The difficult of transiting from flight to flight depends on the airport. Connecting from an international to an international flight in the USA requires going through passport control, customs, baggage re-check and security while in Amsterdam (for example) you can often walk from gate to gate without re-clearing security between international flights. Here’s how to transit in Cairo.
Cairo Transit: Terminal 3 to Terminal 3
This article will focus on transiting within Terminal 3 in Cairo (CAI), which means essentially connecting from an EgyptAir or other Star Alliance flight to EgyptAir or another Star Alliance flight.
Transiting from Terminal 3 to Terminal 1 is a bit more involved — read Lucky’s story here.
Step One: As you exit your flight, follow the signs for “connecting flight”
The terminal is certainly showing signs of aging, but is clean and no longer smells like an ashtray. As you exit the plane, you will likely have to proceed down an escalator.
The length of your walk will depend upon your gate position. My recent transit in Cairo (connecting from London to Beirut) involved 12 minutes of walking to reach the transit desk. Moving walkways and restrooms are available on the way.
Step Two: Collect Transit Boarding Pass
If you need to collect your boarding pass, a transit desk is available. There are special lines for business class and Star Alliance Gold passengers in Terminal 3. Collect your boarding pass from the desk, then proceed right to a podium in which your boarding pass and passport will be scrutinized.
Step Three: Proceed Downstairs to Re-Clear Security
After your passport is checked, you will be directed downstairs (departures levels) and asked to re-clear security. This check is fairly cursory: a more in-depth check is performed at the gate of your flight prior to boarding. Laptops can stay inside your bag and shoes remain on.
Once you clear security, you are now in the departures area and can proceed to your gate, a lounge, or one of the many shops or restaurants in the terminal.
CONCLUSION
I realize that is rather self-explanatory to follow signs for transit, yet I always appreciate being able to picture where I will be walking. Hopefully this guide will help you get through Cairo quicker during your next transit there.
I read everything you write so I’m not complaining, but do you think people will use this? I can’t picture this being easier or better than just asking someone/being able to follow signs, but it is an interesting idea to drive as-needed traffic. Interesting.
I can see what google search terms are bringing people into this site and indeed, these transit posts are intended to help fill that void. At the same time, I have many Award Expert clients who ask questions like this. This gives me an easy link to refer them to so they can picture exactly what their transit experience will be, even if following signs is just self-explanatory.
That makes sense- hadn’t thought about direct client referrals, thanks!
Thank you this is a dummy proof step by step guide.
When you say you have to go through security when transferring between international flights in Cairo, do you have to clear customs and have passport scanned, biometrics, etc?
Nope, just metal detector screening.
Very helpful article. We will be transferring from a JFK-CAI flight on Egypt Air to a domestic Egypt Air flight to Luxor. Do we need to purchase our visas and go through immigration in Cairo or can we do that in Luxor and just follow your steps above? I don’t sleep well on planes and it can help a lot to have an idea of what to expect as I’m usually pretty foggy/tired at arrival. Thank you.
I have the same question as Elizabeth. I am also taking the flight from JFK to CAI then transferring to Sharm el Sheikh. Where do I buy my visa?
Hi,
Planning a Terminal 3 inwards to a Terminal 3 outward flight.
Is 1 hour and 10 minutes enough time to follow the process you outlined???
That is really cutting it close, but should be enough if you have both boarding passes.
Same process within terminal 2? In on BA. Out on QR. some say just go they immigration and check in then back thru is faster?
Yes, I would go though immigration and then back if you don’t already have your connecting boarding pass. If you do have both boarding passes, it’s not so bad to go to the transit counter and then head upstairs.
Hi Matthew, Thank you for these helpful steps.
I would like to know if I can reach the Vodafone shop in the transit Area in terminal 3 (arrival in terminal 3 ( Arrival in terminal 3 and departure in terminal 3 ).
Thank you in advance !!
It should not be a problem, though I personally do not recall seeing the Vodafone shop.
Hey Matt
Not sure if this is too old of a post but I am going IAD-CAI-LUX. I land and depart in Terminal 3. Will I need to clear customs/immigration on the transfer? Also will I need to recheck bags?
You will need to clear customs/immigration for the domestic connection. Baggage should be transferred automatically.
We will be transferring from terminal 3 to terminal 2. Do we take our boarding passes in the transfer desk in terminal 2 as well?
Yes.
Thank you for your instructions, I do still have a question. I’m not sure if we will be given boarding passes for our connecting flights when we check in to our flight originating in Chicago on Turkish Airlines, connecting in Istanbul on Eygyptair and then in Cairo again on Eygyptair to Nairobi. Do all passengers with connecting flights need to stop at the transit desk or only those who need boarding passes? We have 1 hr and 45 min between flights in Cairo.
If you already have your boarding pass you can bypass the transit desk and head back upstairs.
Thank you for your story.
I have a self-transfer connect at the CAI airport. The self-transfer connect is between Beirut to CAI on Middle East airlines(arriving on Terminal 2), and Qatar Airways to travel to Doha (Also on Terminal 2).
In this case do I need to leave the airport and enter Cairo (because in this case I need a visa)or I can do self-transfer and recheck without a stamp or enter Cairo ?
Thank you in advance.
Why do you need a visa? Based on nationality?
Hi matthew, I read on the Cairo Airport website that laptops and other computers are not allowed to be taken with you through customs for those departing. Do you know if this applys to connecting flights? Also I am heading towards the US so are there extra security checks?
Not true – I had no trouble with mine.
Hi Matheus
I will travel from South Africa to CAI and transfer/connect to EAU all using EgipAir. I sow in may e-tickect on eDreams site that I will need to change airports for connection. Is there two International airports on Cairo?
No, there is only one – the EgyptAir – EgyptAir transit is relatively simple. Maybe you are booked on separate tickets and will have to check in?
We are travelling from Washington Dulles to Istanbul on EgyptAir via Cairo. Do we need visas for Transit? Will our bags be checked all the way through to Istanbul? On our second half of the trip, we will fly from Istanbul to Amman again via Egypt Air. And our final let will be from Amman to Cairo (with a stay of 3 days for which we will get a single entry visa) on wards to Washington Dulles. Am i correct in assuming that i will only need a single entry visa for Egypt for this entire trip?