Fly Cairo to Luxor, Cairo to Aswan and Cairo to Abu Simbel; drive or sail everything else. The country is long and narrow, and the distances that matter run north to south. An internal flight turns a ten-hour journey into an hour and is the single best use of money on a short itinerary.
Which legs are worth flying
| Route | By air | Alternative | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cairo → Luxor | About 1 hour | 10h train | Fly on a short trip |
| Cairo → Aswan | Under 1.5 hours | 12.5–13.5h train | Fly |
| Aswan → Abu Simbel | Short hop | 3h each way by road | Fly if time is tight |
| Luxor → Aswan | Possible | 3–4h road, or sail it | Do not fly — this is the cruise |
| Cairo → Hurghada / Sharm | About 1 hour | 6–8h road | Fly |
| Cairo → Alexandria | Not worth it | 2.5h train | Take the train |
What to know before booking
- Baggage allowances are tighter than on the long-haul flight that brought you. Check before you pack a large case for a two-night side trip.
- Domestic terminals are separate at Cairo. Allow transfer time if you are connecting from an international arrival.
- Schedules thin out in low season. A route with several daily flights in winter may have one in summer.
- Book with the rest of the itinerary. Internal flights are where a self-planned trip most often comes apart, because a change to one leg cascades.
The one leg not to fly
Luxor to Aswan is the stretch the Nile cruise exists for. Flying it saves a few hours and removes the temples at Edfu and Kom Ombo, the lock at Esna and the river itself. If your trip includes both cities, sail between them — see our Nile cruises and the cost of a Nile cruise.
Frequently asked questions
Are Egyptian domestic flights reliable?
Broadly yes on the main tourist routes, which run frequently. Build a little margin around tight same-day connections, as anywhere.
Should I book internal flights myself?
You can. On a packaged trip they are booked with the itinerary so a change moves everything together — that coordination is most of the value.
Is flying much more expensive than the train?
Yes per ticket, but on a short trip the comparison is really flight cost against a lost sightseeing day. Our flight versus train guide works through that one leg in detail.
How early should I arrive at the airport?
Treat domestic flights like short-haul anywhere, and allow extra at Cairo, which is a large airport with separate terminals.
Reviewed September 2026. Routes, frequencies and baggage rules change by season — confirm when booking.