Flying to Egypt

General Information

Out of the 70 to 80 airports in the country, around ten receive international flights. As expected, the most important is Cairo International Airport (Cairo), which serves as the hub for the national carrier Egyptair. It is now supported by another airport in the capital, Sphinx International near Giza, which has been welcoming low-cost airlines serving Europe since 2020, among others.

Other significant airports include Alexandria, Luxor, as well as those in Red Sea resort towns such as Hurghada, Marsa Alam, and Sharm el-Sheikh.

Types of Flights

Egyptian Airlines

Egyptair (including its subsidiaries) is the national carrier and the largest in the country. Other airlines are mainly charter or Middle East-focused carriers, such as Air Arabia Egypt, Air Cairo, AlMasria, Nesma Airlines, and Nile Air.

Charters, Scheduled, and Low-Cost Flights

While major European and other scheduled airlines still operate in Egypt, low-cost carriers are increasingly dominant, as in many holiday destinations. They are gradually taking over the charter market, which long brought most European tourists to Red Sea resorts.

Promotions and Special Offers

Given Egypt’s strong tourism focus, promotions are easy to find. Some all-inclusive deals (flight + hotel) can be more affordable than booking flights alone.

From France

Direct flight options are limited, though seasonal charters to Red Sea resorts may be available depending on demand. Prices range from 300 to 700 €.

Cairo: Direct flights (4h00 to 4h30) with Egyptair from Roissy and Transavia from Orly, as well as from Lyon and Marseille with the latter.

Luxor, Hurghada, or Sharm El Sheikh: Seasonal charters or low-cost flights from various French airports, with Transavia offering good connections to Hurghada.

Connecting Flights

More options are available with connecting flights, primarily to Cairo and secondarily to major Red Sea airports, via other European countries. These are especially useful for travelers from regional France, where direct flights to Egypt are fewer but connections through neighboring countries are well-served.