Airports in Egypt: The Complete Guide to All 26 Airports

1. Cairo International Airport (CAI)

Location: Cairo

Cairo International Airport is Egypt’s largest and busiest airport, handling tens of millions of passengers annually. The airport comprises three passenger terminals. Terminal 3 serves EgyptAir’s international flights, while Terminal 2 serves most other airlines. The airport boasts comprehensive facilities, including duty-free shops, currency exchange services, lounges, and a variety of restaurants.

Tourist Tip: Cairo Airport is located on the northeastern edge of the city, approximately 45 minutes from downtown Cairo and about an hour from the Giza Pyramids. From the airport, you can reach Luxor and Aswan with a domestic flight in under an hour, or take an overnight train for a traditional Egyptian experience. If you arrive late, it is advisable to arrange airport transfers in advance due to Cairo’s heavy traffic.

2. Hurghada International Airport (HRG)

Location: Hurghada

Hurghada International Airport is the main gateway for Red Sea holidays, receiving a large number of charter flights from Europe, particularly from the UK, Germany, and Poland. The airport is compact and easy to navigate, and offers expedited visa processing, usually for holiday packages.

Travel Tip: Located just 5 kilometers from Hurghada city center, the airport is one of the most convenient ways to reach Egypt. Resorts in El Gouna, Soma Bay, and Makadi Bay are a short drive away. If you’re planning a diving or sailing holiday in the Red Sea, this is the perfect airport for you.

3. Sharm El Sheikh International Airport (SSH)

Location: Sharm El Sheikh, South Sinai

Sharm El Sheikh Airport serves the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, one of Egypt’s most popular beach destinations. The airport handles a significant number of European charter flights, particularly during the winter season, and has undergone considerable development in recent years.

Tourist Tip: The airport is located approximately 12 kilometers from Naama Bay, the heart of Sharm El Sheikh’s tourist area. From here, you can easily access Ras Mohammed National Park, some of the world’s most beautiful coral reefs, and the Sinai Desert. Many visitors also use Sharm El Sheikh as a base for day trips to St. Catherine’s Monastery.

4. Luxor International Airport (LXR)

Location: Luxor

Luxor International Airport is Egypt’s gateway to the largest concentration of ancient monuments. It receives direct flights from Cairo and several European cities and serves as a departure point for numerous Nile cruises heading south to Aswan.

Tourist Tip: Located just 7 kilometers from Luxor city center, the airport is one of the quickest to reach tourist destinations in Egypt. The Karnak Temple Complex, Luxor Temple, and the Valley of the Kings are all easily accessible. If you’re booking a Nile cruise departing from Luxor, flying directly to Luxor Airport (LXR) instead of Cairo will save you valuable time.

5. Aswan International Airport (ASW)

Location: Aswan

Aswan International Airport connects southern Egypt to the rest of the country and serves as the northern gateway for flights to Sudan. It’s a small, quiet airport that reflects the peaceful atmosphere of Aswan city.

Tourist Tip: Aswan is the starting point for Lake Nasser cruises and an ideal base for excursions to Abu Simbel, Philae Temple, and Nubian villages. If your trip starts in the south and heads north, it’s advisable to fly into Aswan instead of Luxor. The airport is approximately 25 kilometers from the city center.

6. Alexandria Borg El Arab Airport (HBE)

Location: Alexandria

Borg El Arab Airport serves Egypt’s second city, Alexandria, and is located about 45 km southwest of the city center. It handles domestic routes and a growing number of international connections, particularly to Gulf cities.

Tourism tip: Alexandria is a city unlike anywhere else in Egypt — Mediterranean in character, layered with Greek, Roman, and Ottoman history. From this airport, you can reach the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, and the Citadel of Qaitbay. Note that the airport’s distance from the city means you should budget extra time for transfers.

7. Marsa Alam International Airport (RMF)

Location: Marsa Alam

Marsa Alam International Airport serves the southern part of Egypt’s Red Sea coast, one of the country’s least-crowded and most pristine stretches. Direct charter flights operate from several European cities, particularly during the diving and snorkeling season.

Travel Tip: This airport is ideal for travelers seeking a tranquil Red Sea experience away from the hustle and bustle of Hurghada. The port of Marsa Alam, Elphinstone Reef, and secluded beaches along the southern coast are easily accessible. Wildlife enthusiasts also use Marsa Alam as a base for spotting dugongs and dolphins.

8. Assiut International Airport (ATZ)

Location: Assiut, Middle Egypt

Assiut Airport is a domestic and limited international hub serving the central Nile Valley region. It handles regular flights from Cairo and some routes to Gulf countries.

Tourism tip: Assiut is an important pilgrimage destination — the Monastery of the Virgin Mary in Dronka draws hundreds of thousands of Coptic Christian visitors each August. The surrounding region also offers a glimpse into everyday Egyptian life well off the tourist trail.

9. Sohag International Airport (HMB)

Location: Sohag

Sohag Airport provides access to Sohag Governorate in Upper Egypt, with flights connecting the region to Cairo and destinations in the Gulf. It is one of the newest airports to join Egypt’s domestic flight network.

Travel Tip: Sohag is home to the White Monastery and the Red Monastery, two of the oldest and most important Coptic Christian sites in Egypt. The neighboring city of Akhmim boasts ancient Egyptian temples and a rich textile heritage. A lesser-known part of Egypt, it rewards curious travelers.

10. Sphinx International Airport (SPX)

Location: Giza

Sphinx International Airport is Egypt’s newest major airport, strategically located on the western edge of Greater Cairo, just minutes from the Giza Pyramids. It was designed to alleviate pressure on Cairo International Airport and serve the nearby Grand Egyptian Museum.

Tourist Tip: If your trip revolves around the Giza Plateau, the Grand Egyptian Museum, or other attractions on Cairo’s West Bank, Sphinx Airport is the most convenient option. The journey to the Pyramids can take less than 20 minutes. Please check which airlines operate flights to Sphinx Airport before booking, as the network is still expanding.

11. St. Catherine International Airport (SKV)

Location: South Sinai

St. Catherine Airport is a small gateway serving one of Egypt’s most important spiritual destinations. Perched high in the heart of the Sinai Mountains, it’s one of the most picturesque airports in the country.

Tourist Tip: This airport is an ideal starting point for visiting St. Catherine’s Monastery, one of the oldest continuously inhabited Christian monasteries in the world, and for embarking on a pre-dawn hike to the summit of Mount Sinai. The surrounding high-altitude desert is also a fantastic spot for stargazing and mountaineering.

12. Taba International Airport (TCP)

Location: Taba, North Sinai

Taba Airport sits close to the Egyptian border with Israel, in the far northeastern corner of the Sinai Peninsula. It primarily serves Taba Heights, a self-contained resort development perched above the Gulf of Aqaba.

Tourism tip: Taba is an underrated destination. The views across the Gulf of Aqaba to Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Israel are extraordinary. The area is also a gateway for those combining Egypt with a trip to Jordan’s Petra via the Aqaba border crossing.

13. El Arish International Airport (AAC)

Location: North Sinai

El Arish Airport serves the administrative capital of North Sinai Governorate. It operates primarily domestic routes and limited regional connections.

Tourism tip: North Sinai is less accessible for tourism than the south, but El Arish itself has a pleasant Mediterranean coastline and a traditional market worth exploring if you’re in the region for work or specific cultural travel.

14. Abu Simbel Airport (ABS)

Location: Abu Simbel, Aswan Governorate

Abu Simbel Airport is one of the world’s most unique, consisting of a small runway primarily used to serve the two colossal rock-cut temples of Ramses II, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Most visitors arrive from Aswan on a short 45-minute flight.

Tourist Tip: It’s recommended to visit the temples at dawn, before tour groups from Aswan arrive. Book an early morning flight, spend two to three hours at the site, and then return to Aswan for lunch. February and October are particularly special months, when the sun’s rays penetrate the inner sanctum of the temples, illuminating the statues of the gods in a phenomenon created by the ancient Egyptians.

15. Al Alamain International Airport (DBB)

Location: El Alamein, Matrouh Governorate

El Alamein Airport serves Egypt’s North Coast, a Mediterranean coastal region that has become one of the country’s fastest-growing tourist and real estate destinations. The airport has undergone significant upgrades to meet the increased demand during the summer season.

Tourist Tip: El Alamein is famous for the decisive World War II battle fought there in 1942. The El Alamein War Museum and Commonwealth War Cemetery are important historical sites. In the summer, the surrounding coastline transforms into one of Egypt’s most popular beach destinations for domestic tourists.

16. Port Said Airport (PSD)

Location: Port Said

Port Said Airport is a small facility serving the northern entrance of the Suez Canal. It primarily handles domestic connections to Cairo.

Tourism tip: Port Said is a historic trading city and free economic zone with a distinctive colonial-era architecture. The Suez Canal entrance here is fascinating to watch — enormous container ships passing through a narrow channel in the middle of a city. It’s also a departure point for Egypt Holiday Makers’ Port Said shore excursions for cruise passengers.

17. Dakhla Airport (DAK)

Location: Dakhla Oasis, New Valley Governorate

Dakhla Airport is a small desert airstrip serving one of Egypt’s most remote and beautiful oases. Situated deep in the Western Desert, it connects Dakhla to Cairo via infrequent domestic services.

Tourism tip: Dakhla Oasis is a destination for serious desert travelers. Hot springs, ancient rock art, medieval Islamic towns, and vast sand dunes make it one of Egypt’s hidden gems. If you’re planning a Western Desert circuit — combining Bahariya, Farafra, Dakhla, and Kharga — check current flight availability as schedules can be limited.

18. Mersa Matruh Airport (MUH)

Location: Mersa Matruh

Marsa Matrouh Airport serves the coastal city of Marsa Matrouh, located on Egypt’s northwest coast along the Mediterranean Sea, renowned for its stunning turquoise waters and white-sand beaches.

Tourist Tip: Marsa Matrouh is at its peak in June and July, when its hotels are packed with Egyptian tourists. Cleopatra and Agiba beaches are considered among the most beautiful on the Mediterranean. Flights from Cairo operate seasonally, so it’s advisable to book well in advance during the summer months.

19. Hurghada Sahl Hasheesh Airport

Location: Sahl Hasheesh, Red Sea

This smaller facility serves the upscale Sahl Hasheesh resort area, a planned coastal development south of Hurghada, renowned for its luxury hotels and tranquil beaches.

Travel Tip: If your resort is in Sahl Hasheesh, using this airport instead of Hurghada’s main airport will significantly reduce your travel time. The area offers greater peace and privacy compared to central Hurghada, making it ideal for honeymoons and upscale beach holidays.

20. Kom Ombo Airport (KOM)

Location: Kom Ombo, Aswan Governorate

Kom Ombo Airport is a small airstrip located near the town of Kom Ombo, home to the famous double temple dedicated to Sobek (the crocodile god) and Horus (the falcon god).

Tourist tip: Most visitors to Kom Ombo arrive via Nile cruises, as it’s a key stop on the Luxor-Aswan route. Arriving by air is less common and worth exploring if you plan to visit the temple independently. A visit to the adjacent Crocodile Museum is also highly recommended.

21. Marsa Matruh Airport

Location: Mersa Matruh area

An additional airport in the Marsa Matrouh area was developed to accommodate the anticipated increase in tourist numbers during the summer season to Egypt’s northwestern Mediterranean coast.

Travel Tip: With the North Coast becoming increasingly popular with both domestic and international visitors, this airport helps manage seasonal demand. If you’re planning a trip to Egypt’s Mediterranean coast this summer, check Marsa Matrouh Airport options for the best available flight schedules.

22. Siwa Airport

Location: Siwa Oasis

Siwa Airport serves one of Egypt’s most secluded and breathtaking destinations: the Siwa Oasis, located on the Libyan border in the heart of the Western Desert. Flights connect Siwa to Cairo on a limited schedule.

Travel Tip: Siwa is truly unique in Egypt. Its Berber culture, the Temple of the Oracle, where Alexander the Great was declared the son of Zeus, salt lakes, and the stunning Great Sand Sea make it an unmissable destination for adventurous travelers. Please note that many visitors choose to drive from Cairo (approximately 8 hours) due to the limited number of flights.

23. Wadi El Natroun Airport

Location: Wadi El Natroun, Beheira Governorate

A small airport serves the Wadi El Natrun region, located in the Western Desert between Cairo and Alexandria.

Tourist Tip: Wadi El Natrun is home to four of the most important Coptic Orthodox monasteries in Egypt: the Monastery of Saint Bishoy, the Monastery of the Syrians, the Monastery of Saint Macarius, and the Monastery of Saint Baramous. Some of these monasteries date back to the 4th century AD. Wadi El Natrun is an ideal destination for a day trip from Cairo, especially for those interested in the history of early Christianity.

24. Kharga Airport

Location: Kharga Oasis, New Valley Governorate

Kharga Airport serves the largest oasis in Egypt’s Western Desert and the administrative capital of the New Valley Governorate. Regular domestic flights connect Kharga to Cairo.

Tourist Tip: Kharga Oasis is an ideal base for exploring the Western Desert. It boasts better infrastructure than other remote oases and is home to the excellent Kharga Oasis Museum, the Temple of Hibis (one of the best-preserved ancient Egyptian temples outside the Nile Valley), and the ancient Christian necropolis of Al-Bagawat.

25. Shalateen Airport

Location: Shalateen, Red Sea Governorate

Shalateen Airport is a remote facility in southern Egypt, near the Sudanese border. The airport serves a region known for its camel markets and the traditional tribal communities of the Beja and Bishari people.

Travel Tip: Shalateen is located in one of the least-visited areas of Egypt. The region is famous for its vibrant weekly camel market, which attracts traders from across the region. Traveling here requires careful advance planning, as this is truly off the beaten path in Egypt.

26. Capital International Airport (CCE)

Location: New Administrative Capital, Cairo Governorate

The Capital International Airport is a modern airport serving Egypt’s New Administrative Capital. It was designed to support the rapid urban and commercial expansion east of Cairo. While it currently handles a limited number of domestic and private flights, it plays a strategic role in alleviating congestion at Cairo International Airport and supporting future growth in the region.

Travel Tip: Located approximately 45 kilometers from downtown Cairo, the airport offers easy access to New Cairo and the New Administrative Capital’s landmarks, including government districts, shopping centers, and modern tourist attractions. It can also serve as an alternative gateway for travelers heading to East Cairo or the Suez region.

International Airports in Egypt

FAQs

What is the Main Airport in Egypt?

Cairo International Airport (CAI) is the main airport in Egypt. It is the country’s largest and busiest airport, serving as the primary hub for both international and domestic flights. It connects Egypt to destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the Americas, and is the starting point for most Egypt holiday itineraries.

What Airport Do You Fly Into in Egypt?

The airport you fly into depends on your destination. For Cairo and the Pyramids of Giza, fly into Cairo International (CAI) or Sphinx Airport (SPX). For Red Sea holidays, fly into Hurghada (HRG) or Sharm El Sheikh (SSH). For Luxor and the Nile Valley, fly directly into Luxor (LXR). For southern Egypt and Abu Simbel, fly into Aswan (ASW).

Which Airports Fly to Egypt from the UK?

London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, and Bristol all offer direct or charter flights to Egypt. The most popular routes from the UK are to Cairo, Hurghada, and Sharm El Sheikh. Airlines include EgyptAir, British Airways, easyJet, TUI, and Jet2.

What airport is nearest to the Pyramids of Giza?

The nearest airport to the Pyramids of Giza is Sphinx International Airport (SPX), located just west of Cairo on the edge of the Giza Plateau. Cairo International Airport (CAI) is also a common arrival point and is approximately 45 to 60 minutes from the pyramids, depending on traffic.

How Many Airports Are in Egypt?

Egypt has around 26 airports, including about 10–12 international airports currently handling regular commercial traffic. These airports are spread across the country, from the Mediterranean coast in the north to the Red Sea and Upper Egypt, and to remote desert regions and oases.