Quick answer
Domestic flights are the fastest way to cover Egypt's long distances: Cairo to Luxor or Aswan takes about an hour, and Cairo to Hurghada or Sharm el-Sheikh about the same. EgyptAir flies most routes, with Air Cairo and Nile Air on some. Most routes radiate from Cairo, so flying between the Nile Valley and the Red Sea often means connecting there. Check baggage allowances, arrive two hours early and build in slack for schedule changes.
Which airlines fly within Egypt?
EgyptAir operates the most domestic flights, connecting Cairo with Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel, Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh, Marsa Alam, Alexandria and other cities; Air Cairo and Nile Air also fly some domestic routes. Which airlines serve which routes, and how often, changes by season, so check current schedules before planning.
EgyptAir is a Star Alliance member, which matters for Australians: if you fly to Cairo on a partner airline, you can often add the domestic flight to the same booking, so your bags are checked through and a delayed international arrival is the airline's problem rather than yours. Air Cairo and Nile Air sell their own tickets and are sometimes cheaper, with different baggage rules. Our flights from Australia guide covers the long-haul leg.
What are the main domestic routes and flight times?
Almost every useful route starts or ends in Cairo, and none takes much more than an hour and a half in the air. These are approximate flight times; routes and frequencies are seasonal.
| Route | Flight time (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cairo – Luxor | 1 hour 5 minutes | Several flights a day; the classic route to start a Nile cruise |
| Cairo – Aswan | 1 hour 20 minutes | Daily; for cruises starting in Aswan |
| Aswan – Abu Simbel | 45 minutes | Timed for temple visits; see below |
| Cairo – Hurghada | 1 hour | For Hurghada, El Gouna and Makadi Bay |
| Cairo – Sharm el-Sheikh | 1 hour | For Sharm, Dahab and Mount Sinai |
| Cairo – Marsa Alam | About 1 hour 20 minutes | Less frequent; seasonal |
| Luxor or Aswan – Red Sea | Varies | Direct flights are rare; most connect via Cairo or drive |
Between Luxor and Aswan, flying is rarely worthwhile: the drive is about three hours and passes Edfu and Kom Ombo, the train takes about the same, and a cruise is the best option of all. Luxor to Hurghada is usually driven, about four hours by road; see our Luxor day trip from Hurghada guide.
Should you fly or drive to Abu Simbel?
Flying from Aswan to Abu Simbel takes about 45 minutes against roughly three and a half hours each way by road, and the flights are timed so you can visit the temples between the outbound and return legs. They are among the most popular domestic tickets and fill quickly in peak season, and schedules have changed in recent years, so check what's operating for your dates.
The road trip is more common and usually cheaper; most travellers leave Aswan before dawn and arrive in the early morning light. Our comparison of Abu Simbel by road or by air sets out the trade-offs, and our Abu Simbel guide covers the temples themselves.
Which Cairo airport do domestic flights use?
Most domestic flights use Cairo International Airport, in the north-east of the city, while some depart from Sphinx International Airport west of Giza, which is far closer to the pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum. Check which airport and terminal is printed on your ticket.
- Cairo International: EgyptAir's hub. Domestic flights have generally used Terminal 3, but terminal allocations change; your booking shows the current one. Allow 60 to 90 minutes by road from Giza hotels.
- Sphinx International: a smaller airport roughly 20 to 30 minutes from the Giza pyramids, with a limited and changing set of domestic and international flights. If a flight from here suits your plans, it can save an hour of Cairo traffic.
Our guides to Cairo International Airport and Sphinx International Airport cover terminals, transfers and facilities.
What are the baggage allowances on domestic flights?
Baggage allowances depend on the airline, fare type and whether the domestic flight is on the same ticket as your international flight, so check your booking rather than assuming. Lower fares on some airlines include only cabin baggage, and allowances have changed with new fare types.
- Same ticket as your international flight: your international allowance often applies to the domestic sector too, which can be more generous. Confirm with the airline.
- Separate domestic ticket: the domestic allowance applies, and excess baggage is charged at the airport.
- Cabin bags: weight and size limits are enforced on some flights, particularly smaller aircraft.
- Pack smart: Nile cruises and Red Sea resorts need less than you think. Our Egypt packing list helps keep to one checked bag.
Powerbanks must go in cabin baggage, as on any flight, and drones will cause problems at security; leave them at home.
What should you know about booking and flying domestically?
Book early for peak season, expect timetable changes, arrive two hours before departure, and never schedule a domestic flight tightly against a cruise embarkation or an international departure.
- Book early for December to February, Easter and Egyptian holidays, when flights to Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel fill up.
- Schedule changes are common, sometimes by several hours. Keep your contact details current in the booking and check the day before.
- Security starts at the terminal entrance, with a second check at the gate. Airports in Luxor, Aswan and the Red Sea are small but can be crowded when several flights leave together.
- ID: carry your passport; you'll need it to check in.
- Connections: after a long-haul arrival, a night in Cairo before flying on is far less stressful than a same-day connection.
- Seating: on Cairo to Luxor and Aswan flights, a window seat often gives views of the Nile, its green strip and the desert beyond.
What happens if your domestic flight is changed or cancelled?
Retimed and cancelled domestic flights are not unusual in Egypt, so keep the airline's contact details handy, check your booking the day before, and contact your travel agent straight away if anything moves. Airlines generally rebook you on the next available flight on the same route, but in peak season that can be the next day.
Some practical safeguards:
- Book on one ticket where you can: a domestic flight on the same ticket as your international journey is protected if one leg is disrupted; separate tickets are not.
- Leave a buffer: fly into Luxor or Aswan the day before a cruise departs, or at least by midday, since cruises sail on a fixed schedule and won't wait.
- Have a road plan B: if the Aswan to Abu Simbel flight is cancelled, the road trip is an alternative; between Luxor and Aswan, a car takes about three hours.
- Check your insurance: make sure your travel insurance covers missed connections and the extra hotel nights a disruption can cause.
If your domestic flights are booked as part of a private journey with us, let us know about any change you're notified of and we'll rearrange transfers and sightseeing around it.
When should you fly, and when should you take the train or a cruise?
Fly when the alternative is more than about five hours on the ground; otherwise travel by road, rail or river and enjoy the scenery.
- Cairo to Luxor or Aswan: fly, or take the overnight sleeper train.
- Luxor to Aswan: cruise, drive or take the train; see trains in Egypt.
- Cairo to the Red Sea: fly, unless you're stopping on the way; the drive to Hurghada is about five to six hours.
- Cairo to Alexandria: train or car; flying rarely saves time.
Our private itineraries use domestic flights where they make sense; tell us your dates when you plan your trip and we'll suggest the most efficient routing.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Cairo to Luxor?
About an hour and five minutes in the air. Allow around four hours door to door, including the drive to the airport, check-in and security.
Can you fly direct from Luxor to Hurghada?
Direct flights are rare and seasonal. Most travellers drive, which takes about four hours, or connect through Cairo.
Which airlines fly domestic routes in Egypt?
EgyptAir flies most routes, and Air Cairo and Nile Air serve some. Routes and frequencies change by season, so check current schedules.
Do I need my passport for domestic flights in Egypt?
Yes. Foreign travellers need their passport to check in and pass security on domestic flights.
Is it worth flying from Aswan to Abu Simbel?
If you dislike long drives or have little time, yes: the flight takes about 45 minutes instead of roughly three and a half hours each way by road. Flights are limited, so book early. See Abu Simbel by road or by air.
