Airport Guide to Cairo International (CAI)

Airport Overview

Terminal Transfer | Getting into Town | Car Parking | Information Desks | Airport Facilities

Cairo International Airport (CAI) is located 22km (14 miles) outside of the city and is the primary gateway to the ancient wonders of Egypt, including the Sphinx and the Pyramids of Giza. More than 16 million tourists and business travellers pass through Cairo Airport each year.

Because of the popularity of Egypt as a holiday destination, and the city’s convenient location between Europe, Africa and the Middle East, Cairo is an important hub for many airlines. You can find flights to Cairo International Airport from many cities on several continents, including London, Paris, Moscow, Tokyo, Rome, Johannesburg, Athens, Dubai, Beijing, Amsterdam, Bangkok, Vienna and Munich.

The airport’s Terminal 1 and new Terminal 3 facilities are considered clean and modern by Egyptian standards, however the bathrooms are often unclean and out of order, as is the case with many Egyptian airports. Cairo is not a pleasant airport to spend much time in, as entertainment, food and shopping options are rather limited and many staff members don’t speak English.

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Terminal Transfer

The airport has three terminals, though Terminal 2 is currently closed for renovations. The terminals are 3km (2 miles) apart, but there are free shuttles connecting the two.

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Getting into Town

Train: There is no train service to Cairo International Airport.

Bus: There are several buses to downtown Cairo. Air-conditioned bus 356 goes to Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo and costs EGP 2. Public buses 27 and 949 (without air-conditioning) cost EGP 0.5 to the same location. All buses stop at Terminal 1.

Taxi: There are private taxi and limo services available at the airport, and the fees are the same for each. The average fare to central Cairo is roughly EGP 70-80.

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Car Parking

There is short and long-term parking available at the airport, mostly adjacent to Terminal 1. Short-term rates are EGP 5 per hour.

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Information Desks

There is an information desk at the entrance of Terminal 1.

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Airport Facilities

Money and communications: The airport has a bank and ATMs; 24-hour bureaux de change and post offices are located in the Departures hall in both terminals. The post office is also open 24 hours a day.

Eating and drinking: There are numerous restaurants at the airport. Bars are located in the Departures halls of both terminals and are open 24 hours.

Shopping: Shops, including gift shops, clothes shops, bookshops and newsagents, are located in the Departures halls in both terminals and in the new transit hall. Duty-free shops are available in both terminals.

Luggage: Baggage trolleys and porters are available. Left-luggage facilities can be found in both terminals.

Other facilities: A pharmacy is located in Departures in both terminals.

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