Michael Turner
Quick recommendation: For short-term stowage of suitcases and carry-ons, use the official storage point inside the main international terminal (IATA: CAI). Staff issue a numbered claim tag, accept Egyptian pounds and major cards, and typically charge approximately EGP 50–200 per 24-hour period depending on item size.
Location and hours: the staffed desk is positioned near carousel 2 in Arrivals; self-service units sit along the central passage between arrival gates. Operating hours are commonly 24/7 at the international terminal, but seasonal adjustments occur – always confirm before travel.
Required documents and limits: Present passport or national ID and a boarding pass if dropping items before check-in. Expect declarations for high-value goods, limits on hazardous items, and recommended maximum short-term hold of 7–10 days for unattended storage.
Practical tips: Photograph contents and serial numbers, avoid leaving valuables (phones, jewelry, cash), keep the receipt and tag number separate from stored items, and label fragile pieces. If you need extended or insured storage, use a hotel day room or a certified downtown storage provider and pre-book to save time.
Final check: confirm current fees, exact unit dimensions and up-to-date opening times on the CAI official website or by calling the terminal information desk before departure. Ask your carrier at check-in about temporary holding options for short transfers.
Short-term bag storage at CAI terminals
Use the official left-bag office in the Arrivals hall of Terminal 3 (CAI) for secure short-term stowage; it operates around the clock, issues a numbered receipt and accepts suitcases, boxes and sports equipment – retain the claim ticket and keep high-value items with you.
Location: follow signs from passport control toward the taxi rank; the counter sits near the main arrivals walkway. Staff typically measure and weigh items on drop-off; common maximums quoted by staff are ~32 kg per piece and combined linear dimensions up to ~160 cm, but confirm on arrival.
Typical fees (approximate): small bag 40–70 EGP per day, medium suitcase 80–140 EGP per day; oversized items and special gear billed at higher tariffs. Many desks offer hourly rates for short stays (first 3 hours cheaper). Cash and card often accepted; get exact pricing before handing over items.
Alternatives if the official desk is full or closed: hotel concierge storage for registered guests, private storage firms near Nasr City/Heliopolis, and express courier services for single-direction shipment of bulky items. Avoid unbranded street offers; use marked counters and request a written receipt.
Security tips: lock or cable your case, photograph contents and external labels, remove passports and electronics, attach a duplicate contact tag inside, note the claim number, and consider short-term insurance for valuables.
Expect seasonal surges during holidays and trade fairs; check opening hours on arrival and confirm any COVID-19 or holiday schedule changes with the terminal information desk. For wet-weather protection of gear left outdoors or during transit use a robust umbrella or a sun/shade model: best big rain umbrella and best beach umbrella made in usa.
Self-service bag storage inside CAI terminals – availability and advice
Short answer: no coin‑ or card‑operated self‑service storage machines exist inside CAI terminals; use staffed left‑baggage desks in arrivals or prebook offsite drop points near the terminal.
Location: staffed deposit desks are normally placed in arrivals halls near baggage reclaim exits, most frequently in Terminal 3 (main international complex); look for signage labeled “Left Baggage” or “Baggage Deposit”. Operating hours typically follow flight schedules; some counters operate 24/7 but hours vary by terminal.
Costs and payment: expect approximate fees of EGP 50–150 per item per 24 hours depending on size; cash (Egyptian pounds) is commonly required, card payment acceptance is limited. Insist on a printed receipt showing item details and pick‑up time.
Size, restrictions and security: desks accept suitcases and bags within standard checked‑bag dimensions; high‑value items (cash, jewelry, passports, cameras) are often refused – keep valuables on your person. Staff usually affix a tag and sometimes a tamper‑evident seal; photograph contents and the tag before handing items over.
Alternatives: book city‑based on‑demand storage providers (services like Bounce or Stasher), use short‑term hotel storage for registered guests, or arrange meet‑and‑greet porter services. For same‑day transfers, ask your airline about early check‑in or through‑check options to avoid storage needs.
Practical checklist: confirm availability with CAI information or your carrier before travel, note terminal and exact desk location, bring ID and local currency, label contents, keep the receipt until collection, and allow an extra 15–30 minutes at pick‑up for manual processing.
Exact locations of storage and left-baggage counters in Terminals 1, 2 and 3
Use staffed baggage‑storage desks at the specific points below; present passport or ID and retain the receipt issued at handover.
Terminal 1 (Old Terminal) – Arrivals hall
Counter sits on the ground/arrival level immediately after passport control, on the passenger exit side facing the taxi rank. Look for a small staffed booth marked “left‑baggage” / “baggage services” in English and Arabic next to the main information kiosk; if not visible, ask the arrivals information desk or the Tourist Police desk – staff will direct you to the storage counter or to an alternative within the same terminal.
Terminal 2 (International) – Departures / Central check‑in
The dedicated storage desk is located on the departures level close to the central check‑in island (near check‑in rows A–C). The desk is placed beside the terminal information counter and near the public payphones/exchange booth. Hours can be shorter than other terminals, so confirm opening times at the terminal information desk on arrival. Payment is accepted in local currency and commonly in major foreign notes; ask for the printed receipt and the stated maximum storage duration when handing over items.
Terminal 3 (New Terminal) – Arrivals & transfer area: a staffed baggage desk operates on the arrivals floor adjacent to the immigration exit and just before the public concourse; it sits near the tourist information and customs inspection point. For transfer passengers, a staffed counter is also located inside the transfer concourse between international gates and the central transfer desk. If you cannot find either desk, contact the nearest airline transfer desk or the terminal information point for immediate guidance.
What sizes, fees and maximum storage periods are offered for checked items?
Use a medium storage compartment (approx. 60×40×35 cm / 24×16×14 in) for a single standard checked item – it hits the best balance of cost, protection and availability across terminal service counters.
Size categories and recommended contents
Small – 40×30×25 cm (16×12×10 in): backpacks, laptop bags, small carry-ons; recommended max weight 10–12 kg.
Medium – 60×40×35 cm (24×16×14 in): one standard suitcase or large backpack; recommended max weight 20–25 kg.
Large – 80×50×45 cm (32×20×18 in): two medium cases or bulky garments; recommended max weight 30 kg.
Oversize / Special handling – up to 160×80×80 cm: sports equipment, musical instruments, surfboards; must be processed at the special items desk and often requires advance notice.
Typical fees, billing intervals and maximum retention
Daily rates (typical): Small 50–100 EGP per 24 hours; Medium 100–200 EGP per 24 hours; Large 200–350 EGP per 24 hours. Oversize and special items billed case-by-case, commonly 400+ EGP per day.
Short-term billing: many counters charge a reduced rate for stays under 6 hours (roughly 40–60% of the full day rate) and then the full daily rate applies for each subsequent 24-hour block.
Maximum standard retention: up to 30 days under normal short-term storage rules. Long-term arrangements can extend storage to 60–90 days with higher monthly fees and a signed agreement; unclaimed property after the extended period is handled under the operator’s disposal policy.
Payments: cash in local currency is most widely accepted; most main counters also accept major cards but confirm at the point of drop-off. Always keep the receipt tag and photo ID; high-value items may require declaration and insurance options at drop-off.
For oversized items or storage beyond 30 days, contact the terminal’s special items desk before arrival to secure space and obtain exact charges and pickup procedures.
ID, security screening and opening hours for baggage storage
Bring an original passport, boarding pass and the card used for payment when depositing bags; keep the issued claim ticket until final collection.
- Accepted ID: passport for foreign nationals; national ID for Egyptian citizens. Photocopies rarely accepted without original. Company staff will check name matches the storage receipt.
- Proof of travel: boarding pass or e-ticket reference required at drop-off and retrieval; domestic and international bookings both need proof to release items.
- Payment verification: retain the receipt; if paid by card, staff may request the same card on collection or an ID matching the cardholder.
- Screening procedures: every deposited bag passes X-ray screening; flagged items undergo manual inspection in the presence of the owner when possible.
- Prohibited contents: explosives, flammable liquids, undeclared firearms, certain hazardous chemicals and live animals without permits will be refused and reported to security forces.
- Special items: batteries (especially lithium types), medications and fragile equipment should be declared at drop-off; original prescriptions for controlled drugs recommended.
- Valuables: cash, passports, jewellery and high-value electronics should remain with the owner; most storage operators exclude liability for undeclared valuables unless insured and documented.
- Typical opening hours: staffed counters commonly operate during busiest flight windows (early morning through late night); some self-service units run 24/7. Verify specific hours for the terminal and service provider before arrival.
- After-hours access: if collection required outside counter hours, contact the operator using the number on the ticket or the terminal information desk; access may be arranged but expect extra ID checks and possible security escort.
- Collection timing: allow 45–60 minutes before international check-in and 30–45 minutes before domestic departures to retrieve items, complete re-screening and reach the departure gate.
- Long-term storage: confirm maximum retention and emergency contact details at drop-off; uncollected items past the retention period may be moved to lost & found or disposed of under local regulations.
Keep the claim ticket, photograph the tag and contents list, and save the operator’s phone number for rapid resolution if identification or timing issues arise.
Nearby options: left‑bag desks, hotel storage, courier forwarding
Use hotel concierge for short stays. International hotels adjacent to the main international hub (large chains such as Sheraton, Le Méridien, Hilton) typically hold bags for registered guests free for 24–72 hours; non-guests commonly pay EGP 100–300 per day depending on size. Request a written tag with your name, room number or reservation code and a stamped receipt.
Choose private short‑term bag depots for flexible hours. Commercial short‑term storage facilities within 5–10 minutes of the terminal complex offer drop‑off and pickup 24/7 in many cases, with rates running roughly EGP 50–150/day for small to large items and monthly options from EGP 300 upward. Use tamper‑evident seals and take timestamped photos on drop‑off; demand an itemized receipt showing dimensions, declared value and maximum storage period.
Use express courier forwarding for onward travel or home delivery. Major carriers servicing the region: DHL, FedEx, UPS, Aramex. Typical door‑to‑door transit: same/next‑day domestic, 3–7 business days to Europe/North America depending on service class. Pricing examples: small parcel to Europe USD 30–80; medium box by air USD 80–250; bulky items billed by volumetric weight or freight class. For heavy equipment consult volumetric formulas and packing rules; for example, commercial washers attract freight rules – see best psi for commercial pressure washer for guidance on machine specs before shipping.
Packaging, documentation and restricted items. Photocopy ID, keep booking reference, complete a commercial invoice for international consignments and declare batteries, liquids or aerosols before drop‑off. Lithium batteries require special handling and possible airline/courier approval. Buy declared‑value coverage if declared value exceeds USD 200; keep tracking number and courier receipt for claims.
Pickup coordination and timing tips. Ask hotel concierge or depot staff to schedule courier pickup during daylight windows (pickups inside terminal areas sometimes blocked after security hours). For same‑day forwarding request collection before 12:00 local time; express pickup fees typically USD 10–40. Retain pickup confirmation and a photo of the packed item.
Which option to pick? Short layovers or overnight stays: hotel concierge. Flexible multi‑day needs: private depot with documented inventory. Sending items onward or returning home quickly: reputable courier service with tracking and insurance.
