Cairo International Airport (CAI Airport Code) | IATA & ICAO Details, Terminals & Map

Airport Overview

Cairo International Airport (CAI) is a key aviation facility serving the region of Cairo, Egypt. It is officially identified by the IATA code CAI and ICAO code HECA. It operates within the Africa/Cairo timezone, allowing travelers to synchronize their flight itineraries accordingly. The airfield configuration consists of 3 runways, designed to accommodate various types of aircraft operations. Nearby alternative gateways include Sphinx International Airport (SPX) and El Nouzha Airport (ALY), which can be considered for regional or international transit.

Key Data

Elevation - ft

Coordinates 30.122, 31.406

Timezone Africa/Cairo

Runways 3

Expert Connection Tips for Cairo International Airport

T1 (EgyptAir/Star Alliance) vs T2 (Others): Allow 60+ min EgyptAir and all Star Alliance partners use Terminal 1. Most other international carriers (Ryanair, most Gulf airlines, European carriers) use Terminal 2. T1 and T2 are connected by a covered walkway landside but gates are separate — allow 60 min for inter-terminal connections requiring re-check security.

EgyptAir Connections to Africa: Cairo Hub EgyptAir (Star Alliance) uses Cairo as its sub-Saharan Africa hub. If connecting through CAI between Europe and East/West Africa, MCT is 90 min. EgyptAir's Business Class lounge in T1 is accessible with Priority Pass. Schedule connections with at least 2h buffer.

Uber Available — Agree Price Before Non-Metered Taxis Uber is fully operational in Cairo and is the recommended option from CAI to city center (EGP 100-200 to downtown, ~30-60 min). Official white airport taxis use meters. Avoid unmarked taxis. Cairo Monorail (future link) not yet operational at CAI. Bus line 356 to Tahrir is cheap but slow.

Check MCT Times

Lounges & Services

Get VIP Access

Cairo Airport Free

Service can be intermittent.

First Class Lounge

Priority Pass / $30

Terminal 3 • 24 Hours

Basic lounge with snacks and smoking area.

Route Map

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Distance Calculator

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Nearby Airports

Sphinx International Airport SPX El Nouzha Airport ALY Borg El Arab Airport (Alexandria) HBE

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vs SPX (Sphinx International Airport) vs ALY (El Nouzha Airport) vs LHR vs JFK

FAQ

CAI has three main terminals (T1, T2, T3) connected by an automated people mover. T2 and T3 are physically connected, while T1 is separate.

Yes, Uber is available and is often recommended over regular taxis for a fixed price and safety. The pickup point is usually at the parking level.

The IATA code for Cairo International Airport is CAI. Its ICAO code is HECA.

Cairo International Airport is located in or near Cairo, EG. View the map on this page for exact coordinates and terminal details.

Cairo International Airport operates in the local time zone. You can convert airport local times using our <a href="/en/timezone-converter">Airport Timezone Converter</a>.

Minimum Connection Times (MCT) at Cairo International Airport vary based on Schengen/non-Schengen status and terminal transfers. Verify transfer times with our <a href="/en/mct-checker">MCT Checker Tool</a>.