Cairo Airport Mini Guide
Tell me About the Airport
Cairo International Airport is 15 km from the city centre and has 3 terminals, one of which is under construction. There is also a VIP terminal. It is the 2nd busiest airport in Africa behind
Johannesburg’s Tambo International Airport but ahead of
Cape Town and
Casablanca in
Morocco.
How can I get There?
At the present time, 65 airlines fly in to the airport from destinations worldwide. Egypt Air is the largest operator with 61% of airport slots.
Can I get to the City Easily?
Yes. The city is a short drive away, but traffic can be very congested and the driving precarious! The best way to get there from the airport is by booking a shuttle bus or limousine service as these are safer and more reliable than the taxis.
What Facilities Does the Airport Have?
A good place to start is the Egypt Air Tourism Desk, where you can find out any information you need about the city or if you need to book a hotel or transport. There are 8 ATMs and 8 Bureaux de Change located in the terminals, should you need some extra Egyptian Pounds. There is a free Wi-Fi service if you need to check up on emails or you can use the business centre in Terminal 1. If you have a business class ticket you can wait for your flight in comfort at one of the four VIP lounges which are themed in English or American style and there is an Italian Lounge too. Inside the terminal you will also find a post office and pharmacy.
Can I Shop There?
Yes, you can shop at Cairo Airport Duty Free which has luxury brand names such as Hugo Boss and Mont Blanc. Buy a gift at Bijoux Ternier or treat yourself to a new watch at the Swatch store. Al Shorouk has a wide selection of books for your journey or you can buy a magazine at the newsagents. There is a convenience store too, for any last minute items you may have forgot or a quick snack.
What if I get Hungry?
There are many places to eat at the airport, whatever food you like. The international food court has everything from Yum Cha for Asian food to Gino’s for pizza. There is also a Burger King or you can have freshly made sandwiches at Upper Crust. Roasti Café is a self service restaurant or of you feel like English pub food head for Bill Bentley’s Restaurant and Bar. If you just feel like a pastry and a coffee, try the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf or Beanos Coffee.
My Flight has Been Cancelled, Where can I Stay?
The Novotel Cairo Airport is nearby and they have a free shuttle service between the airport and the hotel. The hotel has 207 rooms with Wi-Fi access and there is a swimming pool and fitness centre. In the evening you can choose to eat at one of the 4 restaurants or have a snack at the 2 bars. There is also a shop and ATM, should you require them.
The excitement will mount as you land at the airport. Over 10,000 years of history and fabulous treasures waiting to be discovered in the Land of the Pharaohs. Still, there’s a lot more that you can do there. For a magical and romantic trip, commission a felucca to sail you serenely down the Nile and watch the sky turn amber with the setting sun.
For contrasting, savage beauty, join a jeep safari into the desolate Western Desert. There you can marvel at the size of the dunes and wonder how anything survives the heat and lack of water.