Flights to Cairo

Flights to Cairo: captivating city

One of the biggest cities in the Middle East, Cairo is a bustling, lively metropolis great for exploring Egyptian history and culture. From museums to stunning architecture and of course, the pyramids you will be spoiled for choice when it comes for things to do and places to visit. 

Direct flights exist from many UK airports, the most popular routes are London to Cairo, specifically Heathrow to Cairo. The flight time is 4 hours 40 minutes.  

 

Cairo flights - when to go

If you're not good with hot weather then you may wish to visit between November and March as May to September can be very hot in Cairo. Eid al-Adha, is an Islamic festival held on different dates so if you're looking for some colour and celebrations then it would be a nice idea to visit then. There's also Eid as-Ftir which celebrates the end of Ramadan and in November there is the Cairo International Film Festival which holds many different events regarding film. 

 

Be prepared!

Before you go to wonderful Cairo, there's a few things you need to remember. You will usually require a visa if you have a British passport, to gain more information you can contact the Egyptian consulate. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the start date of your holiday in Cairo. See your GP or a medical clinic and get the recommended vaccinations for hepatitis A, typhus, tetanus and diphtheria. Whilst it is lovely to bring home souvenirs please do remember that it is forbidden to take home or export antiques, and protected species of plants and animals. 

Tap water in the city is not suitable for drinking so make sure that you have plenty of bottled water and you are advised to peel or cook fruits and vegetables before you eat them. The cost of living in Cairo is different to the UK, restaurant and street food is much cheaper with restaurants charging from 20 EGP and street vendors under 10 EGP. Local produce is also cheap, especially from markets. Alcohol, imported food, textiles and electrical goods are all more expensive than the UK. Bartering or haggling at souks (open-air markets) is a must and can get you some good deals. 

 

Local Cairo info

From the airport you can get the 356 bus to Tahrir Square, then the 381 to the main station (Ramses) for around 2 EGP, there are also ferries. Taxi prices are cheaper than the UK with a fixed price of around 5 EGP for 3km then 1.5 EGP for each km after that, however drivers try and charge tourists more so be prepared to haggle!

Airport Cairo CAI

Cairo International Airport is the largest and most important airport in the north African Arab Republic of Egypt and is the main hub of Egypt Air.

With more than 60 different regularly operating scheduled airlines, Cairo airport is the second busiest airport on the African continent after the south African airport Johannesburg - Tambo International . It is also an important hub between Europe and the Middle East.

• URL: Official website
• Parking: Yes; paid parking – more than 7600 short and long term parking spaces at both terminals...
• Nearby cities: Kairo (17 km), Qalyub (20 km), Gizeh (23 km), Al Ḩawāmidīyah (29 km), Bilbays (36 km), Banha (43 km), Az Zaqāzīq (53 km), Abu Kabir (72 km), Tanta (84 km), Mahalla al-Kubra (98 km)
• Directions by car: Shuttle bus from terminal 1 every 30 minutes to the city; public buses at Terminal 1; taxis from the airport to the city centre.

Location

The airport is on the north eastern edge of the district Heliopolis. It may be reached on the Salah Salem Road. The airprot is about 16 km or 11 miles from the main station on Midan Ramses (Ramses square) and about 18 km or 13 miles from the Egyptian museum on Midan Tahrir (Tahrir Square).

The main station is on Midan Ramses (Ramses Square), from here there are regular connections to the north (for example Alexandria, Tanta or Ismailiya) and the south (e.g. Luxor, Edfu or Aswan).

Between the airport (Terminal 1) and the city centre, there is a regular shuttle service at 30 minute intervals. The buses stop in the districts Heliopolis, Nasr-City, Ramses square and Tahrir square, El Mohandeseen, El Maadi and Hellwan. Taxis, limousines and rental cars are also available.

The metro line 3 to the airport should be completed by 2012.