Cairo International Airport
Cairo International Airport (CAI) Is Egypt's Main Gateway, in Heliopolis about 15 Kilometres Northeast of the City Centre. Three Passenger Terminals and a Seasonal Hall Work around the Clock
| IATA / ICAO | CAI / HECA |
|---|---|
| Serves | Cairo, Egypt |
| Coordinates | 30.1115° N, 31.3967° E |
| Elevation | 322 ft |
| Number of Terminals | 3 Terminals, 1 Seasonal Hall |
| Airport Opening Hours | Open 24 Hours |
| Recommended Arrival Time | 2 Hours before Departure |
Cairo International Airport at a Glance
Terminal 3 Is EgyptAir's Hub and Stands beside Terminal 2, Joined to It by a Bridge, While Terminal 1, the 1963 Building, Sits across the Field with Arrival and Departure Halls Numbered 1 to 3. A Free Automated People Mover Covers the 1,857 Metres between Terminal 1, the Air Mall, the Garage and Terminals 2 and 3 in Five Minutes
Is There Free WiFi at Cairo International Airport?
Yes, and It Is Free. Cairo Airport Company Made the Terminal WiFi Unlimited in April 2025, with No Cap on Time or on How Much You Use, and the Halls Carry Free Charging Points for Phones and Other Devices
Where Can I Buy a SIM Card at Cairo International Airport?
Airport WiFi
| Connection Speed | Slow / Unstable |
|---|---|
| Cost | Free, Often Time-Limited |
| Activation Time | Login / Ads / Forms |
| Documents Needed | Yes (eMail / ID / Login) |
| Coverage | Only inside Airport |
| Security | Public Network (Risk) |
| Can Be Set Up before You Fly | No |
| Local Phone Number | No |
| Can Pay in Cash | Not Applicable |
| Where You Get It | At the Terminal, Once You Land |
Local SIM Card
| Connection Speed | Fast 4G/5G Speeds |
|---|---|
| Cost | Counter Price, Varies by Desk |
| Activation Time | Queue and Paperwork at the Desk |
| Documents Needed | Passport Often Required |
| Coverage | Works across Entire Country |
| Security | Private Secure Connection |
| Can Be Set Up before You Fly | No |
| Local Phone Number | Yes |
| Can Pay in Cash | Yes |
| Where You Get It | A Desk or Kiosk in the Terminal |
Roaming Options
| Connection Speed | Fast, Depends on Your Plan |
|---|---|
| Cost | Your Operator Rate, Can Be High |
| Activation Time | Instant Connection |
| Documents Needed | None |
| Coverage | Works across Entire Country |
| Security | Private Secure Connection |
| Can Be Set Up before You Fly | Yes |
| Local Phone Number | Keeps Your Own Number |
| Can Pay in Cash | No |
| Where You Get It | Already Active on Your Phone |
travelData.shop eSIM
| Connection Speed | Fast 4G/5G Speeds |
|---|---|
| Cost | Free Trial, Then from 3.99 $ |
| Activation Time | Instant Connection |
| Documents Needed | None |
| Coverage | Works across Entire Country |
| Security | Private Secure Connection |
| Can Be Set Up before You Fly | Yes |
| Local Phone Number | On Selected Plans |
| Can Pay in Cash | No |
| Where You Get It | Online, before You Leave Home |
Why Use eSIM Instead of Cairo International Airport WiFi?
Skip the Login Portals — Land, Tap Once, and You Are on a Fast Private Connection That Keeps Working Far beyond the Terminal
Instant Connection
Get Online the Moment You Land — No Searching for WiFi, No Waiting, No Login Screens
Works beyond the Airport
Stay Connected across the Entire Egypt — From the Airport to Your Hotel, City Center, or Road Trip
No Public WiFi Risks
Avoid Slow, Unsecured Public Airport Networks & Stay on Your Own Private Mobile Connection Instead
Perfect for Travel Essentials
Use Maps, Book a Ride, Check-In to Your Hotel, or Message Instantly after Arrival
How to Get Internet at Cairo International Airport
Get Connected Instantly after Landing — No Airport WiFi Needed
- 01
Choose Your DATA Plan
Pick the Best Option for Your Arrival at Cairo International Airport
- 02
Install eSIM in One Tap
Activate Your eSIM Instantly with One Tap — QR Code Available as a Backup
- 03
Get Online Instantly
Start Using Internet Immediately at Cairo International Airport
Best Way to Get Internet at Cairo International Airport
Compare Free WiFi vs Mobile Data & Choose What Works Best for You
FAQs about Internet at Cairo International Airport
Everything You Need to Know about Getting Online at Cairo International Airport
Still Need Help?
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First Time at Cairo International Airport? Here’s What You Should Know
Where Can I Park at Cairo International Airport?
See Practical Airport Parking Options, Walking Time to Terminals, Typical Price Guidance, and Booking Tips before You Drive to the Airport
Terminal 1 Car Parks
- Typical Price
- EGP 25 for the First Hour, Then EGP 10 an Hour
- Location
- Ten Lots around the Terminal 1 Halls, Off Oroba Road
- Best For
- Anyone Flying from Terminal 1
Terminal 1 Long Term Lot
- Typical Price
- EGP 25 for the First Hour, Then EGP 10 an Hour
- Location
- A Separate 18,636 Square Metre Lot on the Terminal 1 Site
- Best For
- Leaving the Car for Several Days
Terminal 3 Car Park
- Typical Price
- EGP 25 for the First Hour, Then EGP 10 an Hour
- Location
- In Front of Terminal 3, on the EgyptAir and Star Alliance Side
- Best For
- Dropping Off or Meeting an EgyptAir Flight
Multi Storey Garage
- Typical Price
- EGP 25 for the First Hour, Then EGP 10 an Hour
- Location
- Between Terminal 1 and Terminal 3, on the People Mover
- Best For
- The Largest Single Car Park
What Facilities Does Cairo International Airport Have?
Lounges at Cairo International Airport
Priority Pass, LoungeKey, Lounge Club, Diners Club or Dragon Pass, First and Business of Contracted Airlines, or USD 50 at the Door
CAC Lounge by Plaza Premium Lounge & EAS, Terminal 1
CAC Lounge by Plaza Premium Lounge & EAS, Terminal 2
AHLEIN Premium Lounge, Terminal 2
AHLEIN Emerald Lounge, Terminal 2
CAC Lounge by Plaza Premium Lounge & EAS, Terminal 3
AHLEIN Premium Lounge, Terminal 3
Lounges, Food, ATMs and Storage
Check Practical Terminal Services While Waiting, Arriving or Departing: Food, ATMs, Storage, Charging, Accessibility Support and More
Where Can I Sleep at Cairo International Airport?
Find On-Airport and Nearby Hotel Options, How to Reach Them from Arrivals, Expected Nightly Rates, and Practical Booking Tips for Late Arrivals or Early Departures
Le Méridien Cairo Airport
- Directly in Front of Terminal 3
- An Early Terminal 3 Departure
Novotel Cairo Airport
- Sheraton Al Matar, on the Airport Side of Heliopolis
- A Late Arrival with No Fixed Onward Time
Le Passage Cairo Hotel & Casino
- On the Cairo Airport Road in Heliopolis
- Staying near the Airport with More to Do
Radisson Blu Hotel, Cairo Heliopolis
- Abdel Hamid Badawi Street, Heliopolis
- A Night in Heliopolis Rather than at the Airport
How Do I Get from Cairo International Airport to Cairo?
Bus & Train at Cairo International Airport
See Exact Route Options, Departure Points, Schedule Windows and Ticket Tips for Getting to the Center after Landing
Bus Connection
Cairo Transport Authority Route 356 to Abdel Moneim Riad
Cairo Transport Authority Route 111 to Ramses and Shubra
Taxi, Ride Apps and Car Rental
Compare the Main Door-To-Door Options after Landing, Including Official Taxi Pickup Points, Ride-Hailing Availability and On-Airport Rental Counters
Regular Taxi
- Official Operators
- White Metered Taxis at the Terminal Kerbs, Airport Limousine Desks in Arrivals
- Pickup Point
- The Kerb in Front of Each Terminal; the Limousine Desks Sit inside the Arrivals Halls
- Travel Time to Center
- About 30 to 45 min to Downtown
- Payment Methods
- White Taxis Have a Meter; the Old Black-and-White Cabs Do Not, so Agree First
Ride Apps
Uber
Careem
Car Rental
Budget
- Arrivals at Terminal 1 and at Terminal 3
Sixt
- Arrivals at Terminal 1 and at Terminal 3
Avis
- Arrivals at Terminal 3
Unlimited Tours, Europcar Agent
- Arrivals at Terminal 3
Elwefak ElMasreya for Tourism
- Arrivals at Terminal 3
Adam for Car Rent
- The Landside Air Mall between the Terminals
Frequently Asked Questions about Cairo International Airport
Travel Tips & Essential Information for Egypt
Egypt Is Three Trips in One Country — the Nile Valley and Its Temples, the Red Sea Diving Coast, and Cairo. Security Rules, and the Advice Foreign Governments Give, Differ Sharply between Them. Daily Life Still Runs on Cash and on Small Tips
Official Languages: Arabic
Arabic Is the Official Language, and Everyday Speech Is the Egyptian Dialect Rather than the Formal Arabic Taught in Classrooms. English Is Common in Hotels, Dive Centres, Cruise Boats and Airports. Away from Tourism, Signage Is Arabic Only, so Carry Offline Maps and Your Hotel Address Written in Arabic
Mobile Network: Coverage Is Strong across Cairo, Alexandria, the Nile Valley and the Red Sea Resorts, and There Are More Active Mobile Connections than People. 5G Opened in June 2025 on All Four National Networks and Is Mostly Urban. Older Handsets Still Work, Because 3G Has Not Been Switched Off. Signal Thins in the Western Desert
Roaming/SIM/eSIM: Roaming Is the Simplest Option and the Most Expensive, and It Is the One That Leaves You Rationing Data at the Moment You Most Need a Map. A Local SIM Is Good Value on a Long Stay and Gives You an Egyptian Number, but It Has to Be Bought in Person Once You Have Landed. An eSIM Is Set Up before You Fly and Works as Soon as You Clear the Airport, Which Matters in a Country Where Ride-Hailing and Offline Maps Are How Most Visitors Move around Cairo
Cash Still Settles Most of Daily Life — Taxis, Tips, Small Cafes, Market Stalls and the Extras at a Site. Cards Work in Hotels, Malls, Chain Restaurants and Dive Centres in Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor and the Red Sea Resorts. Use ATMs Attached to Bank Branches, Keep Small Notes, and If a Terminal Offers to Charge You in Your Home Currency, Decline and Pay in Pounds
Tipping — Baksheesh — Is Part of Ordinary Life in Egypt Rather than a Reward for Exceptional Service. Restaurant Bills Often Already Carry a Service Charge, and a Small Amount Handed Directly to the Person Who Served You Is Still Normal on Top. Drivers, Porters, Boat Crew, Guides and Washroom Attendants All Expect Something. Keep a Stack of the Smallest Notes and Give Often Rather than Generously
Plug Type: Type C and Type F
Voltage: 220 V, 50 Hz
Adapter: Sockets Take the Round Two-Pin Type C Plug and the Earthed Type F, the Same Fittings Used across Continental Europe, so European Travellers Need Nothing. UK, US, Irish and Australian Visitors Need an Adapter. Dual-Voltage Devices Handle 220 V, but a 110 V-Only Appliance Needs a Converter as Well
Egypt Is Not One Security Picture. Cairo, the Nile Valley and the Red Sea Resorts Are Heavily Policed, with Bag Screening at Museums and Sites. Foreign Governments Advise against Travel to North Sinai, the Libyan Border Area and Parts of the Western Desert. Check Your Own Government's Advisory before Booking a Desert or Border Trip
- Save the Four Numbers before You Go — 122 for Police, 123 for Ambulance, 180 for Fire and 126 for the Tourist Police
- Foreign Governments Advise against All Travel to North Sinai and to within 20 km of the Libyan Border, Apart from El Salloum
- Go West of the Nile Valley, or into Sinai beyond the St Catherine to Nuweiba Road, Only with an Established Operator
- The Red Sea Resorts and the Nile Valley Sites Are the Low-Risk Part of the Country, and Bag Screening at Museums Is Routine
- Drink Sealed Bottled Water Everywhere, Including in Cairo and Alexandria, and Use It for Brushing Your Teeth as Well
- Crossing a Cairo Road on Foot Is Genuinely Dangerous, so Wait for a Local to Step Out and Move across with Them
- Drinking Alcohol outside a Licensed Bar, Restaurant, Resort or Private Home Is Illegal and Can Lead to Arrest
- Women Travellers Have Reported Harassment, Including in Red Sea Resorts, and the Tourist Police on 126 Are the Route to Report It
Do
- Carry a Thick Stack of Small Notes for Tips, Washrooms and Short Taxi Rides
- Agree the Fare before the Door Closes, or Use a Ride-Hailing App
- Check Your Government's Travel Advisory before Any Desert, Border or Sinai Trip
- Confirm Your Visa Route on the Official Egyptian Portal before You Fly
- Carry Water and Sun Cover at Luxor and Aswan, Where Summer Heat Is Extreme
Avoid
- Never Photograph Military Property or the Suez Canal, Because It Is Illegal
- Do Not Fly a Drone, and Do Not Import One without Ministry of Defence Approval
- Do Not Drink Tap Water, and Skip Ice from Anywhere You Do Not Trust
- Do Not Drink Alcohol in the Street or in Any Unlicensed Place
- Do Not Accept Unasked-For Help at a Site, Because It Comes with a Price
Local Cultural Tips
- Dress Covering Shoulders and Knees Is Expected Away from the Resorts, and a Scarf Is Needed to Enter a Mosque
- Friday Midday Prayer Reshapes the Day, so Museums, Offices and Shops Often Open Late or Close for a Stretch
- During Ramadan, Eat, Drink and Smoke Out of Sight in Daylight, and Expect Places outside Tourist Areas to Be Shut
- Most Government Ministries Moved to a Purpose-Built New Capital East of Cairo from 2024, Though Cairo Remains the Capital
- The Pound Has Lost a Great Deal of Value in Recent Years, so Treat Any Price Printed in an Old Guidebook as Fiction
- Hospitality Is Real and so Is the Sales Pitch, so Settle a Price before You Accept a Ride, a Guide or a Camel
- Give and Receive Money, Food and Small Items with the Right Hand
- Take Your Shoes Off before Stepping onto a Mosque Prayer Carpet, and Follow Whatever the Attendant Indicates
- Ask before Photographing Anyone, and Accept a Refusal without Pressing
- Greet First and Ask Second — a Hello and a Moment of Small Talk Come before the Question
- Keep Affection between Couples Private When You Are in a Public Place
Get Online without Cairo International Airport WiFi. Activate Your Free eSIM Trial When You Land
Get a Free eSIM Trial for Egypt When You Land at Cairo International Airport, Then Continue with 1GB or Unlimited Data for Maps, Taxi Apps & Travel Essentials