Airlines on the Istanbul–Cairo route
| Airline | From which airport | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Turkish AirlinesSeveral flights a day | Istanbul Airport IST | Several flights a day |
| EgyptAirDaily flights | Istanbul Airport IST | Daily flights |
| AJetThe best-known low-cost option from the Asian side | Sabiha Gökçen SAW | The best-known low-cost option from the Asian side |
Schedules and frequencies change with the season — we send you the flights actually available on your date.
Flight time and airports
The direct flight takes between two and two and a half hours depending on the aircraft and the winds. Cairo International Airport is in Heliopolis, north-east of Cairo, about 20 km from downtown, and Cairo traffic weighs heavily on the drive — allow at least an hour to reach your hotel or home.
Egypt uses summer time, so the gap with Türkiye is one hour in winter and almost disappears in summer; always go by the local times printed on your ticket. If you are heading to Alexandria, there are direct flights from Istanbul there too.
Which airport: Istanbul or Sabiha Gökçen?
Turkish Airlines and EgyptAir fly from Istanbul Airport, while AJet and other low-cost carriers fly from Sabiha Gökçen. With so many flights on this route you get a lot of choice — morning, afternoon and night — so pick the time and the airport nearest to you, then compare the fare including baggage.
Baggage on the Istanbul–Cairo route
Low-cost carriers sell their cheapest fares with cabin baggage only, while Turkish Airlines and EgyptAir allowances depend on the fare class. Students and people going home after a long stay usually need extra weight, so add it with the booking. Before issuing, we tell you the checked and cabin allowance of each option.
Travel documents: the Egypt visa by nationality
Egyptians travel on their passport and Gulf citizens need no visa. Turkish citizens can get a visa on arrival only as tourists on a direct flight to Sharm El-Sheikh or St Catherine; for Cairo they need a consular visa before travel.
Holders of a valid, previously used Schengen, US or UK visa can get a 30-day visa on arrival, except for some nationalities including Syrian, Sudanese and Palestinian. Syrians need a consular visa with prior approval. Full details are in our Egypt visa guide.
When to book: peak seasons on this route
The route is busiest in the summer holidays, before Eid and at the start of the academic year in Egypt and Türkiye, when students travel. Outside these periods it's easy to find seats thanks to the number of flights; in peak periods book weeks ahead. During Ramadan many families also fly to spend the month with relatives in Egypt.
From Cairo airport into the city
Cairo airport has several terminals and EgyptAir usually operates from Terminal 3, so check the terminal on your ticket before someone comes to meet you. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are available at the airport, and the drive to downtown, Giza or New Cairo varies a lot with your arrival time — late-evening flights arrive when the roads are lighter.
For a holiday in Egypt: Cairo or Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada?
If your trip is a Red Sea holiday, a direct flight to Sharm El-Sheikh or Hurghada may suit you better than Cairo, and there are flights from Istanbul to both, more of them in season. Turkish citizens get an important advantage here: a direct flight to Sharm El-Sheikh allows a tourist visa on arrival, while Cairo needs a consular visa in advance.
How we book your Istanbul–Cairo ticket
Send us the form at the top of the page or a WhatsApp message with: your arrival city, date, number of passengers and each passenger's nationality. We first check whether you need a visa, then send options from all three airlines with baggage and change rules, and issue the ticket in your name exactly as in your passport once you confirm.
- If your visa hasn't been issued yet, book a changeable or refundable ticket.
- Students: book well before the academic year starts and add extra weight with the booking.
- Watch for Egyptian summer time when you work out your arrival time.
From Cairo via Istanbul to Europe and America
For many travellers from Cairo, Istanbul is not the destination but a connection to Europe, America or Asia. Booking everything on one ticket is safest: your bags are checked through to the final destination, and if the first flight is late the airline is responsible for the next one. Transferring inside Istanbul Airport without leaving it usually needs no Turkish visa, but a connection between Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen means leaving the airport and may require one — don't book that kind of transfer until we have checked it with you.
Turkish Airlines and EgyptAir are both Star Alliance members, so if you collect miles with one, your flight may count with the other. Tell us your frequent-flyer programme when you book.
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Istanbul–Cairo flights: frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Istanbul to Cairo?
The direct flight takes about two to two and a half hours, and Egypt is one hour behind Türkiye in winter.
Do I need a visa for Egypt if I live in Türkiye?
It depends on your nationality, not your residence: Gulf citizens don't, while Turkish and Syrian citizens need a consular visa for Cairo. Details are in our Egypt visa guide.
Which is better: EgyptAir, Turkish Airlines or AJet?
It depends on your airport, timing and baggage. We send all three options on your date with the allowance so you compare the total.
Is there a direct flight from Istanbul to Alexandria?
Yes, there are direct flights to Alexandria on a schedule that changes by season, and we send you what is available on your date.
Can I book the ticket before my Egypt visa is issued?
Yes, but choose a changeable or refundable ticket so you don't lose its value if the visa is delayed. We can arrange the visa and the ticket in one request.
Are there direct flights from Istanbul to Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada?
Yes, with more flights in the holiday seasons, and we send you what is available on your date.
Do I need a Turkish visa to transit in Istanbul?
If you stay in the transit area of the same airport, usually not; moving between Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen means leaving the airport. We check with you before booking.
Do you book tickets for students studying in Egypt?
Yes. We add extra weight with the booking and send changeable options to students whose exam dates are not yet confirmed.
Guides for this route
The Egypt visa guide for residents of Türkiye by nationality: when Turks get visa on arrival (Sharm El-Sheikh and Saint Catherine only), visa on arrival for Schengen and US visa holders, security approval for Syrians, rules for Iraqis and Yemenis, length and documents.
Read the guideIstanbul has two international airports: Istanbul Airport (IST) on the European side and Sabiha Gökçen (SAW) on the Asian side. Location, distance to Taksim and Sultanahmet, airlines, metro and buses, transfers between them, and which to choose for your hotel.
Read the guideA booking guide for flights from Istanbul for residents of Türkiye: Istanbul Airport vs Sabiha Gökçen, Turkish Airlines vs Pegasus vs AJet, the cheapest days and times to book, baggage, children, and the most requested routes (Cairo, Jeddah, Riyadh, Damascus, Dubai, Baghdad).
Read the guideReady to book your flight to Cairo?
Fill in the request at the top of the page or message our flights desk directly, and we send you the options with baggage and change rules spelled out.