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Home AirportsCairo Airport Metro Guide

Metro & Train GuideUpdated 2026

Cairo International Airport to Cairo by TrainCosts, Times & Tips (2026)

No direct metro to the airport — but don't let that slow you down. This guide walks you through the fastest, cheapest and most comfortable ways to reach central Cairo from Cairo International Airport (CAI) in 2026, including fares from EGP 13 and journey times from 60 minutes.

Fastest~30 min (taxi)

Cheapest~EGP 13 (bus+metro)

Metro LineLine 3 (blue)

Nearest StationAlf Maskan

2026 Update: Cairo Metro Line 3 Phase 3 expansion is ongoing. Always verify the latest station status on the Cairo Metro official site before travel. Bus routes and fares are subject to change.

All Transport Options at a Glance

Compare every way to get from Cairo Airport (CAI) to the city centre in 2026 — sorted by cost.

Option	Time	Cost (EGP)	Cost (USD)	Notes
Best ValuePublic Bus + Metro (Line 3)	60–90 min	EGP 13–22	~$0.45	Cheapest option; requires one transfer at Alf Maskan
Uber / Careem (ride-hail)	30–55 min	EGP 150–280	$3–6	Door-to-door; surge pricing possible at peak hours
Airport Taxi (white cab)	35–60 min	EGP 200–400	$4–8.50	Fixed-rate counters in Arrivals; agree fare before boarding
Private Transfer (pre-booked)	35–55 min	EGP 500–900	$10–19	Meet-and-greet; luggage assistance; best for groups
Airport Shuttle Bus (CTA 356)	50–70 min	EGP 5–10	~$0.20	Runs to Alf Maskan metro hub; no AC; limited luggage space

* Fares based on 2026 data. USD estimates at approx. EGP 47–50 per $1. Exchange rates fluctuate — check a live converter before travel.

Step-by-Step: Bus + Metro from Cairo Airport to Downtown

The most budget-friendly route using CTA Bus 356 and Cairo Metro Line 3 — total cost under EGP 25 (~$0.50 USD).

Step 1

Exit the terminal

After clearing customs at Terminal 2 (most international flights) or Terminal 3 (EgyptAir hub), follow the 'Ground Transport' / 'Buses' signs to the outer kerb on Level 0.

Step 2

Board CTA Bus 356 or a shared minibus

CTA Bus 356 departs from the public transport bay roughly every 20–30 minutes (06:00–23:00). Alternatively, shared minibuses leave when full and cost EGP 5–8. Both terminate at Alf Maskan.

Step 3

Alight at Alf Maskan (Metro Line 3)

The ride is roughly 15–20 minutes. Follow signs for Cairo Metro Line 3 (blue). Purchase a ticket at the booth — single-journey tickets cost EGP 8 for up to 9 stations, EGP 10 for 10–16 stations, and EGP 12 for 17+ stations.

Step 4

Ride Line 3 towards Adly Mansour / Attaba

Board a westbound Line 3 service towards Attaba. The metro runs from approximately 05:30 to 00:00 daily with trains every 5–10 minutes. Keep your ticket — you'll need it to exit.

Step 5

Change at Attaba to Line 1 or Line 2 (if needed)

For Tahrir Square (Sadat Station) change at Attaba onto Line 1 (the red line, direction Helwan). Sadat is one stop south. For Ramses Station or further north, stay on Line 1 towards El-Marg.

Step 6

Exit at your destination

Insert your ticket into the exit gate turnstile. Popular downtown stops include Sadat (Tahrir Square), Nasser (for Khan el-Khalili), and Ramses (for Cairo Railway Station and intercity trains).

Pro Tips for 2026

Buy a stored-value Metro Card

A rechargeable Metro Card (EGP 30 deposit + credit) saves time queuing for single tickets and offers a small per-trip discount.

Avoid rush hours 07:00–09:00 & 16:00–19:00

Cairo Metro Line 3 gets extremely crowded during these windows. If your flight lands at these times, consider a taxi or Uber instead.

Women's-only metro cars

The first two carriages on each train are reserved for women. Men are not permitted. These cars are often less crowded.

Use Careem or Uber over street taxis

Fixed prices and GPS tracking make ride-hail apps far safer and more transparent for airport journeys — especially after dark.

Change money inside the airport first

Airport exchange bureaux are legitimate and convenient. You'll need EGP in hand for buses and metro tickets — card machines are rare.

Keep your metro ticket until you exit

Cairo Metro uses exit turnstiles that consume your ticket. Losing it means paying a EGP 50 fine at the staffed gate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a direct metro from Cairo Airport to the city centre?

There is no direct metro line running into Cairo Airport (CAI) as of 2026. The closest metro station is Heliopolis / Alf Maskan on Line 3 (the blue line), which is about 3–4 km from the terminals. Travellers take the Airport Bus (CTA Bus 356 or a minibus) or a short taxi ride to reach that station, then continue by metro into central Cairo.

How long does it take to get from Cairo Airport to downtown Cairo by public transport?

Allow 60–90 minutes door to door using the bus-plus-metro combination. The airport bus or minibus to Alf Maskan takes 15–20 minutes, and the metro ride from there to Tahrir Square (Sadat Station) is roughly 35–45 minutes, depending on connections. Taxis to downtown in light traffic take 30–50 minutes.

What is the cheapest way to get from Cairo Airport to the city in 2026?

The cheapest option is the CTA public bus (Route 356 or Route 960) combined with the metro. Bus fare is approximately EGP 5–10 and the metro adds EGP 8–12 per journey, giving a total of roughly EGP 13–22 (under $0.50 USD at 2026 exchange rates). Ride-hailing apps like Uber and Careem are a comfortable middle ground at EGP 150–250 to downtown.

Planning a longer stay in Cairo?

Discover the best neighbourhoods, the Pyramids of Giza, the Egyptian Museum and top hotels in our in-depth Cairo destination guide — updated for 2026.

Cairo Destination Guide

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Find the Best Flights to Cairo (2026)

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Data accurate as of early 2026. Always verify fares before travel.