Cairo to Istanbul (CAI–IST) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
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No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
CAI–IST is served by 1 airline with nonstop service. Saudia leads the route. The flight covers 786 miles in approximately 2h 20m. Beyond nonstop, 96 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SV Saudia | 0 | – | – | – | SkyTeam | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Other ways to reach Istanbul from Cairo
| Metric | CAI→IST | HBE→IST |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from CAI | – | 116 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 1 | 2 |
| Weekly flights | 135 | 18 |
| Flight time | 2h 20m | 2h 10m |
Travel Essentials
CAI: EEST · IST: +03
When it's 6:00 PM in Cairo, it's 6:00 PM in Istanbul.
Egyptian passport holders can obtain a Turkey eVisa online for USD 20, valid for a single entry and a stay of up to 30 days. Travelers aged 20 to 45 must hold a valid sticker visa or residence permit from a Schengen country, the US, UK, or Ireland to qualify for the eVisa. Those under 20 or over 45 are exempt from that requirement. You must fly on Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, or EgyptAir. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry.
Cairo has no direct rail link to the airport yet. Metro Line 3 terminates at Adly Mansour station, still several kilometers short of CAI. From Adly Mansour, taxis or ride-hails cover the remaining distance in 15-20 minutes. Uber and Careem from downtown Cairo to the airport cost EGP 100-200 and take 45-60 minutes outside rush hour. Rush hour (7:00-10:00, 16:00-20:00) on the Ring Road can double that.
Yellow metered taxis charge EGP 150-300 depending on your starting point. Old black-and-white taxis lack meters, so agree on a price before getting in. CTA public buses 356, 400, and 1138 run from central Cairo to the airport (EGP 5-25) but are slow and crowded. Airport shuttle buses from major hotels cost EGP 25-50. For reliability, Uber or Careem with a pre-set fare is the path of least friction.
M11 Metro to Gayrettepe takes about 35 minutes (₺60–70 with Istanbulkart) with connections to M2 (Taksim) and M7. Runs from 5am to midnight. The metro bypasses O-7 motorway traffic, which is frequently heavy into the city.Havaist buses serve major destinations including Taksim, Kadıköy (European and Asian sides), and Sabiha Gökçen Airport (₺50–80). Taxis from arrivals are metered; insist on the meter. Journey to Sultanahmet or Taksim costs ₺400–700 depending on traffic. Rental cars available. Hotel shuttles common for business hotels near the city.
The new airport sits 35km from central Istanbul on the European side, slightly inland and exposed to Black Sea weather systems. Winters (December–March) are cold (0–8°C) with fog, rain, and occasional snow. Snow on the exposed plateau is more likely than in the city. Ice on taxiways causes delays.
Summers are warm (25–32°C) with dry, reliable weather. Spring and fall bring heavy rain and strong northerly winds (Poyraz) that can affect smaller aircraft. Fog is the primary low-season disruption risk. The airport's elevated position makes it slightly windier than the Atatürk site it replaced.
CAI–IST Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from CAI to IST
Cairo International Airport (CAI) and İstanbul Airport (IST) are connected by nonstop service from Saudia. With 135 weekly departures, this is a heavily served route.
CAI to IST Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from CAI to IST ranges from 2 hours 20 minutes to 3 hours 35 minutes. The route covers a distance of 786 miles (1,264 km). There are approximately 135 weekly flights outbound and 130 return, totaling 265 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
96 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 5 hours via HBE. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Alexandria (HBE).