Known as Egypt’s city of love, Alexandria is one of the most glamorous cities in the country. Located on the coast at the western edge of the Nile Delta, in Alexandria you can feel the breath of ancient ruins on your back. For thousands of years Alexandria has been the capital of art and education.
Montaza Palace Gardens in Alexandria
History seeps from every nook of Alexandria. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, the city provided a seat of power for Cleopatra. Yet despite its rich past, Alexandria is stepping up to take its place in the 21st century. With so much history to be found, a trip to Alexandria can feel like stepping back in time.
Borg El Arab Airport (HBE)
Borg El Arab Airport is a medium sized international airport in Egypt. In total there are 20 airports around the world that have direct flights to Alexandria, spread around 18 cities in 9 countries. This month, there are 555 flights arriving at Alexandria Airport, which are 133 flights per week or 19 flights per day.
Most flights to Alexandria are operated by Egyptair, as they connect 6 airports to HBE. Jeddah, Kuwait City and Riyadh are the 3 most popular routes to Alexandria.
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Airlines that Fly to Alexandria
Currently, there are 16 airlines that fly to Alexandria.
Here's a list of airlines that offer flights to Alexandria:
- Egyptair
- Air Arabia Egypt
- Air Cairo
- Saudi Arabian Airlines
- flyadeal
- Jazeera Airways
- Air Arabia
- Air Arabia Abu Dhabi
- Flydubai
- Pegasus Airlines
- Turkish Airlines
- Qatar Airways
- Aegean Airlines
- Afriqiyah Airways
- Berniq Airways
- Libyan Airlines
The most frequently departed flights to Alexandria are routes from Jeddah (JED) in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait City (KWI) in Kuwait. These two routes together are operated 217 times this month, and make up for 39% of all monthly arrivals at Borg El Arab Airport.
Flight Durations
The longest flight to Alexandria HBE is departing from Dubai (Sharjah) (SHJ). This non-stop flight takes around 3 hours and 25 minutes and covers a distance of 1,615 miles (2,599 km).
Flights from Europe to Alexandria
The only intercontinental flights to Borg El Arab Airport (HBE) are from Europe and the Middle-East, as of November 2025. Please note that there are no direct services from the United States, Canada, Southern America, Central America, the Caribbean, Southern Asia, China, Japan, Eastern Asia, South-Eastern Asia, Central Asia or Oceania.
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Non-stop flights from Europe to Alexandria:
- Air Arabia Egypt: year-round flights from Milan (Bergamo) (BGY).
- Aegean (Star Alliance): seasonal flights from Athens (ATH).
Flights from the Middle-East / Western Asia to Alexandria
Non-stop flights from the Middle-East / Western Asia to Alexandria:
- Air Arabia Egypt: year-round flights from Amman (AMM), seasonal flights from Dammam (DMM), year-round flights from Jeddah (JED) and Riyadh (RUH).
- Air Cairo: year-round flights from Amman (AMM), Jeddah (JED), Medina (MED) and seasonal flights from Kuwait City (KWI).
- Egyptair (Star Alliance): year-round flights from Dammam (DMM), Jeddah (JED), Medina (MED) and Riyadh (RUH).
- Saudi Arabian (SkyTeam): year-round flights from Jeddah (JED) and Riyadh (RUH).
- flyadeal: seasonal flights from Jeddah (JED).
- Jazeera Airways: year-round flights from Kuwait City (KWI).
- Air Arabia: year-round flights from Dubai (Sharjah) (SHJ).
- Air Arabia Abu Dhabi: year-round flights from Abu Dhabi (AUH).
- Flydubai: year-round flights from Dubai (DXB).
- Pegasus: year-round flights from Istanbul (Sabiha) (SAW).
- Turkish Airlines (Star Alliance): year-round flights from Istanbul (IST).
- Qatar Airways (Oneworld): year-round flights from Doha (DOH).
Flights from Specific Countries
Here's a breakdown of flights from specific countries to Alexandria:
Greece
Athens is the only city in Greece with direct flights to Alexandria. From Athens, direct flights are offered by Aegean (Star Alliance). This is a seasonal route that starts in December and ends in February.
Italy
In Italy, the only airport that has a direct connection to Alexandria is Milan (Bergamo). From Milan (Bergamo), direct flights are offered by Air Arabia Egypt.
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Jordan
There is 1 airport in Jordan that has a direct connection to Alexandria, which is Amman. From Amman, you can fly non-stop with Air Arabia Egypt or Air Cairo.
Kuwait
In Kuwait, the only airport that has a direct connection to Alexandria is Kuwait City. From Kuwait City, you can fly non-stop with Air Cairo or Jazeera Airways.
Libya
There are 3 airports in Libya that have non-stop flights to Alexandria.
- From Benghazi, there are 4 airlines that have direct services to Alexandria, which are Afriqiyah, Berniq Airways, Egyptair (Star Alliance) and Libyan Airlines.
- From Misurata, the only airline with direct flights is Berniq Airways.
- From Tripoli, you can fly non-stop with Afriqiyah or Libyan Airlines.
Qatar
Doha is the only city in Qatar with direct flights to Alexandria. Qatar Airways operates direct flights to Doha, Qatar.
Top 10 Places you must visit in Alexandria, Egypt
Alternative Airports Near Alexandria
Flying to an alternative airport near Alexandria could give you other options to reach your destination. For example, the possibility to fly with a different airline or alliance, or finding a cheaper airfare. For this reason, alternative airports near to Alexandria (HBE) are listed below. The closest alternative airports are El Alamein (DBB) and Giza (SPX).
Transportation from Borg El Arab Airport to Alexandria City Center
Alexandria city center is 40 km from the airport. Here are the available transportation options:
- Public Bus: The number 555 public bus service is available during the daytime. It costs 10 Egyptian pounds and the journey takes around 1 hour.
- Taxi: A 24-hour taxi service is available at the airport. A professional taxi service in a limousine-type luxury car costs 200-250 Egyptian pounds. Alternatively, you can bargain with blue taxi drivers for 20-25 Egyptian pounds. Yellow taxis returning to the city center may offer rides for 100-150 Egyptian pounds.
Best Time to Visit Alexandria
Alexandria is a wonderful destination to explore throughout the year, but it's advisable to avoid the summer months due to the intense heat. Desert destinations like Alexandria are known for their hot days, with temperatures frequently exceeding 40°C (104°F), but cooler nights. With very little rainfall, these locations are famous for their extreme weather, breathtaking scenery, and the cultural heritage of their inhabitants.
Alexandria’s Mediterranean climate leaves it experiencing temperate seasons that only vary when it comes to precipitation: Winters (December to February) in Alexandria are mild and wet with temperatures on average resting at 58 degrees, while the dry summers (June to August) can experience highs up to 86 degrees.
Flights to Alexandria fill up fast from late fall through the end of winter, when European and North American tourists are fleeing the frigid weather for more comfortable temperatures on the North African coast. Cheap flights to Alexandria are plentiful in the summertime due to the extreme heat settling along Egypt’s Mediterranean shoreline between May and September.
Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa
Things to Do in Alexandria
History buffs have been booking flights to Alexandria for years due to the city’s reputation as a treasure trove of antiquities, so make sure you check out one of Alexandria’s many museums during your stay. The Catacombs of Kom as Shuqqafa are one of the most visited sites in Egypt and are considered to be one of the Seven Wonders of the Medieval World. The catacombs make up the largest roman burial ground in Egypt, and the tombs and passages are open for visiting today.
Here are some additional attractions to consider visiting:
- Bibliotheca Alexandrina: Though the ancient ruins of the Library of Alexandria have long since decayed, the impressive, UNESCO-orchestrated construction of a new Library of Alexandria in its place is a site not to be missed.
- Al-Mursi Abu al-Abbas Mosque: The Al-Mursi Abu al-Abbas Mosque was built in 1775, over the tomb of a 13th-century holy man after whom the mosque was named. A festival takes place here annually, celebrating his life.
- Alexandria Opera House: During your visit to Alexandria, it’s worth checking out the Alexandria Opera House.
- Montazah Royal Gardens: For a little rest from the frantic pace of city life, head for the Montazah Royal Gardens. Spread across more than 350 acres of beautifully sculpted landscape, in the grounds of the Montazah Palace, the gardens sit on the shoreline of the Mediterranean.
Getting Around Alexandria
When your flight to Alexandria arrives, save some money by taking a bus downtown. Though with all you’ve saved on your Alexandria flight already, you may just want to negotiate a taxi fare instead. Getting to town by taxi is quicker and more reliable. Alexandria’s main form of public transportation consists of a network of color-coded trams. Hop aboard the yellow trams to explore western Alexandria from the central Raml Station or head east on a blue tram. The trams are very old, and therefore slow, but a ride could cost as little as a nickel. Downtown is easily accessible by foot and a great way to explore the city, but you can also flag down one of the many yellow-and-black taxis.
Practical Information
Here's some quick information about Alexandria:
- Nearby Cities: Damanhür (66 km)
- Currency: Egyptian Pound (EGP)
- Country Code: +20
- Electric Power: C
- Time Zone: GMT +2
Tips for Enjoying Alexandria
When it comes to nightlife in Alexandria, keep in mind that Alexandria is a predominantly Muslim city and that Muslim norms forbid imbibing in alcohol: Most of the larger nightclubs and discotheques have bars, but don’t be surprised if you see beer or wine omitted from the menu.
Food is a huge part of the Alexandrian way of life, and its cuisine is peppered with Greek, Italian, Indian and Japanese influences. Grilled kebabs are popular and are served by street vendors on virtually every corner. These are highly spiced meats with Turkish or Lebanese herbs. There are plenty of restaurants to be found in the city.
Souqs and bazaars are still alive and well across Alexandria and your trip wouldn’t be complete without a visit to one of them. You can certainly buy gold and silver jewellery, leather goods and, in the higher-end souqs, pungent bundles of incense. Perhaps the best shopping centre is the City Centre Mall on Cairo Desert Road.
