Cairo Airport

Not Verified | Flew into Cairo from Addis May 17/18 on Ethiopian arriving 01.30. Brilliant. Out in 40 minutes. Everything quick and efficient. Two little points. Meeters and greeters are outside. eg my Guest House car. SIM cards available. Vodafone open. But not given any info on topping up etc.. Departed May 29th. Egyptair to LHR. Cairo Airport was brilliant. Efficient, courteous and well designed. At first security check 30m inside T3 you need to show ticket and passport, digital on phone ticket OK, this is before you are allowed into Check In area. Check in quick and courteous. Needed my PCR test cert and UK PLF printed out. Immigration check very quick. You then emerge, after normal shopping mall into airside cafeteria with breakfast options on a clear menu. Excellent choice. 3 price levels. 5 min Q for gate security check which was very thorough including everything out of your pockets. Then huge gate area with plenty seats. Took off 10m late. Readers bear in mind when looking at reviews on Cairo and Addis Ababa that it is mainly the unlucky ones who complain. I found Cairo to be excellent. Best airport to go through since Singapore 1993.

✅ Trip Verified | One of the best African airports that i have ever been to. I had worries at first before going through terminal 2 but to my surprise the whole experience was stress-free and enjoyable. The airport atmosphere was very pleasant, the check-in was quick and courteous, the duty free shops had some good and reasonably priced items and there were also some decent looking food outlets, the washrooms are well maintained, and staff were friendly despite their limited proficiency of English language.

It is a nice airport especially terminal 3 the newest one. I am a member of Egypt plus and they gave me access to the VIP lounge. Area and entertainment is excellent, I enjoyed the 3 hours spent inside. Cleanliness is okay and the staff inside are very friendly. Price of service is okay.

I was in Terminal 3 for a morning flight to Istanbul. I was very impressed with the airport cleanliness and facilities. The duty free shops had plenty of good and moderately priced merchandise. Moreover there were several food outlets all with good quality and satisfying different tastes. This airport is also good for transiting passengers.

I think I was surprised to experience such a modern airport in Africa I fly frequently to different cities in Africa and I mostly face terrible and hard times with every flight. Last week I flew Egyptair to a transit in Cairo with a connection to Lagos. The airport is clean nice well organized and easy to move in.

I passed through Terminal 3 when flying from Istanbul to Luxor and was pleasantly surprised. On arrival the visa windows were well signposted and immigration quite efficient. I made my way to the Domestic floor without being hassled by anyone indeed there only seemed to be about a dozen people in the whole Terminal. Quiet clean plenty of places to sit or get coffee water and something to eat. On return from Luxor I just followed the signs for connecting flights and went quickly through security only to find my Egyptair flight to Istanbul was delayed by 55 minutes. But there were shops to look at and decent looking food outlets too.

✅ Trip Verified | Terminal 2 was fairly good. Despite the bustling atmosphere the staff were efficient and helpful. The terminal isn't very well organized but the clear signage made it easy to navigate. The duty-free area provided a good amount of choices, the terminal's facilities are old but clean and despite the usual rush of the terminal at the time I found a peaceful corner to relax before my flight. Overall it's not the best airport I have been to but it has a good potential for upgrades and enhancement and I can see them trying to achieve it.

On our return from Cairo to Riyadh with Egyptair, we were in International Terminal No.3. The Cairo international airport lounge is located on the 3rd Floor in the Departure Hall. After Passport Control, turn left to Zone E and proceed to the end of the corridor. It functions 24 hours daily. The lounge is just an open hall with many tables and chairs. Refreshments are served continuously that include different kind of bread rolls, sandwiches, pastries, Arabic sweets, coffee, tea, soft drinks and water bottles. There is also a TV broadcasting sports or news at one end. Besides, there is also a news-stand with quite a lot of local newspapers. Free WiFi was an added bonus. The chairs were very comfortable. There are separate restrooms which are maintained immaculately. It did not have shower, though everything was so spotlessly clean.

✅ Trip Verified | The travel procedures were fast and comfortable, the immigration officers were very fast in stamping my passport in entry and exit, the treatment of the staff was friendly. The airport is clean and has good restaurants, and the bathrooms are clean.

The old terminal is nice but it needs more improvements in facilities and entertainment. It also has a nice apron view. The new terminal is excellent but more facilities are needed. All lounges are 3 stars they don't have showers and alcohol.

✅ Trip Verified | During my recent visit I was pleasantly surprised by the efficient and welcoming atmosphere, the staff were helpful and courteous guiding me to my gate smoothly. The airport facilities were fairly maintained. Terminal 2 offered a variety of amenities to make my wait enjoyable, including comfortable seating areas, shops, and restaurants serving delicious local cuisine. I found navigating my way around to be straightforward. Overall, my experience at Cairo airport was positive, leaving me with a favorable impression of the airport.

✅ Trip Verified | Well organized, good service, The airport vibe is very good. I arrived here from Netherlands and everything went very well. There are many options for food and coffee and other shops. The security is quite smooth.

Terminal 1 is a bit chaotic but small and friendly enough to get through without too much trouble. With an early departure our hotel had prepared a breakfast selection bags for us all which along with our tots we had no difficulty with at any of the myriad security checks. Well done Cairo T1.

I was amazed to find the airport very clean and comfortable. At first I was very worried about what I would find as I had a 6 hrs layover in between flights. Most comments I had read online were very negative. However upon arrival I was pleased to find a fairly new and modern airport facility. All employees were very accommodating bathrooms were clean and food venues were great! The only negative aspect of my experience was the lack of proper internet. Although there is free WiFi it is so slow that it does not work.

✅ Trip Verified | Transit in Cairo. First time in years and was nervous given other comments. But it was easy. Handy tip make sure you buy water from the big duty free and get it sealed in an approved plastic bag if you want to take it on the flight. Seating pre gates is limited. Toilets clean but small and busy. No water fountains for drinking. All flights announced and security (pre boarding) efficient. Overall a few hours here was fine. Didn’t use WiFi

Not Verified | I'm a foreigner living in Egypt, and I use Cairo airport regularly. I have used Terminals 3 & 2, but never Terminal 1. The airport has a few minor quirks, and airside can be a bit dull, but I've never had any problem using the airport, which for the most part is modern and efficient. My flights almost always leave on time - more reliably so than in most European and North American airports. The closest thing I've ever had to a 'problem' was when I was told that my Egyptair flight was leaving from Terminal 2 instead of Terminal 3, but it's a very short walk between the two, and it was easy to shake off the two touts along that walk who wanted to 'help' (I just told them I live in Cairo; even if you're a tourist, try the same trick - tell them you live in Maadi or Zamalek if you want to sound more convincing). Here are some tips from a regular traveller for making your Cairo Airport experience smoother and more enjoyable: 1) If you're a tourist, always make sure that you have your USD$25 tourist visa fee in cash in advance of arrival - and in US dollars rather than the equivalent in another currency (they apparently take euros as well, but before I had residency I only ever used dollars). You have to pay for your visa sticker in cash at one of the bank windows right before the immigration desks, and then take both sticker and passport (separately; don't attach the sticker yourself) to immigration. 2) When leaving the airport, there is a security checkpoint and screening before check in. Remove everything from your pockets (and put it in your bags) before you go through security, except for your passport and a printout of either your boarding pass or your itinerary confirmation to show the security guard. Don't rely on using your mobile phone to confirm that you have a flight; always take a hardcopy of confirmation. In Terminal 3, there are individual security checkpoints at each gate (which is highly efficient, and greatly reduces queuing times). Terminal 2 has a single security checkpoint area between passport checks and airside, which is more traditional, but can lead to longer queues. If possible, arrange for someone to meet you at the airport to drive you to your destination. Also confirm where at the airport you're going to be met. Most drivers/greeters can only meet you just outside the terminal, though some can be found right before immigration and just after baggage claim, which can be confusing for first-time visitors. If you can't be met, Cairo also has Uber, which can take a lot of the stress out of worrying how much a taxi is going to cost (though the airport pick-up area can be hard to find). 5) Never let someone take one of your bags from you, or offer to help you carry your bag. If someone offers you unsolicited help before check in (when leaving) or after baggage claim (when arriving), decline. Arabic for 'no thank you' is 'la shukran'. Remember that the overwhelming majority of Egyptians are kind, generous, and helpful, and that Egypt is a wonderful country. Do not assume that the small number of easy to ignore touts at the airport are representative of Egypt - and don't let them ruin your trip!

I have travelled many times via Cairo Airport, especially the Star Alliance Terminal 3. I have to say that so much quality is missing, considering the fact that this is an international airport. For example, at the passport check / control, there are no lines or single files, people are just pushing each other. In terms of the airport environment, the staff are friendly and the airport itself is clean and free from any noticable garbage on the floor. Terminal signs are very clear and easy for one to easily navigate around.

Flew BKK-CAI-BKK and for arrival as well as for departure all went perfect with some minute issues. On arrival all went without a hitch from arrival (bussed to terminal) passport control and bags were delivered fast. The T3 is used by Egyptair and Star Alliance. Modern and airy. Official taxis at 6 am refused the official taximeter price but there was no other option. Departure was all right but the crowds at the first X-ray and checking the tickets as only passengers are allowed to the Check In counters. So many people and bit of chaos. Watch your bags as they seem to send them through the scanner and you end up stuck by the metal detector for your turn. Once you cross that everything else is s breeze. Check in took seconds passport control fast. Air side several interesting shops but I have to say they are truly expensive. So shame on you Cairo airport charging for a small 500ml bottle of normal water 25EGP when it costs roughly 1.5EGP. Second X-ray and documents check when entering the gate itself. The gates are well placed but there is no place to sit if the gate is still closed.

Pleasant modern airport not too big and not too small. Journey to and from Cairo is always fraught a shrug is the common response to asking how long you should allow but let's hope the Metro promised for next year materialises on time. But why can't the toilets have soap? And be less smelly? Why can't the "FreeAirportWifi" work? Why do the scamming porters who clamour to push your luggage 30 meters whether you protest or not and then ask for money apparently do so with the airport's blessing and wearing an official looking uniform? These are all national stereotypes but better airport management would roll them back a bit and encourage tourists back to Egypt.

Not Verified | The airport is not in the top but sure isn’t as bad as some expressed, please note that the airport has 3 separate terminals, the oldest one is not good but I understand there is planned renovations. The other 2 terminals are fairly new, good and clean, there is some miss organization but I have seen way worse in Major Airports. Overall, the airport is slightly above average and you can have decent time and reasonable waiting / process time.

Flew to and from Cairo Intl T1 the old renovated terminal for all international airlines T3 is for Egyptair and star alliance which I try to avoid as much as possible since it is big and crowded T1 is small and sometimes can get congested as well but in my view still better. Arrived and bussed to terminal since there are no air bridges here arrival hall is a very small claustrophobic room not the cleanest however surprisingly didn't queue much for passport control. Waiting for luggage felt like forever taxi drivers trying to grab you and your luggage is still an annoying issue departure was a better experience. I prefer the coziness of T1 still in good shape and has a decent food and beverage outlets and small nice duty free though very annoying with the non stop flight announcements for departure and arrival I wonder why it was only in Arabic. Still better than the chaotic T3 and lets wait and see the outcome of the major renovation of T2.

Flew in and out from Cairo airport with KLM (Business Class). Skyteam flies to terminal 1 (the face lifted old terminal with no sky bridges). Its a nice terminal since T2 is in complete renovation and I suspect they will return there and T3 is only Egyptair and Star Alliance. Arrival was on time but many passengers as there were 2 planes from Saudi Arabia. Bags already waiting and out in no time. Taxis hunting for arrivals so a good idea to avoid them and take an official taxi to avoid rip off. NO Sky Priority for any Business class passengers. Departure was a breeze at check in. No priority fro C class passengers at passport control. Couple of nice shops and cafes. The C class lounge is quiet and nice with non-functional internet which managed to irk most guests. The holding boarding gate is too small to hold a full B777 so it caused great discomfort to passengers and the numerable carts and wheelchairs. Very claustrophobic. Bussing to and the terminal is OK. T3 is far better to handle crowds and is up to par with other international airports. T1 is functional but needs a little help.

I flew into and out of terminal 3. Check-in was ok with a little wait and some confusion over which was the right desk to check into. My main issue was with the price of the food drinks and duty free. I know airport prices are usually high but this was ridiculous. A bottle of water which costs 1.50 EGP in the street cost 10 EGP - a very high markup indeed. Main message - eat before and bring drinks/snacks for the terminal/plane. On arrival we had to jump on a bus to get to the terminal itself from the plane but after that the passport area was easy to pass through (we already had a visa) baggage collection no worries and then customs didn't even bother to check our bags. As others have said the most annoying part of arrival is the tour guides/taxi drivers you run into after leaving the arrivals area. Yes the airport should at least keep them out of the terminal and have a proper system to deal with taxis. Try to pre-arrange transport if you can and if you can't ask the place you are staying for a fair estimate of a taxi fare and only get in a taxi that agrees to your fare. If you are after an experience and not sweat the small stuff you will be rewarded greatly.

Cairo T3. Arrival from Sharm for connection to Heathrow. Incoming aircraft parked at a remote stand and we were bussed via what seemed a circuitous route to the terminal. Followed directions for flight transfer to reach emigration; this takes place in a small room with just a couple of desks and embarkation cards are only handed out as you enter this room. Cue lots of passengers suddenly dropping bags and scrabbling around for pens passports and flight details. Emigration officers rather brusque. Once processed proceeded into the main terminal building which is modern slick and attractive with all the facilities you would expect. Only complaint – gate for flight to London hadn't been opened when I reached it and there was limited seating in the pier outside. Once open security again rather brusque but plentiful seating at gate itself.

✅ Trip Verified | Transited in this airport. I was really dreading it but not too bad. Went through security checks again despite being airside which is of concern if people can randomly enter the airport or were not properly screen in regional airports. Food selection options OK - much better than I thought and reasonably priced. A fair range of shops for the size of the airports. Limited seating downstairs near international departure gate and like sitting in a windtunnel but if you take the escalator upstairs to where the museum is the area is very nice. Comfortable seats and warmth. Chaotic boarding don't even think priority boarding/business class is applied. Complex airport security again especially for airside. I really do question the consistency of staff and their understanding of security procedures. Gave up on the wi fi situation. Very clean toilets.

✅ Trip Verified | The airport is quite functional and well designed. I arrived and departed from Terminal 3 which is easily accessible via a foot bridge from my hotel (Meridien Cairo Airport). So, it was very convenient to get out of and into the airport. On arrival, there is quite a distance to walk from gate to immigration/baggage collection. Immigration was easy (do get an e-visa before traveling!!) Staff at departure security check was very unfriendly and although there was a priority lane, nobody checked - so it was very crowded and chaotic. Check-in was friendly and efficient. Passport control was not. The immigration officer could not be bothered. He was messaging on his phone while I was waiting for my passport to be stamped and he was extremely unfriendly and arrogant. There is another security check at the gat which, again, was a very unpleasant experience as staff were very rude and unfriendly. Boarding was ok especially as the staff was paying attention that boarding groups were observed which was very good and reduced the usual chaos.

Not Verified |   I have traveled through Cairo airport multiple times before, and my experience this time was a significant improvement. A marked improvement in signage and organization within the terminal itself which made navigation through it a breeze, The check-in process was quicker, wifi stands and mobile charging stations were finally added. the major downside however was the security procedures which were as slow and unorganized as usual and needs a ton of attention. Despite the many areas for improvement i was impressed by the positive changes implemented since my last visit and hope they will continue.

On most of my trips here in Egypt I have encountered extremely nice Egyptians. Today I arrived at the airport to leave and a guy came up to me as I am walking through the security check at the front asking me if I was flying with Lufthansa. He was wearing an employee tag over his neck so I thought he is an airport employee being helpful. I said yes and he grabbed my luggage set it down next to him and asked me for money. At this time another man came by also wearing tags and the younger one says "give him money". I gave the older man 20 Egyptian dollars. He proceeds to say "give him (younger guy) money too". At which point I said I don't have anymore money. He kept pressuring me saying US dollars will be okay too and I kept saying I don't have any. He pestered me all the way to the check in counter while holding on to my luggage almost hostage. After I told him many times that I don't have any more money he dropped my luggage on the floor and left. If Egypt wants to revive their tourism they really need to do something about this situation because now I am much less inclined to come back the next time I have vacation. What a terrible experience! Other than that the airport is new although not too fancy. Quite a selection of shops you can go to and food.

Flew in and out from Doha. Terminal 1 is pleasant even though there are no jet bridges. The check in used to be mainly in the main hall (which is still there) but they decided to open 10 more at the back side and its quite a tight fit and very uncomfortable when it fills up with passengers. You definitely need to jump over many to get to passport control. Cairo is knows with every single staff trying to get some tips. Standing by the gate that clearly says "Doha" they ask me whether I am flying to Doha and as I reply yes they extend their palm and wish me a pleasant flight "and wait for a tip". I'm half Egyptian so I am used to it but can get real annoying after a while. Passport control is fast. Avoid Duty free that has nothing special. cafeteria exorbitant and overpriced. Word of advice. The gates are very very small so in case your flight is full and a wide body aircraft try and be one of the last to get to gate as its filled to the brim and very uncomfortable. When boarding starts everyone is everywhere.

Very poor Shuttle Service between terminals. We had to change buses between 2 Terminals. No instructions given the bus just stopped and driver got off. Passengers we looked at each other what should we do now? OK we changed buses on to the desired terminal then we are dropped off across the entrance in a parking lot not in front of the terminal entrance. So off we go pulling our suitcases. What ever happened to the people mover? No clear signs for Shuttle nor for the train between terminals.

Visited Cairo for a conference at a glance during arrival the airport seemed ok clean not at all crowded Immigration was a breeze with only 1 counter operating out of about 30 counters toilets were clean and I was out of the airport in about 30 min. The real problem started when I was departing. Be prepared to get tired of hearing the word "baaksheesh" which means a tip. Every person you see shall approach you for a tip even if it is their duty. The airport doesn't offer free drinking water facilities you have to buy it. Announcements were excellent and they went the extra mile to announce in the language of the destination for International Flights.

A new terminal has been added to the old one - that means that when you arrive and remote parked there is a quite long drive to the terminal. As everything in Egypt arrival can be quite stressful you need to buy your entrance ticket (visa) by the exchange offices you might as well change money at the same time. Then you go through passport/visa control and then luggage area. you might be asked again for a passport check before leaving the airport. Coming out of terminal please hold on to everything you have as strangers will grab your luggage without asking and expect a tip. Even if you have an ordered transfer they let the strangers take it - everybody makes the most out of emptying the tourists pockets. In case you are arriving at international and need a connecting domestic flight it can be a bit tricky but follow the signs and ask your way to a small corridor - which by the way is a very popular praying area. When you arrive at the airport terminal touts will round you up and ask if you are flying Egyptair (it is the Egyptair terminal so of course you are) they pretend they are VIP handlers and take your luggage to first security screening demanding money before you enter. Check in is slow. Until you reach your plane you will be subjected to 4-6 security checks and many of them ask you to pay tips - even cleaning staff will follow you into the toilets handing you toilet paper and ask for money. There are shops and eateries which are overpriced. Use all Egyptian pounds before entering the terminal- they do not change it back. When boarding first you go through security screening then one person checks your boarding card and passport then you walk 1 meter and a new security person checks your boarding card and passport - and before you enter the airplane another security person checks your boarding card.

Cairo terminal 3 is spacious with great Star Alliances lounges and efficient check in/immigration facilities. It took less than 30 minutes from touch down to be on a cab to town.

Arrival in Terminal 1 was disappointing building seemed old and was rather crowded. No organised lines whatsoever and complete chaos. However departure from same terminal (Terminal 1) was a different story. Departure seems very new large LCD screens displaying flight information organized check-in desksmany immigration kiosks. There were many food outlets such as McDonald's Starbucks Cinnabon etc. The airport-facing side of the waiting area is all glass which enables you to watch all the planes. Hopefully issues concerning departure will be solved with the opening of Terminal 3 this month.

Flying Dar-es-salaam to London last week I had to transit for 5 hours in Cairo. They gave all transit passengers to London a free city tour of Cairo for 3 hours! Lunch was also included which was a take away lunch box from a local restaurant. They even sorted out all the visa formalities for all of us.

Arrived in original older terminal. Old dilapidated and poorly signed. I'm not sure where I was supposed to obtain a visa (I had one already in my passport from consulate at home). Baggage gathering was straightforward but a little chaotic. It took me a good half hour to get my luggage. Departure terminal was fine. Beware of crooked people who pretend to be airport staff but are just looking for tips. Otherwise modern airport after you go through security. McDonald's Star Bucks and a few other shops. Smoking is permitted in certain areas and one room.

Simply the most chaotic airport well not as chaotic as Jeddah airport however as a reputable country like Egypt should have a better terminal than this joke small claustrophobic building since the 1960s the most annoying issue was the people harassing you for taxis and limousines and for luggage assistance why it is not organized like everywhere else. 3 passport control desks during a busy period of the day with so many flights going everywhere queue felt like forever duty free is ridiculously expensive more expensive than market prices and than any other place in the world. Basic facilities in terms of cafes and restaurants dirty bathrooms couldn't even use it. How this is an airport in a country with tourists from everywhere. Have to use it every few months as family lives there.

Arrived from JNB early morning. Very expensive and poorly laid out. Unsmiling staff and very long queues to transfer. Toilets were filthy with no toilet paper or soap and no attendants around to ask for help.

Going through the much-touted terminal three there was nothing open for a morning departure - save for Duty Free and a handful of snack bars. Surprisingly I encountered no shakedown attempts from employees but then again the airport is understaffed. Arrival in terminal 1 was uneventful but still confusing. It's not as if you'll have many other options if you're flying to Egypt and are on a tight schedule.

✅ Trip Verified | My first impression of the aiport building was "wow, it is huge and new". The moment I entered the airport and went to the security control, every single nice impressions vanished. I was really disappointed to the airport staffs especially the security control. The line was very long. They didn't tell us that there is a special line for women and men. My group and I queued up in the wrong line since there were no sign or information about women's line. Very inefficient. The nightmare continued. The security officers didn't tell us to take off our sneakers. The tray to put our small bags, shoes, or jackets were not enough. Therefore, people put their jacket and shoes directly to the scanner machine. Could you imagine that we have to wear the jacket that already dirty because of those shoes? The line for immigration also very long. I flew red eye and the airport was full. They only have 2 or 3 booths opened. It was truly not efficient and wasting time. The only nice person I met in this airport was the Oman Air ground staff. He was the only guy who smiled and talked nicely to me when I checked in my bags. I hope the airport management could train their security staffs to be nice and welcoming so people would be happy to comeback to Egypt. As a gateway to Egypt, if the staff are rude, people might think that most Egyptian are the same which is not true at all.

✅ Trip Verified | Have free WIFI but you need a telephone number to get confirmation code via sms. Waited 40 minutes to get checked baggage. No sign to show how to get to terminal 3, to terminal 2 and needed to ask security staff instead. Lots of security checks and no battery in carry-on baggage. Few restaurant at duty free shop area in international departure area. Better to walk around gate.

Cairo airport must be the most awkward airport in the world. I have flown through all 3 terminals so I know it quite well. There is no point in referring to the appalling terminal 2 as it is no longer in operation. The quality of staff and security processes are the biggest issues in my opinion. Regarding the staff there seems to be a scam between airport officials and taxi drivers to hand you over to the drivers that will rip you off. If you can prearrange transport you will be able to avoid that. There are 2 members of staff at passport control. The first will look at your passport and put the visa sticker on it and the second one will stamp it. And they both sit side by side. You have to security scan your suitcases before you check-in which causes absolute chaos. The stories are endless about this airport. On the up it is a clean airport modern and spacious with good duty free and good dinning options. And I have to say I have seen some improvements over the last 2 years which shows that Egyptians are making an effort to improve it.

It's chaotic and not clean. They got free wifi some poor shops and a few duty free shops. Smoking areas are available but are not used as they remind me of a bad sauna and most of the people smoke outside. Myself I am a non smoker so I find this pretty disturbing. The few lounges they got are very spare and crowded. Food is poor. Internet inside the lounge is poor. Toilets are old and filthy. No shower possibility at the lounges of the main hub of a star alliance member airport. This is poor. Security is poor and rude. Ground staff are ok but slow in operation.

Arrived at 2am from Amsterdam. Immigration was quick and easy. Bags arrived quickly. Went to airport shuttle without any issues. However the departure from Terminal 1 was horrible. From the moment I was dropped off I was hounded with offers to "help". Additionally the airport employees are definitely part of the scheme to mis-guide you leading you to a position where you feel like you have to pay someone to get you to the correct place. The trip to Cairo was great but the lack of organization and the constant attempts to take money from you really soured the departure.

✅ Trip Verified | The departure experience is miserable starting with the first luggage scan and passsport and ticket check by an illiterate police man who insists on no phones in hand, but must see booking to return passport. The queue was long and business priority little door was useless as no one checking for class or carriage or star alliance Gold loyalty. After check in line for passport control again long and Priority line irrelevant as no one cares. Boarding flight no priority boarding and again another security check is done on hand luggage and person. Public washroom hygiene is below average and as always cleaners there asking for tips. Otherwise Terminal 3 of Cairo is ok but wish they can improve traveller experience especially on leaving with a good impression of Egypt which is a great country to visit.

Arrived late at night on Air France and were towed to a remote gate. Bussed for ages to Terminal 3 for customs. The agent was cold and rude not pleasant after a long 2 days of flying. He only gave some of our group arrival stamps which was strange. The terminal itself was beautiful and very western except for broken toilets in the bathrooms. The next morning the 5am Egyptair to Aswan. The terminal requires security to reach check in then once again at the gate. I don't think they even looked at the first screening. The airport was clean and very modern. Boarding through the gate was strange as a man opened the door and simply said "time to board" not through a PA system or anything. Departing on Air france a week later through terminal 1 was crazy. People can pay security a few dollars to jump ahead cutting our group of kids into chunks. Check in was painfully slow but that is the airline's fault. Customs heading out was fast and the man gave me a strange look for not having an arrivals stamp. At the gate one metal detector was there to screen our airbus 330! Again 5 pounds and passengers were escorted to the front of the line. We were then bussed out to our plane back to the civilized world.

✅ Trip Verified | I arrived and departed Cairo Airport several times.My experiences were always quite similiar. You arrive at the airport and you have to go through immigration. Visa is easily obtailable, but then you need to wait. Sometimes nearly one hour until you can finaly reach your immigration desk and can enter the country. With luggage I've never had a problem, but then, before leaving the airport, you need to go through customs check, where they select people to put their luggage through an x-ray. As a European, I had never have my luggage inspected. Even when I wanted to declare that I have more bottles of alcohol with me than allowed, custom officials kept sending me away. So I gave up and walked through the green corridor, nobody seemed to mind. Then starts the hassle, as Cairo Airport has a public transport connection, but people at the airport will just deny it! Actually, from T2 or T3 you need to catch a shuttle bus (running irregular intervals) to get to a bus station and from there take a bus to Cairo. Very inconvenient, so try to get a taxi. This is quite difficult, as drivers will always try to rip you off. From the airport to Tahrir Square or Dokki, 150 EGP is the local price, as a foreigner, getting a deal for 200 EGP is fine, 250 is also okay. Problem: Upon leaving the airport, taxi drivers need to pay at a toll gate, and some will insist you pay it, which was never agreed in the first place. Fun fact: If you are going to the airport, they will also insist you pay extra. If you need to go to central Cairo, that can become a painful ride, as streets are congested, best case 30min, worst case 2 hours to Cairo. (It can take 2 hours even when arriving at 1 a.m.) On the way back you will have similar problems, only in Cairo you have more power to negotiate. Beware: Some drivers are too stupid to find the airport. If you want to make sure, everything is okay: Download Uber Egypt App before getting to Cairo and use Uber. Taxi drivers complain about Uber, but they do not realize if they charged "sensible" rates or did not change their price during the ride, they would not face this problem. When picking up people, you are not even allowed to enter the airport building or stay on the same side. You need to stand in a large crowd of people waiting for your people to arrive. Hated it. When you made it back to the airport, you will be greeted by "helping hands", that will take your luggage out of your hands and start moving it to security check. Last time I just started shouting at them to let my luggage free. They want a "tip" for their service, like every Egyptian. That is okay, but they will not settle for anything less than 20 EGP, which is, by Egyptian standards, way too much. (If you tip ordinary people 5 EGP, they will be very happy). Then security guards insist you showing them your ticket, passport is enough. So always carry a copy of your ticket on your smartphone or in your bag. Then it is check-in time, which I have never had a problem in Cairo. Passport checks can be slow or can be fast, but it is usually faster than entering the country. The duty-free and waiting areas are pretty boring. Before your gates open, you need to sit on a few metal benches. Before entering your gate, there is another detailed security check, only whole airplane needs to pass through one lane, so terribly long queuing. Airport needs a subway and more security lanes

Not Verified | Departure is very tedious. Our flight got delayed (not due to the airports fault) but it took 3 hours for them to get our luggage back. Most of the luggage returned were wet and damaged. Arrival however is very quick and easy

✅ Trip Verified | Looks like a military base, numerous check point until you finally board the plane. Officials made a case because we did not have our boarding pass (they were to be collected at check in desks). Although some of staff are helpful and friendly they are exceptions.

Not Verified | Ms 996 flight on Aug.20 leaving Toronto Airport. After arrival 1.5 hour waiting at the conveyer to collect my Luggage after 10 hours trip. This is not acceptable by any standard.

Mass confusion. The airport itself is huge and seems to offer limitless potential, but there is no real management and the employees, as well as those who are not but pretend to be, simply do as they please. There are endless, and pointless, security checks (the machine no was even operating in one case) as well as countless inspections of documents, but no one even so much as glanced at my photo. The worst part are the touts and hustlers who roam around pretending to be airport employees and offer to direct you in and out of various lines, naturally for a tip. If I was spotted at LAX posing as an airport employee and directing people when in fact I am not an employee, I'd be in jail in under thirty seconds. It was absurd. The condition of the toilets is totally dependent on who is assigned to clean them, some were sparkling while others were filthy. Food selection in the food court was mediocre and priced at levels equal to any Western airport, which meant ridiculously expensive by Egyptian standards. There really aren't enough seats in the main departure areas so you need to move well away from the gates just to find a place to sit down. This place was just bad news.

✅ Trip Verified | Rudest staff. I was harassed and blocked from entering the airport at the gate by a rude staff member who couldn’t speak a word in English and shouted at me in Arabic. Noted that he let other Egyptian passengers pass through before me without asking them to show ticket or passport and only asked me to show my passport and ticket.

What a difference a Terminal makes. Terminal 2 still is a joke and an embarrassment. Terminal 3 is the first time I felt like flying to Cairo and actually landing in an airport that is closer to standards. The new terminal is however used only by Egyptair and Star alliance. The terminal building is airy and clean sufficient amount of shops and cafes walking distances are not that far. The access taxiways to the terminal takes ages so the planes taxing was around 25min! The negative points are more because of local habits. For the first time I met a female passport control officer who was rude for that I am taking 2 stars off. Only passengers can enter the terminal building even the waiting areas. If you are not a passenger then you have to "buy" a ticket which is a bit annoying as they sent us 600m away to a stall to get the ticket. I realize that this is to control the crowds and the "taxi drivers" who hunt for arrivals but this is not the way to do it. Only passengers are allowed al the way to check in counters! Check in agents helpful and a young crowd. So I guess its a far better place than I have experienced in an Egyptian airport.

✅ Trip Verified | As most people have stated in here, the place is a hassle to be dealt with. They will check your bags, ticket and passport numerous times, so come prepared and leave them handy. Porters can be pushy but all you have to do is tell them a firm "Lah shoukran" (No, thank you) and they will let you alone. Avoid making eye contact with locals as they will come to you in order to offer something for a tip. Same applies to the toilets, do not tip them, using the toilet is free of charge. If you use the local sim card, download careem or uber and you will save a lot of money with transportation. Flights are often late so eat and drink well before coming as the food and drinks are horribly expensive in here. One thing to note, Terminal 3 was very clean though. I will do my best to avoid Egypt from now on.

Not Verified | Washrooms are dirty. People don’t follow queues, authorities cant maintain queues, cops at terminal 1 gate at 11:24 / 31st Dec were disrespectful and hideous. Even India with more population has better standards than this dump of an airport and its uncouth cops. I would never recommend travelling to Egypt more than once. In fact just for the pyramids yes but not this nightmare.

On 28/11/2014 I arrived to Cairo Airport on an MEA flight bounded from Beirut. The whole situation is in chaos. The smell in the airport is terrible. Immigration officers as well as customs officers are extremely rude and stubborn.

Arrived from JFK to CAI new terminal. Facilities were neat immigration fast customs a bit confusing . Long wait for luggage but finally arrived. Terminal building was nice modern signage sufficient staff a bit disorganized but finally everything fell in it's place.

✅ Trip Verified | I have visited Cairo a few times pre covid and it was terrible service then. The police/immigration officials are rude and keep asking stupid ethnicity questions about my father's/grandfather's and my background and even though I am a British national with a British Passport. They then seize my passport and conduct further checks as if I'm not a genuine passport holder. However this time in March 2022 they have become even worse and were very rude and abrupt with very little understanding of the English language. When I returned to fly out the Policeman at the door at Terminal 3 asked to see my passport and ticket which I showed him. He let all other Egyptian passport holders through without checking any other documents. He then pretended to read my e-ticket and said I needed to go terminal 2. I explained to him that my ticket said terminal 3 and terminal 2 was London Heathrow my arrival destination. He refused to listen and ignored me so I persevered and then after a while he let me through saying " Oh London, No Paris". I said it says London Heathrow clearly and walked passed him. I was stopped again when checking bags through and one guy even asked for a TIP! I don't know what for but I said NO. At the immigration desk same ethnicity questions and passport was seized and checked before finally being allowed through. In these modern times as there is no need for such harassment and rude behaviour.

I have flown a number of flights through the new T3. Better traffic control outside newer/modern look alcohol available in bar/restaurant many gates with walkways fairly efficient check in and passport control departing. The bad - business class lounge (they just opened a second Egyptair this last week) are poor - the attendant told me they would be opening up a nicer one in a matter of months frequently claim a gate is open when it isn't so you walk all the way and are stuck in a hall with a bunch of other people in front of the closed gate (and you have to go through security again) and on arrival the scene at passport control is pure chaos! I spent 30+ minutes in the business/first class line because they allowed individuals with group passports (5-10 passports in a stack) to cut ahead of the business and first class passengers in line! The other lines were extremely long and extremely slow. And also bad is you still get stuck using a bus despite them having open gates and the drive from plane to terminal is a good fifteen minutes. So overall I'm pretty disappointed and actually preferred terminal one with its McDonalds Starbucks and Cinnebon (none of which have a franchise in T3).

Arrived at Terminal 1. Luckily I had a service meet me. No one in front of me at the bank to get the visa. A few lines for immigration that moved well. No problems with immigration. Luggage fairly prompt. Departure Term 1. Metal detector at entrance, before check-in at gate and even frisked on entering plane. Check-in was very fast. No real line at immigration. Departure gate area is small and not user friendly. Only saw one place to eat. People sitting everywhere. You can't get into gate until an hour before your flight. Note - walk all the way to end of the corridor and there is a seating area on your right. One of the worst places to wait for your plane. Now Term 3 is quite different my rating is for Term 1 but Term 3 is wide open. Lots of seating (upstairs) til you go down to the lower level. New airport and bus to planes? Generally not a nice airport.

✅ Trip Verified | Even the airport is full with scammers. So many police and nobody is taking it seriously. The cleaners will let you smoke in the invalid toilet and so many want to take your luggage but what they really want is your money. Too bad Cairo. If you want the tourists back you have to improve very much.

✅ Verified Review | The airport has deteriorated tremendously over the past years. Security checks take a long time, bathrooms are very dirty, the food is low quality (but still expensive!), and staff are not friendly. This is a real pity as the airport had been managed very well at some point.

Not Verified | I had to pay a £50 bribe to a policeman. They only accept USD or EU currency for the VISA and I only had Egyptian money. All of the ATM's in the security area were broken so a guard took me through security without the visa and told me to withdraw £100 from an ATM in the arrivals areas - £50 for the visa and £50 for him, he then took me back to security where I could buy a visa. I felt very intimidated and ripped off. What a horrible start to Egypt

Not Verified | Tipping out of control. It’s a hustle. Guy loading the bags tried to get money from me. Then, 2 other employees at the bathroom were hustling customers for money to use the bathroom. Then, a woman tried to enter the stall while my wife was using the bathroom asking for money. All were airport employees. This ruined our experience to Cairo.

Not Verified | Do not expect special assistance to be available. There were two people coming off the flight from Luxor and I was unfortunately one of them. We were connecting with the flight to London Heathrow. We had to wait for nearly half an hour for one wheelchair to arrive and then we were hoisted to the ground which took another few minutes. The man took my companion in the wheelchair but not myself. My carer tried to tell him that I would be unable to walk very far. He did not speak any English so could not understand. He then set off very fast and we had no idea whether he would come back or not. I decided I had to try and walk and follow him which is lucky I did as he was going off work in any case. We then followed the man with my friend in the wheelchair and myself struggling to keep up to a seating area when he informed us in sign language that he was finishing work - in other words he expected a tip. He did not get one as he was most rude not waiting for me and not slowing down. There were some smartly dressed people around but no sign of a wheelchair. We asked where the assistance was - this man told us to sit there and wait so we waited 15 minutes. He obviously had no intention of helping us. People were so rude and arrogant. We then decided we had to go without the wheelchair to the security check which was a distance from the seating area labelled special assistance. We had to stand for about 15 minutes while they allowed people from the other queue to join what was the fast track queue. We then had to strip most of our clothes off and they even asked me to remove my rings. After security we were told to sit in a seating area at the gate and wait for the wheelchair to come. We were then told we couldn't sit there in sign language - no sign of a wheelchair. Eventually with minutes to spare a man appeared with one wheelchair for three of us. It was obviously a mistake to require special assistance and they want to increase the number of tourists! Never again.

Not Verified | This airport is a horrible representation of the country. The employees are trying to swindle American and European travelers. The place where one should feel the safest feels the most vulnerable. Egypt was a wonderful country filled with people who were eager to show us a great time. They were warm and friendly and proud of their nation. This airport feels like an entirely different country altogether. My passport was held for ransom of $40; the security charged $150 just to walk through. Security was asking select travelers “how much money do you have?” And they are only respectful to those who are native or speak the language. The airport itself is chaotic, unkept, and much of the shops are unfriendly. This is not the Egypt I was introduced to and came to love. This needs to be rectified if they expect travelers to ever return or give a good recommendation.

✅ Trip Verified | There is no Wi-Fi if you don’t have local SIM card or data roaming. So when things go wrong (Egyptair messing up my connection) there’s no way to let anyone know or find information. There are no signs outside to show where shuttle buses stop. The security screening people are aggressive and rude. Officials pass you from one to the other, ducking responsibility and lying to your face. There is no reliable information eg the screen says the flight has departed but the gate was open another hour. It took me two hours for them to print me a transfer ticket and accommodation voucher. This is the worst airport I’ve ever been to - and I’ve been to a lot.

✅ Trip Verified | No Immigration officer were there at the transit booth, I had to wait for 30min to have another officer bring me to the main Immigration line. After this, well the duty free is basically empty of any interesting items. The bar had no waiter. Hippopotamus is dodgy, microwaved food. The first class Mastercard Lounge is the worst lounge I've ever visited, with 30yo couches, a total F&B of 3 croissants, 4 oranges, 6 water bottle, a lonely yoghurt and 30 plastic wrapped pieces of bread. Agents are rude and busy looking at their phones. As for WiFi, good luck getting the OTP if you don't have an Egyptian number. In any case that'll just grant you 30min.

✅ Trip Verified | The airport is a pain! While the infrastructure is not bad, service and cleanliness are appalling. I fly a lot and dread it every time I need to go through Cairo Airport. Security staff is not organized and makes a mess even out of the shortest queue. The lounges are low quality in terms of food, cleanliness, and facilities. The entire process is a pain to go through. This becomes even more apparent when comparing the airport to the one on the other end of the flight. I really hope that someone puts pressure on the airport and also on Egyptair for that matter to fix their issues.

✅ Trip Verified | Service must be improved as it’s the reputation of Egypt! When we arrived to Airport to the departure sale i totally agree about the security check points but I refuse being dealt with a bad manner from security and luggage boy and at the end waiting for a tip after doing nothing even I carried my bags by myself, I was surprised when I saw the self check in machines woow that’s amazing in Cairo as we used to use it in most of the Airports around the world and I happily got the print out of my boarding pass after leading me to a very rude officer which he refused to take my luggage’s and he is working in the online check in counters and simply says I will not take more. After queuing for me here for about 15 minuets you need to go to another queue in a very rude and non professional way at all, people must know that this is their job and working in the biggest airport in Egypt is simply representing Egypt and it has to be well represents. I left the queue upset looking everywhere to queue in another queue for Dubai flight whoever I have my boarding pass with me , it’s a big joke to see guys carrying the luggage’s for some tips to other Guests steps in front of you and not following the queue , nothing organized at all , rude way! It’s really disappointed to see these very bad service in the Airport that’s represents your country and honestly I will definitely take another Airline next time and will never recommend it to any of my friends

The airport is very badly sign posted and I found myself getting lost more than once something that has never happened to me in an airport before and I am a frequent traveler. You are often pestered by staff for a tip for even the most basic service. The selection of souvenirs was poor surprising given this is Egypt. The security arrangements seem illogical as you are screened by security twice just yards apart before check in. There is also a serious shortage of seating which is an issue if you are traveling with old or infirm people. Make sure you pre-arrange a pick up when arriving as fake cab drivers swarm around you on arrival if you appear to be looking lost.

My return flight from Cairo has left a bit of a sour taste. I think that "tea money" or bakshish was requested virtually on each step from check in till boarding which is something I haven't experienced yet in CAI airport before. It started when I flew from Munich to Cairo T3 where I had a 2 days stop over. Passport control was fast which is great after that and 2 meters from passport control a police officer re-checks your passport to see the entry stamp. You go to puck up your bags and there it starts. When you see your bag and go to get it then you find a couple of guys trying to help you forcefully and then expect tea money as they specifically said it. I go through the "green zone" which practically isn't that green as everyone is being controlled. Check passport again and open bags. close bags and "welcome to Cairo any chance for tea money sir?". The arrival hall is empty as all waiting people were kicked out for some reason or another. My departure for Bangkok was definitely an experience. I will count passport checks and tea money from my check in to boarding! TO enter the hall and the check in area then you have to be only a passenger - so I got my passport checked and the gentleman wished me a pleasant flight and some tea money. I go to Xrays to enter the check in area so I get my passport checked and the officer smiled and asked if I had any tea money. I go to check in that took longer than its supposed to. Each check in counter has a gentleman to help the bags on the scales. Since I had only a small bag I helped myself and my passport checked and tea money was asked by the helper. I proceed to Passport control and go through with ease. I proceed to the gate where the passport is checked and went again through x rays while boarding at the door the passports were checked again and I was once again asked for tea money. I was annoyed by that stage - going through he airbridge to the plane and what do we have there - a gentleman controlling my passport I mean security is a good thing but this is a bit weird. I would like to rest assured tourists will be spared much of the tea money (not a guarantee) since I am part Egyptian and look so. So the terminal can be as clean and modern as can be but his has topped any experience that I had.

The arrival in the new airport went very smoothly but the international departure hall is a total mess. There is a separate Star Alliance/Egyptair business section giving the privilege to have longer queues than in the economy main hall. Signs are confusing plenty of people around trying to "guide" you for faster processing against a tip in all a miserable place.

✅ Trip Verified | Entering the airport with several friends was fine. Leaving on my own, as a solo female, was not. I had booked a room in the adjacent la Meridian hotel (which was awesome) and thought I would feel safe walking across the bridge to terminal 3. Once there, I had no idea where to go to find my airline. I was an easy mark, and ended up having to pay for a “taxi” person to walk me to the correct terminal. Where I then had my luggage grabbed, lifted on the screening conveyor belt, and then demanded money for the service. I used to travel a lot for work, so I am used to flying alone. But this airport made me very nervous for my safety. I don’t think any “staff” cared about me or my safety, but looked at me as a nuisance.

✅ Trip Verified | This airport is such a pain to navigate and you go through literally 6 to 10 security check points to get to your flight. I traveled from Phoenix, Az to Chicago to Frankfurt to Cairo to Luxor with all of my stuff with very little issues. They pick and choose who to mess with and what is ok to travel with. I had my $250 Lumerian Quartz taken for no reason going through the final check point to board to head to Munich. It isn't illegal to have a crystal. I went through countless checkpoints with no issues until these fools decided to go through and shred my backpack confiscating random things including the crystal. I looked it up online before traveling if I could have it. I have had go deal with guys "helping with bags just to force me to tip them when I was fine on my own" the greed and BS I have experienced in this country has been the worst.

Chaos seems to be the order of the day at this airport for arrivals and departures. Give yourself lots of time for check-in. Road access is very circuitous could not find indicators/screens to advise of arrivals and departures in Terminal 1 arrivals hall transfers from one terminal to another was convoluted. Be aware of Islamic holidays and other special times when the crowds are checking in.

Truly one of the most awful airport experiences I have encountered. From the minute you land you are hassled by 'officials' offering taxis trips to pyramids. Trying to get free shuttle bus from terminal 3 to terminal 1 you will be told there isn't one a taxi will offer to take you the 2km journey for $10 which should only be $2. Airport staff grab your bags and take to x-ray machines and then expect a gift. As somebody who lives in Egypt I try to avoid this airport and would rather fly out of Sharm to England.

Not Verified | The whole experience was terrible. On arrival, getting a taxi from the airport to the hotel was a big task. Everybody tried to get business from you. There was no standard fee charges. You have to negotiate the fee. It was terrible. 5 days later, on departure, the experience of checking in was even worse. It was hard to find the the right place for check in. The people wearing the uniform was telling me no check in, but going to next gate I was told ok. The whole thing was a mess. Everywhere in the airport people could ask you to show your passport. There are no areas to sit while waiting for boarding.

Went through terminal 2 on flight to/from Doha on Qatar Airways. On arrival I was hustled by various people who wanted to "help" me find a taxi etc. even before immigration. This terminal is a mess! The building is old and run down. On the way home food was poor and overpriced and staff are either not interested or looking for some kind of tip. Really it's not a pleasant place to spend two hours and does not give a good first impression on arrival. On the other hand I flew domestic on EgyptAir through new terminal 3 building during my visit to Egypt which was a much better experience although signage and announcements were lacking. Keep an eye on the boards as they can change without warning!

Cairo Terminal 1. BA requested our presence three hours before the 8:35 AM departure and I duly showed up. The security people however did not start screening until 2.5 hours before so a long single form line for all classes was the result. In fact apart from the check-in counter nowhere in the entire process of boarding are there dedicated First Business or Elite Customer lines. The BA check in staff were unaware of the arrival terminal change in Heathrow (not T5 thank goodness but T4). I found out as I was trying to understand where my connecting Heathrow Delta flight to Atlanta was departing from (turned out to be T4 as well). The Cairo International terminal BA uses is old.A new terminal is in the process of being built which surely will bring a better quality pre-flight experience. As it is BA offers the use of a generic lounge which is small with very old and not entirely clean looking furniture and a TV tuned to Al Jazeera. There are two old nondescript standard and not entirely clean fridges carrying somewhat cold water and soft drinks. There was nobody manning the bar and there was no food apart from nuts despite this being an early AM departure. There was free wireless internet. I went out to find some breakfast and ended up in a coffee shop which served fresh croissants. The terminal offers some shopping but many were closed at this early hour. The lighting in the terminal is harsh and the use of tiles everywhere creates a sterile and impersonal cold atmosphere. Boarding was the worst chaos of all. All passengers were hoarded into a pre-boarding area. The two BA representatives scanned all boarding passes but did not offer any assistance to people in wheel chairs (there were about 5 on this flight) or people with small children. A lone police man started checking passports when the door for boarding opened and it was each man woman and disabled person for themselves… A shambles. All in all the fact that a new terminal is being built is absolutely necessary. But for the time being you might be better off traveling on one of the Sky Team airlines as they depart from the already opened new Terminal 2.

✅ Trip Verified | Upon arrival, most international tourists are looking for visa on arrival and surprisingly you should proceed to bank counter for the visa (without any sign showing "visa on arrival"). After immigration, the money exchange counter is at one end, while the telcos are at the other end. The airport is overall clean, however, cleaners around some washrooms may ask you for money (for those who are not aware, they might think that's the fee to use washroom).

Not Verified | Came off flight EK925, and checked luggage came back with a small delay but acceptable. Then we exited quite easily. Now let's talk departures, I departed this airport a total of 2 times, arrives 2 times in Dec 2023, experiencing both the int'l and dom terminals. Domestic departure security was an absolute mess. You'd have passports and tickets being thrown around, and tour groups separated in men and women, resulting in chaos. Your phone is getting scanned while you attempt to show your boarding pass. Print boarding passes before you get to the airport. Arrival back into Cairo on Egyptair was okay, but the luggage took it's usual 20-30minutes. Departure international gets worse than domestic, somehow, a day or two before the flight emirates contacted us and told us to arrive 4 hours before departure. So we do, and check in opens 3 hours before departure. Checked in and then waited 1hr 30m, standing, in a line, to check our passports. They had 34 desks to scan and a pathetic 4 out of 34 were being used. Both domestic and international lack staff and need some serious security revamps. Egypt is certainly a nice place but your holiday memories may be tarnished by the traumatic airport experience.

Perhaps some travelers are satisfied by a new airport building. I am happy if I must not stay at any airport for longer than necessary. Cairo is a very bad example for ignoring customers. My flight from Nairobi with Egyptair was delayed almost 90 minutes! There was no explanation and wrong information from airline staff. It would have been no problem to get the connection flights. But Cairo seems to want to avoid delays in their statistics. So they sent the connection flights.

Upon arrival before passport control touts approach you trying to get money for helping you through immigration or for organizing taxis. Completely unnecessary help! Departure hall chaotic and people smoking everywhere. Filthy toilets. Hard to understand how a country with tourism being so important and with special tourist police doesn't do anything about the airport.

Not Verified | Worst airport I have ever come across, very embarrassing. Airport staff shamelessly hustle you for tips. From the moment you got through screening, to check in, to boarder control. At some point I refused to tip and they marked my passport so that I would go through further checks.

I am using Cairo airport on a regular basis (T1 and T2) and it is not really an enjoyable place to get through. CAI is just disorganised people jump queues crowd control at departure is inexistant signage is inconsistent and the chaos at passport control (Terminal 1) is something worth being filmed although immigration officers do an obvious effort to be polite on arrival. Options for transport to the city vary between shabby taxis and being ripped off by so called limousine agencies. No trains or decent buses are available. Terminal 3 has recently opened and let's hope that is gives a better image of the country.

❎ Unverified | I have been to more than 25 airports worldwide and Cairo has by far been the worst experience I have ever had. Immigration officers are extremely rude and unapologetic. Workers are tricky. They always expect tips. It is a nightmare and a horrible experience to travel through.

✅ Trip Verified | Just terrible employee customer service. Abysmal attitude by all airport employees. Security staff extremely rude and demanding. Frisking everyone like a prisoner. Just have not seen this bad of an airport since back flying internationally this year. If they want business and tourist visitors, they need to change the customer service quick. Airport is hot and not clean. Restrooms smell and need service.

✅ Trip Verified | This is the absolute worst airport I have ever been in. I have lived in developing countries and traveled from airports in those countries - including provincial towns in Siberia and Kurdistan in Iraq - and so far no experience has been as bad as Cairo. I have transited through Cairo twice in the past week and both times were truly awful. It is bad enough that even though I prefer to save money any way that I can and often that is through less enjoyable airports, I won’t do it again. My first experience at Cairo airport was a week ago. I was transiting from Tunisia to Iraqi Kurdistan and withdrew money. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to get cash in Kurdistan, so I wanted to get money first and exchange it during my long layover. The atms only give Egyptian pounds. None of the currency exchanges would allow me to change them to dollars even though they had signs displaying that they would. They told me if I got a visa and went out to arrivals, I could exchange it there. I was nervous enough about accessing dollars I went ahead and did that since I had a very long layover. When I went to arrivals, they told me no, in departures there is a currency exchange that will give dollars. That was a lie too. When I went past passport control and into the departures area, I was told that nowhere could I exchange that money. When I arrived in Kurdistan, my checked bag had my toiletries and other containers opened up and poured messily into my bag like someone was looking to see if I had anything worth taking. Maybe this wasn’t them, but I’m inclined to believe it was. Unfortunately for them it was only dirty clothes, because I carry anything sentimental or valuable in my carry on. My second experience has been awful as well. Flying from Erbil on Egypt Air (also a horrible airline) and to Canada via Amman on Royal Jordanian. I was told I’d need to get my boarding pass in Cairo. They gave some random airport worker my passport, and it went from one random airport person to another with no explanation. I was escorted to the transfer info area where the person holding my passport will not allow me to leave and will not return my passport. I am very worried at this point if I will get my passport back or my boarding pass before my flight. It has been 4.5 hours since I had anything to eat or drink - or used the bathroom - but I am afraid to leave because the guy keeps wandering off with my passport in hand, and I am afraid it will really disappear if I leave since he refuses to give it back. I have tried to communicate using google translate but he refuses to give information or answer basic questions. I had really thought about visiting Cairo during this trip, but these experiences at the airport make me never want to return to this country, even just to transit. Horrible airport. Maybe the country itself is not like this, but I’m okay with never finding out.

What a total disaster of an Airport. Huge bottleneck of people squashed into the security area. Then a bottleneck to check in, then a bottleneck mass questions to pass Visa and passport inspection. Then a another slow passport inspection by a solo staff member. Then another before going to your gate - awful design. Very bad management. Never again.

Complete nightmare avoid this airport at all costs. Badly laid out and staff are rude and unhelpful. Overpriced food dirty bathrooms generally unpleasant. Smokers everywhere. Unfortunately had to spend a total of 11 hours there - never again. Pyramids are not worth this.

✅ Trip Verified | This airport is the worst airport ever. They gave you only 30 minutes free Internet and that's it. Seats are not comfortable. The employees trying the whole time to get money from you. Transit in Cairo? Please do yourself a favour and fly somewhere else.

Cairo Airport Terminal 1 is one of the worst travel experiences I have encountered. Everything about the terminal is unpleasant; from arriving at the terminal to boarding your flight or indeed arriving at the terminal and leaving the terminal is beyond comprehension. What makes it more astounding is carriers such as Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways operate into the terminal. Bring on the new terminal, but when will it be completed?

Absolutely horrible! Upon arrival before passport control aggressive touts approach you form all sides trying to get money for helping you trough immigration or for organising taxis. Completely unnecessary "help"! Departure hall chaotic and people smoking every where. Filthy toilets stinking from far away! Hard to understand how a country with tourism being so important and with special tourist police doesn't do anything about the airport!

✅ Verified Review | Where to start, this is possibly the worst airport ever on this planet? I have been living in Egypt for two years, and this was my weekly nightmare when coming in and out for a business trip. People everywhere try to take your luggage from you, starting from outside the terminal. To enter you need to queue in the middle of the street, where tens of people try to push forward, and bored police people ask to see your passport and then go trough the pages, of course not checking anything. Then you queue again to screen your luggage and all the suitcases are pushed on top of each other while you need to remove your shoes in a super dirty floor to pass by a non attached metal detector where you get the first of the many pat down. Does not matter if you have phone, wallets etc the police person will look at your passport and want to see a print of your itinerary or reservation. Digital does not count apart if you do not convince them. They will sometimes ask if you have money as there is a limit of cash that can exported. Finished this you need to queue for the boarding pass and fill in a forms that none will ever read. Another queue at passport control and after you get a stamp another police guy will check that you have been stamped. The airport is then dirty, with filthy bathrooms, and everything smells of smoke of cigarettes. Lounges are the worst as well and the food is expensive and dirty. No place to seat and usually very cold inside. Finally another queue at the gate, where there is another luggage control where people working there do not know any rules about security. Sometimes they try to take batteries off you, other times there is something else. You just smile at them and usually everyone passes. The metal detector is not really working, as they will do anyway a pat down to each passenger. Of course remove your shoes again in a even dirtier floor. When you finally make it on the plane they will check again your boarding pass if travelling with EgyptAir. And sometimes another police will check again your stamp on the passport, why not? Arriving is not nicer either. The first thing I remember was the smell of cigarettes when you go into the terminal. Then you need to buy a 25 USD sticker, and be prepared to have it in cash and do not expect change, unless you want to be fooled. A colleague of ours, once, paid 60 USD. Then you queue for the stamp, another police will check again your stamp, get your luggage and queue again for customs guys that look at all the pages of your passport (or pretend to), pretend to know what you have by touching the exterior of your suitcase and raising it. Finally you are out and hordes of taxi drivers will try to take your luggage from you by force or lure you with some "great offer" or "limouisine". If you stay at a hotel that offers it, organize a meet and greet and then maybe finally leave this nightmare of an airport.

✅ Trip Verified | Shocking service as we had a wheelchair person in our group and they did not find the chair, causing the whole group to miss tours. PR person said their feedback would happily surprise us but they just passed us on to the next person and their offer was enough to purchase 2 x cooldrinks at the airport. Follow up communication reads "but we tried-so so sorry" -but no real problem resolution at all

✅ Trip Verified | I arrived at Cairo Airport on 19th August from Manchester with tedious flight and luggage delays. Several hours later when my luggage arrived, it was not being released by customs. I ended up in detention, holding cell, court and released with clearance after 36 hours. I was asked to pay 10,000 Egyptian pounds which I refused at first but realised that if I don't pay, there is no chance of me getting out anytime soon despite my clearance. I was exhausted, in shock and wanted simply to return home. I agreed to pay 5,000 instead. By this time, I had signed documents of clearance along with confirming that I had collected my passport and items. Upon release, I was not given a receipt nor my items. I was told to collect my luggage from the terminal and enjoy the remaining 2 days of my holiday! The following 2 days I spent chasing my luggage, I was being pushed in various directions, asked for money and spoken to like a criminal. Nothing happened until I exploded at the tourist police desk the day before my departure demanding my luggage because I had had enough of the nonsense. I do not mind following the procedure as long as I am treated with respect and explained the process clearly. Barely anyone spoke English and I felt that everything I said, was being misinterpreted. There were members of staff who sympathised with me and had the courtesy to offer me water, food. I witnessed bribery in the police station, I witnessed absolute mess, unprofessionalism and most importantly, I experienced lack of humanity. I left the country in utter shock and fatigue.

Probably one of the worst airports I have been to. It hasn't improved in 10 years. The arrivals terminal is poorly signed and gives no information on how and where to buy an entry visa. Taxi drivers are permitted to harass you before you even have passed customs. On departure it is not much better, long queues to check in, to pass through immigration and to board the flight. was lucky enough to be told two completely different things about 10 seconds apart when boarding, just held everyone up even longer.

✅ Trip Verified | I was travelling to Dubai on flight MS 905 from Cairo at Terminal 2 on 9 July 2021. The immigration supervisor at terminal 2 was rude and harassed me by doubting my passport and was extremely rude. I am a frequent traveler and never been disrespected like that. I complained to another supervisor and he apologized and told me that he will speak to this arrogant and ill mannered individual. The immigration male supervisor at terminal 2 was not old and came to the immigration counter after being called by an inexperienced female immigration clerk at the counter. This is not the way to treat visitors to the country who bring and spend money. Be grateful and have some manners. This is the way duty is done by professional immigration people around the world. Do it with Egyptian people, not with selected international travelers.

Cairo is possibly the worst airport I have travelled through. The entry was like entering a market with no lines, people pushing and no one to maintain order. The police at the entrance are callous, disorganised and don't care - taking an age to do anything. In departures, the only seating available is in each gate which only open 50 minutes prior to departure. If you check in early you either stand around or go to the food court. The announcements are mostly in Arabic even though Cairo is frequented by tourists. No aerobridge which is pathetic and hellish for anyone with mobility issues.