This was my 2nd visit to Cairo. On my first time earlier in the year, I used the Sofitel's complimentary meet and greet service, which is a must for first time visitors. With that under my belt, I'd felt that I'd learned enough to navigate the process by myself. All I needed was to officially enter Egypt and cross the street to Terminal 2 departures.
At the bottom of the escalator to passport control, the throng of meeters and greeters.
From the bottom of the escalator, 45 seconds for my $25 visa on arrival at the bank kiosk, 3 minutes in line for passport control and into the arrivals lobby. So far, so good.
Once outside Terminal 2 arrivals, across the street is Terminal 2 departures. But you have to walk to the end of and around the metal barricades to access departures.
Before you enter departures lobby, another security check. And 19 minutes from the arrival gate, I'm in the departures lobby with nearly 4 hours to kill.
Entertaining people watching while I waited for the Alitalia counter to open. And people watching was all one can do as I couldn't get CAI Wifi to work for me. Seems you need a code by text. Tried a few minutes to no avail as I never received a text.
Lots of Baggage Wrapping stands, apparently one of the most popular concessions here.
Apparently, no one here has heard about just travelling with carry-ons. And most of the baggage is indeed wrapped. Go figure.
Whoa, now that's a lot of baggage for one familly.
At 1:30am, the Air France signs were replaced by Alitalia signs and Alitalia check-in opened for business. I chose Alitalia as I found another cheap Business Class fare, which will earn 53 Flying Blue XP points and get me within a domestic flight of the 100 XP points I need to requalify for Flying Blue Silver.
After easy check-in, up the escalator to passport control.
And then the walk back on across the street over the sky bridge back to the arrivals and main terminal departures. Confused yet? LOL.
... thru security and into the departure concourse.
To a pathetic contract lounge which most of the airlines use.
Pretty weak all around, although it did have its own Wifi which worked reasonably well.
Lots of food options, none of which looked the least bit appetizing.
On the way out, another room.
And another one. No idea what and/or for whom.
