Cairo Airport: Covid Testing Availability And Facilities

Cairo International Airport requires a negative COVID-19 PCR test for foreigners entering Egypt. The test must be taken a maximum of 72 hours before their arrival in the country. However, there is no information on whether the test can be taken at the airport. One source suggests that Al Nozha Hospital, the closest hospital to the airport with COVID testing, is the best option for a rapid test.

Testing requirements for foreigners entering Egypt

As of April 2023, there are no COVID-19 testing requirements for entry into Egypt. However, travellers must fill out a health form upon entry, either at the airport, on the plane, or beforehand. Masks must be worn in aeroplanes, and travellers are advised to carry at least one mask with them at all times.

As of August 15, 2020, foreign visitors to Egypt were required to have a negative PCR test for COVID-19, no more than 72 hours before arriving in Egypt. It is unclear when this requirement was lifted.

If you are travelling from a country where polio is present, you need to get a polio shot called the "Salk" vaccine at least four weeks before entering Egypt. The shot is only valid for 12 months.

If you are travelling to the United States, you will need to take a COVID-19 test within one day of travel. Although testing is not available at Cairo Airport, Al Nozha Hospital, which is located nearby, offers rapid tests.

Testing requirements for Egyptian citizens

As of August 2020, the Egyptian Civil Aviation Ministry announced that foreign visitors to Egypt must have a negative PCR test for COVID-19, taken no more than 72 hours before arriving in Egypt. However, Egyptian citizens and tourists travelling to the coastal tourist governorates (Red Sea, South Sinai, and Matrouh) are exempt from this requirement. Therefore, Egyptian citizens do not need to present a negative COVID-19 test result when entering Egypt.

In addition to the PCR testing requirements, there are other health and safety protocols that Egyptian citizens should be aware of when travelling to and from Egypt. For example, it is recommended that travellers monitor local media and government warnings, as well as pay attention to their health after arriving in Egypt. While there are currently no COVID-related entry requirements for Egypt, anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 while in the country is required to quarantine for 14 days. COVID-19 testing is available at private testing centres and the Central Public Labs. The US Embassy in Cairo provides a list of medical providers that US citizens have used in Egypt, which may also be helpful for Egyptian citizens.

It is also recommended that travellers be up to date on routine vaccinations, such as chickenpox, diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that travellers consider getting vaccinated against hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, typhoid, and yellow fever, depending on their travel plans and activities.

Furthermore, Egyptian citizens should be aware of the documentation requirements for travelling to and from Egypt. A valid passport with at least one blank page and a minimum of six months' validity beyond the intended travel date is necessary. Although it is possible to visit Egypt without a visa, most foreign nationals need a valid travel visa, such as a Tourist Visa, e-Visa, or Business Visa. In some cases, visas can be obtained online or upon arrival at an Egyptian airport for an in-person fee. Entry and exit forms are also required for all passengers arriving in Egypt by air or sea, and these can be obtained on the plane or at the airport.

Testing requirements for transit passengers

As of August 15, 2022, the Egyptian Civil Aviation Ministry requires foreign visitors to Egypt to present a negative PCR test for COVID-19, taken no more than 72 hours before arriving in Egypt. This rule applies to all passengers, including Egyptians, and children under 6 years old are exempt from testing.

Transit passengers travelling to and from different international destinations through Cairo International Airport must have negative PCR tests, even if their final destination does not require them. However, if these passengers do not require hotel accommodation and will remain at the Cairo International Airport, a PCR test is not necessary unless the passenger's final destination requires one.

For those arriving at Sharm El-Sheikh, Hurghada, Taba, or Marsa Alam airports instead of Cairo Airport, they may take the test upon arrival at these destinations for a fee of 30 USD. They will need to isolate at their hotels until they receive their test results.

It is recommended that transit passengers check with their airline for specific entry visa requirements.

Testing facilities near Cairo Airport

As of June 2021, Egypt's Ministry of Tourism has established coronavirus PCR testing centres in some Egyptian airports near tourist cities. It is unclear whether Cairo Airport is one of these airports, and sources provide conflicting information on this matter.

One source from February 2021 states that COVID-19 tests were not available at Cairo Airport. However, another source from March 2022 mentions the cost of a rapid COVID-19 test at Cairo Airport, suggesting that testing facilities are available there. The cost of the test is said to be $65 or 1000 Le, and children under the age of 10 or 12 are reportedly exempt.

According to a comment on a forum post from May 2023, Al Nozha hospital, which is reportedly the closest hospital to Cairo Airport with COVID-19 testing, offers rapid tests.

Accepted types of COVID-19 tests

As per the Egyptian government, before travelling to Egypt, you must be prepared with one of the following:

• A vaccination certificate that has a valid QR code or is certified by the Egyptian embassy/consulate at the country of departure. The vaccine received must be approved by the WHO and the Egyptian Drug Authority. For two-dose vaccinations (Moderna, AstraZeneca, Sputnik V, Sinovac, and Sinopharm), you must have received the second dose at least 14 days prior to entering Egypt. For one-dose vaccinations (Johnson & Johnson and Sputnik light), you must have received the first dose at least 14 days prior.
• If a vaccination certificate is unavailable, you must submit a certified negative PCR, Antigen Rapid Test, or ID NOW test result. The test must be taken at your country of departure a maximum of 72 hours prior to the departure of your direct flight to Egypt.

The U.S. Embassy in Egypt states that all passengers travelling to Egypt, including Egyptians, must be in possession of a negative PCR test certificate for COVID-19 with a Quick Response (QR) code, taken at a maximum of 72 hours before their flight departure time.

The UK Government website states that if you’re not fully vaccinated, you’ll need to show proof of a negative PCR test, or either a COVID-19 ID NOW or rapid antigen test (taken no more than 72 hours before arrival in Egypt).

All variations of COVID-19 test certificates must be issued by an accredited laboratory in the country of issue, must have the date and time of sample withdrawal, and must be stamped or have a QR code.

It is important to note that while the Egyptian government technically requires a QR code on the Covid-19 test, some travellers have reported entering Egypt without one. However, this may depend on the airline you are flying with and the official you encounter at the departure airport and upon arrival in Cairo. Therefore, it is highly recommended to have a COVID-19 test with a QR code to avoid any issues during your travel to Egypt.

Frequently asked questions