Borg El Arab Airport serves Alexandria, Egypt's second-largest city and a historic port on the Mediterranean, approximately 45 km south-west of the city center.
Alexandria is known for its Hellenistic heritage, the modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina, and the Corniche waterfront, an atmosphere more Mediterranean and different from Cairo or the Nile Valley.
How to get to Borg El Arab International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to HBE
Parking near Borg El Arab International Airport
A few steps from the terminal is a small parking lot.
Video surveillance is active, with rates nonetheless moderate.
How to get to Alexandria from HBE
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Need an airport transfer?
Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com
Car rental at Borg El Arab International Airport
Several car rental companies have desks in the arrivals area.
Bringing your driver's license, passport, and credit card is standard; the International Driving Permit (IDP) is usually required in addition.
Hotels near Borg El Arab International Airport
King Mariout and Agami, towards the airport
The Hilton Alexandria King's Ranch is about 12 km from the airport (15 minutes by car); the Radisson Blu is about 15 km away (15-20 minutes). Both have their own shuttle.
Best for: Layovers and business stays that don't involve going into Alexandria, with resort-style hotels.
- Closer to the airport than any hotel in the city centre or in Montazah
- Pools, spa and large gardens for those who just need to wait for their flight
- An isolated area: Radisson Blu reviews specifically point out the distance from the actual city
- Outside the two hotels there is almost nothing within walking distance; a car is needed for every trip
Recommended hotels
- Hilton Alexandria King's Ranch About 12 km from the airport in the King Mariout area, with the Premedion spa and extensive gardens; designed for those who arrive or leave without needing to go into Alexandria. View availability
- Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Center, Alexandria About 15 km from Borg El Arab airport, with 413 rooms overlooking Lake Mariout or the pool; designed more for conferences and business stays than for city tourism. View availability
Corniche and San Stefano
About 45 km from the airport, 50-60 minutes by taxi depending on traffic; the 555 public bus is the only budget alternative, but slower.
Best for: Travelers who want the seafront, the Greco-Roman ruins and the Library of Alexandria within a taxi ride.
- Private beach and seafront right outside the hotel
- Restaurants, cafés and the San Stefano Grand Plaza shopping centre just steps away
- It is the longest transfer from the airport among all the areas in this guide
- Traffic along the Corniche can lengthen travel times during rush hour
Recommended hotels
- Four Seasons Hotel Alexandria At San Stefano In the San Stefano Grand Plaza complex, with a 180-degree view of the Mediterranean and a private tunnel under the road to reach the beach safely. View availability
- Hilton Alexandria Corniche Hotel 158 rooms with a private beach on the Corniche seafront; reviews praise the cleanliness and the view of the Mediterranean. View availability
Montazah, east of the city
About 55-60 km from the airport, an hour or more by car: it is the area farthest from the airport among those in this guide.
Best for: Travelers looking for a beach and the park of King Farouk's palace in a more residential district.
- Montazah Park with the royal palace gardens is just steps away
- Beach right on the seafront, less crowded than the one in the city centre
- Longer transfer both from the airport and from the city centre
- Few restaurants outside the area's hotels
Recommended hotels
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The terminal is modest compared to Cairo, consistent with more limited air traffic: many visitors reach Alexandria by road or train from Cairo.
Arriving 2-3 hours early for flights is advisable.
Map of Borg El Arab International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. Is it worth visiting Alexandria as a day trip from Cairo?
It's possible, but since it's about 3 hours by road from Cairo, many prefer to stay at least one night to enjoy the Corniche and the Bibliotheca Alexandrina at a relaxed pace.
Q. Is Alexandria different from the rest of Egypt?
Yes, it has a more Mediterranean atmosphere, tied to its Hellenistic history and its historic role as a cosmopolitan port, different from Cairo or the Nile Valley.
Q. What is the Bibliotheca Alexandrina?
A modern library and cultural centre opened in 2002 on the waterfront, conceived as an architectural tribute to the legendary ancient library that was lost: today it is one of the city's main attractions, along with its historic centre with its Mediterranean atmosphere.
Q. Is it better to get to Alexandria by plane or by road from Cairo?
It depends on the connections available during your travel period: Alexandria airport has more limited flights compared to Cairo, and many visitors prefer the train or car from the capital.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
