Egyptian National Railways (ENR) Chairman Mohamed Amer announced on Monday that Egypt expects an Italian-built luxury train to arrive and enter service within a year, offering three-day journeys between Cairo and Aswan. The train, designed as a "moving hotel," is being developed under a partnership between ENR and Italian luxury hospitality company Arsenale. The project is part of Arsenale's expansion into the Middle East and Central Asia.
The luxury train, identified as the "Guardian of the Nile," will comprise up to 15 carriages with 40 deluxe cabins, suites, and "honour suites," accommodating up to 80 passengers. The three-day, two-night service will connect Cairo and Aswan, with itineraries centred on Upper Egypt's archaeological and cultural attractions, including Luxor and the Valley of the Kings. This project aims to boost Egypt's tourism industry by providing a unique travel experience.
The "Guardian of the Nile" is one of several luxury rail projects undertaken by Arsenale, including Saudi Arabia's "Dream of the Desert," Uzbekistan's "Samarkand Express," and the UAE's "Spirit of the Union." The "Dream of the Desert" is planned to have 12 carriages, 34 luxury compartments, and capacity for 72 passengers, with operations scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2027.
In addition to the luxury train project, ENR is undergoing a broader overhaul of Egypt's national railway system, involving private-sector partnerships, operational restructuring, and increased domestic manufacturing. The restructuring followed amendments to the law governing ENR, allowing the authority to establish partnerships with Egyptian and foreign companies and conclude management and operating contracts.
ENR has partnered with Abela Egypt to manage sleeper trains between Cairo and Upper Egypt, resulting in a "major improvement" in services for Egyptian and foreign passengers while increasing revenues. The authority has also partnered with Spain's Colway to upgrade sleeper trains, as part of a drive to localize railway manufacturing and reduce dependence on imported components.
ENR has assigned the management and operation of its loss-making freight sector to the Gharably consortium, helping increase the volume of freight transported to eight million tonnes in FY2025/2026, up from three million tonnes previously. The ministry aims to increase freight volumes to 25 million tonnes by 2030. The partnership has eliminated annual losses of nearly EGP 1 billion in the freight sector.
Egypt has made significant progress in localizing railway manufacturing, with the Holding Company for Roads and Bridges manufacturing railway sleepers and Suez Steel producing rails. The country has also signed further rail-modernization agreements covering signalling, communications, and infrastructure. Meanwhile, the second phase of Greater Cairo's electric Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system is set to begin operations, extending from Golf Station to Sun Capital in Hadayek Al-Ahram.
Key points
- The Italian-built luxury train will offer three-day journeys between Cairo and Aswan, with itineraries centred on Upper Egypt's archaeological and cultural attractions.
