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 offers ancient historical sites, Nile cruises, Red Sea resorts, and large busy cities. Visitors should plan for heat, traffic, security checks at some sites, and a travel style that mixes modern services with cash-based everyday transactions.
Official Languages: Arabic
English is commonly understood in hotels, airports, major tourist sites, and many tourism-related businesses. Outside tourist areas, English may be limited, so offline maps, hotel addresses, and a few basic Arabic phrases can be helpful.
Mobile Network: Mobile coverage is generally good in Cairo, Alexandria, the Nile Valley, and major resort areas. Speeds are usually adequate for maps, messaging, and regular browsing, but performance can vary by neighborhood, building, and congestion. Remote desert areas and some long road stretches may have weak or no signal.
Roaming/SIM/eSIM: Roaming is convenient for short stays but can be expensive. A local SIM is usually the best value for multi-day trips if your phone is unlocked, with packages commonly available at the airport and city shops from major operators. An eSIM can be the easiest option for setup before arrival if your device supports it, though local SIM plans may sometimes offer better data value. For heavy map use, ride-hailing, and translation, having your own data connection is strongly recommended rather than relying only on hotel or cafe Wi-Fi.
Cards are commonly accepted in hotels, larger restaurants, chain stores, and many tourist businesses in Cairo, Alexandria, and Red Sea resorts. Cash is still important for taxis, tips, small shops, local cafes, market purchases, and some ticket counters, so carry small notes.
Tipping is common and often expected in Egypt. Small tips, often called baksheesh, are routinely given to hotel staff, drivers, porters, restroom attendants, and sometimes site helpers. In restaurants, check whether a service charge is already included; even when it is, many people still leave a small extra amount for good service. Keeping small notes is very useful.
Plug Type: Type C and Type F
Voltage: 220V, 50Hz
Adapter: Visitors from countries using different plug types will commonly need an adapter. Travelers from most of continental Europe usually will not need one. Check whether your devices support 220V.
Egypt is widely visited, but practical caution is important. Main issues for visitors are traffic risks, petty theft in crowded places, aggressive sales tactics around major sights, scams involving unofficial guides or drivers, and occasional security restrictions. Some border and desert areas may have tighter security concerns, so check current government travel advisories before side trips.
- Use licensed taxis, reputable ride-hailing apps where available, or hotel-arranged transport, especially at night.
- Keep valuables secure in crowded markets, transport hubs, and around major attractions.
- Expect persistent selling near popular sites; a polite but firm no is usually the easiest response.
- Carry photocopies or secure digital copies of your passport and visa, and keep the original stored safely when practical.
- Follow local security instructions at checkpoints, museums, and archaeological sites, where bag screening is common.
- Take extra care when crossing roads; traffic can be fast, irregular, and difficult for pedestrians.
- For desert trips, diving trips, or remote excursions, use established operators and do not travel independently into restricted areas.
- Drink bottled or reliably filtered water if you are not used to local water conditions.
Do
- Carry small cash for tips, toilets, drivers, and minor purchases.
- Agree taxi pricing in advance if the vehicle is not using a meter, or use a ride-hailing app where available.
- Use official ticket offices and licensed guides at major sites.
- Greet people politely; a friendly hello and respectful tone go a long way.
- Have sun protection and water with you for archaeological sites, especially in hotter months.
Avoid
- Do not photograph security personnel, checkpoints, military sites, or sensitive infrastructure.
- Do not assume all street help is free; unsolicited assistance may lead to requests for payment.
- Do not drink tap water if you are sensitive to local water conditions.
- Do not underestimate heat exposure, especially in Upper Egypt and desert areas.
- Do not carry large amounts of cash openly in crowded places.
Local Cultural Tips
- Dress modestly in mosques, conservative neighborhoods, and smaller towns; beachwear is generally for resorts and pool areas only.
- Friday is an important prayer day, so some businesses and services may open later or operate differently.
- During Ramadan, eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daylight hours is best done discreetly, especially outside tourist zones.
- Public displays of affection are best kept limited.
- Photography rules vary; always ask before photographing people, and be cautious around police, military areas, bridges, ports, and government buildings.
- Shoes are removed before entering many mosque prayer areas; follow posted instructions or staff guidance.
- Use the right hand when giving or receiving money, food, or small items when practical.
- A polite greeting before asking for help or information is appreciated.
- Modest clothing is advisable outside resort settings and can reduce unwanted attention.
- Respect prayer times and religious spaces by keeping noise low and following staff directions.
- If invited for tea or conversation, friendly social interaction is common, but clarify prices before accepting transport, guiding, or shopping assistance.
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