Cairo International Airport Arrival Guide 2026: Visa, SIM, & More
Navigating Cairo International Airport for the first time? This 2026 guide covers everything from visa on arrival to getting a SIM card, finding an ATM, and using InDrive taxis.
Cairo International Airport Arrival Review Arrival Card, Visa, SIM Card, ATM, InDrive |
Recommended Cairo Tours
🔗Memphis, Saqqara, and Dahshur Pyramids Private Day Tour
Egypt Information
🔗Egypt Basic Information (Weather, Exchange Rates, Main Tourist Attractions)
🔗Egypt Historical Site Entrance Fees & Operating Hours
🔗Complete Guide to Egypt Tours
Making your travels smooth, this is <Travel Lubricant>!
Recently, Kwak Tube and Wonji's trip to Egypt was featured on ENA's <Global Marble World Tour 3>,
sparking a huge surge of interest in Egypt.
Today, we're going to dive into everything you need to know, from filling out your arrival card at Cairo International Airport to
buying a SIM card and using InDrive taxis.
Contents |
Arrival Card |
Visa |
SIM Card |
ATM |
InDrive |
Wrapping Up |
1. Arrival Card
The Egypt arrival card distributed on board is quite simple.
You can fill it out with just basic English comprehension,
and there won't be any major issues if you enter your passport information accurately.
Item | Meaning | Example |
Trip No. | Flight Number | MU223 |
Arriving from | Origin | SHANGHAI (Via Shanghai) |
Family name | Last Name | Last name as on passport (e.g., KIM) |
Fore name | First Name | First name as on passport (e.g., MINJI) |
Date & place of birth | Date & Place of Birth | 1995/05/15 |
Nationality | Nationality | SOUTH KOREA |
Passport number | Passport Number | Accurate Passport Number |
Address in Egypt | Address in Egypt (Accommodation Name) | Accommodation or region in Egypt (e.g., Nile Garden Hotel) |
Purposs of arrival | Purpose of Visit | TOURISM |
2. Visa
As soon as you get off the plane, follow the signs,
and the Visa Center will appear on your right.
It's located behind the pillar to the left of the National Bank of Egypt (NBE) exchange office,
so it might be a bit hidden. Make sure to look for the sign on the pillar!
💳Visa Cost💳
$25 per person
(Cash Only)
Since they don't provide change, it's best to prepare the exact amount
or get smaller bills from the exchange office.
The visa and arrival card must be submitted during immigration, so do NOT lose them!!
3. SIM Card
You'll find ORANGE and VODAFONE SIM card booths at the baggage claim area.
Orange SIM card, 29GB standard: 437 EGP (approximately ~$8)
Recently, there have been cases where the data top-up amount is misrepresented,
so you must check the top-up amount via the app immediately after purchase.
If you plan to travel to other countries like Jordan via Dahab,
we also recommend an eSIM that automatically connects to roaming.
Egypt, Jordan Travel eSIM: How to Purchase and Review from USIMSA4. ATM
Since cash is widely used in Egypt,
withdrawing Egyptian Pounds at the airport is a must!
I'll also tell you about Travelog, Travel Wallet and other fee-free ATMs.
"National Bank of Egypt (NBE)"
No fees / Green color
The ATM location inside Cairo International Airport is
if you turn your back to the arrivals hall and then turn left at the golden statue,
and then turn left again, you'll find the ATM.
💰 How to Use an ATM
1. Insert card
2. Enter PIN
3. Select language
4. Select amount / Choose Other Amount
5. Withdraw menu
6. Saving
7. Enter amount (double-check as there might be decimals)
8. Print receipt
9. Withdraw cash
💡Tip
5. inDrive
In Egypt, especially in Cairo, both Uber and inDrive are available.
However, inDrive is often cheaper.
You can call an inDrive from Airport Parking Zone B-5.
After entering your destination in the app, check the fare and driver ratings from the list and accept.
At the airport, you'll need to pay a separate airport parking fee of 30 EGP.
Before departing, using inDrive chat (with automatic translation)
to negotiate the price with the driver in advance can lead to a cheaper fare.
So, try negotiating once more for a cheaper ride!
🚕 Taxi Fares 🚕
Airport -> Giza: 200 Pounds
Airport -> Cairo City Center: 130 Pounds
💡Tip
Egyptian taxi numbers use Arabic numerals.
Arabic is read from right to left.
Standard Numerals | Arabic Script Numerals | Standard Numerals | Arabic Script Numerals |
0 | ٠ (sifr) | 5 | ٥ (khamsa) |
1 | ١ (waḥid) | 6 | ٦ (sitta) |
2 | ٢ (ithnayn) | 7 | ٧ (sabʿa) |
3 | ٣ (thalātha) | 8 | ٨ (thamāniya) |
4 | ٤ (arbaʿa) | 9 | ٩ (tisʿa) |
6. Wrapping Up
Egypt is a destination full of unique and unfamiliar environments.
But with careful preparation, starting right from airport entry, you can say goodbye to worries!
By getting informed beforehand about your immigration form, visa, SIM card, ATMs, and taxis,
you'll have a comfortable trip once you're on the ground.
I'll continue to share travel reviews, transportation info, and admission tickets for various Egyptian cities in the future,
so if you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment!
Recommended Cairo Tours
🔗Private Day Tour to Memphis, Saqqara, and Dahshur Pyramids
More on Egypt
🔗Essential Egypt Info (Weather, Exchange Rate, Top Attractions)
🔗Egypt Historical Sites: Admission Fees & Operating Hours
Frequently Asked Questions
What information should I fill out on the arrival card at Cairo International Airport?
You need to fill in your flight number, place of departure, full name (as on your passport), date and place of birth, nationality, passport number, address of accommodation in Egypt, and purpose of visit (tourism). It's not difficult to fill out if you have basic English reading comprehension.
How much does an Egyptian visa cost at Cairo International Airport, and how can I pay?
An Egyptian visa costs $25 per person and can only be paid in cash. It's advisable to prepare the exact amount or get small change at a currency exchange, as they might not provide change.
How much does a 29GB Orange SIM card cost at Cairo International Airport?
A 29GB Orange SIM card costs 437 EGP (approximately ~$8) at the Orange SIM booth located in the baggage claim area of Cairo International Airport. It's recommended to check the data balance immediately after purchase using the app.
What is the estimated fare when using inDrive from Cairo International Airport to Giza or downtown Cairo?
When using inDrive from the airport, the estimated fare to Giza is 200 pounds, and to downtown Cairo is 130 pounds. An additional airport parking fee of 30 EGP must be paid separately.
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