Cairo International Airport

Cairo International Airport (CAI) is Egypt’s main gateway and the busiest airport in Africa, handling about 31 million passengers in 2025. It lies in Heliopolis, roughly 15 km north-east of downtown Cairo, and is the home base of the national airline, EgyptAir.

Terminals

• Terminal 3, opened in 2009, is the largest. It is used by EgyptAir and its Star Alliance partners, for both international and domestic flights.
• Terminal 2 was rebuilt and reopened in 2016 and is used by many foreign airlines.
• Terminal 1, the oldest, opened in 1963 and serves a mix of Middle Eastern, African and low-cost carriers.
• A seasonal terminal next to Terminal 3 handles Hajj and Umrah flights.

An automated people mover links Terminals 1, 2 and 3, the car park and the Air Mall, and free shuttle buses also run between the terminals. Always check which terminal your airline uses, as they are far apart.

Airlines and routes

EgyptAir flies domestically to Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh and Alexandria, and internationally across Europe, the Gulf, Africa, Asia and North America. Air Cairo and other Egyptian carriers add domestic and regional services. Many international airlines, including Gulf, European and Turkish carriers and low-cost airlines, also fly here.

Getting to town

• Ride-hailing: Uber and Careem both operate. Use the app’s designated pick-up point at your terminal. This is usually the simplest option, with the fare shown before you travel.
• Limousines: fixed-price airport limousine desks are at each terminal. Agree the price before you set off.
• White taxis: insist on the meter, or agree a price before you get in.
• Buses: the free shuttle connects the terminals with the Cairo Airport bus station, where public and air-conditioned buses run to central areas such as Tahrir Square and Abbasia. They are cheap but slow, and awkward with heavy luggage.
• Metro: no Metro line serves the terminals yet.

The drive downtown or to Giza can take well over an hour at peak times. Many hotels can arrange pick-ups.

Facilities

The terminals have banks and ATMs, currency exchange, mobile SIM shops in arrivals, duty-free shopping, cafés, lounges and a hotel on the airport grounds. Meet-and-assist services can be booked for help through arrival formalities.

Tips

• Check visa rules before you fly. Many nationalities can get an e-visa online or buy a visa on arrival for US$30 in cash. See the official entry requirements.
• Buy a local SIM or eSIM on arrival so that ride-hailing apps work.
• Allow plenty of time for departure: security screening starts at the terminal entrance.

Last checked October 2026. Sources: en.wikipedia.org, poma.net, blog.wego.com, uber.com.