Cairo International Airport (CAI) is about 21 km from central Cairo, and you can get there by Welcome Pickups private transfer from €23 (EGP 1,326), an official airport taxi for around €3 (EGP 177), or public buses from €0.08 (EGP 5) to €0.26 (EGP 15). There is no metro connectivity from the airport, but Bus 400 is the cheapest yet slowest direct option, while the air-conditioned Bus 356 is faster.
Driving takes 20-25 minutes, while buses can take up to an hour, plus time waiting for the bus to depart.
Sphinx International Airport (SPX) is also near this airport; don’t confuse the two airports.
5 options to go from Cairo Airport to city center
PRICE FOR 
OPTION | PRICE | TIME | AVAILABILITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Welcome Pickups Private Transfer | €23 | 25min | 24/7 | Convenience | Book | |
| Private transfers are ideal for travelers looking for the most convenient and efficient transportation. | ||||||
Taxi | €3 | 25min | 24/7 | Convenience | Book | |
| Taxis are ideal for travelers who want a direct and efficient ride but haven't booked in advance. | ||||||
Bus (no. 400) | €0.18 | 50min | 24/7 | Convenience | Read more | |
| Bus 400 is a decent option for those staying near central Cairo who are traveling light. | ||||||
Bus (no. 356) | €0.52 | 35min | 06:30–23:00 | Convenience | Read more | |
| This bus is only recommended for those carrying one suitcase or less. | ||||||
Bus (no. 1138) | €0.16 | 60min | 05:24–22:54 | Convenience | Read more | |
| This bus is only recommended for those with plenty of time to spare who are traveling light. | ||||||
You can get an official Cairo Airport taxi outside Terminals 1, 2, and 3. Cairo Airport itself warns travelers about drivers who approach tourists inside the Arrivals Hall and explains that the black-and-white taxis are older and not air-conditioned, while white taxis are mid-range and yellow taxis are the latest premium taxis.
What is the cost of a taxi from Cairo Airport to the city?
A white metered taxi costs around €3 (EGP 177) to central Cairo. This is an estimate, not a guaranteed flat fare. Cairo Airport confirms that white taxis use meters, while black-and-white taxis generally require passengers to negotiate the fare before departure.
Where do I get a taxi at Cairo Airport?
Official taxi ranks are located outside the Arrivals areas of Terminals 1, 2, and 3. Follow airport signs to the taxi rank rather than accepting a ride from someone approaching you inside the terminal.
Convenience
A taxi is one of the easiest options because it takes you directly from the airport to your accommodation without requiring a bus connection. It is also available around the clock. The trade-off is that you need to deal with the meter or agree on a price, and Cairo traffic can make both the journey time and final fare unpredictable.
Useful Tips
Book a trusted, English-speaking driver to pick you up at the same price as a regular taxi
Learn moreBus 400 is the cheapest direct public-transport option in this comparison. It runs from the airport toward Abdel Moneim Riad, close to Tahrir Square and central Cairo, but it makes many stops and is considerably slower, taking up to 90 minutes to reach the last stop.
How much is the Bus 400 price from Cairo Airport?
A ticket costs around €0.09 (EGP 5) per passenger. You pay the driver when boarding and need cash in Egyptian pounds.
The 400 public bus runs from 05:00 to 23:00 every day.
Where do I catch Bus 400 at Cairo Airport?
Bus 400 departs from the public bus station outside Terminal 1. If you are arriving at Terminals 2 or 3 can take the airport’s free shuttle bus to Terminal 1.
Convenience
Bus 400 is best suited to budget travelers with light luggage who are not in a hurry. Traffic and waiting can extend the journey to 60–90 minutes.
Useful Tips
Bus 356 is the faster of the two main airport buses used for central Cairo. It runs from Cairo Airport toward Abdel Moneim Riad, near central Cairo, and makes fewer stops than Bus 400. The journey takes around 35 minutes, although traffic and waiting time can make the total journey longer.
How much is Bus 356 from Cairo Airport?
A 356 ticket costs around €0.26 (EGP 15) per passenger. Tickets are purchased from the driver, and you should carry Egyptian pounds because the buses do not accept card payments.
This service runs from 06:30 to 23:00 every day.
Where do I catch Bus 356?
The airport bus station is outside Terminal 1. If you arrive at Terminal 2 or 3, you need to use the airport’s free shuttle service to reach the Terminal 1 bus station.
Convenience
Bus 356 is a budget choice if you are traveling light and your accommodation is convenient for its route. It is air-conditioned and faster than Bus 400, but luggage space is limited and the service can become crowded.
Useful Tips
Bus 1138 runs directly from Cairo Airport to Al Mazallat Metro Station in Shubra, northern Cairo. The route is more useful for travelers staying in northern Cairo than for those heading to Tahrir Square or central downtown. The full route has around 40 stops and takes approximately 1–1.5 hours, depending on traffic.
How much is Bus 1138 from Cairo Airport?
A Bus 1138 ticket costs around €0.08 (EGP 5) per person. You pay the driver when boarding and should carry cash in Egyptian pounds, as this is a regular Cairo Transport Authority bus rather than a prepaid airport shuttle.
This service runs from 05:24 to 22:54 every day.
Where do I get Bus 1138 from?
Cairo Airport Bus Station is located outside of the Terminal 1 building. As you leave the main exit, it’s a short walk from the Arrivals Hall. Each bus is signposted with the corresponding number. If in doubt, ask the driver.
Convenience
Bus 1138 is a very cheap option for travelers heading toward northern Cairo, particularly around Shubra and the Al Mazallat area. It is less convenient for tourists staying around Downtown, Zamalek or Giza because the bus does not terminate in those areas. You can connect to the Cairo Metro at Al Mazallat, but that means another transfer after a long bus ride.
Useful Tips
A Welcome Pickups private transfer from Cairo Airport to Cairo city center costs from €23 (EGP 1,340) and takes around 24 minutes. This is the simplest door-to-door option, as you get a fixed price, a driver waiting for you at the airport, luggage assistance, and flight monitoring, so you do not need to negotiate a taxi fare or find a bus after landing.
How much is a private transfer from Cairo Airport?
A sedan transfer to Cairo city center currently starts at €23, while larger vehicles are available for groups and travelers with more luggage. The price is calculated per vehicle rather than per passenger.
Private transfers are available 24/7 from Cairo Airport.
Where do I meet my Welcome Pickups driver at Cairo Airport?
Your Welcome Pickups driver meets you in the Arrivals hall at Cairo Airport, holding a sign with your name on it. Driver details and pickup instructions are provided before arrival.
Convenience
A private transfer is the simplest option if you want to avoid negotiating with taxi drivers, finding the correct bus station or dealing with an unfamiliar pickup point after a long flight. The fare is fixed in advance, the driver monitors your flight, and the service provides door-to-door transport.
Useful Tips
Sedan up to 3 passengers
€23Starting from 7.7 EUR / passenger
Minivan up to 6 passengers
€27Starting from 4.5 EUR / passenger
Minibus up to 12 passengers
€32Starting from 2.7 EUR / passenger
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Cairo Airport to the city?
You can get from Cairo Airport (CAI) to the city by an official metered taxi, a Cairo public bus, or a pre-booked private transfer. For the simplest door-to-door option, a Welcome Pickups private transfer gives you a fixed price and a driver waiting for you, so you don’t waste time finding your pickup.
How much is a taxi from Cairo Airport to the city center?
A metered white taxi from Cairo Airport to central Cairo typically costs around €3 (EGP 177), although the actual fare depends on your destination and traffic. A Welcome Pickups private transfer costs from €23 (EGP 1340) at a confirmed fare.
Which is cheaper, the airport shuttle, or a taxi?
Public airport buses are cheaper than a taxi or airport shuttle. Cairo Airport Shuttle Bus is operated by Cairo Airport Travel as a separate commercial shuttle service, which costs more than public buses.
How far is Cairo Airport from the city center?
Cairo Airport is about 20–25 km from central Cairo. The exact road distance depends on where you are staying, but Downtown Cairo is roughly 20–25 km away, and the drive generally takes around 30–50 minutes, depending heavily on traffic.
Is there a metro or train from Cairo Airport to downtown Cairo?
No, there is no Metro station directly at Cairo Airport. The airport does not offer a direct Metro ride from the terminal to Downtown Cairo.
Which bus goes from Cairo Airport to downtown? What does it cost, and what hours does it run?
Buses 356 and 400 are more relevant if you are heading toward downtown Cairo through Abdel Moneim Riad, while 1138 continues toward Al Mazallat/Shubra rather than terminating downtown. Both of these buses depart from the bus station in the parking area in front of Terminal 1 and cost between €0.08 and €0.28 (EGP 5 to 15).
What is the Cairo Airport Shuttle Bus, how do you book it, and what is the hotline?
The Cairo Airport Shuttle Bus is a private service, unlike regular public buses, and you can book it online or by calling the hotline at 19970.
Which terminal do you arrive at, and how do you get between Terminals 1, 2, and 3 to reach transport?
Cairo Airport has three main passenger terminals, and there are airport buses that take you from T2 and T3 to T1, as all bus connectivity is from T1.
Do you need Egyptian pounds for a Cairo Airport transfer, or can you pay by card?
Yes, you should carry some Egyptian pounds if you are using public transport or a traditional taxi. Cairo Airport has ATMs and currency-exchange facilities in its terminals, so you can obtain Egyptian pounds after arrival.
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