Cairo Airport (CAI) Flights & Information

Cairo International Airport (CAI) is the largest and busiest airport in Egypt. It’s located in the suburb of Heliopolis ~20 miles from Cairo. Home to Egypt’s flag carrier, Egyptair, Cairo Airport connects travelers to over 120 destinations in Africa, Middle East, Europe and beyond. Although it’s a spacious, modern and easy to navigate airport, CAI can get hectic and congested during peak travel times. Armed with these tips, you’ll be able to get the most out of the experience.

Navigating terminals

Cairo Airport has 3 main terminals and the fourth overflow terminal, Terminal S, reserved for seasonal pilgrimage flights to and from Saudi Arabia.

Terminal 1 is used primarily for flights to and from the Middle East and Africa as well as domestic flights. It’s the airport’s oldest terminal, sometimes still referred to as “the old airport.” (Use this term with Cairo taxi drivers and they’ll know where to take you). Featuring high ceilings and spacious gate areas post-security, Terminal 1 has been upgraded a number of times.

Located ~2 miles from Terminal 1, Terminals 2 and 3 are referred to as “the new airport.” They’re part of the same modern terminal complex, connected by a covered passenger bridge and a short walk outside. Terminal 2 is used by European and Middle Eastern airlines like Air France and Qatar Airways. Terminal 3 is the hub for Egyptair and other Star Alliance members like Lufthansa.

All 3 terminals are connected by the MiniMetro, otherwise known as the Automated People Mover. This levitating train system operates every 5 minutes both pre- and post-security.

Check-in and security

Traveling through CAI is pleasant overall, but check-in and security here are reliably inconsistent. Departing during off-peak hours? Your experience may be great. At rush hour (typically in the afternoons), expect crowds and a haphazard process. While I normally arrive about 2 hours before the flight, Cairo Airport is 1 place where I recommend giving yourself 3 hours or more.

Delays are common, especially if you have bags to check. Be prepared to go through multiple security checks, such as a bag screen at the terminal entrance, regular security, and additional security at the gate, depending on where you’re flying.

Pro tip: to avoid headaches during security screening, place any valuable gifts you’re bringing from Egypt into your checked bags. While I’ve never had anything confiscated, CAI agents have inspected my hand baggage closely in the past, paying attention to odd things like the fridge magnets and other souvenirs.

In Cairo and across Egyptian airports, men and women are routed into separate security lines, with a same sex officer patting passengers down. This is standard procedure, but it often creates confusion and more delays as people tend to stand in the wrong lane until they’re moved by officers into appropriate queues.

Take note that online check-in is not always available at CAI. Be sure to check with your airline and arrive even earlier if you need to check in at the desk – those queues tend to be long and chaotic too.

Finally, it’s not uncommon to see armed security personnel throughout the airport who may sometimes restrict your movement for no apparent reason (I’ve once had an officer forbid me to step outside Arrivals hall while I was waiting for a friend). It’s always best to comply with the security personnel’s directions.

CAI arrival process

US travelers staying in Cairo need a visa to enter Egypt. You can do so by getting an e-visa ahead of time or a visa on arrival. I recommend the latter – this process is typically fast and straightforward.

International arrivals most likely land at Terminals 2 and 3; both have well-marked arrivals areas. Getting a visa on arrival is a 2-step process. First, purchase a visa sticker at any bank counter (look for signs directing you to purchase an entry visa). Then, take your sticker to passport control where an agent will affix it to your passport and stamp it.

Visa stickers have a standard fee payable in USD in cash only. Try to have the exact amount and clean, new USD bills. Bank counters are open 24/7 and you can purchase a sticker at any available counter – no need to line up in the queue at the first counter you see (which is what many people do).

Various airport solicitors often try to offer services like helping with bags during security screening or baggage claim. A polite “la’a” (“no”) and a shake of the head is usually enough to let them know you’re passing the offer.

Like many airports in the Middle East, Cairo Airport offers a VIP walk-through service for departures, arrivals and transfers called Ahlan (Welcome) service. If you have the budget for it, I recommend this service – it will help you avoid numerous potential delays. (Book on the airport’s website.)

Ahlan service has 2 tiers. For a cost comparable to such services around the world, Meet & Assist tier includes expedited assistance with visas and baggage claims on arrivals and checking in, security screening and boarding upon departure or transfers. VIP tier, which costs twice as much, includes access to VIP lounges while waiting for formalities and a dedicated car to and from the aircraft door.

Transfer in Cairo

If you’re traveling further in Egypt like Luxor or Sharm el-Sheikh or flying internationally on an Egyptair itinerary, you may need to transfer in Cairo. There are 2 scenarios here.

First, if you’re transferring within the same terminal, the transfer procedure is as straightforward as it is in many other global airports. Passengers follow signs to stay within the transfer zone; no visa or security screening required.

However, if you need to transfer terminals, things get less straightforward. While you still won’t need a visa or a security screening, there isn’t a clear process to follow. Instead, you’d want to approach a transfer desk at your arrival terminal, show them your passport and the next boarding pass, and wait for instructions.

What typically follows is a series of convoluted steps. You may be asked to wait in some room while your documents are being inspected multiple times. Someone eventually comes to take you to your next terminal, either by car or shuttle, but the whole process can take hours. It’s best to be patient and give yourself plenty of time for connections.

Getting to and from CAI

Cairo Airport is located only ~20 miles from the city center, but getting there typically takes an hour or more because of Cairo’s notorious traffic. There are 4 main ways to go: by bus, taxi, rideshare app or rental car.

With a minimal fare, a public bus is the cheapest option, but it’s also the longest. Expect 1.5 hours or more, depending on traffic and your final destination. From Terminal 1, take bus no. 356 or 400 to the city center.

Taxis are by far the most common way of getting into the city but you have to be ready to negotiate firmly on price. For example, a cab ride to Zamalek, a popular neighborhood in Cairo, should not cost more than ~1 latte – but drivers will often quote fares that are 3 or 4 times higher.

Across terminals, taxi stands are located on the arrivals level. More modern, air-conditioned white cabs have meters in them while the older black and white cabs don’t.

If you would rather not negotiate, a rideshare app is the way to go.

To book a ride, you can use several apps, including Uber and Careem, the regional provider. The fare is slightly higher than the lowest possible taxi fare, but it is also set. Rideshare pick-up is a bit harder to find than taxis – it’s typically located across the street in the parking lots on the arrival level (in-app directions will usually guide you to the correct spot).

Finally, there is also an option to rent a car – but I don’t recommend it. Unless you want to experience the thrill of driving in Cairo without traffic lights or signals, it’s best to stick to taxi or rideshare app rides while you’re in the city.

Passenger experience

There is a fair selection of restaurants and duty-free shops across the 3 main CAI terminals. I find that the food court at Terminal 3 has the most comprehensive options.

While there are a number of lounges at CAI, most of them aren’t worth a visit. If you’re a Priority Pass holder, I’d skip the First Class lounges at Terminals 1 and 2 and head to Ahlein Premium Lounge at Terminal 2 instead – it’s the airport’s best one by far. The airport-adjacent Le Meridien Hotel is a good alternative if you have more time and need quality rest.

Short on time to visit the grandiose Egyptian Museum in Cairo? There’s a way for you to still see some artifacts from the times of the Pharaohs to the modern Islamic period: Cairo International Airport Museum displays a number of them in its 2 locations inside Terminals 2 and 3.