£44 Cheap Flights to Cairo

Why You Should Take a Flight to Cairo

Egypt’s capital is one of the world’s greatest cities with an epic history dating back thousands of years. Modern Cairo is a chaotic mix of African, Middle Eastern and European influences and its attractions, from the Pyramids of Giza to the river Nile, are fixtures on most people’s bucket lists.

When to Book Flights to Cairo

Winter, from November to March, is the most popular time to visit Cairo. The weather is pleasant and the evenings are cool. If you plan to visit at this time of year be sure to book well in advance.

The best time to find a cheap flight to Cairo is in the spring or autumn after the winter crowds have dispersed and before the summer heat kicks in.

The city is also busy during Ramadan in May and June, and the airport becomes very busy during Hajj season. The summer months are the quietest as the city swelters in temperatures of 35°C.

How to Find the Best Flight Deals to Cairo

It is always possible to track down cheap flights to Cairo, and when you book with Expedia there are plenty of ways to make sure you find the best deal.

If travelling in high season plan ahead and make sure you are flexible. The only direct flights from the UK to Cairo leave from Heathrow, but you can use the ‘Nearby airports’ option under your departure point to check fares via different routes.

Having leeway in your schedule helps. The price of flights changes from day to day, so use the ‘Show flexible dates’ option to compare fares.

UK Departures to Cairo

Optimal flight times from UK cities to Cairo include:

• London to Cairo 4 hours 40 minutes
• Manchester to Cairo 7 hours (no direct flights)
• Birmingham to Cairo 6 hours 35 minutes (no direct flights)
• Glasgow to Cairo 7 hours 35 minutes (no direct flights)
• Newcastle to Cairo 7 hours 20 minutes (no direct flights)
• Edinburgh to Cairo 7 hours 40 minutes (no direct flights)
• Belfast to Cairo 7 hours 30 minutes (no direct flights)

Main Airports in Cairo

Cairo International Airport, nine miles northeast of the city centre, is the second busiest in Africa with nearly 15 million passengers a year.

Like the city it serves the airport can be confusing to navigate and there are lots of touts so it pays to organise transport from the airport before you arrive.

Which Airlines Fly to Cairo?

The two airlines that fly direct from the UK to Cairo are:

• British Airways
• Egyptair

You can take connecting flights with:

• Lufthansa
• Air France
• Turkish Airlines

How to Get to and Around Cairo

Getting around Cairo is a challenge that begins at the airport. Buses into town can be chaotic and crowded, but there are regular shuttles. If you take a taxi make sure you agree a fare in advance. It is worth checking if your hotel offers a transfer service.

Once in the city the underground Metro system, which will soon reach the airport, offers an efficient way to travelling around Cairo. The bus network is confusing although the smaller microbuses run routes to the major tourist sites like Giza. Trying to navigate Cairo’s traffic in a hire car is not advised.

What Are the Must-sees in Cairo?

Not seeing the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx while in Cairo is unthinkable. One of the original Seven Wonder of the World, the pyramids lie just beyond Cairo’s southern outskirts, half an hour’s drive from the city centre.

Through the mayhem of Cairo flows the mighty Nile. Escape the dust of dry land with a cruise on one of the world’s biggest rivers.

Cairo’s Egyptian Museum on Tahrir Square is immense and houses some extraordinary artefacts from the tombs of pharaohs including Tutankhamun.

Tips and Tricks for Travelling in Cairo

It pays to learn a little Arabic before heading to Cairo and learning the symbols for numbers is especially useful when shopping and eating out.