Cairo International Airport (CAI)

Overview

The biggest airport in Egypt, Cairo International Airport is the main gateway to the wonders of the ancient pharaohs, serving more than 16 million passengers each year. The airport is located 14 miles (22km) outside of Cairo, and is accessible by bus or taxi.

The facilities at Cairo International Airport are good, especially in the brand-new Terminal 3, which boasts more than 5,000 square feet of retail space and a food court. The terminals are spread out over two miles (3km) apart, so passengers should allow time for the shuttle ride when transferring.

Cairo is also a busy air traffic hub, with many flights between the east and west connecting in the city; for this reason flights to Cairo airport are available from many cities in North America, Europe, Africa and Asia.

Location

The airport is situated 14 miles (22km) from Cairo.

Getting to the city

There are taxis outside the main arrivals hall; the journey to central Cairo takes around 45 minutes. An Airport Shuttle bus is a convenient way to get from the airport to downtown Cairo and along the Pyramids Road in Giza. Public buses and air-conditioned coaches also leave regularly from Terminal 1.

Time

Local time is GMT +2.

Contacts

Tel: +(202) 2265 5000.

Car rental

Car hire companies at the airport include Avis, Budget, Europcar and Hertz. However, driving in Cairo is best avoided, otherwise visitors can hire a driver with their car for a small additional charge.

Airport Taxis

There are several taxi variations from Cairo International Airport. Taxis are paid for by a flat fee at the end of the ride and nothing is discussed beforehand. The fee should be around US$5 plus a small airport exit fee. It is 14 miles (22km) from the airport to the city centre. Cairo taxis are black and white, Alexandria taxis are black and orange.

Transfer between terminals

The two terminals are two miles (3km) apart and are linked by a free shuttle, which departs about every half an hour.

Facilities

Facilities include a restaurant and several cafeterias, banks and ATMs, bureau de change, pharmacies, an Internet café in Terminal 1, five-star lounges for business and first class passengers, smoking rooms (Terminal 1), tourist information desks and travel agencies. Duty-free is also available. Facilities for disabled passengers are good, but those with special needs should contact their airline in advance.

Parking

Parking is available adjacent to Terminal 1, at a rate of EGP 5 per hour.

Departure Tax

None.

Website

www.cairo-airport.com

Airlines

Flights to Cairo International Airport are available via Emirates, Aeroflot, Lufthansa, Air France, Alitalia, Ethiopian Airlines, Iberia, Austrian Airlines, bmi, EgyptAir, Eritrean Airlines, KLM, Korean Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Qatar Airways, British Airways, Singapore Airlines, Sun Air, Air Berlin, Tunis Air and Turkish Airlines.

Internet

Terminal 1 offers free wifi, however the signal is often unreliable.

Business Lounges

The business centre in Cairo International Airport is located in Terminal 1, and offers computer and fax services. Conference facilities are available in the Novatel Cairo Airport Hotel.

Cairo International Taxis: the taxi fares above are intended as a guideline only.