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Cairo Traffic Data Shows Scale of Congestion and Safety Challenges
Statistics on vehicle numbers, speeds, metro usage and fatalities outline daily pressures on the city's road network.
How we reported this
Cairo has over 4.5 million cars on its streets, with 60 percent more than 10 years old and lacking modern emission controls. These figures come from transport records that also note the age profile of the fleet contributes to both congestion and air quality issues across the capital.
Peak volumes on key routes
Major arteries such as the 6th October Bridge and Ring Road record peak traffic volumes of about 7,000 vehicles per hour per lane during morning and evening peaks. Average speeds on major corridors fall to between 15 and 40 km/h, described as half the design speed. The resulting delays add to operating costs for businesses and commuters who rely on these corridors.
Metro as primary alternative
The Cairo Metro, Africa's oldest system opened in 1987, operates three lines covering roughly 100 km. It serves as the main option for avoiding gridlock during rush hours from 7 to 9:30 a.m. and 3 to 7 p.m. Many residents use the network to bypass surface-level delays on the roads above.
Annual safety and economic costs
At least 1,000 Cairenes die each year in traffic-related accidents, with pedestrians making up more than half of the fatalities. Separate estimates place the broader cost of congestion at approximately 4 percent of Egypt's annual GDP. These numbers reflect the combined impact on health services, productivity and infrastructure maintenance.
Residents seeking to reduce exposure to peak-hour delays can check real-time metro schedules and plan journeys around the documented rush periods on the 6th October Bridge and Ring Road. Data from transport studies continue to guide decisions on fleet renewal and network expansion.