Overview
The Cairo Metro is Africa's first rapid transit system and the primary way for you to navigate the sprawling megacity. It consists of three operational lines serving 84 stations across a network of 106.8 kilometres, making it fast, affordable, and far more reliable than fighting Cairo's notorious traffic. To ride end to end, you buy a ticket at a booth or machine based on the number of stations you'll travel, pass through a turnstile, board your train, and exit at your destination. The system runs from 05:00 to 01:00 daily (until 02:00 during Ramadan), with trains arriving every 2.7 to 4 minutes depending on the line. Women travellers should note that the middle two cars (the 4th and 5th) of each train are reserved for women only, a policy introduced to protect against harassment, though women are free to ride any car.
The network
Line 1 (Blue Line)
Line 1 is the oldest and longest operational line, having opened in 1987 as Africa's and the Middle East's first metro. It runs 44 kilometres with 35 stations, connecting Helwan in the south to New El Marg in the north. The line uses 9-car trains with a maximum speed of 80 km/h and a headway of 3.5 to 4 minutes, with the capacity to carry 60,000 passengers per hour in each direction. Key stations include Helwan (southern terminus), Ain Helwan, Wadi Houf, and Ramses Square (a major interchange).
Line 2 (Red Line)
Line 2 opened in 1996 and is 21.6 kilometres long with 20 stations, of which 12 are underground. This line is notable for containing the first tunnel ever built under the Nile River. Most of the line runs in bored tunnel, with a short elevated section at the northern end near Shubra El Kheima and a cut-and-cover section just south of that. Line 2 uses third-rail electrification rather than overhead lines. The minimum headway is 2.7 to 3 minutes. Major stations include Shubra El Kheima (northern terminus), Ramses (interchange), Sadat at Tahrir Square (downtown interchange), Mar Girgis (for Coptic Cairo), and Cairo University (southern terminus), with an extension to El Mounib.
Line 3 (Green Line)
Line 3 is the newest line, with its first section opening in 2012. It currently operates from Rod El-Farag Corridor in the northwest to Adly Mansour in the northeast, crossing under both branches of the Nile River. The line is being built in phases, with approximately 50 kilometres planned in total when complete. Phase 1 (opened 21 February 2012) ran from Attaba to Abbassia with five stations and 4.3 kilometres of track. Phase 2 (opened 7 May 2014) extended to Al Ahram with four additional stations, bringing the total to 12.0 kilometres. The line will eventually extend to Cairo International Airport, though this extension remains under construction.
Other public transport
Cairo also has suburban rail services operated by Egyptian National Railways, buses serving routes across the city and to other governorates, and ferries on the Nile. The Cairo Light Rail Transit connects to Line 3 at Adly Mansour.
Tickets & fares
You purchase metro tickets at ticket booths or vending machines located at every station. Fares are distance-based, determined by the number of stations you travel rather than zones. As of March 27, 2026, the fare structure is as follows (these are approximate and subject to change):
- LE10 for up to 9 stations (yellow ticket)
- LE12 for 10 to 16 stations (green ticket)
- LE15 for 17 to 23 stations (purple ticket)
- LE20 for more than 23 stations (beige ticket)
Reduced fares are available for children and passengers with special needs. You receive a paper ticket that you insert into the turnstile to enter and exit the system. There are no multi-day passes or tourist passes advertised in the current system; each journey requires a separate ticket. A smartcard system exists in other Egyptian transit networks, but the Cairo Metro continues to use paper tickets.
When buying tickets, have small change ready before approaching the window to avoid fumbling through your wallet in crowds. If you plan to make multiple trips, buy several tickets at once to reduce the need to queue repeatedly. Ticket machines are available at most stations, though they may occasionally run low on change.
From the airport
Cairo International Airport (CAI) is located in Heliopolis, approximately 15 kilometres northeast of the city centre. As of the current information available, Line 3 of the metro is planned to extend to the airport, but this extension remains under construction and is not yet operational. Until this extension opens, you will need to use alternative transport from the airport to reach central Cairo. Options include private taxis, ride-hailing apps, bus services, or hotel shuttle services; however, public metro access directly from the airport is not yet available. Check with your hotel or airport information desk for current recommendations on reaching the city centre.
Etiquette & customs
Queuing and boarding
Egyptians do not queue in the formal Western sense at metro ticket windows or platforms. Instead, you will need to be assertive but polite, steadily pressing through the crowd to reach the ticket window alongside other passengers. This is normal behaviour and expected; observe how locals do it and follow suit. Avoid being aggressive or confrontational, but be confident and persistent.
Escalators and stairs
There is no established convention for which side of escalators to stand on in the Cairo Metro, so follow the behaviour of those around you.
Women-only cars
Blue signs (pink on Lines 1 and 2) at every station mark the location of the women-only cars (the 4th and 5th cars of each train; after 21:00, the 5th car becomes mixed-use). These cars are reserved as an option for women who prefer not to share space with men. Women may ride any other car freely, and men should not enter women-only cars during operating hours.
Harassment and safety
Sexual harassment of women is possible on crowded trains, particularly during rush hours. Travelling in groups and using the women-only cars can reduce this risk. Be aware of pickpocketing in crowded conditions; keep valuables secure and be vigilant in packed carriages.
Eating, drinking, and behaviour
Specific rules about eating and drinking on the Cairo Metro are not formally detailed in available sources, but it is wise to observe local behaviour and minimise eating or drinking to avoid offending other passengers or attracting unwanted attention.
Crowding and rush hours
The metro is frequently crowded, particularly during morning and evening rush hours. While the crowding is comparable to that of major metro systems in Tokyo, Paris, or London, it can still be intense. If you are sensitive to crowded spaces, consider travelling outside peak hours (generally mid-morning or mid-afternoon).
Official links
No official English-language website for the Cairo Metro operator is provided in the available sources. For journey planning and real-time information, you may consult local tourism offices, your hotel, or ask residents for directions and current service information.
Survival terms
- مترو الأنفاق (Metro Anfāq) — Metro / Subway
- تذكرة (Tadhkira) — Ticket
- خط (Khaṭ) — Line
- مدخل (Madkhal) — Entrance
- مخرج (Makhraj) — Exit
- تحويل (Tahwīl) — Transfer
- تذكرة واحدة (Tadhkira Wāḥida) — Single fare / Single ticket
- تذكرة يومية (Tadhkira Yawmiyya) — Day pass
Keep your ticket safe until you reach your exit, as you will need to insert it into the turnstile to leave the station.