Two Surprisingly Easy And Pleasant Experiences At Cairo Airport

Are you sure this was not a dream during one of your stays? That's not luck, that's sounds just like a non achievable dream. Glad for you!

If memory serves, there is an airtrain between terminal 1 and 3 outside security to expedite your connection.

James, great report again. Looking at the departure board haven’t you heard of Luxor ?

@ Jamie - Luxor was one I had heard of. I couldn't find Gabal Azzait on a map!

I didnt realise there was a domestic part to terminal 1 (All Egyptair is T3 ) personally I think T1 is the worst and dread using it for International flights . I dont mind T2 or T3 but Im kind of used to them

Our experience at ASW, ABS, CAI and LUX in Egypt this past month was also good. Our experience at IST, however, was all rush and run.

@James

I think the reason you didn't recognize or even find Gabal Azzait on a map is because usually in English at least its written as Asyut or Assiut. Also gabal or jabal in Arabic means mountain.

My CAI experiences have not been as pleasant. Though international arrivals have improved with the advance e-Visa process vs the previous line up at the only one of three currency exchange kiosks (with just one of its three windows staffed while a half dozen other staff linger in the back room) to purchase a single entry visa in US$s only, then get into the snaking immigration line. (Yes, hotel/tour greeters did line up at the entry of the hall to help speed you through but even they had to deal with the visa purchase line before ushering through a clear diplomatic immigration channel.

And don’t arrive too early for your flight, even if you have a boarding pass and are in business class. Even in the Egyptair terminal using the STAR fast track lane I was not permitted airside until 2-hours prior to my flight!

And if flying out of the non-Egyptair international terminal, once through the 3rd of 5 security screenings, the business lounge is atrocious! If flying BA we not only passed through security screening at the terminal entrance, going airside, then going into the business lounge area, and once more when leaving that area back into the gate area! But wait, one more screening at the gate!

I am planning to travel to Egypt next year, and curious which group tour company you use? Are you going over to Jordan after Egypt?

I’m hoping my trip through CAI goes just as smoothly! I have a 1 hour and 10 minute connection there in January, arriving internationally connecting domestically, both in T3 on Egypt Air.

"so far this trip it has been one of my favourite airports"

Granted, I'm not sure what competition it's up against.

During my Venice trip this year I arranged an airport transfer through the JW Marriott (highly suggest it). I was greeted on the jetbridge at VCE after arriving from EWR.

This calms me down a bit. Im planning an Egypt trip with various flights, including Cairo to Luxor, Luxor to Cairo to Aswan, and then Aswan back to Cairo. Was getting worried as Im ending up having to fly in Egypt way more than I thought I'd have to, but this article has calmed me down a bit.

Anyone else flown these routes/ have any tips or reasurrances?

Glad to hear.

I also recently flew in/out/through Cairo. My arrival from Amman in the early evening went quite smoothly. Even if you're transiting it's likely much better to fork out the $25 for a visa than to deal with the transit arrangement. I had an overnight at a nearby hotel, then an early morning Nile Air flight to Aswan from the sparse Terminal 1 space that James describes.

My return flight to Cairo on EgyptAir was uneventful arriving in Terminal 3. From there the Uber meeting point in the closeby parking lot made for a quick trip into the city. For my departure, I stayed at the Meridien, which is attached to Terminal 3 by an enclosed walkway. The PP lounge there is small but adequate; departed on Lufthansa.

Tip: Make sure you have a printed boarding pass as they will sometimes look for proof that you're flying before they let you into the airport. If you were planning to get your ticket at the check-in counter, you're going to have extra hassle.

Comment: On my domestic flights at CAI there always seemed to be REALLY long taxis to a super-remote bus stand. Is that the usual experience for everyone else?

I have 7 hour layover in June and I want to hire a driver to take me to Giza, take a selfie and then go back to the airport. Seems doable but also scary because of all the horror stories about this Airport.