Cairo International Airport Guide
Cairo International Airport sits in the Heliopolis district, roughly 20 km northeast of central Cairo. It is the largest and busiest airport in Egypt and in Africa, ahead of Johannesburg's O.R. Tambo, and the primary hub for EgyptAir. The airport operates three passenger terminals and a dedicated seasonal terminal, with combined capacity for around 30 million passengers annually.
Terminal 3, opened in 2009, is the flagship facility handling EgyptAir's domestic and international operations alongside its Star Alliance partners, including Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa. Terminal 1 serves Gulf, African and low-cost carriers such as Air Arabia and FlyDubai. Terminal 2 hosts major international carriers including Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways. A free automated people mover (MiniMetro) connects all three terminals and the AirMall around the clock.
The airport replaced the old Heliopolis Airport when it opened in 1963 and has expanded continuously since. Three parallel runways allow simultaneous operations, with the longest measuring 4,000 metres and rated for the Airbus A380. Cairo Airport Company operates the facility under the umbrella of the Egyptian Holding Company for Airports and Air Navigation.
Services
5 of 6 availableCompare 43 listed options at Cairo International Airport, spanning parking, car rentals, lounges, hotels and shuttles. Each guide sets out locations, distance from the airport, key features and links to book direct, so you can weigh cost against convenience before you fly. Select a service below to see every provider we track for Cairo International Airport.
Location
Key facts
- Size
- 31M passengers (2025)3 runwaysopened 1963
- Location
- 30.112, 31.397
- Operator
- Cairo Airport Company (Egyptian Holding Company for Airports and Air Navigation)
- Links
- Wikipedia ↗
Terminals
4 terminalsCairo International Airport has 4 passenger terminals — Terminal 1, Terminal 2, Terminal 3 and Seasonal Flights Terminal, handling both international and domestic flights for around 25 airlines. Check which terminal your airline uses before you travel, as check-in, security and boarding points differ between them, and moving from one to another can take time.
- Terminal 1International
Air Arabia, Air Algérie, Ethiopian Airlines, FlyDubai, Jazeera Airways, Kenya Airways, Nile Air, Ryanair
- Terminal 2International
Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Air France, British Airways, Saudia, Royal Jordanian, Gulf Air
- Terminal 3Mixed
EgyptAir, Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines, Austrian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Air Canada, LOT Polish Airlines, Aegean Airlines, Turkish Airlines
- Seasonal Flights TerminalInternational
EgyptAir
Nearby cities
2 citiesCairo International Airport is closest to Cairo (21 km southwest), and also serves Giza and other nearby areas. With 2 towns and cities within reach, it is a practical gateway for the wider region. Distances shown are straight-line from the airport, so allow extra time for road transfers, traffic and parking.
- Cairo21 km southwest
- Giza26 km west
Frequently Asked Questions
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What are the airport codes for Cairo International Airport?
Where is Cairo International Airport located?
Where is Cairo International Airport located?
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What services are available at Cairo International Airport?
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