Alexandria Airports Guide: Terminals, Transport, and Essential Information

Alexandria, Egypt’s historic Mediterranean port city and second-largest metropolis, is served by one operational commercial airport. A second airport closer to the city remains closed, making it essential for travellers to understand which airport they are flying into and how to plan onward transport.

This guide explains every airport serving Alexandria, including IATA codes, terminal layouts, and clear, plain-English explanations of how to get to and from each one.

Borg El Arab Airport (HBE)

Overview: Borg El Arab Airport (IATA: HBE) is Alexandria’s main international airport and the city’s primary commercial aviation gateway. Located approximately 45 km (28 miles) southwest of Alexandria’s city centre, it requires a significant road transfer through desert and suburban areas. The airport is modern, relatively quiet, and handles scheduled international flights (mainly from the Gulf and Middle East) as well as selected domestic services.

Terminals:

• Single Passenger Terminal: The airport operates from one main terminal building handling both international and domestic arrivals and departures. The facility is spacious and generally uncrowded, making passenger processing straightforward.

Getting to and from Borg El Arab Airport (HBE):

• Pre-booked Private Transfers (Highly Recommended):
  The most reliable and stress-free option. Arrange a transfer through your hotel or a reputable tour operator. A driver will meet you in arrivals with a sign. Expect to pay around 400–600 EGP for a car to central Alexandria, with a journey time of 45–60 minutes depending on traffic.
• Ride-hailing (Uber and Careem):
  Uber and Careem operate reliably in Alexandria and are often the best-value choice. Using the app provides a fixed price and avoids fare negotiation. Typical fares to the city centre range from 350–500 EGP.
• Official Airport Taxis:
  Taxis are available outside the terminal, but fares are not metered for this long journey. You must negotiate the fare firmly in Egyptian Pounds before entering the vehicle. Expect initial prices to be inflated — aim to settle around 500–700 EGP.
• Car Rental:
  International and local rental companies operate at the airport. Driving in Alexandria can be intense due to dense traffic, but a rental car can be useful for exploring Egypt’s North Coast and surrounding areas.
• Public Transport (Limited):
  Infrequent buses operate to parts of Alexandria, but this option is slow, unpredictable, and not recommended for tourists, especially with luggage.

Best for: All international travellers and domestic passengers flying into Alexandria.

El Nouzha Airport (ALY) – Closed to Commercial Flights

Overview: El Nouzha Airport (IATA: ALY), located much closer to central Alexandria, was historically the city’s main airport. It has been closed to commercial traffic since 2011 due to long-running redevelopment plans.

Important: All scheduled passenger flights now operate via Borg El Arab Airport (HBE). When booking flights, ensure your ticket shows HBE, not ALY. Reopening timelines for ALY remain uncertain.

Which Alexandria Airport Should You Choose?

For all commercial airline travel, Borg El Arab Airport (HBE) is the only operational airport serving Alexandria.

El Nouzha (ALY) should not be used for travel planning as it is not currently handling passenger flights.

Important Considerations for Borg El Arab Airport (HBE)

Transfers and Connections:
HBE is primarily a destination airport rather than a transfer hub. If connecting onward within Egypt, you will need to clear immigration, collect baggage, pass customs, and re-check in for domestic flights.

Visa and Entry:
Most travellers require a visa to enter Egypt. Many nationalities can obtain a Visa on Arrival for $25 USD in cash, purchased from bank kiosks before immigration. Applying for an eVisa online in advance is recommended to save time.

Currency:
The Egyptian Pound (EGP) is the local currency. ATMs and exchange counters are available in the arrivals hall. It is advisable to withdraw or exchange some money immediately for transport costs.

SIM Cards and Connectivity:
Local SIM cards from Vodafone, Orange, and Etisalat are sold in the arrivals hall and are strongly recommended for data access and ride-hailing apps.

Facilities:
The terminal offers basic amenities including cafés, duty-free shopping for international departures, souvenir shops, ATMs, and free WiFi. Lounge facilities are very limited.

Arrival and Departure Tips:
For international departures, arrive 2.5–3 hours before your flight. For domestic flights, 1.5–2 hours is generally sufficient. Procedures can be slower than expected despite the airport’s small size.

Primary Transport Warning:
Given the long distance to the city, using Uber/Careem or a pre-booked driver is strongly recommended over negotiating with taxi touts upon arrival.

Bottom line: Your arrival experience in Alexandria is defined by the 45–60 minute transfer from Borg El Arab. A local SIM card and either Uber/Careem or a pre-arranged driver will make your entry into the city smooth and stress-free. Always ensure you are flying into HBE, not the closed ALY.