Madrid to Cairo (MAD–CAI) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
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No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
MAD–CAI is served by 3 airlines with nonstop service. Egyptair, Iberia and Qatar Airways lead the route. The flight covers 2,082 miles in approximately 3h 50m. Beyond nonstop, 63 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MS Egyptair Also: TP | 7 | 738 | 4h26 | – | Star Alliance | TP |
| IB Iberia Also: VY | 3 | 32Q | 4h45 | – | Oneworld | VY |
| QR Qatar Airways | 0 | – | – | – | Oneworld | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Other ways to reach Cairo from Madrid
| Metric | MAD→CAI | VLC→CAI |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from MAD | – | 178 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 3 | 1 |
| Weekly flights | 20 | – |
| Flight time | 3h 50m | 4h 20m |
Travel Essentials
MAD: CEST · CAI: EEST
When it's 6:00 PM in Madrid, it's 7:00 PM in Cairo.
Spanish passport holders need a visa to enter Egypt. The easiest route is the eVisa at visa2egypt.gov.eg. A single-entry 30-day visa costs USD 25. The multiple-entry version costs USD 60 and allows stays of up to 30 days per visit over a 180-day period. Processing takes 3 to 7 business days. Print the approval letter and bring it to the airport.
You can also buy a visa on arrival at Egyptian airports. The cost is USD 25 for single entry, payable in cash (USD, EUR, or GBP). The visa-on-arrival sticker is valid for 30 days. This option works fine but the eVisa saves time in the arrival hall.
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry. Egypt also accepts entry on a Spanish national ID card if you arrive on certain charter flights to Sharm el-Sheikh, Hurghada, or Marsa Alam, with a special entry permit issued at the resort. For regular flights to Cairo or Alexandria, use your passport.
Metro Line 8 runs from Nuevos Ministerios (central Madrid) to T1/T2/T3 in 12–15 minutes (€6, including the airport supplement). T4 requires an additional free shuttle from T2; add 10 minutes. The Cercanías commuter train (Line C-1) reaches T4 from Atocha station in 25 minutes (€2.60, no supplement).Taxis have a fixed fare of €30 from central Madrid zones. The ride is typically 20–35 minutes depending on traffic. Avenida de América bus hub serves several airport bus routes (€5).
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.
MAD–CAI Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from MAD to CAI
Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD) and Cairo International Airport (CAI) are connected by nonstop service from Iberia, Egyptair and Qatar Airways. With 20 weekly departures, this is a well served route.
MAD to CAI Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from MAD to CAI ranges from 3 hours 50 minutes to 4 hours 45 minutes. The route covers a distance of 2,082 miles (3,351 km). There are approximately 20 weekly flights outbound and 21 return, totaling 41 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
63 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 6 hours via TLS. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Valencia (VLC).