Home > World > Middle East > Egypt >Cairo Flights

Cairo Flights

Looking for amazing deals on cheap Cairo flights? Well, you've found the right place. Whether a charter flight, first class seating or good old economy class, lastminute.com has a great deal for you. So, book your cheap Cairo flight today with lastminute.com.

Flying from all major UK airports on all major airlines, we have loads of discounted flights to Cairo, so simply use our search box below to book the cheapest available Cairo flight.

Search flights

Where are you going?

Leaving from: Going to: find airport

When are you going?

Leaving date: Day: Month:

Return date: Day: Month:

Direct flights only My dates are flexible NEW! +/- 3 days

Who will be going?

Adults:
(12-64) Seniors:
(+65) Children:
(2-11) Infants:
(0-23 months)

More search optionsmulti-stop, airline, class, etc.

Golden Sands Hotel Apartments - 3* - Dubai
from £80
Cairo & Luxor- Four Seasons Nile Plaza & The Nile Palace, Luxor
from £1075
Grand Moov Hotel - 4* - Dubai
from £75
Cairo & Sharm - Mena House Oberoi, Cairo & Radisson SAS Sharm
from £869
Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa - 5* - Dubai
from £220

Cairo, which Egyptians proudly call the Mother of All Cities, spreads along the banks of the River Nile for 40km (25 miles) north to south, the largest metropolis in Africa. Travellers through the ages have been both fascinated and repelled by Cairo. Visitors are intrigued by its twisting streets, medieval buildings, oriental bazaars and Islamic architecture of carved domes and sculpted minarets, while being appalled by its dirt, pollution, noise, crowds and constant demands for baksheesh (gratuities). Paying baksheesh is the local custom, however, so expect to give little and often. Culture shock is part of the experience of Cairo and can at times be wearing. But as is written in the ancient tales of the 1,001 Nights, He who hath not seen Cairo, hath not seen the world.

Cairo is a disorienting place but most of the city lies on the east bank of the River Nile. Visitors often feel most comfortable finding their feet in the Westernised downtown district of central Cairo around Midan Tahrir (Liberation Square). This is a public transport hub, separated from the Nile by the massive Nile Hilton Hotel. Here too is the city centres main attraction, the Egyptian Museum. Opposite downtown is the Nile island of Gezira, with the island of Roda just to the south. The Pyramids of Giza, however, are on the west bank of the river, some 18km (11 miles) from the centre. Old Cairo lies south of central Cairo, while Islamic Cairo encompasses a large area to the east. The city is growing rapidly, both in terms of population and geographical area, with new suburbs expanding on its outskirts, especially into the Eastern Desert. Northwest of the city centre, near the airport, the districts of Sheraton Heliopolis, Zamalk and Maadi are home to many of Cairos wealthy (and the Presidential Palace), while to the west, the middle-class suburb of Giza has expanded to within sight of the Pyramids.

Although Cairo today is Egypts capital and largest city, teeming with some 18 million people, its position of prominence in the long timeline of Egyptian history is relatively recent. It did not even exist when the pyramids at Giza were constructed. Then, the town of Memphis, 24km (15 miles) to the south, was the Pharaonic capital. Cairo was not founded until the Romans rebuilt an old Persian fortress along the Nile in AD116, which was known as Babylon-in-Egypt, in todays Old Cairo district.

From the late ninth century onwards, a succession of Arab rulers made their mark on the city: Ibn Tulun built his royal city el-Qatai, the Fatimids built the walled city of el-Qahira, from which Cairo takes it name. In the 13th century, the Mameluks, a caste of Turkish soldier-slaves, rose to power. They were succeeded by the Ottomans, the French under Napoleon and finally the British. The birth of modern Cairo came in 1863, when the ruler Ismail expanded the city along the Nile in the style of the great European cities. After the country returned to Egyptian rule in 1952, Cairo rose to the forefront as the capital of the Arab world.

Cairo is also called the City of 1,000 Minarets and it is the exotic skyline of graceful domes and towering minarets that casts a spell of magic over the grinding reality of the metropolis. Most visitors come to see the great Pyramids of Giza, the treasures of Tutankhamuns tomb and other wonders in the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, as well as to shop in the sprawling Khan al-Khalili marketplace. There are also dozens of mosques, Coptic churches, smaller museums and winding streets to explore. This tourism is Egypts key source of foreign income, while the public sector, including government and social services and the military, makes up the largest industry. The city is also the centre of a growing trade, finance and insurance sector.

During the summer, temperatures in Cairo can climb to 38 degrees Celsius, though the low humidity is some consolation. The best time to visit is between October and April. Occasional downpours occur in January and February, while during March and April the khamseen, a strong, hot, dry wind, blows in periodically from the desert.

Cairo Tourist Office

Address: Misr Travel Tower, Abbassia Square, Cairo, Egypt

Phone: +20 (0) 2 285 4509 or +20 (0) 2 284 1970

The Sphinx
The enigmatic Sphinx has strong claims to being the most famous (and possibly the oldest) surviving structure in the whole of Egypt. The majestic beast is carved from one vast block of limestone. With the body of a lion and a human head thought to be that of the Pharoah Khafre, the beautiful Sphinx is 240 feet long and 66 feet tall.
The Pyramids at Giza
The only one of the Seven Wonders of the World still left standing, the three pyramids of Giza, part of the necropolis of Memphis, are a sight which dwarfs even the proudest of modern buildings. The Pyramids are also home to the Sphinx, perhaps the best known monument in the whole of Egypt.
Coptic Museum
More than an archive of Coptic history, the Coptic Museum offers a case study in the formative years of a major religion that grew, intermingled, and sometimes borrowed from that of an ancient religion that it was replacing.
Mohammad Ali Mosque
Located inside Cairo Citadel, the Mohammad Ali Mosque is home to the tomb of Mohammad Ali Pasha, the 19th-century ruler of Egypt and founder of the country's last dynasty of Khedives and Kings.
Camel Market
Cairo's infamous Camel Market is held every Friday in Bilesh, north of the city. Hundreds of animals make the trek from as far away as north-western Sudan and the atmosphere of frenzied bargaining makes a fascinating spectacle.

Airport Guide

Cairo International Airport

Airport Information

Country

Egypt

Address

Cairo International Airport, Oruba Road, Heliopolis, Cairo, Egypt

Country Code

202

Telephone

(0)2 291 4255

Fax

(0)2 633 2522 or 7132

E-mail

ciap@idsc.net.eg

Website

www.cairo-airport.com

Location

The airport is located 22km (13.5 miles) northeast of Cairo

Time Zone

GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from the last Friday in April to the first Friday in October)

Number of Terminals

Airport News

A new terminal (Terminal 3) is currently under construction and is slated for completion in January 2007.

Transfer between Terminals

A free shuttle bus links the two terminals, which are about 3km (2 miles) apart.

Driving Directions

The airport can be reached from Cairo city centre, across the 6th October Bridge, via Salah Salem Road which leads to Heliopolis. The airport and Heliopolis are well signposted from the city centre. The airport is located off the Al-Orouba main road.

Car Parking

Short-term car parking is available for about 1,000 cars and is located within walking distance of the terminal buildings.

Car Hire

Car hire companies represented at the airport include Avis, Budget, Europcar, J Car, Hertz and Thrifty.

Public Transport

Road: Taxi: Taxis are available from the airport to central Cairo (journey time: 30 minutes). They leave from outside the Arrivals hall and haggling is recommended. Limousine: Limousines are available from the airport to central Cairo for a flat rate fare. Black Mercedes limousines leave from outside the Arrivals hall. Bus: Buses are available from the airport to central Cairo. An airport bus service operates from Terminal 1. Bus no.400 leaves every 30 minutes during the day and every hour at night. Coach: Super Jet (tel: (0)2 579 8181) operates a bus service to Alexandria.

Information and Help Desks

Information desks are located in both Terminal 1 (Old Airport) and Terminal 2 (New Airport), in the Arrivals and Departures halls and in the transit hall. Flight information (tel: (0)2 634 8566) is available 24 hours a day. Tourist police within the terminals can provide information.

Airport Facilities

Money and communications: The airport has a bank and ATMs; 24-hour bureaux de change and post offices are located in the Departures hall in both terminals. The post office is also open 24 hours a day. Eating and drinking: There are numerous restaurants at the airport. Bars are located in the Departures halls of both terminals and are open 24 hours. Shopping: Shops, including gift shops, clothes shops, bookshops and newsagents, are located in the Departures halls in both terminals and in the new transit hall. Duty-free shops are available in both terminals. Luggage: Baggage trolleys and porters are available. Left-luggage facilities can be found in both terminals. Other facilities: A pharmacy is located in Departures in both terminals.

Conference and Business Facilities

There is a business centre in Terminal 1 connected to the new transit hall by an escalator and providing computer and fax services. Business facilities and meeting rooms are also available in the Novotel Cairo Airport Hotel (tel: (0)2 918 520). There are VIP lounges in both terminals. Computer and fax machines are available.

Disabled Facilities

Wheelchairs are available on request and there are disabled toilets. Disabled passengers should contact their airline for assistance. There are no reserved car parking spaces for disabled passengers.

Airport Hotels

The Novotel Cairo Airport Hotel (tel: (0)2 918 520) is located 3km (2 miles) from the airport. Other hotels in the vicinity include Le Meridien Heliopolis (tel: (0)2 905 055), Movenpick Cairo (tel: (0)6 370 077) and Sheraton Hotel Heliopolis (tel: (0)2 677 730). Complimentary shuttle buses run from the airport to all major hotels.