That glowing McDonald’s sign in CAI Terminal 3 is plan B
In Terminal 3 at Cairo International (T3, EgyptAir’s main base), McDonald’s sits in the food court next to KFC and becomes the default option when you’re tired, confused by the layout, or landing into a midnight bank of departures. Lines spike before EgyptAir red‑eyes, and several flyers only end up here because it’s the one Western brand they recognize before a long overnight flight.
This is a budget stop by airport standards: price tier is $, and reviews say it’s more expensive than downtown Cairo branches but cheaper than many European or Gulf airports. Expect Big Macs, McChicken, fries, and McCafé drinks, with combo meals landing in the mid‑range for Egypt but low for an international terminal. Portions match standard global McDonald’s sizing, so you know roughly how full you’ll be before boarding.
There are two main access points for food in T3: one landside before security and one airside after immigration and screening. Regulars suggest grabbing McDonald’s landside, where prices can be a bit lower and seating less chaotic, then heading airside closer to boarding time. If you already passed security, the airside food court still has McDonald’s as one of the few recognizable hot‑food options during long EgyptAir layovers.
Complaints show up on TripAdvisor and Reddit about long waits here when several flights leave within the same 60–90‑minute window. Lines move slowly, and orders can take 15–25 minutes at peak. Health‑conscious travelers call out the lack of salads or lighter fare in T3 overall, so McDonald’s becomes the "only safe bet" for picky eaters or anyone anxious about food hygiene standards.
What regulars do: eat properly in Cairo or at a nearby hotel, then use McDonald’s in T3 for a snack, fries, or coffee rather than a full meal, and move to a quieter gate area once fed. One practical tip: if your layover is under 90 minutes, hit the food court immediately after check‑in and passport control instead of waiting until boarding is called.