Cairo Airport is a maze of terminals that’ll test your patience with long walks and multiple security checks, but with advance preparation, you can navigate it like a pro. As the busiest airport in Egypt handling over 28 million passengers annually, it connects travelers to destinations worldwide and ranks among Africa’s most frequently used airports. The experience may feel like organized chaos, but that’s part of the adventure.
How to get to and from Cairo airport
Taxis and Uber are the most common options. For taxis, use the official booth and ensure the driver uses the meter before leaving (many claim it’s broken). I also recommend having your destination address written in Arabic. I prefer Uber because I can track the route on the app. Careem, a Middle Eastern rideshare service, often has cheaper rates.
Limousine services offer luxury 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.
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 travelers on short layovers, but they typically require a minimum of eight hours.
Navigating Cairo International Airport
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 travelers 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 physical printout will make your life easier.
Terminals and connections
Terminal 3 is the newest and largest facility, opened in 2009, and serves as the primary hub for Egyptair and Star Alliance member airlines. Terminal 1 is the oldest facility, while Terminal 2 is the mid-sized terminal. A free Automated People Mover connects all terminals and reaches the Air Mall shopping area and Car Park. Connecting between Egyptair flights is straightforward, but transferring between non-partner airlines can be challenging, especially on separate reservations. Keep all flights on the same ticket if you can.
Visas and airport staff
Triple check visa requirements for your nationality before traveling. I’ve seen people denied boarding before takeoff to Cairo. Citizens of eligible countries including the EU, USA and UK can obtain a visa on arrival at Egyptian airports for a fee of $25, paid in cash. If you’re transferring without a visa, prepare for lengthy waits and language barriers at the transfer desk.
Beware of aggressive porters offering to carry 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.
Services and lounges
VIP meet and greet services are available online through Cairo Airport’s official “Ahlan Service,” 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 baggage claim. It can be a major time saver, and I usually notice many people taking advantage of this service.
The Ahlan VIP service also includes electric golf cart (buggy) transportation inside the terminals for a fee. The price isn’t always clear, and tipping or extra payments may be expected for the service. They also drive extremely fast so be sure to stay out of their way if walking.
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.
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 “Gold Track” priority check-in counters and security lanes in Terminal 3 (Departures) for Star Alliance Gold members and First/Business Class passengers. I find this more valuable in Cairo than other airports because of the notoriously long lines.
Sleeping in Cairo airport terminals
If you prefer not to leave the secure section of the terminal or don’t have the correct visa, sleeping in the airport is an option (though not a pleasant one). Airport seating isn’t very comfortable and the constant overhead announcements can be disturbing. Before passing through security in Terminal 3, there are some padded benches where travelers can stretch out.
It’s wise to invest in lounge access, available through your airline, specific credit cards (like Mastercard for the First Class Lounge), elite status or programs like Priority Pass and LoungeKey—some lounges also accept cash payment. These are much quieter and have more comfortable seats. The Ahlein Premium Lounge in Terminal 2 offers day beds and shower facilities for a fee, and the Emirates Lounge also provides showers for eligible passengers.
If you’re in Terminal 3, my personal recommendation is the Le Meridien Cairo Airport hotel, accessible via an air-conditioned pedestrian bridge. You’ll need to leave the secure area, so allow plenty of time. You can also take a taxi or free shuttle (contact reception in advance to schedule).
Book a day-use room to access the outdoor pool, or just enjoy the restaurant, 24-hour Latitude Coffee Bar and Live Sports Bar (open until 2:00 AM) and spa. I prefer lunch on the terrace followed by a surprisingly affordable poolside spa treatment.
The Novotel is another convenient airport hotel offering a complimentary 24-hour shuttle service to and from the airport. A more luxury option is the Waldorf Astoria Heliopolis, but you’ll need to take a taxi or Uber despite it being relatively close.
Terminal 2 has the Ahlein Premium Lounge which offers private rooms for rent that are often used by transit passengers. The front entrance looks like a business center, but don’t let that fool you. This is a proper airport hotel.
Egyptair transit accommodations
On particular itineraries when there is no earlier available connection and you must have a long layover, Egyptair provides complimentary hotel accommodation, meals, and ground transportation for passengers with extended transit times (6+ hours for Business Class and Economy fares Y/B, 8+ hours for other Economy fares) in Cairo, provided they arrive on the last available flight and travel on the first available connecting flight. Hotel confirmation is subject to room availability at the Cairo Airport transfer desk, and entry into Egypt remains entirely at the discretion of the Egyptian immigration authority for those without appropriate visas.
I’ve 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 eligible and provided a decent hotel with meals and ground transportation.
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’m not talking about people watching. While not enormous, the Cairo International Airport Museum on the fourthfloor of Terminal 3 has numerous artifacts and statues on loan from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. A brochure download is available online through the official museum page.
For a $5 entry fee for foreign visitors, the museum is open 24 hours daily and visitors can see a mummy, gold coins and historic statues. Remember that Terminal 1 frequently utilizes bus gates for boarding, Terminal 3’s Seasonal Flights Terminal features 7 gates where passengers are bussed to remote aircraft stands and security screenings occur at terminal entrances and before gates, particularly for international flights. This means you don’t want to linger too long in this museum, as worthwhile as it is.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
