Addis Ababa to Cairo (ADD–CAI) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections

Ethiopian passport holders can get a visa on arrival at Cairo International Airport and other Egyptian airports. The single-entry tourist visa costs USD 25 and allows a 30-day stay. Pay in USD cash at the bank kiosk before the immigration counter. Buy the visa sticker, paste it in your passport, then go to the immigration line.

You can also apply for an Egypt eVisa through visa2egypt.gov.eg before departure. The eVisa costs USD 25 for single-entry or USD 60 for multiple-entry and is valid for 30 days. Processing takes 5 to 7 business days. The eVisa avoids the airport bank queue.

Your passport must have at least 6 months of validity from your arrival date. Egypt and Ethiopia are close neighbors with direct flights from Addis Ababa to Cairo taking about 3 hours. No yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for entry into Egypt from Ethiopia, though some older sources say otherwise. Current Egyptian rules do not list it as mandatory for Ethiopian arrivals by air.

Uber and Careem are the easiest exit. Order from the app inside the terminal and meet the driver at the designated pickup zone outside arrivals. Expect EGP 100-200 to downtown (Tahrir Square, Zamalek, Garden City) and 45-60 minutes in normal traffic. Prices are dynamic, highest between 22:00-02:00 and 06:00-11:00. Yellow metered taxis queue at the rank; drivers will quote EGP 400-500 but the metered fare is EGP 150-300.

CTA public buses 356 and 400 run to central Cairo (EGP 5) but are infrequent and packed. Airport shuttle buses serve major hotels for EGP 25-50. Metro Line 3 does not yet reach the airport; the extension is planned but not operational. Rental car offices are in Terminal 3 arrivals. Traffic in Cairo is aggressive by any standard, so first-time visitors may prefer ride-hail over self-driving.

Cairo is desert. Rain totals about 25mm for the entire year, almost all of it falling in December and January. Summers (May-October) are hot and dry with highs of 34-38 degrees C and relentless sunshine. July and August are the peak, though low humidity makes shade feel meaningful. Winters (December-February) are mild and sunny at 14-20 degrees C during the day, dropping to 8-10 degrees C at night.

The Khamsin wind arrives in spring (March-May), carrying Saharan sand and pushing temperatures above 40 degrees C for several days at a stretch. Visibility drops and sand gets into everything. Autumn (October-November) is warm and settled, making it the most pleasant travel window along with winter. Pack sunscreen and light clothing for summer. Winter evenings need a light jacket. Bring a scarf or face covering if visiting during Khamsin season.