Seoul to Cairo (ICN–CAI) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections

South Korean passport holders can get a visa on arrival at Egyptian airports or apply for an eVisa at visa2egypt.gov.eg before travel. The single-entry visa costs $25 and allows a 30-day stay. Multiple-entry costs $60. The eVisa processes within 5 to 7 working days. Visa on arrival is paid in USD cash or by card at the bank counter before passport control at Cairo (CAI), Hurghada (HRG), and Sharm el-Sheikh (SSH).

Passport must be valid for at least 6 months with one blank page. No supporting documents are required for the tourist visa, though having return tickets and hotel bookings helps at immigration. Extensions up to 3 months are available at a passport office in Egypt for EGP 700 (about $14), filed before visa expiry. Overstays result in fines and potential difficulties at departure.

No direct flights connect South Korea to Egypt. Route through Istanbul (about 3 hours to Cairo on Turkish Airlines or EgyptAir), Dubai, or Doha. Total travel time from Seoul runs 14 to 18 hours. Egypt uses the Egyptian pound (EGP), trading at roughly 25 KRW per EGP 1. ATMs are widespread in Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan but sometimes run low on cash. No mandatory vaccinations for Korean arrivals. Yellow fever vaccination is required if arriving from an endemic country. The Pyramids of Giza entrance ticket costs EGP 540 (about $11). Uber works in Cairo and is much easier than negotiating taxi fares.

AREX (Airport Railroad Express) runs two services from Seoul Station: the Direct Train (43 min, ₩11,000, reserved seats) and the All-Stop train (66 min, ₩4,550, unreserved). Both trains serve T1 first, then T2; confirm which terminal your airline uses before boarding.Limousine buses depart from major Seoul neighborhoods and hotels (₩16,000–18,000, 60–90 min depending on traffic). KAL and LIMOUSINE services are reliable. Taxis from central Seoul cost ₩65,000–80,000 and take 60–90 minutes. Deluxe (black) taxis are pricier but English-speaking drivers are more common.

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.