Book Flights to Cairo, Egypt
Cairo — home of the last surviving Wonder of the Ancient World, the world's greatest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts, and one of the largest and most historically layered cities on Earth — is one of the most extraordinary travel destinations in the world. The Great Pyramids of Giza are visible from within the city; the Nile flows through its centre.
EgyptAir flies nonstop from New York JFK and Washington Dulles. Turkish Airlines via Istanbul and European carriers via London, Paris, and Frankfurt provide further routing options. FareOptic compares all carriers and finds the best fares to Cairo.
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Why Visit Cairo, Egypt?
Cairo is one of the world's most historically profound cities — home to the only surviving Ancient Wonder, 4,000 years of pharaonic civilization in the Egyptian Museum, medieval Islamic Cairo's UNESCO mosques, early Christian churches in Coptic Cairo, and the Nile itself.
Great Pyramid of Giza and the Sphinx
The Last Surviving Wonder of the Ancient WorldThe Great Pyramid of Giza — built for Pharaoh Khufu around 2560 BC — is the last surviving Wonder of the Ancient World and the oldest and largest of the three Giza pyramids. For 3,800 years it was the world's tallest man-made structure (146.5 metres original height). The interior burial chambers can be entered (separate ticket required; claustrophobic passages). The Great Sphinx (73 metres long, 20 metres high) — the largest monolith statue in the world — guards the Giza plateau from the east.
Interior Chamber Entry
The interior of the Great Pyramid (Khufu's Pyramid) can be entered via the original ancient 'Robbers' Tunnel' cut into the masonry in the 9th century and the 'Ascending Passage' to the Grand Gallery (47 metres long, 8.5 metres high) and the King's Chamber (granite-lined, 5.2 × 10.8 metres). The passage is claustrophobic and involves significant climbing — not recommended for claustrophobics. Entry tickets (separate from the site ticket) are limited to 300 per day and sell out; book the previous day at the ticket office.
Egyptian Museum and the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)
The World's Greatest Collection of Ancient Egyptian ArtifactsThe Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square (opened 1902) houses the world's largest collection of ancient Egyptian antiquities — 120,000 objects across 107 halls, including Tutankhamun's complete burial treasure (the golden death mask, canopic jars, decorated coffins, alabaster lamp, and golden throne). The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM, opened 2023) at Giza — one of the largest archaeological museums in the world — now houses the complete Tutankhamun collection in a dedicated gallery of 5,000 sq metres.
Tutankhamun's Treasures
Tutankhamun's gold death mask (1323 BC) — 11 kg of solid gold, inlaid with lapis lazuli, quartz, obsidian, and coloured glass — is the most recognized artifact of ancient Egypt and one of the most significant objects in human cultural history. The mask was discovered by Howard Carter on November 4, 1922, inside the burial chamber of Tomb KV62 in the Valley of the Kings. The complete Tutankhamun collection (now at GEM) comprises 5,398 objects.
Islamic Cairo — Khan el-Khalili and Historic Mosques
Fatimid Medieval City — UNESCO World HeritageIslamic Cairo — designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site — is one of the world's largest concentrations of medieval Islamic architecture. The Fatimid city (10th–12th centuries) includes Al-Azhar Mosque (970 AD, one of the oldest universities in the world), the Citadel of Saladin (1183 AD), the Sultan Hassan Mosque (1356 AD — considered the masterpiece of Mamluk architecture), and the Khan el-Khalili bazaar (1382 AD, the largest bazaar in the Arab world).
Khan el-Khalili Bazaar
Khan el-Khalili — Cairo's great bazaar market established in 1382 — stretches through a labyrinth of medieval alleyways selling papyrus, brass lanterns, spices, gold, silver, Islamic calligraphy, hookah pipes, perfume oils, and alabaster carvings. The coffee houses at the bazaar's heart (including El Fishawy, open continuously since 1773) are among the most atmospheric in the Arab world. Bargaining is expected; initial prices are typically 2-3x the accepted price.
Luxor and the Valley of the Kings
Egypt's Open-Air Museum — Day Trip or OvernightLuxor — 675 km south of Cairo (1 hour by flight, or overnight train) — is the world's greatest open-air archaeological museum: the Karnak Temple complex (the largest religious structure ever built, constructed over 1,300 years), Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings (63 royal tombs including Tutankhamun's KV62), the Valley of the Queens, and the mortuary temples of Hatshepsut and Ramesses III.
Valley of the Kings
The Valley of the Kings on Luxor's West Bank contains the tombs of 63 pharaohs from the New Kingdom (1550-1070 BC), cut deep into the limestone cliffs to prevent looting. The standard entry ticket allows access to 3 tombs; the decorated chambers of Ramesses VI (KV9), Seti I (KV17 — the most elaborately painted), and Tutankhamun (KV62 — separate entry, an additional £EGP 200) are the finest. Hire a private guide — the symbolism and hieroglyphic texts require context.
Coptic Cairo and Old Cairo
Egypt's Christian Heritage — 4th-Century ChurchesCoptic Cairo (Masr al-Qadima) contains the earliest Christian churches in Egypt — the Hanging Church (Al-Mu'allaqa, 4th century, built atop the Roman Babylon Fortress), the Church of St. Sergius and Bacchus (where the Holy Family is said to have sheltered during the Flight into Egypt), the Coptic Museum, and the Ben Ezra Synagogue (9th century, rebuilt 11th century, where Moses is said to have been found in the bulrushes).
Hanging Church (Al-Mu'allaqa)
The Hanging Church — so named because its nave is suspended over the Roman gatehouse towers of the Babylon Fortress — is one of the oldest and most historically significant churches in Egypt, with an interior of extraordinary carved ivory and ebony screens, Coptic icons, and 13th-century wall paintings. The church is still an active place of worship for Coptic Christians; services are held in Coptic (the ancient Egyptian language, now used only liturgically).
Nile Felucca Cruise and Cairo Food Culture
Sailing the World's Longest River and Egyptian CuisineAn evening felucca (traditional wooden sailing boat) cruise on the Nile past central Cairo — with the Pyramids of Giza illuminated on the western horizon — is one of the most evocative experiences in the world. Egyptian cuisine is rich and underappreciated: ful medames (slow-cooked fava beans) for breakfast, kushari (rice, lentils, macaroni, and tomato sauce — Egypt's national dish), ta'amiya (Egyptian falafel made from fava beans), molokhia (jute leaf soup), and konafa (shredded wheat pastry filled with cheese or cream) are essential.
Kushari — Egypt's Street Food National Dish
Kushari — a layered street food dish of rice, black lentils, macaroni, chickpeas, crispy fried onions, and a spiced tomato-vinegar sauce — is Egypt's de facto national dish, cheap (40–60 EGP, under $2), enormously popular, and uniquely Egyptian (influenced by the Italian pasta brought by Italian workers building the Suez Canal in the 1860s). The best kushari in Cairo is served at Abou Tarek restaurant near Tahrir Square — a kushari-only restaurant founded 1950 that serves 5,000+ portions daily.
How to Find Cheap Flights to Cairo
EgyptAir Flies Nonstop from New York JFK and Washington IAD
EgyptAir is the only carrier with nonstop US–Cairo service: daily from New York JFK (11 hours) and multiple weekly from Washington Dulles IAD (11.5 hours). EgyptAir fares are often competitive; the nonstop routing saves 4-6 hours compared to European hub connections. Compare EgyptAir with Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul) which often undercuts on total fare.
November to February Is Peak Season — Book 8 Weeks Ahead for Pyramids Season
Egypt's best weather for sightseeing is October–April (20–28°C, low humidity). November–February is peak season with the highest hotel prices and largest crowds at the Pyramids. December–January: book 8–10 weeks ahead. May–September: extreme heat (35–45°C) makes outdoor sightseeing very difficult; Luxor reaches 48°C in July. If visiting in summer, limit outdoor time to early morning (6–10am).
Book a Licensed Tour Guide for the Pyramids — Context Is Essential
The Giza Plateau without a guide is visually overwhelming but historically opaque. A licensed Egyptian guide provides essential context on the Old Kingdom timeline, the pyramid construction theories, the solar boat, and the Sphinx restoration controversy. Full-day Giza + Egyptian Museum guided tours from Cairo typically cost $40–80 per person for a private tour.
Get an Egypt e-Visa Before You Travel — $25, Available Online
US citizens can obtain an Egypt tourist visa online (e-visa) for $25 before departure at visa2egypt.gov.eg. The e-visa is valid for 30 days single entry or 30 days multiple entry ($60). Visa-on-arrival is also available at Cairo airport, but the e-visa queue is shorter. Apply at least 1 week before travel.
Airlines Flying to Cairo (CAI)
EgyptAir
Egypt's National Carrier — Star AllianceEgyptAir is Egypt's national carrier and a Star Alliance member, operating from its Cairo CAI hub to destinations across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and North America. EgyptAir offers nonstop service from New York JFK and Washington Dulles (IAD) to Cairo CAI, making it the most direct US–Cairo routing. EgyptAir's service standards are considered good for a Middle Eastern carrier.
Key Routes
New York JFK nonstop to Cairo CAI (EgyptAir, daily); Washington Dulles IAD to CAI (EgyptAir, multiple weekly); European connections from London LHR, Paris CDG, Frankfurt FRA, and 20+ European cities
Turkish Airlines
One-Stop via Istanbul IST — Competitive FaresTurkish Airlines (via Istanbul Atatürk IST hub) offers highly competitive fares from US cities to Cairo with a single connection in Istanbul. Turkish Airlines is consistently rated among the best long-haul carriers for value and service quality. Istanbul's new airport (IST) offers one of the smoothest connection experiences in the Middle East/Europe region.
Key Routes
Turkish Airlines from New York JFK, Los Angeles LAX, Chicago ORD, Houston IAH, Atlanta ATL, Miami MIA, Washington IAD to Istanbul IST, then Istanbul IST to Cairo CAI nonstop
Emirates, Qatar Airways & European Carriers
Hub Connections via Dubai, Doha, and EuropeEmirates (Dubai DXB) and Qatar Airways (Doha DOH) both connect to Cairo, though the Middle Eastern hub adds a third leg for US travelers. British Airways (London), Air France (Paris), Lufthansa (Frankfurt), and KLM (Amsterdam) connect via their respective European hubs with competitive fares, especially from US East Coast cities.
Key Routes
Emirates via Dubai DXB to CAI; Qatar Airways via Doha DOH to CAI; British Airways via LHR to CAI; Air France via CDG to CAI; Lufthansa via FRA to CAI; KLM via AMS to CAI
Things to Do in Cairo, Egypt
Important Information Before You Fly to Cairo
Currency
Egyptian Pound (EGP, E£) — USD widely accepted at tourist sites
Language
Arabic (Egyptian Arabic) — English spoken in tourist areas and hotels
Time Zone
EET — UTC+2 (no daylight saving time since 2011)
Country Code
+20 (Egypt)
Airport Code
CAI — Cairo International Airport (22 km NE of city centre)
US Visa Required
Yes — Egypt e-Visa ($25) at visa2egypt.gov.eg or visa-on-arrival ($25)
Power Plugs
Type C/F — 220V / 50Hz; adapter required for US devices
Emergency Number
122 (Police) / 123 (Ambulance) / 180 (Fire)
Most Popular Airlines
Best Airlines for Domestic & International Routes
Frequently Asked Questions on Travel to Cairo
Everything you need to know about booking cheap flights to Cairo, Egypt
What airport serves Cairo?
Cairo International Airport (IATA: CAI) is the primary airport serving Cairo and Egypt's capital region, located 22 km northeast of the city centre. CAI is served by EgyptAir (national carrier, Star Alliance), Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, and other international carriers. Terminal 2 is used by EgyptAir and Star Alliance; Terminal 3 by other international carriers.
Do US citizens need a visa for Egypt?
Yes — US citizens require a visa for Egypt. Options: (1) Egypt e-Visa (recommended): apply online at visa2egypt.gov.eg, $25 for single entry or $60 for multiple entry, valid 30 days from entry, available in 1-5 business days; (2) Visa on arrival at Cairo Airport: available but queues can be long; $25 in USD or equivalent. Apply for the e-visa at least 1 week before departure.
How do I get from Cairo Airport to the city and the Pyramids?
From Cairo Airport to the city: Cairo Metro Line 3 (airport station, ~35 min to city centre, EGP 9-14); taxi (negotiated, approximately EGP 150-250 to central Cairo, 30-60 min depending on traffic); Uber/Careem (ride apps, EGP 100-180). From central Cairo to the Giza Pyramids: taxi (30-40 min, EGP 100-200); Uber (EGP 80-150); tour vehicle (pre-arranged with hotel/tour operator). Cairo Metro does not yet reach Giza Plateau.
Is Cairo safe for tourists?
Cairo's tourist areas are generally safe for foreign visitors. The Giza Plateau, Khan el-Khalili, Islamic Cairo, and Coptic Cairo are all well-visited with tourist police presence. Standard precautions apply: use reputable taxis or Uber/Careem (not street touts), keep valuables in hotel safes, be aware of scams targeting tourists (unsolicited guides, camel/horse rides), and avoid political demonstrations. Egypt's tourism security has been significantly strengthened since 2013.
What is the best time to visit Cairo?
October–April is the best period: comfortable temperatures (20-28°C), low humidity, clear skies for photography. November–February is peak tourist season (book ahead). March–April brings occasional sandstorms (khamsin winds). May–September: extreme heat (38-45°C in Cairo, up to 48°C in Luxor) — limit outdoor sightseeing to 6-10am and 4-7pm. Ramadan (dates vary annually by Islamic lunar calendar) brings reduced food/drink availability during daylight hours.
Can I visit the Great Pyramid interior?
Yes — the interior of the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Khufu's Pyramid) can be entered with a separate ticket (approximately EGP 400, in addition to the main Giza plateau ticket). Only 300 tickets are sold per day at the Giza ticket office; they often sell out, especially November–March. The interior involves narrow, low, steep passages (the Ascending Passage is 1.2 metres high) and is not suitable for claustrophobes. The King's Chamber — a granite-lined room at the pyramid's centre — is the destination.
How far is Luxor from Cairo?
Luxor is 675 km south of Cairo. Options: domestic flight (1 hour, EgyptAir or Nile Air, $50-100 one-way book in advance); overnight sleeper train (10-12 hours, first-class sleeper compartment approximately EGP 1,000-1,500 per person, atmospheric and comfortable); day trip by flight (book a day tour combining Karnak, Luxor Temple, and Valley of the Kings — feasible but tiring). A 2-night stay in Luxor is recommended to see everything properly.
What currency is used in Egypt?
Egyptian Pound (EGP, E£). US dollars are widely accepted at tourist sites, hotels, and major restaurants in Cairo (often at slightly unfavorable exchange rates). ATMs dispensing EGP are available throughout Cairo. The official exchange rate is obtained at Egyptian banks and licensed exchange offices; avoid unofficial street money changers. Entry tickets to major sites (Pyramids, museums) are priced in USD for foreigners but payable in EGP.
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