Cairo International Airport Guide: Flights, Services & Tips

Cairo International Airport is a busy port to the charming and ancient city of Cairo, Egypt. Being the main international airport in the country, CAI has been able to gain its reputation as a crucial haven where travellers worldwide are able to connect to the mesmerising marvels of Egypt. This paper intends to give a detailed guide to Cairo International Airport and illuminate its IATA code, facilities, and, more specifically, the hotels that are located on its grounds.

Where is Cairo airport located?

The Cairo Airport is located in Heliopolis, adopted as the sun city. This is approximately 15 kilometers northeast of downtown Cairo and it was a separate town. The airport has three parallel runways and the largest one is able to accommodate A380 superjumbo landing.

Cairo international airport - A hub of connectivity

Cairo International Airport stands as Egypt’s main gateway, offering global connections, modern facilities, and seamless travel experiences for visitors.

Cairo international airport code

• IATA: CAI 
• ICAO: HECA    

One of the major airports in Egypt is the Cairo international airport, which is located 15km northeast of the city, and which acts as the main base of the Egyptian carrier, Egypt Air.

The airport is managed by the Egyptian Holding Company of Airports and Air Navigation which has four companies namely: the Cairo Airport Company, the Egyptian Airports Company, the National Air Navigation Services and Aviation Information Technology, and the Cairo Airport Authority (CAA).

Cairo International Airport is a major airport in Egypt

Cairo international airport terminal

The Cairo International Airport serves an amazing 40 million passengers annually being the second busiest airport in Africa after Johannesburg International Airport in South Africa. The airport has three terminals and three runways, one of which is a cargo runway and this has made the airport a strategic location between the frontiers of Africa, Middle East, and Europe. To the tourists who will have to maneuver around this busy airport, a Cairo airport guide can prove to be invaluable. It is worth noting that with the inclusion of a third runway in 2010, this has even increased the capacity and potential of the airport, particularly in its capacity to handle big planes such as the A380.

Cairo International Airport has three terminals that are serviced by various categories of flights and passengers. Terminal 1 is mostly used in domestic flights whereas Domestic flights are done at Terminal 2 and Terminal 3. All these terminals make certain efficient movement of people and also help in the efficient operation of the airport. Terminal Building 1 and 2 (departure and transit) have Wi-Fi services. Terminal 3 occupies a large space of 211,000 square meters and costs EGP 3.1 billion. In this area, it has a duty-free shopping complex of 4,000 square meters.

Terminal 1 began its operations in 1963 and has the capacity to handle 6.5 million passengers per year. Terminal 2 that was opened in 1984 has an annual capacity of 3.5 million passengers. In the case of Terminal 3, it did not open its commercial service until April 2009; this is four months after the official opening.

Airport facilities

The Cairo International Airport was experiencing a lot of developments and ongoing projects such as automated people mover (APM), a multi-storey car park, and real estate developments that would link the airport to the main Cairo city.

The APM which aims at fitting into the airport infrastructure works as a cable car. The track is located between the second and third terminal and connects the first terminal, the air mall, the multi-storey car park and terminal 2 and 3. The train has a running distance of 1,857 meters with an operating capacity of 2000 passengers in one round trip.

Its car park is a multi-storey, which opened in June 2011 and is in-between terminals 1 and 3. It has a capacity of up to 3000 cars. The train is automated and can be used to travel between the 3 terminal buildings and the garage.

The airport is also equipped with a lot of facilities such as business center, restaurants and cafes, medical facilities, car rental, ATM, and labor license desk.

If Cairo is your next destination, please refer to the article: Discover the best things to see in Cairo - A traveler's dream

Cairo International Airport facilities

Hotels inside Cairo international airport

To customers who want convenience and comfort at the airport facility, the Cairo International Airport has a number of hotels that are affordable to numerous customers and cater to different tastes. The option to have a stay in a hotel at the Cairo International Airport has many benefits to the travelers, they include:

• Efficiency in time: The location in the airport also enables the guests to reduce how much time they spend in transporting them to and out of the airport. This comes in handy especially to people who are time constrained or have flights at early hours.
• Convenience: The hotels located within the airports are conveniently located in places where audiences can find amenities like lounges, restaurants and shopping facilities. This is particularly appreciated when on a short stay or during a lay over.
• Security: Remaining in the airport will increase security because the guests are already in the controlled area of the airport. This may give the travelers a sense of security particularly those who are worried about their safety when staying.
• Accessibility: The closeness to the terminals will guarantee that the guests have easy access to their departure gates and it will minimize the stress levels of moving around a new city or struggling with logistics of transportation.

Here are some notable hotels inside Cairo International Airport:

Le Méridien Cairo Airport

Inside the airport premises, Le Meridien Cairo Airport is a luxurious accommodation facility to the travelers. It is a five-star hotel that has luxurious rooms, fine foods, and facilities, such as a fitness centre and a pool. It is perfectly located to the terminal areas of the airport and as a result, it will suit those with a tight layover or early morning flights.

• Address: Cairo International Airport, Terminal 3
• Phone:  (+) 20 2 22659600
• Reservation center: (+) 20 2 22659680

Luxurious hotels inside Cairo International Airport

Read about: The best time of year to visit Cairo

Novotel Cairo Airport

It is located very close to the airport and the Novotel Cairo Airport is a good place to stay when one is visiting Egypt. The hotel has modern room accommodation, several dining outlets, a swimming pool and fitness center. Novotel has a business and leisure clientele, serving people with a comfortable environment and easy access.

• Address: Cairo AirportPO Box 8, CAIRO 11776
• Phone: (+) 20 111 111 3822

For easy travel beyond the airport, learn more about public transportation in Egypt to navigate the country smoothly and affordably.

Heliopolis Towers Hotel

Although not in the airport directly, the Heliopolis Towers Hotel is in its immediate vicinity, which provides a luxurious way out of the airport to travelers. Having rich rooms, wide-ranging food options and wide leisure amenities which include a spa and golf course, this five star hotel offers an extravagant getaway to individuals who would like to swim in luxury.

• Address: El Saheed Sayed Zakaria Street, Cairo, Egypt 
• Tel: (+) 20-22-2677730

In conclusion

Cairo international airport is one of the major aviation ports linking passengers to the wonders of Egypt. When you approach Cairo International Airport, or its surroundings, you can think of the advantages of remaining in its gates, and the experience of traveling there will not be a mere journey, but a segment of the adventure. And the last factor, but certainly not the least, is to get an e-visa Egypt before your visit to explore the great river Nile or the fertile delta in this fascinating nation.