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Cairo International Airport

Cairo, Egypt · Africa

Solid regional hub with improving facilities but chronic security delays and limited transport options create stress.

Airportist Score

6.8/ 10

Passengers

~25M

Security

45 min

11 photos

Wide view of the modern glass-and-steel facade of Terminal 3 at Cairo International Airport under a clear sky. — Photo: Roland Unger
CC BY-SA 3.0 Source

The main roadside entrance to Cairo International Airport, with signage and approach lanes for arriving vehicles. — Photo: Ad Meskens
CC BY-SA 3.0 Source

The arrivals hall at Cairo International Airport seen through large windows reflecting terminal architecture and outdoor light. — Photo: Ad Meskens
CC BY-SA 3.0 Source

A departure gate seating area in Terminal 3 at Cairo International Airport with rows of chairs facing large windows. — Photo: Eassa
CC BY-SA 3.0 Source

A digital departure board at Cairo International Airport listing Air Sinai and other flight information. — Photo: Eassa
CC BY-SA 3.0 Source

The Food Village dining area in Terminal 3 with multiple restaurant counters and seating for passengers. — Photo: Roland Unger
CC BY-SA 3.0 Source

Shoppers browsing duty-free retail displays in the concourse of Terminal 3 at Cairo International Airport. — Photo: Roland Unger
CC BY-SA 3.0 Source

Bilingual Arabic and English directional signs hanging in a Cairo International Airport terminal corridor. — Photo: Faris knight
CC BY-SA 4.0 Source

Terminal 3 at Cairo International Airport with a shuttle bus stop and covered waiting area in the foreground. — Photo: Alensha
CC BY-SA 4.0 Source

The interior concourse of Terminal 1 at Cairo International Airport with high ceilings, shops, and passenger walkways. — Photo: Beebah
CC BY-SA 3.0 Source

Aerial satellite view of Cairo International Airport showing runways, terminals, and surrounding urban development. — Photo: NASA
Public domainSource

Most important tips

Know before you go

A compact traveler cheat sheet for timing, terminals, food, and disruption checks.

Timing

Arrive 3 hours early

Security and passport lines routinely exceed 60-90 minutes.

Counters open 2-3 hours pre-departure; add buffer for gender-separated checks.

Terminal

Confirm T2 for most internationals

T2 handles majority of long-haul; T1 for some regionals.

Transfers between terminals require bus or long walk—check boarding pass.

Food

Eat landside before security

Airside options limited and overpriced; grab koshary or ful outside.

Duty-free snacks available but queues form fast near gates.

Status

Download EgyptAir app for updates

Delays common from weather or congestion—monitor closely.

Recent reports show 150+ delays on bad days; OTP hovers ~75-80%.

Live airport status

Current operations

Guide quick facts

Pulled from the editorial markdown guide for CAI.

Updated Jul 22, 2026

3 main terminals (T1, T2, T3) with international focus on T2/T3
EgyptAir hub with Star Alliance presence
No direct metro into the terminals—bus, taxi, or rideshare only
24/7 operations but peak chaos mornings/evenings
Priority Pass lounges in multiple terminals (confirm hours)
Use official taxi booth or Uber/Careem—ignore curb hustlers

5 official sources

Airportist Score Breakdown

Comfort6.5

Navigation6.8

Food6.2

Transport7.5

Disruption resilience6.9

Key Stats

Annual passengers

~25M

Terminals

3 main terminals

On-time departures

78%

Avg security

45 min

Best For

Affordable Priority Pass lounges24-hour operationsCheap city transfersEgyptAir connections

Watch Out For

Long unpredictable security queuesTerminal transfers needed for some flightsLimited airside dining varietyPeak-hour congestion

Nearby airports

Other airports within about 150 km.

11 photos

Most important tips

Know before you go

A compact traveler cheat sheet for timing, terminals, food, and disruption checks.

Timing

Arrive 3 hours early

Security and passport lines routinely exceed 60-90 minutes.

Counters open 2-3 hours pre-departure; add buffer for gender-separated checks.

Terminal

Confirm T2 for most internationals

T2 handles majority of long-haul; T1 for some regionals.

Transfers between terminals require bus or long walk—check boarding pass.

Food

Eat landside before security

Airside options limited and overpriced; grab koshary or ful outside.

Duty-free snacks available but queues form fast near gates.

Status

Download EgyptAir app for updates

Delays common from weather or congestion—monitor closely.

Recent reports show 150+ delays on bad days; OTP hovers ~75-80%.

Live airport status

Current operations

Guide quick facts

Pulled from the editorial markdown guide for CAI.

Updated Jul 22, 2026

3 main terminals (T1, T2, T3) with international focus on T2/T3
EgyptAir hub with Star Alliance presence
No direct metro into the terminals—bus, taxi, or rideshare only
24/7 operations but peak chaos mornings/evenings
Priority Pass lounges in multiple terminals (confirm hours)
Use official taxi booth or Uber/Careem—ignore curb hustlers

5 official sources

Airportist Score Breakdown

Comfort6.5

Navigation6.8

Food6.2

Transport7.5

Disruption resilience6.9

Key Stats

Annual passengers

~25M

Terminals

3 main terminals

On-time departures

78%

Avg security

45 min

Best For

Affordable Priority Pass lounges24-hour operationsCheap city transfersEgyptAir connections

Watch Out For

Long unpredictable security queuesTerminal transfers needed for some flightsLimited airside dining varietyPeak-hour congestion