Arrive · Cairo

Cairo International Airport (CAI)

CAI to Zamalek: one ride-hailing car or hotel car, 45–100 minutes depending on traffic — the risk is not the ride but a driver who quotes a new price at the door.

Key facts

Default ride: Ride-hailing or hotel car to the door
Ride time: 55–100 min; p50–p90
Fare: EGP 450
Late night after: 22:00; on demand

Rules in force · 12Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Cairo traffic is heavy from about 07

Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
North Africa ↗Plan links between North African countries by air or by ferry via Europe; the only regularly usable land borders for visitors are Tunisia–Algeria and Morocco–Mauritania via Western Sahara.
North Africa ↗Book Saharan nights (dunes, desert camps, oasis tours) between October and April; from May to September desert day temperatures regularly exceed 40 °C and many tours stop.
Egypt ↗Check visa rules for your passport on the official Egypt e-visa portal before flying; visa on arrival availability depends on nationality and can change.
Egypt ↗Drones need prior permission and are routinely confiscated on arrival; leave them at home.
Egypt ↗Do not photograph military sites, police, bridges or government buildings; some museums and tombs charge for or ban photography.
Egypt ↗During Ramadan, avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public in daylight; hotels and tourist restaurants still serve.
Cairo and Giza ↗Cross-city rides can take 90 minutes at rush hour; plan one district per half-day.
Cairo ↗Cairo traffic is heavy from about 07:30 to 10:00 and 15:00 to 20:00: plan one district per half-day and add 45+ minutes to any cross-city ride.
Cairo ↗Agree the price of every taxi, camel, horse, carriage or guide before you start; use ride-hailing where you can, since the fare is fixed on the screen.
Cairo ↗From about June to August, be on site at opening, and off the open plateau by 10:00.

Actions

--:--local time in Cairo

Map of the airport

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Directions

From where I am

Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.

Plan

Your landing time, your bags, your bed

Lock your path to bed

Needs: landing time · bag class · sleep area

Landing timeArrivalSleep area (night 1)BagsWho Rain No taxi

feasibledesk 24hlandside ready ~23:45 (p90)

Take Ride-hailing or hotel car to the door at 23:45. Bed by ~01:28 (+1) (p90).

Last viable for this bed: 06:00 (+1) (land by 03:15 (+1))

Sleep area not decided? Check the area first.

On the groundHideSteps from the gate, and what to do if it breaks

On the ground

Step by step from the gate, and what to do if it breaks

Zero-brain vs precision

Daytime default: Ride-hailing car from the pickup area, or a car sent by your hotel with the price agreed; never a driver who approaches you inside the hall.
Precision: Cairo has several terminals and pickup points differ by terminal; check your terminal and the pickup lane on the day (field-verify).
Late-night threshold: 22:00

Steps from landing

p50 / p90 minutes

5 / 15 min
Gate to immigration
all arrivals
30 / 80 min
Immigration (e-visa or visa on arrival)
only intl checked, intl cabin
20 / 45 min
Baggage claim + customs
only intl checked, domestic checked
15 / 25 min
SIM/cash, then the pickup
all arrivals
55 / 100 min
Ride-hailing or hotel car to the door
on demand, any hour · EGP 450

If it breaks

Send your flight number and hotel name to the hotel before you fly, and ask them to arrange or confirm the pickup.
Use the ride-hailing app or an official taxi desk; decline offers from people who approach you in the hall.
Check visa rules for your passport on the official e-visa portal before flying; queues at immigration can pass an hour.

Other flights, questions and sourcesHideOther flights

Deep dive

Other flights

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Sources

Field	Value	Source type	Confidence
primary.yen	EGP 350–600	secondary	30%
primary.last	no public timetable	secondary	30%

officialCairo Airport (official)
officialEgypt e-visa portal (official)