Sphinx International Airport

Sphinx International Airport (SPX) is a small, modern airport west of Giza, beside the Cairo–Alexandria Desert Road. It shares its airfield with the Cairo West air base and opened to commercial flights in stages from 2019, with its first international flight in January 2020. It was built to ease pressure on Cairo International and to give visitors a quicker route to the Giza Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), which are about 30 km away by road.

Terminal

There is a single compact passenger terminal. It was enlarged in the early 2020s to handle growing traffic linked to the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum. Queues are usually much shorter than at Cairo International, but facilities are limited.

Airlines and routes

Low-cost and Gulf airlines dominate. Recent services include:

• Europe: easyJet (Paris CDG, Milan Malpensa and seasonal UK and European routes), Wizz Air (London Luton, Rome and seasonal routes), Pegasus (Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen) and Edelweiss (seasonal Zurich).
• Gulf: Air Arabia (Sharjah), flydubai (Dubai), flynas (Riyadh, Medina, Abha), Kuwait Airways (Kuwait City) and SalamAir (Muscat).
• Domestic: Air Cairo has flown to Luxor, Aswan and Sharm El Sheikh.

Routes change often and many are seasonal, so check with the airline.

Getting to town

• Pre-booked transfer: the most reliable option. Many hotels near the Pyramids offer airport pick-ups.
• Taxis wait at arrivals. Agree the fare before you set off.
• Ride-hailing: Uber and Careem cover Giza and Cairo, but airport pick-ups at SPX may not be available in the app. Check before you land.
• There is no public transport link that is practical for visitors.

Expect around 40 minutes to the GEM and the Pyramids area, and longer to central Cairo, depending on traffic.

Facilities

The terminal has the essentials, including passport control, a visa-on-arrival counter, currency exchange, ATMs, a café and duty-free. There are fewer shops, lounges and food options than at the main Cairo airport.

Tips

• This is the most convenient airport if you are staying near the Pyramids or the GEM.
• Arrange your onward transport in advance, especially for late-night arrivals.
• Check visa rules before you travel. The UK government’s entry requirements are a clear summary.

Last checked October 2026. Sources: en.wikipedia.org, enterpriseam.com, uber.com, cestee.com.