Cairo International Airport (CAI) is Egypt’s largest and Africa’s busiest airport.
It is located in Heliopolis, some 15 kilometers northeast of central Old Cairo and about 10 kilometers from New Cairo as the crow flies. It is a busy international airport spanning 3 terminals (plus 1 seasonal) and home to the Egyptian national carrier Egyptair.
In 2024, Cairo Airport handled nearly 28 million passengers, ranking among the 10 busiest airports in the Middle East.
Major Airlines - Egyptair, Nile Air, Air Cairo, Air Arabia Egypt
The largest airline and the one with the most flights from CAI is Egyptair, the flag carrier. It operates regular direct flights to over 100 destinations across Europe, Africa, Asia, and North America.
It’s helped in serving CAI by Air Cairo, Nile Air, and Nesma Airlines, three full-service regional airlines with flights to cities in the Middle East and Europe.
The only low-cost airline that uses Cairo Airport as a hub is Air Arabia Egypt. It focuses exclusively on providing cheap flights around the Middle East.
Cairo sees many international airlines daily, such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa, British Airways, Air China, Aeroflot, and Turkish Airlines.
To see a full list of airlines serving CAI, click here.
Terminal Layout and Gates of Cairo Airport
CAI airport has 3 permanent terminals and 1 additional terminal used to increase capacity during the high season, especially during the Hajj.
Terminal 1: The oldest facility, often referred to as the “Old Airport”. Most of Egypt’s regional carriers use this terminal, as do several low-cost airlines and some European carriers. It has a total of 12 gates. Hall 4, inside T1, is used exclusively by private aviation.
Terminal 2: First opened in 1986 and recently renovated, it hosts several Middle Eastern carriers and most non-Star Alliance international full-service airlines. It has 7 gates.
Terminal 3: The most modern facility at the airport. It is primarily used by EgyptAir and its Star Alliance partners. There are 23 gates, 2 of which can handle Airbus A380.
Seasonal Flight Terminal: Used for charter or high-traffic seasonal operations, especially during the Hajj or Umrah seasons. It functions as an appendix to Terminal 3, with 7 gates from where passengers are bused to remote aircraft stands near T3.
All terminals are connected by the automated people mover. It goes from Terminal 1 through the Air Mall, the Car Park, Terminal 2, and reaches Terminal 3 in about 5 minutes total. There is also a free shuttle bus between T1 and T2/3, which are about 2 km away.
Discover what destinations you can reach from Cairo Airport by a direct flight.
Connecting Flights and Transit at Cairo International Airport
Transiting at Cairo Airport can either be super straightforward or a very frustrating experience.
It all depends on whether or not your two flights use the same terminal.
If the answer is yes, then your transit will probably be easy and hassle-free. This will most likely be Terminal 3, where EgyptAir operates. You can remain in the international transit area and wait for your next flight.
However, if you need to change terminals, you may quickly find yourself confused, in a situation having to navigate Egyptian bureaucracy. In theory, airside transfers are possible between the terminals, but no direct airside walkway exists between either of the terminals. Thus, it’s up to the discretion of the immigration agents at the airport to facilitate such transits. It could be as simple as walking through a few doors and waiting 10 minutes, or as painstaking as negotiating with officials, frustrating over inefficiencies, and wondering whether you will even make it to your next flight.
If a visa for Egypt is not an issue and your layover is at least 6 hours, it’s better just to enter the country and freely explore. Check out these top things to do in Cairo.
Wi-Fi at Cairo Airport
Free Wi-Fi is available throughout all terminals at Cairo International Airport. The network is called “CAI Free WiFi.”
However, signing up can be tricky if you don’t have a local phone number. Try adding “00” plus the country code of your mobile number when prompted in order to receive the OTP code and register to use the Wi-Fi. This may or may not work. If it doesn’t, you can either buy a local SIM card for about 100 EGP or use the free Wi-Fi at one of the airport’s VIP lounges.
Once connected, you should be able to use the airport Wi-Fi for up to 4 hours.
Dining Options at CAI
There are many places to eat at within each of the terminals and the Airmall - a separate building outside Terminal 1.
Most are located after Security in the airside area of their respective terminal. Notably, Terminal 3 has a food court with many restaurants and cafes in one place.
Here are some of the best places to grab some food or coffee:
Mostaffa Cafeteria in Terminal 1.
McDonald’s in Terminal 2.
Paradise in Terminal 2.
Upper Crust in Terminal 2.
Burger King in Terminal 3's food court
Hippopotamus: in Terminal 3.
Lounges at Cairo Airport
Each terminal of the airport has at least one lounge within. Whether you are a first-class or business-class passenger of a big airline or a regular flier who wants to use the premium facilities of a VIP lounge at the airport, CAI has got you covered.
EgyptAir has 4 lounges, all located airside in Terminal 3:
Alitoth Lounge: Near F Gates. Open 24 hours.
Eltier Lounge: Near F Gates. Open 24 hours.
Almeisan Lounge: Behind Gate F10. Open from 6 AM until 5:30 PM.
Gienah Lounge near G Gates. Open 24 hours.
Which one you can enter for free as a business/first/elite status passenger largely depends on the airline. Contact EgyptAir for precise information.
Emirates has its lounge in Terminal 2, and it’s perhaps the most modern and comfortable lounge at the airport.
Saudia also operates one lounge in Terminal 2 - the Aifurson Lounge, located airside on the 2nd floor.
The rest of the lounges at Cairo Airport are open access. Most accept Priority Pass, Dragon Key, or Lounge Key, as well as qualifying credit cards. Entry at the door is possible if the capacity has not been exceeded.
Pearl Assist Lounge: Located in Terminal 2, provides refreshments, showers, and quiet areas to relax.
First Class Lounge, T1: Offers complimentary food and soft drinks as well as comfy couches.
CAC lounge: One of the newest lounges in CAI, located in Terminal 2.
Transportation options at Cairo Airport
Cairo International Airport is well-connected to Cairo, though options can be a bit confusing.
Public transport is served by CTA city buses that depart from the Bus Station located in the parking area in front of Terminal 1. If you land at any other terminal, make your way to T1 first using the shuttle bus or the automated people mover. The city buses connect the airport to Abbasia and Tahrir Square/Abdel-Moniem, where other transport options exist to further or more specific destinations.
Shuttle buses also serve a useful function. You can inquire about them at the shuttle bus customer service counters in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Some popular destinations include Alharam – El Maadi, Heliopolis, and Cairo Downtown.
The other primary transport option at CAI is the taxis. The traditional black and white taxis (called just “White Taxis” and going extinct) do not use meters, and you should negotiate a fare before agreeing to the ride. If this seems overwhelming, opt for a metered white/yellow taxi. Note that just because a taxi uses a meter, it doesn’t mean it’s fair - some drivers hack their cars’ meters to swindle tourists. Ask at airport information what the maximum acceptable fare to your destination is and be vigilant.
If that still makes you feel uneasy, Uber has been operating in Egypt, including Cairo Airport, since 2014. Although prices on the app may be cheaper (~200 EGP vs ~300 EGP in a metered taxi to get to Old Cairo), drivers may try to negotiate a higher fare upon picking you. Uber taxis take both cash and cards. Another popular ridesharing app in Egypt is Careem.
You may also consider renting a car at Cairo Airport to explore Egypt at your own pace. Rental companies’ offices are located in all terminals, with some big names like Avis, Budget, Europcar, and Sixt.
Parking at Cairo International Airport
Three main options for parking on the airport’s premises exist:
Terminal 1 Parking: Ten lots with both short-term and long-term parking options. They can hold over 3600 cars in total, including lower-level, external, and VIP parking.
Terminal 3 Parking: A covered parking area located in front of Terminal 3. It can hold up to 1300 cars.
Multi-storey Garage: Situated between Terminal 1 and Terminal 3, with the automated people mover stopping at it, making this a handy parking option for those flying out. It can hold up to 3000 cars at once.
Parking rates vary depending on the vehicle type and duration of stay. Expect to pay around 20 EGP for the first 3 hours, plus around 10 EGP for each additional hour.
Hotels near CAI Airport
There are several hotels near the airport.
Le Méridien Cairo Airport is a relatively new hotel that opened in 2013. It provides a luxury five-star experience. The hotel is located right in front of Terminal 3 and linked to the terminal by a 230m skyway equipped with a moving walkway. When it comes to convenience and class, this is the best hotel to stay at.
In front of Terminal 1, there are two more hotels:
Novotel: A 4-star business hotel with a marvelous pool and a fulfilling breakfast spread.
Le Passage Cairo Hotel & Casino: Although a 5-star hotel, it is a bit outdated, and the facilities show many signs of wear and tear. It’s a good value for money, but definitely not outstanding luxury.
Cairo, Egypt
