When is the Cheapest Time to Fly to Cairo?
The best time to find cheap flights to Cairo is from March to May and September to November, which are the shoulder seasons in the Egyptian capital. With a desert climate, the weather is good all year, but it’s best during the winter (December to February), although Cairo flight prices will rise at this time.
When is the Best Time to Book your Flight to Cairo?
Book at least three to four months in advance to get cheap flights to Cairo. You may find some good deals on last-minute flights to Cairo, particularly in the shoulder season. Keep in mind that large Muslim festivals, such as Eid, may cause Cairo flight prices to increase as locals also take holidays.
Flying to Cairo International Airport (CAI)
Cairo International Airport (CAI) is the busiest airport in Egypt and the second-busiest in Africa. It is located in Heliopolis, which is about 14 km from the centre of Cairo.
You can get direct flights to Cairo with British Airways and EgyptAir from London Heathrow. Cairo flights with these airlines leave daily. If you want to fly from other airports in the United Kingdom (UK), such as Manchester, Edinburgh, London Gatwick or Glasgow, then you will have to take an indirect flight to Cairo. Airlines that offer Cairo flights include Turkish Airlines, Etihad Airways, Air France, Emirates, Aegean Airlines and Lufthansa. Cairo flights with any of these airlines will have a stop in other cities, such as Athens, Frankfurt, Paris, Istanbul or Abu Dhabi. You may also have to change airlines, but this is not always necessary.
On Arrival and Getting Around the Airport
There are four terminals at CAI. If you need to transfer between terminals, there are free shuttle buses and an automated people mover system. Information desks are available in the arrivals hall and transit area. ATMs are available in Terminals 1 and 3, and currency exchanges are available in the departure area of all terminals. Wi-Fi is available in many areas of the terminals. There are a number of places to buy food and drink as well as go duty-free shopping. There is a business centre in Terminal 1, and VIP lounges in all terminals.
Getting to the City from Cairo International Airport (CAI)
There are many ways to make the roughly 30-minute journey to the centre of Cairo. Taxis are available outside the arrivals halls; haggling for the fare is recommended if the taxi has no meter. New, white taxis, however, should have a meter. A shuttle bus connecting the airport with central Cairo leaves every half hour, and it is recommended that you book it in advance. There are also a number of public buses available that connect to various locations in Cairo. You also have the option to hire a car, since there are several car hire agencies available at the terminals.
Why Visit Cairo?
Egypt’s capital, Cairo, is a wonderland for the senses. From the hubbub of the chaotic and noisy streets and the haggling vendors in the bustling markets to the call to prayer sounding throughout the city every evening and the views of the Giza pyramids, your eyes and ears will find something to wonder at constantly throughout your visit. Once you’ve spent any amount of time here, it’s easy to understand why the city is known by Egyptians as ‘The Mother of the World’.
Get your fill of Ancient Egypt by visiting the Egyptian Museum or by viewing the incredible tomb of the original boy-king, Tutankhamun, before heading out to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Great Pyramid of Giza, just a few miles west of the sprawling city. As the sun sets, the city changes as the minarets sound the call to prayer across the city. Take in the splendour with an evening sailing the Nile or by enjoying a cocktail in a classy bar.
Don't Forget Before you Fly
British travellers visiting Cairo will need a visa. For visits up to 30 days, you can pay for a visa on arrival. You can also get a visa from an Egyptian consulate before travel. Your passport should be valid for at least six months after your date of entry. The currency is the Egyptian pound. It is not always easy to buy Egyptian pounds in the UK, but there are plenty of ATMs in Cairo. Currency exchanges are widely available, but Scottish and Northern Irish notes cannot be exchanged, and travellers’ cheques are not easily cashed.
