Let’s get proper to the massive query: Is Egypt secure to journey? For the traveler that knowledgeable and ready, the reply is sure, and it’s an extremely rewarding vacation spot. We’ve explored the nation ourselves a number of occasions and might let you know that standing earlier than the Pyramids of Giza or wandering by the temples of Luxor is an expertise that stays with you eternally.

Nevertheless it’s additionally not a visit to take evenly. Egypt is an intense and infrequently chaotic place that requires a unique degree of consciousness than, say, a highway journey by Canada. The challenges are actual, from persistent touts to widespread journey scams, and it’s vital to go in together with your eyes open.

We consider in trustworthy, real-world recommendation that can assist you journey higher. On this information, we’re breaking down every little thing you really have to find out about whether or not it’s secure to journey to Egypt. We’ll cowl the present state of affairs on the bottom, widespread scams to keep away from, particular recommendation for solo feminine travellers, and our greatest sensible suggestions from our personal journeys.

Is Egypt Protected To Journey Proper Now: Fast Abstract

For these in search of a fast reply, right here’s our abstract of the security state of affairs in Egypt.

• Total Danger: Medium. Whereas violent crime towards vacationers is uncommon, petty crime, scams, and harassment are widespread. Situational consciousness is crucial. Whereas the danger of terrorism exists, assaults focusing on vacationers are uncommon and safety has been elevated at main websites.
• Standard Vacationer Areas: Main vacationer websites like Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, and the Purple Sea resorts are closely policed and customarily thought of secure.
• Solo Feminine Traveller Danger: Excessive. Solo girls will probably face persistent and undesirable consideration. We suggest hiring a trusted information or becoming a member of a small group tour.
• Widespread Scams: Be ready for scams involving taxis, bazaar retailers, and unofficial guides. All the time agree on a value beforehand.
• Faucet Water: Not secure to drink. Keep on with bottled or filtered water always.
• Our Prime Tip: Rent a licensed information or be a part of a good tour, particularly for main historic websites. It drastically reduces hassles and enhances the expertise.

Why Does Egypt Have a Status for Being Unsafe?

It’s a sound query, and the priority doesn’t come from nowhere. For many people, our major publicity to fashionable Egypt has been by information stories protecting a decade of intense political change and remoted safety incidents.

The 2011 Revolution, a part of the broader Arab Spring, was a pivotal second of political unrest for the nation. Whereas it was essentially a home political occasion about the way forward for Egypt, the photographs of mass protests and instability had been broadcast globally. This era of upheaval understandably made many travellers hesitant, and the tourism trade, which is a crucial a part of the nation’s economic system, took an enormous hit.

We had been in Egypt simply after the revolution, and sure, there have been numerous safety forces and Egyptian police round, however we did really feel secure.

Within the years that adopted, there have been additionally a number of remoted however severe safety incidents that focused vacationer areas. These tragic occasions had been extensively reported and additional solidified the notion of danger within the minds of potential guests.

Nonetheless, it is very important place these occasions in right this moment’s context. The state of affairs on the bottom has stabilized considerably. In response to previous incidents, there may be now an enormous emphasis on vacationer safety, with a visual police and navy presence in any respect main websites, motels, and alongside the primary journey routes.

Whereas no nation is 100% free from danger, the occasions of the previous have led to among the most stringent safety measures you’ll discover wherever on the planet.

Present Egypt Journey Advisory & Safety State of affairs

Earlier than any journey, we all the time suggest checking the official journey advisories out of your authorities, like International Affairs Canada or the U.S. Division of State. These advisories can sound intimidating, usually utilizing cautious language. It’s their job to tell you of each potential danger, from petty crime to political instability.

Verify the Present Journey Advisories right here:

The secret’s to know that these warnings are sometimes for the complete nation and don’t all the time mirror the state of affairs in the primary vacationer areas. There’s an enormous distinction between the favored journey hall (Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, and the Purple Sea) and the areas which are explicitly suggested towards, just like the North Sinai Peninsula or the western desert on the border with Libya.

We bear in mind studying the advisories earlier than our first journey, and to be trustworthy, it gave us a second of pause. However as soon as we had been on the bottom in Luxor, surrounded by native households and different travellers exploring the temples, the sensation was certainly one of pleasure, not worry. It’s a superb reminder that whereas advisories are an vital device, they don’t all the time seize the complete, on-the-ground expertise.

Is Cairo, Egypt Protected? What About Different Cities?

Sure, Cairo and different main cities on the vacationer path are usually secure, nevertheless it’s vital to do not forget that Egypt is a big nation, and the expertise may be very totally different from one place to a different. The vibe in bustling Cairo is a world away from the relaxed tempo of a Nile-side city or a Purple Sea resort.

Security in Cairo

Cairo is likely one of the world’s nice megacities. With greater than 20 million individuals, it’s crowded, chaotic, and extremely vibrant. We’ve spent numerous time navigating its streets, and whereas the power can really feel overwhelming, we by no means felt personally unsafe. The principle considerations listed below are petty crime, like pickpocketing, in crowded areas just like the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, and the wild visitors. Use widespread sense: maintain your valuables safe, and look each methods (three or 4 occasions) earlier than crossing the road.

Security in Luxor and Aswan

When you journey south to Luxor and Aswan, the tempo slows down significantly. Life revolves across the Nile, and these cities really feel extra manageable than Cairo. The first problem right here isn’t crime, however the “problem issue.” You may be approached continually by individuals making an attempt to promote you a carriage journey, a felucca journey, or a tour.

In Aswan, we will need to have been provided a ship journey 100 occasions simply strolling alongside the river. A agency however pleasant “La, shukran” (No, thanks) and persevering with to stroll is one of the best ways to deal with it. It may be tiring, nevertheless it’s extra of an annoyance than a real security risk.

Security in Purple Sea Resorts (Sharm el-Sheikh, Hurghada)

The Purple Sea resorts are a very totally different world. Locations like Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada exist in a “resort bubble” with a heavy give attention to tourism and safety. You’ll usually move by a safety checkpoint on the roads main into these areas. Inside the resorts themselves, the environment is relaxed and the most important security considerations are the identical as every other seashore vacation spot: watch your belongings and don’t overdo it within the solar.

If you see journey warnings for Egypt, they’re nearly all the time referring to 2 particular areas: the Sinai Peninsula (however not the Sharm El Sheikh resorts) and the western desert. These are usually not locations for impartial journey, and any important journey there would require an armed escort for safety.

Widespread Scams and Annoyances in Egypt

A part of the journey expertise in Egypt is navigating the fixed gross sales pitches and customary scams. Foreknowledge is your greatest defence. Most of those are extra of an annoyance than a hazard, however figuring out what to search for will make your journey a lot smoother and prevent some cash. For instance, when somebody presents photograph ‘help’ at a vacationer web site, they usually anticipate a small tip, identified regionally as ‘baksheesh’, in return. Listed below are just a few of the commonest ones we’ve encountered.

The “Come See My Store” Method

You’ll be strolling close to a market or temple, and a pleasant native will strike up a dialog. After a couple of minutes of pleasantries, they’ll inevitably invite you to their cousin’s or brother’s store for a “particular value.” It is a quite common and customarily innocent tactic. The very best response is a smile and a agency, “No, thanks” as you proceed strolling.

Aggressive Taxi Drivers

It is a traditional journey rip-off worldwide. A driver may let you know their meter is damaged after which quote you a ridiculous value on the finish of your journey. To keep away from this, all the time agree on the fare earlier than you get into the cab. Higher but, use a ride-sharing app like Uber or Careem the place the worth is fastened and tracked within the app.

The Papyrus or Fragrance Store Detour

Our information in Giza was unbelievable, however he was very eager for us to go to a “government-approved” papyrus institute. We went together with it and it was an attention-grabbing, if prolonged, gross sales pitch. Many guides or drivers obtain a fee for bringing vacationers to those particular outlets. It’s completely high quality to politely decline by saying, “Thanks for the provide, however we’d choose to spend extra time on the temple.” information will all the time respect your needs.

Photograph “Help” for a Charge

At main websites, somebody could provide to take a photograph of you from a “excellent spot.” After they’ve taken just a few photographs together with your digital camera, they’ll then demand a hefty tip (baksheesh) for his or her service. When you don’t wish to pay for this, simply politely refuse any presents for assist together with your pictures from the beginning.

Well being & Hygiene in Egypt

Staying wholesome is a big a part of having fun with your journey. A bit of little bit of warning and pre-planning can go a good distance in ensuring you are feeling your greatest whereas exploring.

Are you able to drink the faucet water in Egypt?

Let’s be direct: no. You shouldn’t drink the faucet water in Egypt. The native water system isn’t handled to the identical requirements that guests are used to, and it incorporates totally different micro organism that may simply result in abdomen upset.

All the time stick with sealed bottled water. We even suggest utilizing bottled water to brush your enamel as an additional precaution. It might sound overly cautious, nevertheless it’s a easy step that may prevent from a day or two of discomfort.

Meals Security & Avoiding “Pharaoh’s Revenge”

The dreaded traveller’s abdomen is an actual concern for a lot of, however you don’t must reside in worry of the meals. We ate loads of scrumptious meals, together with road meals, and had been completely high quality by following just a few easy guidelines.

• Eat at busy locations. A restaurant or meals stall in style with locals means excessive meals turnover and brisker elements.
• Select cooked meals. Sizzling, freshly cooked dishes are all the time a safer wager than meals that has been sitting out, like uncooked salads.
• Peel it or overlook it. Solely eat fruit you can peel your self, like bananas and oranges.
• Watch out with ice. Until you might be in a high-end resort, it’s greatest to ask on your drinks with no ice, as it could be produced from faucet water.

What vaccinations do I would like for Egypt?

We’re journey consultants, not medical professionals, so it’s important that you just seek the advice of together with your physician or a journey clinic earlier than your journey. They may give you customized recommendation primarily based in your well being historical past.

Typically, they’ll guarantee your routine vaccinations are updated. They could additionally suggest further vaccinations equivalent to Hepatitis A and Typhoid, that are widespread for journey in lots of elements of the world.

Is Egypt Protected for Solo Feminine Travellers?

Egypt is a difficult vacation spot for solo feminine travellers, nevertheless it can be travelled safely by following just a few key precautions. It’s a very totally different expertise from travelling as a person or as a pair. The principle situation is the excessive degree of verbal harassment and undesirable consideration you might be more likely to obtain.

Talking from my (Deb’s) perspective, it’s a nation the place you continually have to have your guard up. Whereas this consideration is nearly all the time a case of annoying catcalls or persistent staring fairly than a bodily risk, it may be mentally exhausting over time and might detract from the unimaginable expertise of being there.

This isn’t to say you shouldn’t go. Many ladies journey solo by Egypt and have an incredible time. However being ready is the important thing to a profitable journey.

Right here is our greatest recommendation for solo feminine travellers:

• Costume Conservatively. That is our prime tip. By protecting your shoulders and knees and carrying looser-fitting clothes, you present respect for the native tradition and can appeal to far much less undesirable consideration. A light-weight scarf can be an incredible device to have readily available to cowl your head when coming into mosques.
• Contemplate a Tour or Information. Particularly for a primary go to, becoming a member of a small group tour or hiring a personal information could make a world of distinction. It means that you can give attention to the historical past and fantastic thing about Egypt with out having to navigate the hassles by yourself.
• Be Assured. Stroll with function and challenge confidence, even if you’re feeling just a little misplaced. Keep away from extended eye contact and don’t be afraid to be agency and say “no” loudly if somebody is bothering you.
• Put on a Faux Wedding ceremony Ring. It’s a easy trick, however carrying a plain band in your ring finger can assist deter some undesirable advances.
• Use Journey-Sharing Apps. Keep on with Uber or Careem as an alternative of hailing taxis on the road. It gives a digital document of your journey and driver, and the worth is about upfront.

Prime 10 Security Suggestions for Egypt

Here’s a fast abstract of our most vital security suggestions for visiting Egypt. Following these will enable you to keep secure, keep away from hassles, and give attention to the unimaginable expertise of your journey.

1. Rent a Licensed Egyptologist/Information. information is value their weight in gold. They won’t solely convey the traditional websites to life however will even deal with logistics and maintain touts at bay, making your day infinitely extra gratifying.
2. Costume Conservatively. Present respect for the native tradition by protecting your shoulders and knees. Looser-fitting, light-weight clothes is essentially the most comfy and acceptable possibility for each the local weather and the tradition.
3. By no means Drink the Faucet Water. It is a non-negotiable rule. All the time stick with sealed bottled water for ingesting and even for brushing your enamel to keep away from getting sick.
4. Study to Say “La, Shukran”. A agency however well mannered “No, thanks” in Arabic is the simplest technique to cope with persistent sellers and touts.
5. All the time Agree on a Value First. Earlier than you get in a taxi or conform to a carriage journey, affirm the worth with the motive force. This straightforward step prevents arguments and scams later.
6. Maintain Valuables Safe. Use widespread sense. Don’t flash costly jewelry or money, and maintain your pockets and cellphone in a safe entrance pocket or a zipped bag, particularly in crowded markets.
7. Buy Journey Insurance coverage. Issues can and do go fallacious once you journey. Having good journey insurance coverage from a supplier like World Nomads or SafetyWing is crucial for peace of thoughts.
8. Be Conscious of Your Well being. Keep on with freshly cooked sizzling meals and fruit you may peel your self to attenuate your danger of abdomen points.
9. Share Your Itinerary. All the time go away a replica of your journey plans with somebody again dwelling in order that they know your basic whereabouts.
10. Belief Your Intestine Instincts. That is the golden rule of journey. If a state of affairs or an individual feels off, it most likely is. Don’t be afraid to take away your self from any state of affairs that makes you are feeling uncomfortable.

Ought to You Use a Tour Operator or Group Tour?

Sure, for many first-time travellers to Egypt, we extremely suggest utilizing a good tour operator. Whereas we frequently journey independently, for a rustic like Egypt, we extremely suggest utilizing a good tour operator or becoming a member of a small group tour, particularly for a primary go to. The worth it provides to your journey by way of each enjoyment and peace of thoughts is gigantic.

Right here’s why we predict it’s a sensible selection:

• It Eliminates the Trouble. That is the one greatest benefit. information and operator will deal with all of the logistics, from shopping for tickets to arranging transportation. Most significantly, they act as a buffer between you and the persistent touts, permitting you to truly benefit from the websites.
• You Get Invaluable Context. Exploring a 4,000-year-old temple is spectacular, however having a professional Egyptologist clarify what you’re seeing brings the historical past to life in a approach no guidebook can.
• It Provides a Layer of Safety. Navigating a brand new nation may be intimidating. Having a neighborhood information who is aware of the customs and a small group of fellow travellers gives a welcome sense of safety and assist.
• It’s Extra Environment friendly. Tour operators know one of the best occasions to go to websites to keep away from the worst of the crowds and the noon warmth. You’ll probably see extra, and in higher consolation, than when you had been arranging every little thing by yourself.

This doesn’t imply you may’t journey Egypt independently, as many individuals do. Nonetheless, it requires a substantial amount of endurance and planning. For a primary journey, we consider the advantages of an organized tour far outweigh the prices. It streamlines the expertise and means that you can give attention to the magic of the place, not the frustrations. We frequently guide day excursions by websites like GetYourGuide or Viator to vet native operators.

What Ought to I Put on in Egypt?

Deciding what to put on in Egypt is about balancing consolation for the warmth with respect for the conservative tradition. For each women and men, we suggest light-weight, loose-fitting clothes that covers your shoulders and knees.

This isn’t nearly coming into spiritual websites; dressing extra conservatively will enable you to mix in and might considerably scale back undesirable consideration, particularly for ladies. Suppose linen trousers, lengthy skirts or clothes, and t-shirts or blouses fairly than tank tops. A light-weight scarf is essentially the most helpful accent you may pack, excellent for solar safety, a bit of heat on a cool night, or for ladies to make use of as a head protecting when visiting a mosque.

The Verdict: So, Ought to You Journey to Egypt?

So in spite of everything that, we come again to the massive query: do you have to journey to Egypt? Our reply is a particular sure, however on one situation: it’s a must to be a ready and conscious traveller.

Let’s be clear, Egypt isn’t a vacation spot the place you may utterly change off your mind. There are areas to keep away from, because the official journey advisories level out, and the hassles in the primary vacationer areas are actual. It’s a nation with a posh current in addition to an impressive previous.

However from our expertise, the reward massively outweighs the challenges. The need to welcome travellers again is one thing you may really feel from the individuals you meet. Accountable tourism is extremely vital right here, and there’s a shared understanding {that a} secure and optimistic expertise for guests is essential for the nation’s future.

For us, the possibility to face within the shadow of monuments constructed hundreds of years in the past is a real privilege. If you’re a traveller who’s resilient, affected person, and armed with good data, we consider you must completely go. It’s a journey that may problem you, awe you, and persist with you lengthy after you’ve got come dwelling.

Regularly Requested Questions on Egypt Journey Security