Sphinx Airport vs Cairo International Airport: Which Should You Fly Into?

Cairo International Airport (CAI) is Egypt's main hub, with far more international airlines, routes and terminals — it's the better choice if your trip includes destinations beyond Giza or if you need a specific long-haul connection.

Sphinx International Airport (SPX) is smaller but sits much closer to the Giza Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum, and is served by a growing number of low-cost and charter carriers from Europe and the Gulf, including easyJet, Wizz Air, Air Arabia and FlyDubai. For travellers whose whole trip is built around Giza, landing at SPX can save a meaningful amount of transfer time.

Many visitors end up using both — flying into one and out of the other, or connecting between them mid-trip. Whichever combination your itinerary needs, a private transfer covers the ground-transport leg either way.

Sphinx Airport (SPX) and Cairo International Airport (CAI) are two separate facilities on opposite sides of Greater Cairo, roughly 46 km apart by road with no direct terminal transfer between them, so it's worth double-checking which one your flight actually uses before you plan ground transport.

As with most Egyptian airports, it's worth arriving at least 3 hours before an international departure and around 2 hours before a domestic one, since security screening and passport control can take longer at busier times.