Mersa Matruh International Airport

Marsa Matruh International Airport sits 7 kilometres south of Mersa Matruh city centre, serving the western Egyptian coastline along the Mediterranean Sea. The airport handles domestic flights from Cairo and Alexandria year-round, plus seasonal international charters from European cities during summer months. With a single terminal building and a runway long enough for narrow-body jets, it acts as the primary air access point for the city's beaches and the Siwa Oasis beyond. Its compact size means passengers move from curbside to gate quickly, though services remain limited compared to larger Egyptian hubs.

Getting There

The airport lies off the Mersa Matruh–Siwa road (Route 25), about 7 kilometres south of the city centre. Taxis are the most practical transport option; a journey from downtown Mersa Matruh takes 10–15 minutes and typically costs between 30 and 50 Egyptian pounds (around 1–2 USD), depending on negotiation. Taxis line up outside the terminal arrivals area for incoming flights, and drivers generally accept cash only. For those driving, the airport has a small car park adjacent to the terminal, with wheelchair-accessible spaces marked near the entrance. From Alexandria, the airport is roughly 290 kilometres west via the international coastal road – about a 3.5-hour drive. From Cairo, the distance is approximately 450 kilometres, taking 5 to 6 hours on the desert highway. Public buses do not serve the airport directly; passengers must take a microbus or taxi from the city's main bus station to reach the terminal. Given the limited transport options outside of flight times, arranging a return taxi with the driver at drop-off is a common practice.

Inside the Terminal

The terminal at Marsa Matruh is a single-storey building with separate arrivals and departures areas divided by a central security checkpoint. On departure, passengers pass through a security screening point at the entrance – arrive with liquids and electronics accessible. The check-in area has a few counters, usually staffed an hour before scheduled flights. The waiting area after security offers basic seating, a small shop selling snacks and drinks, and clean toilets, including a wheelchair-accessible toilet and a baby changing table. The terminal also provides a wheelchair-accessible entrance and car park. Airside, there is no air-conditioned lounge; passengers wait in a open hall before walking across the tarmac to the aircraft. The busiest times, based on flight schedules, are Monday at 7 am, Tuesday at 9 pm, Wednesday at 7 am, and Thursday at 9 am – these correspond to peak departure and arrival periods. During these windows, the terminal can feel crowded, but processing remains quick. Note that the airport does not operate daily; it is only open for scheduled flights, so passengers should confirm their flight’s status before heading to the airport.

Marsa Matruh International Airport and Mersa Matruh

Mersa Matruh is a coastal city of about 120,000 residents, known for its white sand beaches and clear turquoise waters. The city’s main attraction is Cleopatra’s Beach, a small cove with a rock formation said to resemble a throne where the queen once bathed. Rommel’s Beach, named after the German field marshal, offers snorkelling among WWII wreckage. The long stretch of Agiba Beach, with its dramatic cliffs, is a popular day-trip destination. History buffs visit the Rommel Museum, housed in the cave where he commanded the Afrika Korps, and the remnants of the Sidi Barrani campaign. Beyond the beaches, the Siwa Oasis lies about 300 kilometres south – a four-hour drive through the desert. Siwa’s mud-brick fortresses, salt lakes, and date palm groves draw travellers seeking a remote cultural experience. The local cuisine features fresh seafood, grilled meats, and traditional Egyptian dishes like koshari and ful medames. Mersa Matruh remains relatively undeveloped compared to Egypt’s Red Sea resorts, offering a quieter, more authentic atmosphere. Most visitors are Egyptian families during summer, with foreign tourists increasing in July and August when charter flights from Europe operate. The airport’s role is crucial for reaching this region, as the drive from Cairo is long and the railway service is slow.

Practical Information

The airport’s operating hours are tied directly to flight schedules – it is not open daily. Typically, the terminal opens one hour before the first departure and closes after the last arrival. Contact information is inconsistent; the airport does not maintain a dedicated English-language website. Travellers should verify flight times with their airline (such as EgyptAir) and check for any changes. The confirmed facilities include a wheelchair-accessible entrance, wheelchair-accessible car park, changing table, wheelchair-accessible toilet, and standard toilets. There is no ATM inside the terminal, so bring cash for taxis and snacks. Smoking is not permitted inside the terminal. A concrete tip: confirm your return flight’s departure time the day before and arrange a taxi pick-up in advance, as waiting taxis are not guaranteed outside of arrival times.