Sphinx Airport in Cairo: Information and Tips

Introduction

Despite its recent inauguration, the airport is still far from being completed: very few gates are operational and there are only a few dozen daily flights, both domestic and international. I chose this airport instead of Cairo International Airport because some low-cost airlines offer return trips starting at 100 euros, a very affordable price considering that other airlines charge about three times as much to fly to Egypt. Keep in mind that the airport has many defects, which will probably be solved with the gradual expansion of the facility. For now, however, be prepared to face long lines and uncomfortable situations to exit the airport and reach the city center.

Arrival in Egypt

Visa and Money Withdrawal

Once you get off the plane, a security guard will give you an orange sheet. Pay attention to the color: the orange sheets are for foreigners, while the blue ones are for Egyptian citizens (you will notice that the orange sheets have both Arabic and English writing, while the blue ones are only in Arabic). At first you may not know what it is for, since no one explains it to you, but it is simply a form to fill out with your personal data and to hand over to the police during passport control. The data requested are: name (forename), surname (family name), date and place of birth (date & place of birth) and the number and type of document (passport number & type). The type of document means identity card or passport (currently, in Egypt you can also travel with the national identity card, depending on the country of origin).

Take the orange sheet and proceed to an airport hall with white counters, ATMs and bank stands. Here you can fill out the orange sheet you received earlier. Do not start queuing for passport control until you have obtained your visa!

You can get a visa very easily by going to one of the two banks located in a corner of the hall. Choose the one with the shortest line. Go up and ask for the entry visa, which costs 25 euros (or dollars). Payment must be made in cash, so make sure you have banknotes with you. You will receive some change in local currency, as the actual cost of the visa is slightly less than 25 euros. The visa is a label that you put on your passport, so get it and take it with you to passport control.

As for withdrawing money, you can do it at one of the two banks where you got your visa, or you can use one of the three ATMs located to the left of the banks. I managed to use an ATM on the second try with the Revolut card. If you need cash, remember to withdraw here because there are no ATMs after passport control.

Passport Control

Now that you have:

• Visa;
• Filled out orange sheet;
• Cash (if needed).

Proceed to passport control, the most critical point of the process. Here I encountered an extremely long line, due to the fact that there were only three operators active for hundreds of passengers, causing very long waiting times. Once you have completed the line, approach the operator, hand over your passport, visa and orange sheet. After a quick check, the operator will stamp and visa your passport and you will be free to go. Immediately after there will be another control where you will have to show your passport.

Baggage Claim and SIM

Immediately after passport control, you will find the baggage claim rollers. Once you have collected your bags, proceed to the airport exit. Before exiting, you will have to go through some scanners. You may be asked to take off your shoes or open your suitcase and empty it completely, so be prepared. Once you have passed these controls, you can finally exit the airport.

You will also have the option to purchase a SIM for internet connection. I preferred to skip this step by purchasing an eSIM at a price practically identical to that of a local physical SIM.

Arrival in the City

When I said that passport control was the most critical part, I was actually joking. Getting to the center of Cairo is extremely difficult as there is no public transportation to and from Sphinx Airport. You have several options:

• Easier but more expensive option: Book a shuttle through your hotel or online. Very often you can also do it through the airline's website or on sites like Viator or GetYourGuide. The cost is around 25/30 euros. Be careful, because some companies apply this cost per person, while others apply it per vehicle, regardless of the number of passengers. Check carefully to avoid unpleasant surprises.
• More difficult but cheaper option: Taxi. Outside the airport there are several taxis that offer the possibility of reaching the center. Why is it the most difficult option? Because taxi drivers can be quite "difficult" in Egypt. Always agree on a price before getting in the car and avoid using the taximeter because very often they will take advantage of it. The optimal cost for a trip is between 350 and 500 EGP. If they ask you for more, negotiate or find another taxi driver. Be careful because even after having negotiated, they may ask for higher amounts during the trip or before getting out of the car. This is not an abnormal situation so be careful of this eventuality and stick to the initially agreed amount.
• Easy but not always ideal option: You can use services like Uber or InDriver. Uber works very well in Cairo, but keep in mind that drivers are often reluctant to go to the airport, as it is very far from the city center. Also, there is no guarantee that you will find a driver available outside the airport, so you may have to wait a long time. Also remember that you will need an internet connection to book an Uber, and there is no Wi-Fi available at the airport, so keep that in mind.

Departure From Egypt

Arrival at the Airport

The same considerations and means of transport apply as for the outward journey.

Airport Entry

Unlike most airports, they don't let you in until about 3 hours before your flight departure time. There are no places to shelter from the sun or rain except for a small bar that is located next to a mosque near the airport parking lot.

Security Checks and Boarding Pass

There are several steps to take to get to the gate:

• Document control 1: A security officer will check your flight number and passport to see if you can enter the airport;
• Baggage control 1: You will have to pass your bags under the scanner and go under a metal detector;
• Boarding pass collection: Arrive in the main hall where you will have to locate the counter of your airline. Stand in line and get your boarding passes by presenting your passport (with WizzAir they print them directly). Remember to check in online (depending on the airline) otherwise you may have to pay a supplement;
• Document control 2: You will be given the orange sheet (exactly like on arrival) that you will have to fill in. Your passport and the boarding pass previously obtained will be checked again;
• Document control 3: Arrive at passport control where you will have to provide the filled in orange sheet, your passport and your boarding pass. You will be stamped over your visa.
• Document control 4: Immediately after, there will be guards who will check your passport and boarding pass again;
• Baggage control 2: Again, scanner and metal detector. It may be a more targeted check than the previous one. You will almost certainly be asked to remove your shoes and partially empty your bags.

Arrival at the Gate and Airport Services

After completing the security checks, you can finally reach your gate. Keep in mind that there are very few services open inside the airport. In July 2024, there are several bars operating, but there are no Duty Free shops.

Conclusions

In conclusion, despite the challenges of its recent opening and lack of amenities, Sphinx Airport offers a convenient alternative to Cairo International Airport. Be prepared for long lines and additional security, and make sure you have everything you need for visas and cash withdrawals. For transportation from the airport, consider your options and double-check the costs to avoid surprises. Once you have passed through passport control and collected your luggage, remember that services within the airport are limited. With proper preparation, your trip should go smoothly.

Thank you for reading,

Explorer's Tale.