Cairo International Airport (CAI)
Cairo, EG 🇪🇬 Large International Airport Scheduled Service
ICAO
HECA
IATA
CAI
Elevation
322 ft
Region
EG-C
Local Time
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GPS Code: HECA
Local Code: Not available
Location: 30.111534° N, 31.396694° E
Continent: Africa
Type: Large International Airport
What Travelers Say
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Online Reviews Summary
Cairo International Airport (CAI) elicits a wide range of traveler sentiment, often characterized by a stark contrast between those who find it manageable and those who report significant frustrations. While some recent experiences point to improvements in certain areas, many common complaints persist, leading to a generally mixed satisfaction level.
What Travelers Love
- Stress-free and Enjoyable Experience (for some): A number of travelers report pleasant experiences, particularly in Terminal 2, citing quick and courteous check-in processes.
- Improved Signage and Organization: Some recent reviews highlight marked improvements in signage and overall organization within terminals, making navigation easier.
- Well-Maintained Washrooms and Decent Food Outlets: Several positive reviews mention clean washrooms and a selection of decent food options available.
- Duty-Free Shopping: Passengers appreciate the availability of good and reasonably priced items in the duty-free shops.
- Meet and Assist Services: For a smoother experience, travelers highly recommend booking "Meet and Assist" services, which help navigate immigration, customs, and baggage collection.
- Availability of Seating and Charging Points: Travelers have noted the presence of ample seating and convenient charging points, particularly in Terminal 3.
Common Complaints
- Long and Multiple Security Queues: This is a recurring major complaint, with travelers frequently encountering extended wait times and multiple security screenings at various stages, including initial terminal entry, check-in, and before departure gates.
- Rude, Unhelpful, and Distracted Staff: Many reviews consistently describe airport staff as unfriendly, unhelpful, and often distracted, contributing to a negative overall experience.
- Requests for Tips/Bribery: Numerous travelers report instances of staff overtly requesting tips, sometimes for basic services, and alleged attempts at bribery to expedite processes.
- Disorganized Immigration and Customs: Passengers often face lengthy and disorganized queues for visa acquisition and passport control, contributing to delays upon arrival and departure. New mandatory visa pre-clearance and digital health declarations for 2025 are additional procedures that could cause delays for unprepared travelers.
- Archaic Facilities and Poor Cleanliness (in parts): While some areas are well-maintained, other parts of the airport are criticized for being outdated and having suboptimal cleanliness, including reports of a pervasive smoke smell and poorly maintained bathrooms.
- Poor WiFi Connectivity: Foreign travelers frequently report difficulties connecting to the free airport Wi-Fi without possessing a local SIM card.
- Taxi/Transportation Issues: Travelers arriving often encounter "taxi trolls" or unauthorized drivers, and navigating Cairo's chaotic traffic to and from the airport can be challenging.
Cairo International Airport presents a challenging yet evolving travel hub. While some operational improvements are noted, particularly in newer terminals and services like Meet & Assist, persistent issues with security efficiency, staff professionalism, and facility consistency significantly impact traveler satisfaction. Visitors are strongly advised to allocate extra time for airport procedures and consider pre-booking reliable transportation or assistance services for a smoother journey.
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Airport Routes
Cairo International Airport (CAI) offers 257 flight routes operated by 10 airlines. Major carriers include Egypt Air, Air Cairo, Flynas and others. Popular destinations from Cairo include King Abdulaziz Int'l, King Fahd Int'l, Kuwait Int'l, King Khalid Int'l and Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Int'l.
Route Network Map
Top Routes (by observations)
- King Abdulaziz Int'l (JED) 9
- King Fahd Int'l (DMM) 8
- Kuwait Int'l (KWI) 8
- King Khalid Int'l (RUH) 8
- Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Int'l (SAW) 6
- Hurghada (HRG) 5
- Prince Nayef bin Abdulaziz Regional Airport (ELQ) 5
- Tabuk Regional (TUU) 5
- Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz (MED) 5
- Daraw (ASW) 5
- Luxor Int'l (LXR) 5
- Leonardo da Vinci Int'l (Fiumicino Int'l) (FCO) 5
Newly Discovered
- Dusseldorf Int'l (DUS) new
- Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas (MAD) new
- Murtala Mohammed Int'l (LOS) new
- Sayun (GXF) new
- Malpensa Int'l (MXP) new
- Douala Int'l (DLA) new
- King Abdulaziz Int'l (JED) new
- London Heathrow (LHR) new
- Nnamdi Azikiwe Int'l (ABV) new
- Hamad Int'l (DOH) new
- Houari Boumedienne (ALG) new
- Dublin Int'l (DUB) new
Popular Flight Routes
| Destination | IATA | City | Aircraft Type | Airline | Details | Route Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Top Airlines
Operating at Cairo International AirportAirlines by Flight Activity
Based on observed flight operations and route network| Airline | Routes | Flights | Destinations | Last Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Egypt Air
MSR
/ MS
|
90 | 1938 | 90 | Feb 5, 2026 |
Air Cairo
MSC
/ SM
|
23 | 554 | 23 | Feb 4, 2026 |
Flynas
KNE
/ XY
|
5 | 298 | 5 | Feb 5, 2026 |
|
Nile Air
NIA
/ NP
|
25 | 279 | 25 | Feb 4, 2026 |
Saudia
SVA
/ SV
|
3 | 193 | 3 | Jan 29, 2026 |
|
Nesma Airlines Egypt
NMA
/ NE
|
13 | 138 | 13 | Feb 3, 2026 |
|
Air Arabia Egypt
RBG
/ E5
|
13 | 88 | 13 | Jan 29, 2026 |
|
flyadeal
FAD
/ F3
|
5 | 87 | 5 | Feb 1, 2026 |
|
Yemenia, Yemen Airways
IYE
/ IY
|
3 | 57 | 3 | Feb 5, 2026 |
Turkish Airlines
THY
/ TK
|
4 | 57 | 4 | Feb 2, 2026 |
For Pilots
| Designation | Length | Width | Surface | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
05R/23L |
13124 ft | 197 ft | Asphalt | Active Lighted |
05L/23R |
10827 ft | 197 ft | Asphalt | Active Lighted |
05C/23C |
13123 ft | 197 ft | Asphalt | Active Lighted |
| Type | Description | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| APP | APP | 119.05 MHz |
| ATIS | ATIS | 122.6 MHz |
| GND | GND | 121.9 MHz |
| MISC | VOLMET | 126.2 MHz |
| PFLT | PREFLIGHT | 120.1 MHz |
| rdo | cairo radio | 11.3 MHz |
| TWR | TWR | 118.1 MHz |
| Volmet | - | 124.6 MHz |
Ground Transportation
Taxis
Taxis are readily available outside all terminal arrival halls. Official white airport taxis use meters, which is recommended. Ride-sharing services like Uber and Careem are also very popular, offering fixed pricing through their apps and designated pickup zones at the airport.
Rental Cars
Several international car rental companies, including Avis, Hertz, Sixt, and Budget, have desks in the arrivals halls of the terminals. It is advisable to book in advance. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required. Be aware that driving in Cairo is challenging due to heavy traffic and aggressive driving styles.
Public Transportation
The Cairo Metro provides a direct link via Line 3, with a station connected to Terminal 3. This is often the fastest way to avoid city traffic. Additionally, Airport Shuttle Buses operate on fixed routes to major areas like Downtown and Giza. Public CTA (Cairo Transport Authority) buses are the cheapest option but can be crowded and difficult for tourists to navigate; they depart from the bus station outside Terminal 1.
Nearby Airports
External Links & Resources
Official Resources
Public Transportation