Kinshasa–Matadi Express

ONATRA (Office National des Transports)
DR Congo
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The Journey

Navigate from Gare Centrale de Kinshasa to Matadi Port Station across a span of 366km.

Scenery Highlights
  • Congo River Rapids Bypass
  • Kisantu Botanical Gardens Stop
  • Lower Congo Mountains Approaching Matadi
  • Matadi Port Arrival
Quick Facts
  • Duration

    7.5 hours

  • Distance

    366 km

  • Est. Price

    US$25–50 one-way (First Class ~US$25, Premium ~US$35, Luxury/VIP ~US$50); prices paid in Congolese francs at the prevailing exchange rate, at least 48 hours before departure. No rail pass accepted.

Official Booking Provider
Classes & Accommodations

Meals: Snacks Available

Ensuite: No

Meals: None

Ensuite: No

Meals: None

Ensuite: No

Engine / Locomotive

New diesel railcars acquired 2023 (7 units); new 108-tonne Chinese locomotive arrived March 9, 2026; additional locomotives/wagons expected April–May 2026

Locomotive Weight

108 tonnes (new China-built locomotive, March 2026)

Track Gauge

1,067 mm (Cape gauge)

Braking Technology

Air brake system on modern rolling stock

Route Engineering Challenges

  • 366km single-track corridor

  • November 2025 flood damage to Kimwenza-Lemba section (repaired Feb 2026)

  • Recurrent track defects and rolling-stock failures April 2026 triggered fresh suspension

  • Tropical jungle maintenance environment

  • Freight/passenger mixed operations on National Road No. 1 relief corridor

  • Limited spare-parts inventory for the new Chinese-built fleet

Line length

366 km

Journey time

~7h 30min

Service resumption

February 28, 2026 (after 5-year suspension)

Current status

Suspended mid-April 2026; ONATRA announced imminent resumption 15 June 2026

Previous suspension

February 2020–September 2025; Nov 2025–Feb 2026 (flood damage)

Fleet

7 new railcars (2023), new locomotive (March 2026)

Operator

ONATRA (Office National des Transports)

Quick Facts
  • Duration

    7.5 hours

  • Distance

    366 km

  • Est. Price

    US$25–50 one-way (First Class ~US$25, Premium ~US$35, Luxury/VIP ~US$50); prices paid in Congolese francs at the prevailing exchange rate, at least 48 hours before departure. No rail pass accepted.

Official Booking Provider