โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
60
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
International โ Domestic
90
minutes
International โ International
120
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Borg El Arab International Airport (HBE), recently renamed Alexandria International Airport, is the primary aviation gateway for Alexandria and Egypt's northern coast. Located approximately 40 kilometers southwest of Alexandria's city center, the airport replaced the older El Nouzha Airport in 2010 to become the region's main commercial hub. The original terminal, famous for its distinct boat-shaped design, has recently been supplemented by a massive new Terminal 2. This expansion has significantly increased the airport's capacity to 6 million passengers annually, reflecting its role as a vital link for international tourism and the growing industrial sectors of the Nile Delta.
The airport complex is organized across two main terminal buildings. Terminal 1 features a three-story layout where the ground floor manages check-in and baggage, the second floor handles arrivals and airline offices, and the third floor is dedicated to international departures and passport control. The new Terminal 2 is a state-of-the-art facility covering 40,000 square meters, incorporating eco-friendly features such as solar energy and energy-efficient cooling systems. Both terminals are equipped with telescopic jet bridges and modern security screening, ensuring a streamlined flow for both domestic and international travelers navigating the boat-shaped architectural complex.
Facilities at Borg El Arab are comprehensive and designed for international standards. Travelers can find a variety of dining options, including Abu Auf and Segafredo Cafรฉ, as well as several duty-free shops offering luxury cosmetics, tobacco, and traditional Egyptian souvenirs. For those seeking a quiet retreat, the Pearl Lounge in the international departure area provides comfortable seating and business amenities. The airport also offers essential services such as currency exchange, ATMs, and free Wi-Fi. With its expanded parking areas and modernized infrastructure, the airport provides a professional and efficient entry point to the historic "Bride of the Mediterranean."
๐ Connection Tips
Connecting through Borg El Arab International Airport is efficient due to its modern, integrated facilities. Domestic transfers typically take under 45 minutes within the same terminal. However, manual baggage handling is common, so always verify if your luggage is through-checked. With the addition of Terminal 2, ensure you know which terminal your next flight departs from. If you are on a single ticket, your airline will manage the transfer between gates, but those on separate bookings should allow at least 2.5 hours to account for terminal navigation and security re-entry.
International connections require more buffer time for mandatory formalities. Arriving international passengers must clear immigration and customs at HBE before proceeding to domestic gates. It is recommended to allow at least 3 hours for these transfers, especially during peak travel seasons. If you are self-transferring between separate tickets, ensure a 4-hour window to reclaim baggage and re-check in. Security screening at Egyptian hubs is thorough and involves multiple checkpoints, so arriving 3 hours before an international departure is the standard recommendation.
The airport is 40 kilometers from Alexandria city center, with the drive taking approximately 60 to 90 minutes. Pre-booking a private car or using the HYPER bus is highly advised, as local taxis can be unreliable. For layovers of 6 hours or more, a trip to the Library of Alexandria or the Mediterranean waterfront is feasible. Within the airport, several premium lounges and dining options like Abu Auf offer comfortable spaces to wait. Always carry your travel documents and a printed itinerary, as security staff frequently check these at various points throughout the terminal.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
60
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Abu Simbel Airport (ABS) is a compact, specialized regional airport located in Egypt, serving as the primary air gateway for tourists visiting the world-renowned Abu Simbel temples. The airport operates a single terminal building, designed for efficient processing of tour groups and individual travelers drawn to this iconic historical site. Its layout is straightforward and intuitive, ensuring quick navigation from arrival to the exit, and from check-in to the departure gate.
The terminal, though small, provides essential amenities for a comfortable travel experience. It features a waiting lounge with seating, a basic medical point, and several souvenir shops where travelers can purchase local crafts and gifts. A small cafรฉ or refreshment area offers drinks and light snacks. While not equipped with extensive dining facilities or duty-free complexes found in larger international airports, it caters to the immediate needs of its tourist clientele.
Security procedures at ABS are in line with national regulations for regional tourist airports. Passengers undergo standard screening protocols for both carry-on and checked baggage, along with personal checks. The airport is known for its efficiency, with quick processes for luggage retrieval and security, leading to minimal wait times. As ABS primarily handles domestic tourist flights, international immigration or customs facilities are not on-site; these functions are processed at larger international airports in Egypt.
๐ Connection Tips
Abu Simbel Airport (ABS) primarily facilitates domestic travel within Egypt, with its flight schedules often meticulously synchronized with the standard visiting hours for the Abu Simbel temples. Direct flights are typically available to Aswan International Airport (ASW) and Cairo International Airport (CAI), operated by major carriers such as EgyptAir and Air Cairo. These specific routes are crucial for connecting the large volume of international and domestic tourists who wish to visit the temple complex without the lengthy 3-to-4-hour desert drive from Aswan. Due to the airport's specialized role, most flights are designed to allow travelers to arrive, tour the temples, and depart within a single day, making the air link an essential component of the regional tourism infrastructure.
For travelers connecting to ABS, especially those arriving from international destinations, the typical itinerary involves flying into a major Egyptian international gateway like Cairo (CAI) or Luxor (LXR). From these hubs, passengers take a connecting domestic flight to Aswan (ASW), which serves as the primary originating point for almost all short-haul flights to Abu Simbel. It is highly recommended to book these flights as a single itinerary through EgyptAir whenever possible. This strategy ensures that your checked baggage is automatically transferred to your final destination and that the airline is responsible for rebooking and providing assistance in the event of a delay on any of the previous flight segments, which can be particularly important given the tight schedules of the temple-run flights.
Ground transportation from Abu Simbel Airport is exceptionally well-organized, with services primarily catering to the tour groups and day-trippers arriving by air. For all passengers flying with EgyptAir, a complimentary shuttle bus service, often operated by 'Happy Year Transport', is provided directly outside the terminal exit. This shuttle takes visitors on a short 5-minute drive directly to the Abu Simbel temple complex. The bus typically remains in the temple parking area for approximately 2 hours while passengers explore the site, before providing a return transfer to the airport in time for the scheduled departure. This seamless integration of air and ground transport is designed to maximize the time spent at the historical site and minimize logistical stress for visitors.
For those who prefer more flexibility or are staying overnight in the village of Abu Simbel, taxis are readily available at the airport terminal. A taxi to the temples or nearby hotels usually costs between 50 and 250 Egyptian Pounds (EGP), though it is essential to negotiate and agree on the fare with the driver before commencing the short 5-to-10-minute journey. Private transfers and hotel pickups, such as those provided by the Seti Abu Simbel or Eskaleh Eco-Lodge, can also be pre-arranged for a more personalized experience. For day-trippers, it's worth noting that while you cannot leave luggage on the aircraft, you are typically permitted to leave your bags on the EgyptAir shuttle bus while you tour the temples, provided you are returning on the same shuttle to catch your flight back to Aswan or Cairo.
โ Back to Borg El Arab International Airport