Flying from Istanbul to Cairo International Airport (CAI): What you need to know
There are a couple of main airports where your trip can begin in Istanbul. Check out your options departing from Istanbul Airport (IST) or Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) when organising your flight from Istanbul to Cairo International Airport (CAI).
Expect to be in the air for 2 hours 20 minutes. That's the average duration of a direct Istanbul to Cairo International Airport flight.
Cairo International Airport is located in Cairo. The city operates on the UTC+2 timezone and is one hour behind Istanbul.
Istanbul Airport (IST) to Cairo International Airport (CAI) is the most popular route. There are 49 direct flights a week to choose from. If you have plans before you fly, hop on the last flight with Turkish Airlines at 10:25pm. Go for the first IST to CAI departure operated by Turkish Airlines at 2am if you'd rather get going earlier.
Leave plenty of time to get on your flight from Istanbul to CAI. As a general rule, arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Popular months like August or other peak seasons mean longer lines and potential delays. Get a head start by getting to the airport even earlier. Plan for at least four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
Airports in Istanbul
Istanbul Airport (IST)
You can take a direct flight from Istanbul to Cairo International Airport (CAI) out of Istanbul Airport (IST).
When leaving from IST, you can catch a direct flight from Istanbul to Cairo International Airport with Turkish Airlines.
Most travellers prefer to fly with Turkish Airlines between IST and CAI.
Located around 40 kilometres from the centre of Istanbul, IST can be reached in about 45 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport will take roughly 1 hour 10 minutes.
Want a stress-free start to your trip? Stay near Istanbul Airport. Whether you have an early flight from Istanbul to Cairo International Airport or want to avoid feeling rushed, these hotels are the answer:
Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW)
Think about kicking off your trip from Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW). You can book a direct Istanbul to Cairo International Airport (CAI) plane ticket with departures from this hub.
Popular airlines that offer direct flights from Istanbul to CAI leaving from SAW include:
AJet is the most popular choice for travellers flying from SAW to CAI.
Flights between Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport and Cairo International Airport are more likely to reach their destination on time with Nile Air compared to other carriers.
SAW is about 48 kilometres from central Istanbul. It takes 1 hour 5 minutes or so to get to the airport if you're driving from the city centre. Public transport takes approximately 1 hour 40 minutes.
Kick off your holiday early with an additional night away from home. Before your Istanbul to CAI flight, stay in one of these hotels close to Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport:
When it comes to keeping flights punctual, Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport has an on-time arrival rate of 68%.
About Cairo International Airport (CAI)
If you're arriving on a late flight from Istanbul to Cairo International Airport, nothing tops the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Pick up your luggage at baggage claim and then be showered and sleeping soon after at one of these options near CAI:
For the lowest price, book your ride around one week ahead of your Istanbul to Cairo International Airport flight.
Getting from Cairo International Airport (CAI) to central Cairo
Cairo International Airport is around 23 kilometres from the centre of Cairo. It takes around 45 minutes or so to get to the city by car.
It'll take around 1 hour when travelling by public transport.
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul to Cairo International Airport (CAI)
At the moment, $170 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 $337. Keep in mind fares may change due to demand at the time of booking.
To pick up cheap flights from Istanbul to CAI, book ahead. Airlines tend to offer lower fares when tickets are first released.
If you can be flexible with your travel dates, try using the 'Whole month' search tool. It'll show you the cheapest price in each month when searching for your Istanbul to Cairo International Airport ticket.
Be the first to know about deals for plane tickets from Istanbul to CAI by setting up a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification on the app when a new discounted fare appears.
Bag the best deal on a flight from Istanbul to Cairo International Airport with the help of the filters. Choose your ideal departure and arrival times, airlines and number of stops. You can also sort your results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best.'
The best time to fly from Istanbul to Cairo International Airport (CAI)
Think about the pace you're looking for when deciding when to fly. November is the quietest month to go to Cairo. February is when most people book flights from Istanbul to Cairo International Airport (CAI), which may be perfect if you'd rather travel when it's busy.
Book a Istanbul to CAI plane ticket departing in July if you want to explore the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Cairo to range from 20ºC to 39ºC.
January has temperatures of between 8ºC and 21ºC. Look for cheap tickets from Istanbul to Cairo International Airport around that time if you like travelling in cooler conditions.
More about Cairo
Start your Cairo trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Istanbul to Cairo International Airport, check out our range of hotels including:
Your visit to Cairo wouldn't be complete without a bit of sightseeing. Highlights worth exploring include Gizeh Plateau, TUTANKHAMUN'S TREASURE and River Nile.
Explore more of Egypt
You've seen Cairo, now it's time to explore other corners of Egypt. Journey about 193 kilometres northwest to Alexandria to tick off its must-visit sights. From Bibliotheca Alexandria to Lighthouse of Alexandria and Cleopatra Beach, you'll have a packed itinerary ahead.
Port Said is another standout destination in Egypt and is around 153 kilometres northeast of Cairo. No trip is complete without seeing Suez Canal, Museum of Modern Art in Port Said and Zahir Mosque.