Cairo Airport (CAI) Flights & Flight Status

The busiest in Egypt and one of the most frequently used in Africa, Cairo Airport is a maze of terminals that leads travellers to planes flying all over the globe. It may seem a bit like organized chaos in places, but consider it part of the adventure. Prepare for long walks and plenty of security checks, but with a bit of patience and some advance preparation, you can fly to or through Cairo like a pro.

Hub for Egyptair

Egyptair is a member of the Star Alliance network, and its major hub is at Cairo’s airport. There are dedicated check-in areas for Star Alliance partners, including Star Alliance Gold fast-track areas for those with top status with a member carrier. I find this to be more of a help in Cairo than other airports given the long lines.

Navigating the busy terminals

Cairo requires numerous security checks upon entering the airport, and sometimes even upon entering the check-in area before reaching the ticket counter. I advise printing out your flight itinerary and having it handy because you will be asked numerous times for it.

International travellers may find that their cellular plan has a weak signal inside the busy terminals, and I have had numerous problems accessing airline apps using the average Wi-Fi. A printout of your itinerary will make your life easier.

Beware of aggressive porters in the airport providing assistance to carry your bags or escort you to the front of long queues. In my experience, this will upset other passengers in a crowded terminal waiting patiently. The porters will also expect a decent tip.

They may claim to work for the airline or airport, but this is rarely the case. Word of caution: never hand over your personal documents, like a passport, to them.

Making connections

Connecting between Egyptair flights is not as complicated as when transferring between Egyptair and another carrier, especially if travel is booked on a separate reservation. If you can, try to keep all flights on the same ticket.

While Cairo is a major hub for the region, the airport layout can make connecting between airlines that are not partners a challenge.

Terminal 1 is the oldest and when combined with Terminal 2, the pair is still not as large as the newest facility, Terminal 3 (home to Egyptair and all Star Alliance partner flights).

An automated people mover train (monorail) takes travellers between terminals for free. It also reaches the Air Mall shopping area and main parking deck.

Help from ground staff

VIP meet and greet services are available online, via your airline or through the airport in advance. Someone will meet you on arrival and help you find your way to the next gate or to the baggage claim. It can be a major time saver.

I usually notice many people taking advantage of this service from staff holding signs with peoples’ names outside the arrival gate or at the bottom of the aircraft stairs.

There are also electric carts that take travellers through the terminal, but you will need to pay the driver. The price is not always clear, and many staff in the airport accept bribes. They also drive extremely fast so be sure to stay out of their way if walking.

Visa requirements

Egypt requires many international travellers to have the appropriate visa to enter the nation. Triple check the requirements for your nationality in advance because I have seen some people denied boarding at the airport before taking off for Cairo.

Getting a visa on arrival is an option for many, but not all, nationalities. Canadian travellers get a 30-day tourist visa on arrival and need to pay $25 USD. This can also be applied for in advance as an e-visa, which saves time on arrival.

You will also need a transit visa if your transfer is over 6 hours and you plan on leaving the airport. Transit visas can be obtained at the airport upon arrival or through the Egyptian consulate before you travel. If you opt to do the formalities on arrival, prepare for lengthy waits and the occasional language barrier.

Cairo airport is not known for remarkable airline lounges, and all of them are dry (meaning no alcohol is served). Egyptair is also a dry airline, which means no alcoholic beverages are served on any of its flights.

Finding an adult beverage inside the airport can be a challenge as most restaurants and bars will not serve them. It is because they must acquire an expensive alcohol license to do so. If they serve drinks, it is probably just local beer. Interestingly, they are available for purchase at duty-free, but these are not supposed to be opened until arriving at your destination.

My personal recommendation, if you are in Terminal 3, is to walk across the air-conditioned pedestrian bridge to Le Meridien Cairo Airport hotel. You can also take a taxi or free hotel shuttle bus, but you need to contact reception in advance to schedule it.

You can book a day-use room or enjoy its restaurant, 24-hour bar and spa. If you book a day room, you can enjoy the outdoor pool, too. I prefer to enjoy lunch on the terrace and then book a surprisingly affordable spa treatment at the poolside spa.

Just remember you will have to leave the secure area of the airport to do this so allow plenty of time.

The Novotel is another convenient airport hotel, but not physically connected to the airport. It offers a free shuttle. A more luxe option is the Waldorf Astoria Heliopolis, but you will need to take a taxi or Uber despite being relatively close.

There is also a new transit hotel inside Terminal 2. It is across from the Saudia lounge and offers day rates or overnight rates with comfortable rooms. Never mind that the front entrance looks like a business centre; this is an airport hotel.

Egyptair transit accommodations

On particular itineraries when there is no earlier available connection and you must have a long layover, Egyptair can provide a complimentary transit hotel. Accommodations are not guaranteed, and those without the appropriate visas are subject to the discretion of local authorities.

I have used this service on an economy class connection that was less than 24 hours and when both flights were on Egyptair. After visiting the Cairo airport transfer desk, the carrier checked to see if my itinerary was available and provided a decent hotel with meals and ground transportation.

Sleeping in Cairo airport terminals

If you prefer not to leave the secure section of the terminal or do not have the correct visa, sleeping in the airport is an option (albeit not pleasant). Airport seating is not very comfortable and the constant overhead announcements can be disturbing. Before passing through security in Terminal 3, there are some padded benches where travellers can stretch out though.

It is wise to invest in lounge access, either with your airline, credit card or elite status, because these are much quieter and have more comfortable seats. Some have napping areas and showers.

Enjoying local culture at Cairo airport

It should come as no surprise that a country with such rich history also puts it on display inside the airport. And I am not talking about people watching. While not enormous, the fourth-floor, Terminal 3 museum has numerous artefacts and statues on loan from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. A free brochure is available to download online.

For a modest entry fee, visitors can see a mummy, gold coins and historic statues. Remember that many gates require a bus journey to the plane, and some have extra security controls before boarding. This means you do not want to linger too long in this worthy-to-visit museum.

How to get to and from Cairo airport

Taxis and Uber are the most common options, but be sure that the taxi driver uses the meter before driving away. This has been a common problem as many claim it is not working. Be aware that upon exiting baggage claim, there will be a lot of eager drivers offering their services.

When taking a taxi, I always go to the official taxi booth to request a ride. I also recommend having your destination address written in Arabic. My preference is Uber because I can see where I am on the app during the drive. If you download Careem, a Middle Eastern ridesharing service, the rates are often cheaper.

So-called limousine services offer luxury vehicle transfers at fixed rates. These are the most comfortable and reliable options, and while they are more expensive, I find them to be great for first timers (especially if air conditioning during the ride is important).

When heading from the city to the airport, allow plenty of time as Cairo traffic is notoriously bad. If you have a long layover and want to visit local sights, I encourage you not to bring your large checked or carry-on luggage with you as finding storage in museums can be difficult.

Several local tour companies offer dedicated tours for travellers on short layovers. Typically, they require a minimum layover of eight hours before taking you from the airport to visit the local historic sites.