Cairo Airport: Free Wifi Availability And Quality

Cairo International Airport (CAI) is the biggest and busiest airport in Egypt. It has three primary terminals (T1, T2, and T3) and a seasonal Hajj terminal. While the airport does offer free wifi, some travellers have reported issues with connectivity, including slow speeds and requirements for local SIM cards or phone numbers.

Cairo Airport WiFi is free but slow and limited to 15 minutes

Cairo International Airport (CAI) offers free WiFi to its visitors, but it is reportedly slow and limited to 15 minutes. The network name is "Airport-Free-WiFi", but this is subject to change, so it's recommended to verify the current network name upon arrival.

To access the WiFi, foreign travellers may need an Egyptian SIM card or phone number, as the airport sends a code to your phone number to verify your access. This can be frustrating for travellers without an Egyptian phone number or SIM card.

Several airline lounges at Cairo International Airport offer exclusive WiFi connections for their guests. These lounges also provide additional amenities such as comfortable seating, refreshments, and charging stations for your devices.

To protect your personal information while using public WiFi, it is recommended to use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to encrypt your internet traffic and avoid accessing sensitive information such as banking details.

You need an Egyptian phone number to access the WiFi

Cairo International Airport (CAI) offers free WiFi to its visitors. However, accessing the WiFi can be a bit tricky for foreign travellers. While some sources claim that free WiFi is available throughout the airport, others suggest that it is limited to 15 minutes.

To access the WiFi, you will need an Egyptian phone number. Here's why: when you connect to the airport's WiFi network, you will be asked to provide your phone number. The WiFi provider will then send a verification code via SMS to that number. You will need to enter this code to complete the WiFi login process. This step ensures that only valid phone numbers are used and helps prevent potential misuse of the WiFi service.

If you don't have an Egyptian phone number, there are a few options to consider. Firstly, you can purchase an Egyptian SIM card at the airport. There are SIM card stands from different providers, such as Orange and Vodafone, located in the luggage hall. By purchasing a local SIM card, you will be able to obtain an Egyptian phone number and receive the verification code.

Another option is to use a VPN (Virtual Private Network) service. By connecting to a VPN, you can protect your online privacy and bypass the phone number requirement. Keep in mind that using a VPN may slow down your internet connection, and not all VPNs are reliable or secure, so choose a reputable one.

Additionally, if you have access to an airline lounge, you may be able to use their exclusive WiFi connection, which might not require an Egyptian phone number. These lounges often offer additional amenities, such as comfortable seating, refreshments, and charging stations, for a more pleasant wait.

Lastly, it's important to note that even with an Egyptian phone number, the airport's WiFi connection may not always be reliable. Some travellers have reported issues with slow internet speeds or difficulties connecting to the network. Therefore, it's a good idea to have a backup plan, such as downloading essential information beforehand or using your mobile data if needed.

You can get an Egyptian eSIM before your arrival to stay connected

Cairo Airport does offer free WiFi, but it's reportedly slow and only lasts for 15 minutes. To access it, you'll need an Egyptian phone number to receive a code.

To avoid this hassle, you can get an Egyptian eSIM before your arrival and stay connected throughout your trip. eSIMs, or embedded SIMs, are digital SIM cards built into devices like smartphones and tablets. They're convenient because you can update your eSIM profile directly on your device without physically swapping out SIM cards when changing networks.

• Airalo: Offers a wide range of plans specifically for Egypt, including data-only and calling/texting options. Their plans are budget-friendly, starting at $7 for 1GB of data for a week and going up to $26.50 for 5GB for a month.
• Holafly: Provides unlimited data plans, but their customer service is reportedly unresponsive.
• GlobaleSIM: Offers affordable plans starting at $9 for 1GB of data for 7 days. Calling minutes can be added for an additional cost.
• Maya Mobile: Provides a range of data packages (1GB, 3GB, 5GB, or 10GB) valid for 30 days, with the option to top up.
• Nomad: Similar to Maya Mobile, with slightly cheaper plans ranging from $11 to $65 for 1GB to 10GB of data.
• Jetpac: Offers eSIMs valid in multiple countries, including Egypt and other Middle Eastern nations. Their plans start at $1 for 1GB of data for 4 days and go up to $116 for 40GB for 30 days.

When choosing an eSIM provider, consider factors like data speed, coverage, cost, and data limits. Additionally, ensure that your device supports eSIMs and follow the provider's installation and activation instructions.

By getting an Egyptian eSIM before your arrival, you can stay connected throughout your trip without worrying about high roaming charges or slow airport WiFi.

The current SSID for Cairo International Airport's WiFi is Airport-Free-WiFi

Cairo International Airport does offer free WiFi to its passengers. However, some travellers have reported that the connection is too slow to be usable.

To connect to the WiFi, you will need to select the SSID, which stands for Service Set Identifier. This is the network name that you will see when searching for WiFi on your device. The current SSID for Cairo International Airport's WiFi is "Airport-Free-WiFi".

On your device, you can find this SSID by going into your WiFi settings and looking for the network that you are connected to. This will be the SSID of the WiFi network.

It is important to note that the SSID is just the network name and does not provide any security. Most WiFi networks also require a password or security key for users to connect.

When attempting to connect to the WiFi at Cairo International Airport, make sure your device is within range of the routers or access points that are broadcasting the SSID.

Airline lounges offer exclusive, faster WiFi connections

Cairo Airport does offer free WiFi to its passengers, but reviews suggest that it is often too slow to use. One review mentions that the connection was so slow that they could not use it, while another states that they were only able to send a couple of emails.

If you are looking for faster WiFi connections, airline lounges offer exclusive and potentially faster internet connections. Airline lounges at Frankfurt Airport, for example, provide dedicated WiFi services for their guests, which are typically more secure and faster. This can be ideal for business travellers or those needing to conduct important tasks online. Similar dedicated WiFi networks are also available at the Indianapolis Airport. These networks may provide faster speeds and a more secure connection.

To access these exclusive networks, you may need to inquire about the WiFi SSID and password upon entering the lounge. It is worth noting that some lounges may require you to hold a specific airline status, be a member of a lounge program, or purchase a day pass.

In addition to potentially faster WiFi, airline lounges also offer other amenities such as complimentary refreshments, comfortable seating, charging stations, and business facilities.

Frequently asked questions