High-Speed Rail Project Qena – Safaga – Hurghada

A New Economic Artery Redrawing the Map of the Red Sea and Upper Egypt

Executive Summary

The Egyptian government is targeting the launch of the third line of the high-speed rail network during the first half of 2026, with an estimated cost of around $1.6 billion. The line extends approximately 175 km from Qena eastward to Safaga Port and Hurghada, including three stations (two high-speed and one regional). The design speed is 250 km/h (operational speeds: 230 km/h for high-speed trains, 160 km/h for regional trains), with an important logistical role in freight transport.

What is the Project?
• Route: Qena ↔ Safaga ↔ Hurghada (~175 km), with 3 main/regional stations.
• Target Capacity: Up to 200,000 passengers daily, plus 1,500 tons of freight per day, according to Asharq citing informed sources.
• Speeds & Equipment: Design speed 250 km/h; operational 230 km/h for high-speed, 160 km/h for regional, and 120 km/h for electric freight locomotives.

Implementing Consortium & Governance

The project is being executed by a consortium led by Siemens alongside Egyptian companies Arab Contractors, Orascom Construction, and Elsewedy Electric, under the supervision of the National Authority for Tunnels (NAT). The same consortium is delivering Line One (Ain Sokhna – Alamein – Marsa Matrouh) and is also supplying signaling, rolling stock, and long-term maintenance.

Position of Line Three in the Larger Network
• Line One (660 km): Ain Sokhna – Alamein – Marsa Matrouh, with 21–22 stations, progressing steadily; partial operations expected within 2026–2027.
• Line Two: 6th of October City – Aswan – Abu Simbel.
• Line Three (Qena – Safaga – Hurghada): Connects with Line Two at Qena station, enabling touristic and heritage linkages between Giza, Luxor, Aswan, and Abu Simbel, while extending access to the Red Sea coast — creating integrated multi-destination tourism packages.

Why is this Line Important for the Red Sea and Upper Egypt?

1) Tourism
• Provides faster and easier access to Hurghada, Sahl Hasheesh, and Safaga from Upper Egypt via the Qena interchange; significantly reduces travel time and boosts domestic tourism flows.
• Diversifies Egypt’s tourism offering by linking beach resorts with ancient heritage cities such as Luxor, Aswan, and Abu Simbel — enabling both local and international visitors to combine cultural and leisure tourism.
• Attracts new European markets where travelers typically fly to Luxor or Aswan, then continue quickly to the Red Sea by train, increasing hotel occupancy year-round.

2) Logistics & Industry
• Strengthens Safaga Port as a strategic trade hub for transporting phosphates, containers, and general cargo inland, with efficient distribution across Cairo, the Delta, and Upper Egypt via the high-speed rail network.
• Cuts both time and cost of freight transport, especially for heavy goods, boosting the competitiveness of Egyptian exports.
• Supports industrial zones in Upper Egypt by providing rapid access to seaports, attracting new investments in manufacturing, packaging, and export operations.

3) Real Estate & Local Investment
• Expected rise in real estate demand for residential and hospitality projects near stations, especially in Hurghada and Safaga, driving land value growth.
• Increases ROI (Return on Investment) for rental properties, whether for tourism or long-term housing, due to higher passenger and freight traffic.
• Opens opportunities for mixed-use developments (residential–commercial–tourism) around key stations.

Technical Specifications & Stations
• Route: Qena (interchange with Line Two) → Safaga → Hurghada.
• Design Speed: 250 km/h.
• Operational Speeds: 230 km/h (high-speed), 160 km/h (regional), 120 km/h (freight).
• Number of Stations: 3 (two high-speed, one regional).
• Daily Capacity: 200,000 passengers and 1,500 tons of freight.

Timeline & Financing
• Expected Launch: First half of 2026 (with possible phased operations depending on segment readiness).
• Estimated Cost: ~$1.6 billion, financed through local and international funding sources.
• Consortium: Siemens (Germany) + Arab Contractors + Orascom Construction + Elsewedy Electric, under NAT supervision.

Long-Term Impact
• Positions the Red Sea as an integrated tourism–trade–logistics hub, directly connected to Upper Egypt and Cairo.
• Boosts year-round hotel occupancy, reducing dependence on seasonal tourism.
• Promotes urban development around stations with modern housing, commercial markets, and advanced logistics services.
• Supports Egypt’s plan to become a regional multimodal transport hub, linking the Red Sea to the Mediterranean through a high-speed rail network.