# CAI — Cairo (Cairo International Airport)

> CAI (Cairo International Airport) is the main international airport serving Cairo, Egypt. Source: https://www.airportexit.com/airports/cai-cairo

## At a glance

- **Best exit method:** Book an Uber or Careem
- **Typical fare:** EGP 200–400
- **Journey time:** 45–75 min to Downtown / Zamalek
- **Pickup point:** T2: car park P4 · T3: car park P3
- **Key warning:** Never accept a flat fare from an unmetered white taxi
- **Fare reality (CAI → Downtown / Zamalek):** expected EGP 250–450 · concerning EGP 500–750 · likely scam EGP 800+
- **Overall risk:** high — Persistent taxi overcharging and meter refusal. Uber and Careem work but pickup logistics are confusing.
- **Last updated:** May 2026 (medium confidence)

## Ways out of CAI, ranked

1. **Uber / Careem** _(recommended)_ — cost EGP 200–400, journey 45–75 min, wait 5–15 mins, payment App Payment.
   - Pros: Fixed price; Avoids haggling
   - Cons: Pickup at specific lots only (P4/P5); Drivers sometimes ask to cancel and pay cash
2. **Cairo Airport Shuttle Bus** — cost EGP 50, journey 60–90 min, wait Every 30 mins, payment Cash.
   - Pros: Cheap and official
   - Cons: Limited stops; Daytime only
3. **White Taxi (metered)** — cost EGP 200–400 if meter is used, journey 45–75 min, wait 0–10 mins, payment Cash.
   - Pros: Official
   - Cons: Most refuse the meter from the airport
4. **Limo Taxi (airport counter)** — cost EGP 500–900 fixed, journey 45–75 min, wait 0–10 mins, payment Card & Cash.
   - Pros: No surprises
   - Cons: 2–3x the fair rate

## First 30 minutes after landing at CAI

1. Clear immigration (buy a visa-on-arrival sticker before queueing)
2. Collect bags and ignore men shouting 'taxi, friend!'
3. Open Uber or Careem in arrivals
4. Follow signs to car park P4 (T2) or P3 (T3)
5. Confirm plate number before luggage goes in the boot
6. Expected fare to Downtown / Zamalek: EGP 250–450

## Common scams at CAI

- **'Meter broken' flat fare** (high risk): Driver quotes EGP 700+ flat, refuses meter. _How to avoid:_ Take Uber or Careem. If using a white taxi, agree on meter before luggage goes in the boot.
- **Hotel is closed / changed** (high risk): Driver claims your hotel shut down and offers a 'friend's' hotel for commission. _How to avoid:_ Ignore. Have the driver go to your booked address. Confirm by phone if needed.
- **Currency switch** (medium risk): You hand EGP 500, driver palms it and shows EGP 50, demands more. _How to avoid:_ Count notes aloud, hand over one at a time.

## Payment warnings at CAI

- Most white taxi drivers will claim the meter is broken and demand cash.
- Uber / Careem accept card in-app, but drivers may ask for cash — your call is already paid.
- Carry small EGP notes (50s and 100s) — drivers rarely have change for 500s.

## Arrival checklist for CAI

- Ignore men shouting 'taxi, friend!' in arrivals
- Walk to the official Uber/Careem pickup lot
- Never accept a flat fare from an unmetered white taxi
- Expect EGP 250–450 to Downtown / Zamalek
- Carry small notes — EGP 50s and 100s

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Canonical URL: https://www.airportexit.com/airports/cai-cairo
Source: Airport Exit (https://www.airportexit.com)
Last updated: May 2026

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