Pendik, Istanbul to Al Jiza (SAW–SPX) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections

Turkish passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Egypt for tourism purposes. The visa is single-entry, valid for 30 days, and costs $25 paid at the visa counter before immigration in cash (USD, EUR, or GBP accepted). Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry. An e-visa is also available through visa2egypt.gov.eg, processed within 3 to 5 working days, costing $25 for single entry or $60 for multiple entry.

At Cairo International Airport (CAI), buy the visa sticker at one of the bank counters before passport control, then proceed to the immigration desk. The process takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on queue length. For stays beyond 30 days, extend your visa at the Mugamma building in Tahrir Square, Cairo, or at a passport office in other governorates. The extension costs about EGP 700 (roughly TRY 770).

Direct flights from Istanbul (IST) to Cairo run about 2 hours 30 minutes on Turkish Airlines and EgyptAir. Istanbul to Hurghada (HRG) and Sharm el-Sheikh (SSH) run about 2 hours 45 minutes, with seasonal service expanding during summer. Egypt uses the Egyptian pound (EGP), trading at roughly 1.1 EGP per TRY 1. ATMs are common in cities and resort areas. Card payments work at hotels, malls, and tourist restaurants. Uber and Careem operate in Cairo, Alexandria, and Hurghada.