Egyptian National Railways has added temporary air conditioned trains from Cairo to Ismailia and Alexandria for six dates from July 11 to July 16, 2026. The special services use separate train numbers, reduced fares and unusually specific ticket conditions, so travelers need to book the exact departure rather than assume a normal network ticket will work.
The Ismailia service runs first on July 11, while the Alexandria service begins July 12. Outbound tickets can use the railway’s available sales channels, but return tickets are sold at the destination station, the special tickets are nonrefundable and they cannot be used on another train.
- What changed: Egyptian National Railways added temporary third class air conditioned trains from Cairo to Ismailia and Alexandria.
- Ismailia dates: Trains operate on July 11, 13 and 15, with the outbound leaving Cairo at 06:40.
- Alexandria dates: Trains operate on July 12, 14 and 16, with the outbound leaving Cairo at 05:40.
- Reduced fares: Cairo to Ismailia costs 80 Egyptian pounds one way or 120 pounds round trip, while Cairo to Alexandria costs 90 pounds one way or 140 pounds round trip.
- Return ticket rule: The railway says return tickets are issued through ticket windows at the arrival station.
- Critical restriction: Tickets are nonrefundable and valid only on the named special train.
What Egyptian National Railways announced
The railway introduced the temporary departures as part of its 175th anniversary program and framed them as lower cost trips to two popular cities. The announcement reported by Egypt’s Al Ahram portal lists every operating date, train number, departure time, arrival time and fare.
This is not a permanent timetable change. Each route receives three outbound dates and matching evening returns, which makes the service most useful for a day trip or a short stay that can be built around the exact operating calendar.
The railway also plans a daily ticket drawing with commemorative gifts for some passengers aboard the special trains. That anniversary feature may be pleasant, but it should not influence a booking because the practical value comes from the defined schedule and reduced round trip price.
Travelers should treat July 16 as the end of the announced series unless the authority publishes an extension. A normal Cairo route may still operate outside these dates, but it would have different train numbers, fares, availability and ticket conditions.
Cairo to Ismailia runs on three dates
Train 1017 is scheduled to leave Cairo at 06:40 on Saturday, July 11, Monday, July 13 and Wednesday, July 15. It is due to reach Ismailia at 09:20, producing a scheduled outbound journey of two hours and 40 minutes.
The matching return is train 1016, scheduled to leave Ismailia at 21:00 and reach Cairo at 23:40. That creates a long destination window, but the late arrival in Cairo deserves an onward transport plan before the traveler commits to the day.
The listed fare is 80 Egyptian pounds for a one way ticket and 120 pounds for a round trip. The 40 pound difference between those options makes the round trip attractive for a same day visit, provided the traveler can follow the separate return ticket procedure.
A passenger who plans to stay overnight should not assume the special round trip can return on a later date. The announcement identifies matching services but does not promise that a ticket can be transferred between departures, and it expressly says these tickets cannot be used on another train.
Cairo to Alexandria starts July 12
Train 1019 is scheduled to leave Cairo at 05:40 on Sunday, July 12, Tuesday, July 14 and Thursday, July 16. It is due to reach Alexandria at 08:30, giving passengers an early arrival and a scheduled travel time of two hours and 50 minutes.
The matching return is train 1018, which leaves Alexandria at 21:10 and reaches Cairo at midnight. Travelers should verify the arrival station and arrange transport from the Cairo terminal for that late hour, especially if a hotel check in desk or connecting service has a cutoff.
The Alexandria fare is 90 Egyptian pounds one way and 140 pounds round trip. That round trip price is 50 pounds more than the one way fare, but the saving only matters when both portions fit the travel plan and the passenger can obtain the return ticket under the stated station rule.
Alexandria is the easier route to mistake for a standard service because regular trains already connect the cities. Save train numbers 1019 and 1018 with the reservation, then confirm that the date and coach class on the issued ticket match the anniversary departure.
The return ticket process is different
Egyptian National Railways says outbound tickets can be purchased through its available reservation methods. The authority specifically says return tickets for these special services are issued through ticket windows at the arrival stations, so a traveler should not assume both documents will appear in one online transaction.
The official Egyptian National Railways booking portal currently presents Cairo and Alexandria in its station selector and includes third class air conditioned coaches. It also states that online reservation is limited to Egyptian nationals while booking for other nationalities remains under construction.
International visitors should therefore confirm the current purchase path directly with the railway or at an authorized station window. A foreign card, passport or online account may not work in the same way as the domestic booking flow, and the anniversary announcement does not create an exception to the portal’s nationality notice.
Travelers who need a round trip should ask when the destination ticket window opens and whether the return ticket can be purchased immediately after arrival. That small check can prevent a full day in Alexandria or Ismailia from ending with uncertainty about the named evening service.
Nonrefundable means the date must be firm
The authority says tickets sold for the special trains cannot be refunded. That condition raises the cost of a changed itinerary even when the fare itself is low, so travelers should settle the date, passenger names and route before payment.
The announcement also says a special ticket cannot be used on any other train. Missing train 1017, 1019, 1016 or 1018 may therefore require a new ticket on a different service rather than a simple move to the next departure.
Passengers traveling without the correct ticket can be charged the full fare plus the applicable penalty under the railway’s rules. Keep the issued ticket available throughout the journey and check that every passenger has the correct document before entering the platform area.
Weather, traffic to the station and hotel checkout timing can all threaten an early departure. A practical plan leaves extra time at Cairo station, identifies the entrance and platform information source, and avoids a connection that depends on the train arriving at the exact scheduled minute.
Plan the destination window before paying
The Ismailia schedule provides about 11 hours and 40 minutes between the listed arrival and return departure. The Alexandria schedule provides about 12 hours and 40 minutes, which is enough for a substantial visit but also long enough to require a realistic heat, meal and luggage plan.
Use Deep Arrival’s destinations hub only as a starting point for broader place planning, because the site does not yet have a dedicated Cairo, Alexandria or Ismailia rail guide. Official local attraction pages, current opening hours and a map should settle the actual day rather than a generic itinerary.
A same day traveler should work backward from the evening train instead of filling every hour. Set a firm time to return to the station, allow for local traffic and keep the ticket window procedure separate from sightseeing time.
An overnight traveler needs a different calculation because the special return may not match the hotel dates. Compare the temporary service with regular trains for the return, then verify that a separately purchased ticket uses the intended station and not merely the same city name.
Station and coach details need a final check
The announcement identifies third class air conditioned trains, but it does not provide a complete seat map, luggage allowance or onboard service list. Passengers should confirm the coach shown on the ticket and avoid assuming that food, power outlets or a particular luggage arrangement is included.
Cairo and Alexandria can have more than one rail related location in traveler search results. The ticket and official railway information should determine the departure station, while the map should be used only after the traveler has matched the exact station name.
Arrive with enough time to pass any entrance check, locate the platform and resolve a ticket issue. The early Alexandria departure at 05:40 is especially unforgiving because some local transport options may be less frequent before dawn.
The midnight return from Alexandria creates the opposite problem. Confirm how the traveler will leave Cairo station after arrival, and avoid relying on a last public transport connection that disappears if the train runs late.
How to choose between the two routes
Ismailia offers the later morning departure and the earlier return to Cairo, while Alexandria starts an hour earlier and returns 20 minutes later. Travelers who value a shorter station day may prefer Ismailia, while those who want the longest destination window may favor Alexandria.
The price difference is small compared with the difference in schedule. The better decision depends on the destination plan, the ability to reach Cairo station early, the evening transport arrangement and whether the return ticket can be secured promptly.
As of July 2026, all six dates fall inside a narrow anniversary window. Anyone who cannot use those dates should compare normal railway options rather than force the trip around a temporary fare that may create extra hotel, taxi or missed connection costs.
The special trains make the strongest sense for a traveler with a clear destination plan and flexible activities within the day. They are a weaker fit for someone who needs a refundable ticket, a guaranteed later departure or an online booking path for a non Egyptian passport.
Decision matrix
| Your plan | Best fit | Critical check before payment |
|---|---|---|
| Ismailia day trip | Train 1017 out and train 1016 back on July 11, 13 or 15 | Confirm the return window process and late Cairo arrival transport |
| Alexandria day trip | Train 1019 out and train 1018 back on July 12, 14 or 16 | Plan the 05:40 station arrival and midnight return |
| One way journey | The 80 pound Ismailia fare or 90 pound Alexandria fare may fit | Verify the onward stay and do not expect the ticket to transfer to another train |
| Round trip journey | The reduced 120 pound or 140 pound fare offers the lowest listed total | Ask exactly when and where the return ticket will be issued |
| International visitor | Station or other authorized booking support may be necessary | The official online portal currently limits reservation to Egyptian nationals |
| Flexible itinerary | A regular service may be safer than the anniversary train | The special tickets are nonrefundable and cannot be moved to another train |
- Choose the exact date: Ismailia runs July 11, 13 and 15, while Alexandria runs July 12, 14 and 16.
- Save both train numbers: Use 1017 and 1016 for Ismailia or 1019 and 1018 for Alexandria.
- Separate the ticket tasks: Confirm the outbound sales channel and the destination station window for the return.
- Protect the fare: Do not pay until the date is firm because the special ticket is nonrefundable and train specific.
- Plan the edges: Arrange transport to the early Cairo departure and away from the late return before travel day.
- Recheck before leaving: Verify the service, station and platform through Egyptian National Railways on the day of travel.
When do the special Cairo to Ismailia trains run?
Train 1017 leaves Cairo at 06:40 on July 11, 13 and 15, 2026, and is scheduled to reach Ismailia at 09:20. Train 1016 returns at 21:00 and reaches Cairo at 23:40.
When do the special Cairo to Alexandria trains run?
Train 1019 leaves Cairo at 05:40 on July 12, 14 and 16, 2026, and is scheduled to reach Alexandria at 08:30. Train 1018 returns at 21:10 and reaches Cairo at midnight.
How much do the special Egypt train tickets cost?
Ismailia costs 80 Egyptian pounds one way or 120 pounds round trip. Alexandria costs 90 pounds one way or 140 pounds round trip.
Can the special train tickets be refunded?
No. The railway says the tickets are nonrefundable, cannot be used on another train and must match the named special service.
Can international visitors book on the official rail website?
The official booking portal currently says online reservation is limited to Egyptian nationals and that booking for other nationalities is under construction. International visitors should confirm the current authorized purchase path directly with the railway.
