How to get through the airports in Egypt without (much) hassle - DEPARTURES
Whether you’re flying domestically to a different area of Egypt (Cairo, Aswan, Luxor), or heading home for the long push back to real life… you may find that entering an Egyptian airport from landside can also be a little bit challenging as well. And you thought you were through the chaos!
#1 Those pesky porters!
As discussed in the Airport Arrivals blog, the porters are EVERYWHERE, even moreso out in the parking lot of entrance of the airport. The same idea applies - if you do not want their service, simply say no. Saying no, might result in you having to physically remove the luggage they are so eagerly putting onto their cart, but a firm “la shukran’ and direct eye contact should do the trick.
However, if you are traveling with a lot of luggage, you are unlikely to find your own luggage cart and for a few USD, they may help you ease your way through the next 30 minute of multiple security stops… Like, I’ve said before, just channel your inner Kate Winslet in Titanic and go with the flow if you have big bags... Porters are simply there to make some extra cash, they are not going to steal anything… so keep your important documents and valuables on you and if you want som extra help, feel free to let them whisk away your heavy load.The porter will remain with you until they cannot, so just because you have gone through one security stop, does not mean they are going to leave and you should not tip until the end (they will make sure to let you know when this is). Please respect the porters and make sure you have some cash to tip them in the end ($1 USD or 50 EGP per bag would be appropriate and this is a great way to get rid of your extra EGP since it will be useless once you leave the country).
#2 Smoking in airports
You may have already noticed that Egyptians smoke pretty much everywhere… and I do mean everywhere… this includes the airports. We all like to have a nice shower and get ready for that long trip home, but regarding an outfit, just know that you are not going to make it through a major Egyptian airport without getting fully absorbed in it once again… perhaps this will influence your choice of clothes, or perhaps you have fully embraced your inner Egyptian and have given up caring, but either way, you’ll be going through it yet again. Then again, if you happen to be smoker - I suppose this is last chance to smoke judgement free indoors…
#3 Airport Security - be prepared for a little repitition
One of the most shocking things about Egyptian airports is the security and it can be frustrating for unprepared travelers. It helps to have an ‘idea’ of how things are going to go before you get there. And I do say ‘idea’ because like security in all airports, things are ever-changing and as I tell my friends when going through any airport - you never know what’s next, so expect the unexpected!
In general, Egypt’s airport security is a little more ‘hands-on’ than you might expect in the States. Remember, in the US we have a LOT of new technology and security systems that are constantly at work behind the scenes… it’s safe to say that other countries don’t have the same level technology, but make no mistake, they’re systems have also been tried and tested and do work. Please try to patient as you sort through what seems to be a ‘choose-your-own-adventure' process and recognize that the ultimate goal is to keep you and other travelers safe in a region that is very unpredictable. The first thing you should know is that there will probably be at least 3 security checkpoints with metal detectors and the works... the first one is actually when you enter the airport... that’s right, the actual airport entrance (the front door, if you will. before you even arrive at check-in). This is to ensure that only people who need to be in the airport are allowed in the airport, which means there will likely be a security guard asking for you boarding pass and possibly passport before you can even set foot into the rest of the airport. This is a major point of delay since most tourists aren’t prepared - don’t be that tourist - have your documents ready! (Incidentally, this is more common around the world than you might think… once you leave Europe and N. America, most airports have also adopted this process).
I always advise travelers to have a printed out boarding pass because this is where phone apps can fail... you may not actually have service and probably won’t have wifi on the sidewalk of the airport as you enter... If you aren’t able to print out your boarding pass beforehand (I find it’s more common than not have to go to check-in to get my boarding pass), then at least have a printed out flight confirmation – something official that includes your name, your flight number, your destination, and that you have purchased a ticket. If you do not have this information, you will be holding up the whole line and it will be a pretty long discussion with the security guards… simply saying “I’m about to get the boarding pass at thecheckin desk” doesn’t usually work well.
Now, this is where the advice about getting to the airport 3 hours early really gets interestingbecause if you arrive more than 3 hours early, it is unlikely that they will let you enter. That’s right, they will just tell you to hang out on the street and that you can only enter 3 hours prior to your flight. So… for those of you early arrivers (you know who you are) - just rest assured, 3 hours will be enough and more than that is actually too much! (My first experience with this was in Delhi years ago – my brother and I arrived about 6 hours for a very early morning flight thinking we could just hang out in the airport lounge... nope! We were told to wait on the sidewalk for 3 hours.... and in these situations, you do what you’re told….) But, now that you’ve read this blog, you won’t be making the same mistake!
Travel hack - if you are flying out of Cairo’s main airport and happen to arrive earlier than 3 hours, pop on over to the Le Meridien (connected to Terminal 3) and releax. They have a few restaurants a nice sports bar… There is skybridge to Terminal 3 or you can ask the front desk to help you get a ride to other terminals (they can help you arrange an uber and message to driver to be clear about what you need to do.
Next is the start of the first metal detector – there is no need to take anything out of your bags like you would at TSA – you just put your bags on the conveyor belt. But, the trick here is what else you will need to take off, which include (at the very least) any watch or fitness tracking device and any sort of jacket... It’s best to know this ahead of time so that you can put these into one of your bags. There usually are not signs, so while you’re waiting in line, pay attention to what the other passengers are doing and remove as much as you can ahead of time, since this can feel pretty chaotic with everyone crowding around. And yes, ladies, your purses are going on the belt too so make sure everything is zipped up tight. As you go through the metal detector you will be greeted by someone of your own gender for ‘pat-down’. This is required of everyone, and it won’t be the last time so make note of what they ask you do because you’ll be doing it again. In short, you have to lift up your right leg and then your left (don’t worry they have a little step for those of use that weren’t ready for a yoga session) and overall you can just pretend you’re doing the ‘hokey pokey’ and you’ll get through it just fine. This whole process will be repeated, so need to put that watch back on yet - store it away somewhere safe because you’re just getting started!
Okay, moving onward to check-in. The only large airport is Cairo, and depending on your terminal, you may need to look up at the departure boards to find which check-in desk your flight has been assigned to (kind of like looking up your carousel at baggage claim). On the domestic flights throughout Egypt, you will more than likely be checking any roller bag you have (weight limits are tight usually 8 kgs or 17.6 lbs– I'm a light traveler but even my international carryon that I can take on any plane in the US comes in around 20 lbs, which would be over the limit…) There is no arguing about weight or the scales, things over the limit will be checked, and sometimes at an additional expense - so be prepared!
Next, you will be off to find your terminal and gate and another security check (this would be the check equivalant to our TSA check in the US). It will essentially be the exact same as last time, but remember, they may pull anyone aside for further questions at any time. As of Jan 2025, they were not checking liquids in our usual TSA fashion, but as I mentioned, airport security is ever-changing and you should assume that all the same rules apply. After this check, there may also be additional staff that pull you aside to actually go through you carryon bag. This desk will again require your boarding pass and passport, so keep it handy!
Whew! Checkpoint 2 finished! Maybe at this point, he’s starting to make a little more sense, but it’s probably time to say goodbye. Again, it’s ever-changing, but they usally can’t go past certain spots in the airport and he will let you know….
Off to the gate you go. After all of that, you may need an adult beverage... but try as I may, even in the business class lounges I visited, I could not find one... (stay tuned for my post on Duty Free upon arrival!) I was told that in certain terminals they do serve alcohol, so it may have just been the time of day as I was always departing early.
Now, this is the tricky part in that just when you thought you were finished, keep in mind that airport staff always has the right to check you one more time before getting on that flight... (sometimes this is actually in the jetbridge after thought you were really there…) This check, if it happens, would be after you scan your boarding pass at the gate... I didn’t see much of this in Egypt, but it has happened to me plenty before, so always best to be on time to boarding… you never know what last minute surprises may await you including buses out to the planes.
Speaking of boarding, it can be difficult to hear the announcements at the gates and there isn’t much in the way of communication on monitors or signs at the gates, so it’s always best to ask a gate agent or at least a few of your neighbors to make sure you’re in the right herd. And note, sometimes more than one plane is boarding at the same gate and you are getting on different buses to go out to the planes, so really – make sure you are in the right herd! Now, it’s time to relax and enjoy your flight! Onto the next Egyptian adventure or Bon Voyage - I hope this blog helps you to enjoy all wonders of Egypt and creates a little less stress for the day-to-day peculiarities!