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Cairo International Airport
Cairo, Egypt
Cairo International Airport
Egypt's busiest gateway connecting Africa, the Middle East, and beyond.
- ›It is the busiest airport in Africa by number of international destinations served.
- ›Terminal 3, opened in 2008, was built to international standards and is the most modern facility at the airport.
- ›The airport is located in the Heliopolis district, historically one of Cairo's most affluent suburbs.
- ›Cairo International Airport served as a strategic military airfield during World War II before transitioning to civilian use.
- ›The airport's ICAO code HECA reflects Egypt's placement in the 'HE' region under ICAO classification.
Cairo International Airport is Egypt's busiest and most historically significant aviation hub, serving tens of millions of passengers annually as the primary gateway to one of the world's oldest civilizations. Situated approximately 22 kilometres northeast of central Cairo, the airport has operated since 1945 and has expanded considerably to accommodate growing regional and international traffic. It serves as the main base for EgyptAir and connects Africa, the Middle East, and Europe through a network of dozens of airlines.
- Terminal 1 — The oldest terminal, handling a mix of domestic and some international flights, primarily serving EgyptAir and affiliated carriers.
- Terminal 2 — A mid-sized terminal used by various international airlines operating scheduled and charter services into Cairo.
- Terminal 3 — The newest and largest terminal, opened in 2008, serving as EgyptAir's primary international hub with modern facilities and expanded capacity.
- Cairo Metro Line 3 connects the airport area to central Cairo and Tahrir Square
- Public CTA buses operate between the airport and major city districts
- Licensed metered taxis available from designated stands outside arrivals
- Ride-hailing apps including Uber and Careem operate at the airport
- Limousine and private transfer services bookable through official airport counters
- Car rental desks from Hertz, Avis, and local operators in the arrivals halls
- Novotel Cairo Airport
- Movenpick Hotel Cairo - Media City (near airport corridor)
- Le Méridien Cairo Airport
- Concorde El Salam Hotel Cairo
- Holiday Inn Cairo - Citystars
Inside the terminals, passengers will find a range of international fast-food chains such as McDonald's and KFC alongside Egyptian quick-service options and coffee outlets. Terminal 3 offers the widest selection of sit-down cafés and duty-free dining suitable for longer layovers. Outside the airport perimeter, the Heliopolis district nearby is well known for its traditional Egyptian restaurants and local street food scene.
- Arrive at least three hours before international departures as security and check-in queues can be lengthy, especially during peak seasons.
- Keep your Egyptian pounds handy for porters and small purchases, as not all vendors accept cards in older terminal areas.
- Metro Line 3 is the fastest and most affordable way to reach downtown Cairo, avoiding notorious road traffic.
- Confirm which terminal your airline uses before arrival, as Terminals 1, 2, and 3 are separate buildings requiring different drop-off points.
AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.
Route map (79 destinations)
Airlines serving this airport
Routes
Aircraft operating here
Stay, Eat & Explore: Cairo
The mother of the world
- •Pyramids of Giza & Sphinx — The 4,500-year-old wonder at the city's edge.
- •Grand Egyptian Museum — Tutankhamun's full treasures beside the pyramids.
- •Khan el-Khalili — Brass, spices and coffee in the medieval bazaar.
- •Coptic Cairo — Roman fortress churches and the Hanging Church.
- •Nile felucca at sunset — Lateen sails drifting past the corniche.
Getting around: Metro Line 2 crosses the Nile; Uber/Careem beat haggling. Day trains and sleepers run to Luxor and Aswan.
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Passport, Visa & Immigration
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Cairo International Airport is the main international airport serving Cairo and its metropolitan area. It is the largest and busiest airport in Egypt. The airport serves as the primary hub for EgyptAir and Nile Air as well as several other airlines. The airport is located in Heliopolis, to the northeast of Cairo around fifteen kilometres from the business area of the city and has an area of approximately 37 km2 (14 sq mi). It is the busiest airport in Africa and the 9th busiest airport in the Middle East in terms of total passengers.
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