Cairo International Airport (CAI)

Cairo International Airport is more than just an airport; it is the hub of African aviation. It is a hub for thousands of travellers from all over the world connecting Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Whether you’re a first-time traveller to Egypt or a transfer passenger flying through Cairo, knowing a little bit about this airport in advance will help you experience a hassle-free trip.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through the airport’s history, its terminals, and provide you with valuable information on security, smoking, car hire, currency exchange, and more.

Some Basic Facts About Cairo International Airport (CAI)

Four Terminals: The Basics

Cairo International Airport has four terminals, each with its own distinct purpose, feel, and airlines.

• Terminal 1 is the airport’s original terminal. It was opened in 1963, but has undergone numerous renovations and extensions over the years – a second hall was added in 1977-1979, a third in 1980, and the ground floor was refurbished in 2003. Terminal 1 is still in use and is generally less crowded than Terminal 3.
• Terminal 2 was opened in 1986, and mostly catered for European, Gulf and East Asian airlines. The terminal was shut down in April 2010 to be completely renovated – at an estimated cost of $400 million – and reopened in September 2016 in a much-improved state.
• Terminal 3 is the largest and newest (opened on 27 April 2009), and primarily serves international flights. It’s the main terminal for EgyptAir and most of the international flights. If you are flying with EgyptAir or a Star Alliance airline, chances are you will find yourself here.

The Seasonal Flights Terminal was opened on 20 September 2011 to help relieve the main airport during the peak seasonal times for the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages. It can accommodate 3.2 million passengers a year, has 27 check-in desks and 7 gates, and a passenger processing capacity of 1,200 per hour.

CAI Airport Security Wait Times

Cairo International Airport’s security can be unpredictable, and this is one of the areas where an unplanned trip can get you into trouble. The consensus among travellers is “be there early” and “be there earlier”.

Here is what to expect:

• International flights: 3 hours or more before take-off
• Terminal 3 busy times: Lines can be up to 45-60 minutes during peak times (early morning or late-night flights)
• Terminal 1: Quicker and smoother processing
• Flights to the US and Israel: Prepare for additional random screening and heightened security measures

Egyptian airport security is in line with the international standards of the TSA and the EU. You’ll have to take off your laptops, liquids, and belts at security, so it’s best to store these items in outer pockets for easy removal. All liquids are to be in containers of no more than 100ml each and placed in a single 1-litre clear plastic bag. Liquids in excess of this will be removed at security.

Top tip: Leave plenty of time for security. The airport is vast, and gates are often far from the security area, and boarding can be early on flights with EgyptAir.

Cairo International Airport (CAI) Smoking Areas

Cairo International Airport in Egypt has a strict no-smoking policy within its terminal buildings, including electronic (e-cigarettes) and vaporisers. The only smoking areas are in the outdoor areas outside the arrivals and departures of each terminal.

What you need to know is that once you have passed through immigration and have entered the airside departure zone, there are no smoking areas. If you do need to smoke, you will need to do this before you clear immigration and security. You cannot go back into the landside area; once in the departures zone, so keep this in mind.

Tip: If you smoke, allow additional time before you go through security. You won’t be able to go back through security.

CAI Airport Car Rental

Cairo International Airport has a few desks for the major international car rental companies, mainly on the arrivals level of Terminals 1 and 3. Here you will find all the major international companies (Hertz, Avis, Europcar, to name but a few) and several well-established local providers, who tend to charge more competitive rates per day.

Here are a few things to consider when renting a car at Cairo International:

• Book in advance. Airport bookings made in person tend to be 20-40% more expensive than those booked online.
• Bring an International Driving Permit. This is not always checked, but may be required by Egyptian traffic police alongside your local driver’s licence.
• Download an offline map. Cairo’s streets are congested and its maps confusing, and mobile data signals can be weak in certain areas.
• Allow for traffic congestion. Cairo has some of the world’s worst traffic. Allow plenty of extra time for journeys to the city centre, particularly in the peak traffic hours.

CAI Airport Currency Exchange

All four terminals have currency exchange offices, located in the landside arrivals and in the airside departures. The National Bank of Egypt (NBE) and the Banque Misr currency exchange counters are open 24 hours a day in Terminal 3, so you can exchange money at any hour of the day.

However, the exchange rates at the airport are not always the most favourable. Like most airports globally, the price to pay for the convenience of exchanging currency is a less favourable rate than what is to be found in the licensed exchange offices in the centre of Cairo or via the ATM.

Savvy tip: Exchange just the amount you need to get around, eat or buy a SIM card at the airport. But leave most of your currency exchange until you’re in the city, or withdraw money from your home bank’s ATM if you pay low foreign transaction fees. Debit and credit cards from most major world banks are widely accepted at ATMs at Cairo International.

Accommodation and Facilities

If you’re stuck in Cairo International Airport for a long layover or an early flight, you can stay in airport luxury. In December 2013, a 350-bedroom 5-star Le Méridien hotel opened just across the street from Terminal 3. It is linked to the terminal by a 230-metre skyway with a moving walkway, so you can get from your hotel room to the departure hall without leaving the airport – a great feature in the middle of the Egyptian summer.

Apart from the hotel, the airport has a complete infrastructure of duty-free stores, restaurants and cafes, prayer rooms, medical services and VIP lounges. Terminal 3’s duty-free shop is well-supplied and is a favourite among travellers buying perfumes, Egyptian cotton and food specialities.

Final Thoughts

Cairo International Airport is a major international hub, and it has experienced tremendous growth in the last 60 years. In 2025, it is handling almost 31 million people, which is a testament to the country’s increasing status as a tourist destination and transit hub. The infrastructure is new, the employees are friendly, and the airport is well-marked in Arabic and English.

The trick to enjoying CAI is to be well-prepared – arrive early, check which terminal you will be flying from, exchange money carefully, and make sure your paperwork is in order before you get to the security checks. Do that and Cairo International Airport will be the easy door to Egypt that it should be.

FAQs About CAI Airport