El-Marg (in the centre of Cairo). It intersects with Line 2 at Al-Shohadaa and Sadat stations. A full journey on line 1 takes about 45 minutes.
Starting from New El-Marg, the stops on Line 1 are, in order New El-Marg, El-Marg, Ezbet El-Nakhl, Ain Shams, El-Matareyya, Helmiet El-Zaitoun, Hadayeq El-Zaitoun, Saray El-Qobba, Hammamat El-Qobba, Kobri El-Qobba, Manshiet El-Sadr, El-Demerdash, Ghamra, Al-Shohadaa, Orabi, Nasser, Sadat, Saad Zaghloul, Sayyeda Zeinab, El-Malek El-Saleh, Mar Girgis, El-Zahraa, Dar El-Salam, Hadayeq El-Maadi, Maadi, Sakanat El-Maadi, Tora El-Balad, Kozzika, Tora El-Asmant, El-Maasara, Hadayeq Helwan, Wadi Hof, Helwan University, Ain Helwan, Helwan.
The Sadat stop is close to Tahrir Plaza, also known as “Freedom Plaza”, separated from the famous Nile River by the notable “Nile Hilton Hotel”. This station is also close to one of Cairo’s main attractions, the Egyptian Museum. This station was temporarily closed for a few years to prevent disruption, but is now open to the public.
Al-Shohadaa station, formerly known as Mubarak before the 2011 Egyptian revolution, has been renamed Al-Shohadaa, which means ‘martyrs’ in Arabic. This station is connected to the main train lines as it’s next to Ramses Station.
Line 2, Orange Line or “Japanese Line”
Line 2, also known as the “Japanese Line” and marked in orange, is 21.6 km long, with 13 km of it running through tunnels. Trains on this line consist of 8 carriages and can reach a maximum speed of 100 km/h. There are approximately 620-700 trips per day, with a 2-3 minute interval between trains.
Line 2 serves 20 stations, 12 of which are underground. Its termini are Shubra and Monib. It intersects with Line 1 at Al-Shohadaa and Sadat stations and with Line 3 at Attaba station. A full journey on line 2 takes about 40 minutes.
Interestingly, Line 2 is the only line that includes a tunnel under the Nile.
Starting from Shubra, the stops on line 2 are, in order: Shubra, Koleyet El Zeraat, El Mazallat, El Khalafawi, St. Teresa, Rod El Farag, Massara, Al-Shohadaa, Attaba, M. Naguib, Sadat, Gezira (Opera), Dokki, El Bohoos, Cairo University, Faisal, Guiza, Omm el Misryeen, Sakiat Mekki, El Monib.
Line 3, Green Line
Line 3 is currently being extended. It’s expected that a direct service to Cairo International Airport will not be available until 2019 or 2020. Currently, the closest station to the airport is Al-Ahram, about 15 minutes away by car or taxi.
Line 3 is currently 12 km long. Its trains consist of 9 carriages each and can reach a maximum speed of 100 km/h. This line operates about 400-500 trips per day, with a 4-5 minute interval between each train. It serves 9 stations, with its termini being Al-Ahram and Attaba. It intersects with line 2 at Attaba station. In the future, this line will connect to Cairo Airport and Cairo University, among others. A full journey on line 3 takes about 15 minutes.
Starting from Al-Ahram, the stops on line 3 are, in order Al-Ahram, Kolleyet El Banat, Cairo Stadium, Cairo Fairgrounds, Abbasiya, Abdo Pasha, El Geish, Bab El Sha’reya, Attaba. Al-Ahram station is the closest to the Giza Pyramids.
Future Expansion
Four lines are planned to ease traffic in the city:
- Line 3, the Green Line, is already under construction. It will run from Imbaba to Al-Azhar University, and there are plans to extend it to Heliopolis airport.
- Line 4 will run from the Giza Pyramids to Nasr City, running from southwest to east.
- Line 5 will be a circular line.
- Line 6 will connect Shubra with Maadi.
Operating Hours
The metro operates from 5:00 am to 1:00 am. However, during the month of Ramadan, the hours are extended until 2:00 am. When the metro is closed to the public, it is undergoing maintenance.
Tickets
Travelling on Cairo’s metro system is both safe and economical. A single ticket costs just 1 EGP (about €0.10 / $0.11). It is also possible to buy a 3-month pass or an annual pass. Tickets can be purchased from kiosks at all stations. However, be prepared for long queues as Egyptians are not used to queuing.
The Cairo metro offers special discounted tickets for police officers, military personnel and students. There are also special seats for the elderly and disabled, and separate carriages for women.
Useful Information
The first carriage is reserved for women only.
Stations also offer a range of additional services such as newsagents, bookshops and ATMs.
Parking is not available at all stations.
Passengers are expected to follow certain rules of conduct, including paying for their tickets, respecting other passengers and their privacy, respecting staff, sitting on assigned seats, not causing security problems, using headphones for personal audio, not eating, not smoking and not littering.
In response to the heightened threat of terrorism in Cairo, the metro has increased its security measures, especially at high-risk stations such as Sadat. Cameras and metal detectors for weapons and explosives have been installed. However, tourists are advised to contact the authorities before planning a trip to Egypt.