Travelling from Istanbul to Cairo International Airport (CAI): What you need to know
There are a couple of airports you can start your trip from in Istanbul. Explore your options departing from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) when planning your flight from Istanbul to Cairo International Airport (CAI).
Expect to be in the air for 2 hours 20 minutes. That's the average time for a direct Istanbul to Cairo International Airport flight.
Cairo is one hour behind Istanbul. Cairo International Airport is located in Cairo, which is in the UTC+2 timezone.
With 49 direct flights a week between the two airports, Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Cairo International Airport (CAI) is the most popular route. Turkish Airlines operates the earliest flight at 2am. If you'd like to get more out of your day before leaving, the last departure from IST to CAI is with Turkish Airlines at 10:25pm.
For a smooth journey, turn up at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This will give you plenty of time to board your flight from Istanbul to CAI.
Peak season means busier airports, so aim to get there even earlier. Give yourself at least two hours before a domestic flight and four hours for international journeys to stay on schedule.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Reach your destination without the detour from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST). Direct flights from Istanbul to Cairo International Airport (CAI) are available from here.
Book your direct flight from Istanbul to Cairo International Airport with Turkish Airlines. This top carrier operates departures from IST.
The airline with the highest booking numbers between IST and CAI is Turkish Airlines.
Travelling from central Istanbul to IST takes around 1 hour 45 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or grab a cab, you'll cover the 48 kms (30 miles) in 50 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Catching an early flight from Istanbul to Cairo International Airport? Avoid the last-minute rush to the terminal (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by picking one of these hotels close to Istanbul Ataturk Airport:
Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Planning to catch a flight from Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)? Direct Istanbul to Cairo International Airport (CAI) plane tickets can be booked from this popular hub.
When setting off from SAW, you can pick from a range of airlines that offer direct flights from Istanbul to CAI. Cruise through the sky with these preferred carriers:
Nile Air is the top choice for travellers flying from SAW to CAI.
Flights between Sabiha Gokcen International Airport and Cairo International Airport are generally more punctual with Nile Air than with any other carrier.
You can get to SAW from the centre of Istanbul in about 55 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey by public transport takes roughly 1 hour 30 minutes to travel the 48 kms (30 miles) or so.
Want to enjoy an extra night away before catching your Istanbul to CAI flight? Kick back in a hotel near Sabiha Gokcen International Airport before your break officially begins. These stays have your key waiting:
When it comes to keeping flights punctual, Sabiha Gokcen International Airport has an on-time arrival performance of 76.93%.
About Cairo International Airport (CAI)
The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Istanbul to Cairo International Airport. Stay at one of these accommodation options near CAI instead:
Begin your adventure by picking up a Cairo International Airport rental car. Grab a set of wheels from Auto-Union, Hertz or Alamo and explore beyond Cairo's usual tourist stops.
Booking your vehicle around one week in advance of your Istanbul to Cairo International Airport flight can help you find the best deal.
Getting from Cairo International Airport (CAI) to central Cairo
Central Cairo is about 11 miles from Cairo International Airport. Travel times by car hire or cab will vary depending on traffic conditions, so do a little research ahead of your trip.
When travelling on public transport, expect a journey of about 1 hour 25 minutes.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to Cairo International Airport (CAI)
At the moment, £71 is the best price we've found for a one-way ticket from Istanbul to Cairo International Airport. The cheapest price for a return flight is £137. Keep in mind fares can change due to demand at the time of booking.
Booking ahead of time is often the key to finding a cheap flight from Istanbul to CAI. Flight prices rise as demand increases, so the closer your departure date, the more it could cost you.
The 'Whole month' tool shows you the cheapest Istanbul to Cairo International Airport tickets throughout the entire month. It's an easy way to snap up a bargain if your dates aren't set in stone.
Locking in a cheap plane ticket from Istanbul to CAI is a breeze with Price Alerts. Simply create one of these automatic alerts and we'll notify you when prices go down.
Chase down a great fare on a flight from Istanbul to Cairo International Airport with the help of the filters. Pick your preferred departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest.'
The best time to fly from Istanbul to Cairo International Airport (CAI)
August is when most people book flights from Istanbul to Cairo International Airport (CAI). Plan your visit to Cairo in April if you'd rather avoid peak season.
Before locking in your Istanbul to CAI plane ticket, consider what kind of weather you prefer. July is the warmest month in Cairo, with temperatures ranging from 22ºC (72ºF) to 40ºC (104ºF).
January has temperatures of between 8ºC (46ºF) and 22ºC (72ºF). Look for cheap tickets from Istanbul to Cairo International Airport around that time if you like cooler conditions.
More about Cairo
Once you've booked your flight from Istanbul to Cairo International Airport, find a hotel that keeps you close to what you want to see. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Cairo:
Your Cairo trip won't be complete without checking out the sights. Highlights worth exploring include Gizeh Plateau, Pyramid and giza pyramids.
Explore more of Egypt
Alexandria is just one of the many places in Egypt waiting to be explored after you've experienced Cairo. Around 193 kms (120 miles) away to the north-west, its best attractions include Bibliotheca Alexandria, Lighthouse of Alexandria and Cleopatra Beach.
Around 153 kms (95 miles) north-east of Cairo, Port Said is another favourite stop in Egypt. Start your sightseeing at Suez Canal, Old Historical buildings and Museum of Modern Art in Port Said.