Egypt Transit Visa 2026: How to Get Free Stopovers to Explore Egypt

Last updated: Apr 29, 2026

Connecting through Egypt and wondering whether you need a transit visa? It depends on how long your layover is and which airline you’re flying.

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Do You Need a Transit Visa for Egypt?

Egypt doesn’t have a traditional “transit visa” category. What you need depends on two things: how long your layover is, and whether you plan to leave the airport.

Layovers under 6 hours

No visa is needed. You must stay inside the airport transit zone and cannot leave the terminal building.

Layovers of 6–48 hours (non-Egyptian airlines)

You can leave the airport, but you’ll need a visa. If your nationality is on the visa-on-arrival list (approximately 46 countries), you can purchase one at the airport for $30.

Alternatively, apply for an e-Visa before your trip through Egypt’s official e-Visa portal. See the visa on arrival and e-Visa section below for current fees.

Layovers of 8–96 hours on EgyptAir, Air Cairo, or Nile Air

You may qualify for a free transit visa. Egypt runs a programme that lets eligible transit passengers leave the airport and explore the country for up to four days at no cost and with no advance application.

This is the best option if you’re flying one of the three Egyptian carriers.

Full details are in the next section.

The Free 96-Hour Transit Visa

Egypt’s free transit visa lets you leave the airport and explore the country for up to four days during a layover. It was introduced to turn transit passengers into short-term tourists, and the Egyptian government extended it through April 2027 in late December 2025.

The programme has been confirmed by the Egyptian Cabinet and applies at six international airports: Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Sharm El-Sheikh, and Borg El Arab (Alexandria).

It’s completely separate from the standard visa on arrival: you pay nothing, and there’s no online application.

To qualify, your layover must be at least 8 hours and no longer than 96 hours. Both your inbound and outbound flights must be on one of three Egyptian carriers: EgyptAir, Air Cairo, or Nile Air.

Who is eligible?

The free transit visa is available to citizens of countries that qualify for Egypt’s visa on arrival.

This includes travellers from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, all EU member states, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, Serbia, Ukraine, and several dozen other nationalities.

India is also on the eligible list, which matters for the large number of Indian travellers who connect through Cairo on EgyptAir flights.

There are a few groups who cannot use the free transit visa:

Citizens of countries that require prior visa clearance from Cairo — including Iran, Afghanistan, Somalia, Palestine, Iraq, Lebanon, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and several others — must apply through an Egyptian embassy before travel.
Travellers flying on non-Egyptian airlines (such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, or Turkish Airlines) do not qualify for the free programme, even if their nationality is otherwise eligible.
Passengers whose layover is shorter than 8 hours or longer than 96 hours fall outside the programme’s window.

Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date you enter Egypt. If it expires sooner, you won’t be issued the transit visa.

How to get your free transit visa at the airport

No advance application is needed — you arrange everything on the ground at the airport. Here’s the step-by-step process, based on EgyptAir’s official guidance and traveller reports:

Don’t exit through immigration immediately. When you land, look for the EgyptAir Transit Office (or the transit visa desk for Air Cairo/Nile Air) inside the airport.
Fill out a short data form at the desk with your personal details.
Present your passport and boarding pass (or flight ticket) for your onward journey. Staff will verify your nationality and confirm your connecting flight is within 96 hours.
Receive your free visa. If approved, a visa stamp is placed in your passport at no charge. You’re then free to pass through immigration and leave the airport.

The whole process typically takes 15–20 minutes, depending on queues. Make sure you have a printed or digital copy of your onward flight confirmation handy.

Other options if you’re not eligible for free transit visa

If you don’t qualify for the free programme — because you’re on a non-Egyptian airline, your nationality isn’t eligible, or your layover falls outside the 8–96 hour window — you’ll need a standard visa to leave the airport.

Visa on arrival

Available to citizens of approximately 46 eligible countries. As of March 2026, the fee is $30 for a single-entry visa (up from $25). You pay at the visa counter inside the airport before passing through immigration.

A multiple-entry visa on arrival costs $60. Each stay is limited to 30 days.

e-Visa (applied online before travel)

If you prefer to sort out your visa before you fly, apply through Egypt’s official e-Visa portal. As of April 2026, the single-entry e-Visa costs $30 and the multiple-entry e-Visa costs $65.

Submit your application at least 7 working days before your trip. Approval typically arrives by email within 3–7 business days.

Print a copy to present at the airport.

What You Can Do During a Layover in Egypt

A layover of 8 hours or more gives you enough time to see some of Egypt’s most famous landmarks. Here’s what’s realistic depending on how much time you have.

8–12 hours: Pyramids and a quick bite

The Giza Pyramids and Sphinx are roughly 45–60 minutes from Cairo airport, depending on traffic. You can visit the site, take photos, and get back to the airport comfortably in this window.

Book a layover tour in advance to avoid wasting time arranging transport on the ground. Cairo traffic is unpredictable, and a guide who knows the timing will keep you on schedule.

12–24 hours: Add the Egyptian Museum or a Nile cruise

With a full half-day or more, you can pair the Pyramids with the Grand Egyptian Museum (which opened near Giza) or take an evening Nile dinner cruise through Cairo.

Consider booking a hotel in Cairo if your layover stretches past midnight — even a few hours of rest makes the return to the airport more comfortable.

2–4 days: Explore beyond Cairo

The full 96-hour window opens up options like Luxor (Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple), Aswan (Philae Temple, felucca rides), or beach time in Sharm El-Sheikh or Hurghada.

Domestic flights within Egypt are affordable and frequent. EgyptAir operates daily Cairo–Luxor and Cairo–Hurghada routes, so you can maximise a short window.

Check flights to Egypt on Wego to compare options.

Practical tips

Bring US dollars. Visa fees and many tourist services accept USD. ATMs are available at all major airports if you need Egyptian pounds.
Friday layovers mean less traffic in Cairo — the drive to the Pyramids can take half the usual time.
Keep your boarding pass and passport accessible. You’ll need both to re-enter the airport and clear security for your outbound flight.
EgyptAir’s Karnak programme offers packaged layover tours for transit passengers — check their website for current options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a transit visa to connect through Cairo?

Not always. If your layover is under 6 hours and you stay inside the transit zone, no visa is required. For longer layovers where you want to leave the airport, you’ll need either the free 96-hour transit visa (on Egyptian carriers) or a standard visa on arrival / e-Visa.

Can I get the free transit visa if I’m flying Emirates or Qatar Airways?

No. The free 96-hour transit visa only applies to passengers on EgyptAir, Air Cairo, or Nile Air. If you’re on another airline, you’ll need a visa on arrival ($30) or an e-Visa to leave the airport.

Is the free transit visa still available in 2026?

Yes. The Egyptian Cabinet extended the programme through April 2027 in late December 2025, so it’s fully active throughout 2026 and into early 2027.

Can I visit the Pyramids during a layover at Cairo Airport?

Yes, if your layover is at least 8 hours. The Pyramids of Giza are about 45–60 minutes from the airport. Book a layover tour in advance to avoid traffic surprises and ensure you’re back in time for your flight.

What if my layover is less than 6 hours?

You must stay inside the airport transit zone. No visa is required, but you cannot leave the terminal building.

Do Indian passport holders qualify for the free transit visa?

Yes. Indian citizens are eligible for Egypt’s visa on arrival, which means they also qualify for the free 96-hour transit visa when flying on EgyptAir, Air Cairo, or Nile Air.

Sources

Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.