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Is Egypt Safe to Travel?

You’ve probably wanted to travel to Egypt and, undoubtedly, have asked yourself, “is Egypt safe?” I traveled there solo—and here’s what I can tell you.

Is Egypt Safe to Travel?

People have been flocking to Egypt to see the pyramids of Giza for over 4,500 years—and seeing as how the Great Pyramid is the only “Seven Wonders of the Ancient World” still standing, it’s not hard to see why.

But there’s so much more to Egypt than just the pyramids. You’d be doing yourself a disservice to not spend some time exploring the country’s cities and historical sites, and getting to know the people.

But you might also be wondering—is Egypt safe?

Sultan Hassan Mosque, Cairo.

Frankly, it hasn’t been all sunshine and roses for Egypt, which makes the question of whether or not it’s okay to travel to Egypt a valid one.

There are still a lot of things you should consider and understand before traveling to Egypt. It’s a wild and confusing place, but amazing in equal measure. Let’s have a closer look.

Is it Safe to Travel to Egypt?

Yes, it is safe to travel to Egypt. But like any place, there are precautions you should take.

The issue of safety in Egypt is best understood by taking a deeper look at the last decade or so. Egypt has experienced periods of conflict throughout its very long history. The last period of violence can mainly be traced to the Arab Spring of 2011.

Cairo, Egypt was launched into a revolution in early 2011 which eventually included the whole country. There were months of demonstrations, marches, and strikes. Many of these turned violent (even deadly) due to the strong, oppressive response from security forces.

Eventually, things settled down, but not without issue. Egypt went through a number of presidents and even a brief period of military rule before things truly calmed down.

With all the international news coverage during this period, Egypt quickly earned a reputation as a dangerous place to visit. Tourism, of course, plummeted.

Unfortunately, once a place is labeled unsafe, it’s hard to change that perception on an international scale.

Rooftop of Lotus Guest House, Cairo

Egypt’s countrywide instability of 2011 is long behind it. Today, tourism has once again picked up and is considered secure.

However, there are a couple of regions that are still highly volatile. It’s also fair to mention that Egypt’s safety record has a tendency to ebb and flow. Small attacks have occurred in tourist regions since 2011 and as recently as 2019.

If you are planning on visiting, your best option is to keep an eye on the news and any travel advisories. Learn more about which areas specifically aren’t safe, and just steer clear of those ones.

Is Egypt Safe to Visit Right Now?

Now is actually one of the safest times to visit Egypt. It’s more stable than it has ever been in the past decade!

While terrorism is an ongoing threat in this region of the world, most attacks are carried out against religious minorities, government facilities, or military forces.

As a tourist, your chances of being affected are very low.

Follow official recommendations from Egypt and your home nation. Basically, stay away from major conflict areas in the Western Desert and Northern Sinai. Also, avoid demonstrations and religious festivals.

In the major tourist areas, you will likely feel a sense of heightened security. The Egyptian economy recently suffered quite a bit with the drop in tourism. As such, local authorities have increased their presence and are working hard to make sure nothing happens that might affect tourism rates.

So yes, plan that trip to Egypt.

Travel Insurance in Egypt

No matter where you go in the world, travel insurance is worth it. If I’m being totally honest, not getting travel insurance before your trip to Egypt is just plain irresponsible.

As the adage goes, if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.

Specifically for travel to Egypt, insurance can save you from losing out on the whole cost of your trip. It’s secure there today, but with the volatility of the region, that might not be true tomorrow. If the situation changes overnight, travel insurance will usually cover the cost of your lost flight, tours, hotels, and more.

Once you get to Egypt, travel insurance will protect you against pretty much everything else, like illness, accidents, and pickpockets.

Last but not least, insurance is a good idea if you plan on taking a taxi or bus pretty much anywhere. Egypt has some of the worst roads and some of the highest rates of car accidents in the world.

(And on that note, please watch out when crossing the road. Egypt’s traffic is notoriously crazy.)

As for which travel insurance company to choose, look for something that is affordable, easy and quick to purchase, and will cover you throughout your trip. You most likely won’t need it for your travel to Egypt but it’s always a smart idea to have insurance, just in case!

Egypt Safety Travel Tips by City

Egypt is a large nation, spanning from the Western Desert to the Red Sea. When it comes to how safe the country is, it really depends on which region you are talking about.

To help, here are some safety travel tips broken down by city and region.

Is Cairo Safe?

As the biggest city in Egypt and home the Great Pyramids of Giza, Cairo has its own set of safety issues. Here are a couple of tips you’ll want to keep in mind particularly when visiting this city.

Avoid demonstrations. As the capital, this city has many political demonstrations and they are seen as prime targets for terrorists. Female travelers should also avoid them as sexual assault in large demonstrations is a major risk.

Watch out for pickpockets and bag snatchers. Violent crime is actually very rare here, but petty crime like pickpocketing has seen an increase in recent years, especially in the capital (and specifically on the city’s metro). Carry a decoy wallet and the majority of your spending money in your shoe.

Cairo is also where you’re most likely to run into a travel scam. While there are plenty of helpful, honest people out there, the best travel advice on Egypt might be to just say “no thank you.” This includes saying no to anyone offering to “help” you, avoiding taking any “gifts” from market vendors, and always knowing the approximate taxi fare for where you are going before getting into a taxi.

Cairo Crowds.

Is Alexandria Safe?

Overall, you’ll probably find that Alexandria feels calmer and safer than Cairo. Alexandria is like Cairo’s little sister.

But still, as it is another one of the major cities, Alexandria has some of the same safety issues as other urban areas.

Petty crime is considered a problem and mainly an issue in the busy markets or at tourist sites.

Demonstrations and marches that start in the capital will often spill over to Alexandria. Avoid them here as well.

Scams are a little less common than in Cairo, mostly due to the slightly lower tourism numbers, but they’re worth watching out for.

Is Luxor Safe?

Luxor is probably one of the safest cities in Egypt, but still a hotspot for aggressive salesmen and, to a lesser extent, scams.

Southern Egypt is a popular destination for travelers with its many important temples and tombs. Luxor is at the core of the action and a lot of the city revolves around the tourism industry.

If you go into the city with the right mindset, you’ll be fine. Try to appreciate the entrepreneurship and salesmanship of the people.

Guards at the temples will offer to “show you around” and then demand a tip. Shop owners will give you gifts then act incredibly offended if you don’t buy something from them. Assume the price you are given, whether for a boat ride or a souvenir, is way overpriced and don’t be afraid to negotiate.

Luxor Temple.

Is Aswan Safe?

The small city of Aswan is overall considered secure and has a very authentically Egyptian vibe. There aren’t quite as many tourists here as in Luxor but tourist scams are still somewhat of an issue.

The city is also very conservative, which visitors should keep in mind.

The biggest concerns in Aswan are probably for women traveling solo. As a conservative city, women are expected to cover up more and it’s not recommended to walk alone. You will also probably face more unwanted attention and street harassment as a foreign woman.

Sunset on the Nile in Aswan.

Is Abu Simbel Safe?

Abu Simbel itself is a very small village and is quite safe.

It’s a very popular day trip from Aswan and visitors come to see the famous Abu Simbel temple complex which is almost as iconic as the Great Pyramids of Giza.

The road between Abu Simbel and Aswan has faced safety issues in the past. It was once highly recommended that visitors only make the trip as part of a daily convoy of tourist buses or with a tour operator and police escort.

Today, things are much more relaxed, and there are a number of military and police checkpoints along the route.

Aswan from above.

Is the Northern Sinai Peninsula Safe?

No, Northern Sinai is not safe to visit. I don’t have any travel tips for the Northern Sinai Peninsula other than don’t go. This, along with the Western Desert, is by far one of the most dangerous areas of Egypt.

Terrorism is a huge problem. Authorities have set a curfew for parts of the region and have declared a state of emergency. While most of the violence and attacks are aimed at government forces, a foreign tourist traveling in this region is a prime target for violence.

Is Sharm El-Sheikh Safe?

Although located in the Sinai region, Sharm el Sheikh is a very protected zone and is relatively secure.

The Red Sea is said to offer some of the best scuba diving in the world. At the heart of the Red Sea diving world is the resort town of Sharm El-Sheikh.

Because of its popularity with tourists, Egypt has invested a lot of money in keeping this area of the Sinai region protected. This includes extra air travel restrictions and safety measures after a major attack on a Russian plane a few years ago.

All that being said, it sits right in a major “hot zone” for terrorism. If you plan on visiting, it’s best to keep an eye on the news. Don’t hesitate rerouting your trip somewhere else if things seem to be getting dicey.

That said, Southern Sinai is totally safe and specifically in the Sharm el-Sheikh perimeter barrier.

Is Dahab Safe?

Another very popular Red Sea resort town is Dahab—and yes, it’s safe. Dahab hasn’t had any issues or attacks since 2006. It’s, overall, a very laid-back and relaxed beach town with little crime.

Also located in South Sinai, Dahab technically falls in the “don’t travel” area of Sinai. That said, it’s a tourist town at its core, so even though the government hasn’t fortified the town quite as much as Sharm el-Sheikh, you really shouldn’t have any problems.

Waves crash on the shores of Dahab

Is Egypt Safe to Travel Alone?

Yes, Egypt is safe to travel solo — but let’s break down some issues you might want to think about if you are considering traveling alone.

Overall, petty crime is very uncommon. Walking alone won’t be much of a risk for men traveling solo. The chances of being mugged, even if walking alone at night, are very low. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t stay vigilant and aware of your surroundings at all times.

If you do run into trouble, Egyptians, as a whole, are extremely friendly and helpful. They want tourists to enjoy their homeland, and understand the value of a solid tourism industry. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it.

Women traveling alone, on the other hand, will often face a much different reality. But I’ll discuss that a bit more in a section below.

The last suggestion I’d make to solo travelers is to not blow-off every tour company or group travel type experience. Solo travelers are usually less likely to enjoy the large tour bus type experience, but if there was ever a place in the world to hire a tour operator or tag along for a day tour, it would be Egypt.

By booking a day tour, you can go from wandering around a dusty old temple alone to being transported through history. Throughout my trip, the local guides were incredible and full of historic knowledge. Plus, booking tours is a great way to meet other travelers.

On the other hand, it could be argued that traveling alone might actually be safer. Specifically, I’m referring to terrorist attacks; on the rare occasion that they do occur, they tend to target large tour groups and tour buses.

I want to stress the fact that a terrorist attack is still highly unlikely and something you shouldn’t spend too much time worrying about. If you can’t shake that anxiety, however, hire a private guide or stick to small group tours.

Is Egypt Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Yes — I know plenty of women who’ve traveled safely to Egypt solo. But I also know that many women have fully appreciated having a male companion with them on their trip.

This is a very conservative country. While you will see women walking around the larger cities alone quite often, in more rural areas it’s much less common.

As a woman traveling alone in Egypt, be prepared for intense street harassment. Men will cat call you, follow you, and in some cases, try to grope you. Many men here simply see a solo woman as an easy target.

The sad fact is that sexual harassment is rampant. A 2013 United Nations study found that “virtually all Egyptian women have been victims of sexual harassment.” An astonishing 99.3% of the women reported having been sexually harassed.

I don’t want to discourage any women from visiting Egypt. Since that 2013 report, Egypt has very much toughened its laws on sexual assault (including jail time up to five years), and even if your only option is to go alone, I still think it’s worth it. Seeing the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Luxor Temple, and the Valley of the Kings is truly a magical experience.

That being said, here is my advice:

  • If you’re staying in a hostel, make plans with other travelers and always try to have at least a 50/50 ratio of men to women in your group.
  • Join a tour group or day trip. Having a local Egyptian tour operator is a great way to buffer yourself from unwanted attention.
  • And always, always dress as conservatively as you can.

Also, while it’s not the same topic, I wanted to make another point as we are discussing how conservative Egypt is:

Is Egypt Safe for LGBTQ+ Travelers?

While Cairo is a bit more open and welcoming to LGBTQ+ travelers, most of Egypt is not. Public displays of affection, even between married heterosexual couples, is frowned upon. For LGBTQ+ travelers, such signs of affection could prove to be very dangerous.

Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon to hear of harassment and even physical attacks on LGBTQ+ couples.

Is it Safe for Americans in Egypt?

Yes, it is safe for Americans to travel to Egypt. Thankfully, most Egyptians understand that individual tourists don’t represent the whole international policy of the United States.

Even if someone in Egypt has particularly strong views on the current US administration, they are unlikely to treat American travelers any differently.

Usually if someone has an issue with a tourist it’s based on them being a “Westerner” rather than an American. Travelers from Australia or the UK are as likely to have an issue as a US citizen. It’s more about the clash of cultures between a conservative Muslim country and more liberal Western countries.

If you are from the US and planning to visit Egypt, it’s worth keeping an eye on diplomatic relations before you leave. Just check to make sure the US government currently has no extra precautions on visiting the tourist regions of Egypt.

Is the Water Safe to Drink in Egypt?

No, I don’t recommend drinking tap water in Egypt. Most of Egypt is a vast desert. While the Nile brings water and life to the center of the country, it’s easy to understand how clean water might be an issue in such a predominantly desert country.

Technically, tap water in Cairo is considered drinkable. The water tested leaving the water treatment plant is highly chlorinated but still within international guidelines. The problem is where the tap water reaches you.

The capital has many old buildings and water storage tanks that are not up to standard. Residential water pipes often test high for lead and other contaminants. My recommendation is to stick to bottled water no matter where you are in Egypt.

Outside of the major cities the issue is much clearer. Basically, avoid all tap water. On that note, you should also probably avoid ice in your drinks unless you are ordering at a particularly nice hotel or restaurant.

Bottled water in Egypt is cheap and easy to find. If you want to avoid plastic (which you should!), consider packing a Grayl Geopress water bottle for filtering your own water.

Is the Food Safe to Eat in Egypt?

As with Egypt’s issues with clean water, you need to also be careful when it comes to food in Egypt.

People in Egypt have nicknamed their all too common stomach bug “The Pharaoh’s Revenge” (the Egyptian version of Montezuma’s Revenge). While most of the time people get sick from bad water, food that is washed or cooked in that water is also a good way to pick up a stomach bug.

To avoid getting sick on your trip, stick to food that is fully cooked or that you can peel. Street food might be delicious but it’s even more important here that you avoid anything not properly cooked.

I did have a few salad type dishes on my trip. These were mostly served as part of the buffet on my Nile Cruise. In this case, I took the risk as it was a nicer boat and full of tourists so I assumed the chefs took extra precautions.

Basically, the nicer the place, the more relaxed you can get about what you order. If staying in a fancy hotel in Cairo, you can probably order anything on the menu and even opt for ice in your drink. With street food in a small town on the Nile, take the opposite approach and be extra cautious.

Are Taxis in Egypt Safe?

Taxis are mostly safe in Egypt, but you need to use good judgment. When it comes to taxis, you mainly have to worry about three things: erratic drivers, getting scammed or getting harassed.

To start with, we need to talk about how people drive in Egypt. If you think you have seen bad traffic, I can guarantee that Egypt, especially Cairo, will surpass your expectations. In fact, the country has one of the highest rates of vehicle accidents in the world.

I have a clear memory of my first hour in Cairo thanks to an insane freeway experience. I was sitting in a taxi, flying down the freeway towards Giza and looked out the window to see a horse-drawn cart coming towards us — on the wrong side of a major freeway. Our driver seemed to think this was no big deal and just sort of swerved out of the way.

That’s a pretty good description of Cairo traffic. Pure chaos.

Cairo traffic
Traffic is crazy in Cairo!

The next issue when it comes to taxis in Egypt is the honesty of your driver. Meters almost never work, and if you don’t know the approximate fair rate, you will get overcharged. Some taxi drivers are especially aggressive and can get quite vocal to the level of verbal abuse if you question their rate.

Women should take extra precaution when taking a taxi, especially if alone. Never sit in the front seat as this is often seen as a sexual advance. It’s also helpful to have your phone with you and a map of your location to make sure your driver isn’t going off course.

Having said all that, the majority of drivers you’ll encounter in Egypt are honest, hardworking people. You’re more likely to make a new friend than a foe.

If you are in Cairo or Alexandria, consider using a ridesharing app like Uber or the local equivalent, Careem. Most of the smaller Egyptian cities don’t have these options yet, but they can be quite useful and more secure than a taxi off the street.

Is Egypt Safe to Live?

Living in Egypt can be an incredible experience, and it can also be quite safe with the right precautions.

Most foreigners moving to Egypt end up in Cairo. The city has many of the usual problems in urban areas but overall, for a city of its size, crime is quite low. The more wealthy neighborhoods in the city are the safest, including New Cairo, Maadi, and Zamalek.

Something to consider when living in Egypt is the ongoing and changing political climate. While things are relatively calm now, that could change quickly as anyone who was in Egypt in 2011 can attest. If you are planning on living in Egypt, it’s a good idea to keep up with political news and always have a backup plan if you do need to leave in a hurry.

So, is it Dangerous in Egypt?

No, Egypt is not dangerous…for the most part. Labeling a whole country as dangerous or safe is unfair unless you are talking about someplace in a literal war zone. Egypt is far from a war zone.

Looking at a countrywide level, Egypt has a lot of issues. Terrorist groups are still a major concern in the Sinai region.

Breaking things down, much of the country is secure. Petty crime rates are lower here than many places, even in Western Europe. The Egyptian authorities and everyone in the tourism industry are also working hard to protect international visitors.

Is it safe to travel in Egypt? Maybe. But for tourists coming just to visit iconic Egyptian sites like Luxor and Giza, the answer is much closer to “yes.”

Don’t miss out on seeing some of the world’s most incredible ancient wonders just because some people in the world want to demonize a whole country. At the same time, be prepared, use common sense, and go into your trip with open eyes.

You’ll see some incredible things.

Egypt Safety FAQs

  • Is it safe to be a tourist in Egypt?

    Yes, it is safe to travel to Egypt. But like any place, there are precautions you should take.

  • Is Egypt safe for female tourists?

    As a woman traveling alone in Egypt, be prepared for intense street harassment.

  • Is Egypt a friendly country to visit?

    Egypt is known for warm hospitality for tourists and visitors.

  • Which month is best to visit Egypt?

    November is one of the best months to visit Egypt.

  • Is the Water Safe to Drink in Egypt?

    No, I don’t recommend drinking tap water in Egypt.

About the Author

Jeremy Scott Foster

Jeremy Scott Foster is an adventure-junkie, gear expert and travel photographer based in Southern California. Previously nomadic, he’s been to ~50 countries and loves spending time outdoors. You can usually find him on the trail, on the road, jumping from bridges or hustling on his laptop working to produce the best travel and outdoors content today.
73 comments
  1. Interesting take on Egypt. To be sure, scuba diving wasn’t on our list, but the pyramids were.

    I couldn’t tell you what it was, but the hairs on my back prickled while in Cairo in such a way I hadn’t felt since some iffy streets in Bangkok. A sixth sense, if you like – I was being watched, or was surrounded by people I didn’t like the look of and didn’t trust one bit. Combine that with the Egyptian manner of driving, the layers of touts, and the heat, and I was on edge virtually the entire time I wasn’t in the hotel room.

    Is it safe to travel to Cairo? Safe enough, statistically speaking. If you’re of the risk averse type, it’s probably not the best place to go.

    1. Hey Chris–Yes, there’s a strange vibe in Cairo, or just Egypt in general. It’s different, and no, it’s not for everybody. I think you nailed my main point home–if you’re of the risk averse type, Egypt may not be for you. But if you really want to get your hands dirty, it’s an interesting place to be.

  2. Lovely read. Brought back so many awesome memories of Egypt. I visited last year and my experience was similar. Thank you for sharing !

  3. Nice story, but it’s a little bit onesided in my opinion. So far, terrorism in Egypt is targetting security forces and military, except for one or two exceptions…. Many parts of Egypt are so far quite safe to travel to, especially Red Sea coast outside Sinai peninsular has not had real terrorist threat so far….
    As for tourist scams, it’s not more or less then anywhere else. Gizeh is indeed bad, the site is fabulous but I would recommend organized tours to visit….same for Luxor and Aswan.
    But after having visited Cairo 3 times and Hurghada 6 times and Aswan and Luxor twice in the past 3 years, I can say that I’ve never had hospitality as perfect as I have found in Egypt. Yes, security is a thing these days, but it looks we need to get used to, it seems to be more and more common that it’s necessary to have strong security in place, it seems it’s the direction where society currently goes to…..we have to deal with it or stay at home….

    1. Hi Marcel,

      That’s exactly what I said. Many places are safe to travel and terrorist targets have been almost exclusively military related. I would recommend reading the whole article. I also didn’t experience any tourist scams, just aggressive people.

  4. I adore your encounter and experience with Rami — he seems genuine and downright awesome. Gotta love that Couchsurfing community!

  5. Egypt is in fact # 1 on my places to travel to on holiday actually. I have wanted to go ever since I learned about the pyramids when I was in 3rd or 4th grade. I am envious x1000000 of you right now, but thrilled you answered my question as to whether or not it’s safe. Sadly, even though I am an adult, and I can do whatever I damn well please, my father would shit 20 bricks if I even mentioned to him my going to Egypt… You see, he used to work in risk management, so he always thinks about the absolute worst. I just got back from Taiwan, and prior to the trip, I was to not discuss it with him because he was so fearful, but now that I am back, he is more than interested, ha ha ah!!!

    Where to go next, where to go next? 😉

    1. Haha maybe you shouldn’t tell him where you’re going until after you’ve already left 😉

  6. Wow, a really interesting read about a place in the world that few seem to be talking about, or visiting, these days. Ive dived on the Sinai a few years ago and it seemed very safe then, but of course there’s no guarantees anywhere. Thanks for bringing the full spectrum of views to the table

  7. Thanks for the great article! I am headed to Cairo in 21 days. Would you hesitate to return to Cairo at this point in time? I only have a short stint planned in Cairo for 3 days, but the media is messing with my mind. Any additional tips would be greatly appreciated.

    1. Hi Kwayne, Would love to hear how you got on with your trip.
      I would love to visit in late October and am just trying to do my homework.
      Cheers

  8. Thanks for the wonderful post! I’m currently living in Morocco and I will be traveling to Egypt in September and staying with a friend and I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit nervous. I wouldn’t be going without her and without having other friends and contacts in Egypt.

    However, I do maintain and standby the notion that people are generally good and only want the best for you. It sounds like this was your experience as well! We, as travelers, can only hope for people like Rami to meet on our ventures!

    Thanks for sharing!

    1. Absolutely. To be nervous is a good thing–it means you will have your wits about you. And surely you will have an unforgettable adventure!

      1. It’s been nice reading everybody’s exoeriences. Im planning to travel to Egypt in late November. I have a friend who lives there. But all my friends and family are telling me not to go because women get kidnapped and raped. Also there is concern for terrorism. I really really want to go but with all this said I’m feeling scared. I have white blonde hair and I’m told this is not good. Could you please tell me is this just a exaggeration of what goes on in Egypt or should I have real fear? Thanks 🙂

        1. I would talk to your friend to get a feel for the current climate. As I noted, there is conflict in Egypt in many forms. You have to be smart and wary. But if you keep your head about you, and stick to the places I mentioned, I imagine that you will be fine. Yes, there is some exaggeration, but there is also some truth.

        2. There are lots of blonde girls there also its okay you wont be kidnapped and these stuff and having and egyptian friend make things better you will be conpletely safe

  9. Thanks Jeremy for your comment. I have talked to my friend and he assures me I will be safe because I will be travelling through Egypt with a local and will definitely stay away from the areas mentioned.

  10. Hi Jeremy, I’m so glad I read your post. I’ve traveled to Egipt 3 years ago and I was blessed because I also meet Rami Elshaer’s and yes he is the man. He makes you feel in home. I totally recommend to the people about to travel contact him.

  11. My family and I went to Egypt in 1979. Not much conflict then particularly with President Carter joining Israel and Egypt’s hands then. It was no more touristy than Cairo and Giza but I will never forget it. The people seemed very friendly, though I was a young teen, it could have been the tourist nature of it.

  12. hi i am from ethiopia and i wanted to ask how much will i be expected to pay from the city to giza and back…and come visit ethiopia u will love it here.

    1. hi am wondering if you ever made it to Egypt.Am an Ethiopian female who is planning on travelling there in a few months. i would like to know if it’s safe for an Ethiopian to go right now and just want to hear about your whole experience

  13. HI Jeremy, I am booked to go to Egypt this summer with my two kids (14 & 18). It is on my bucket list and I want them to see it in case the opportunity is not there for them in the future. Does my daughter need to cover up completely? As a North American this is a strange concept to her! Also are American’s treated any differently? (we are Canadian, but we all sound the same this side of the world!) Thanks for your insight!

    1. Hi Todd,

      You and your family will definitely have an eye-opening experience! She will definitely need to be covered up at sacred and religious sites, but for just walking around, I don’t think it’s a problem.

      Having a different color skin is the big thing that sets the travelers apart from the locals. As a foreigner in a developing country, you will be targeted (sometimes aggressively) by hawkers and the like—people who want you to buy things from them. Just be prepared for it and you should be okay.

      Have a great trip!

    2. Its really fine in Egypt its not that bad for tourists im sure you will have a great experience and i advise you to visit dahab louxor and aswan its really beautiful magical places that you will never regret being there most of the people are helpful and they are not aggressive towards tourists its just their habit its they way some people are here in Egypt hope you enjoy
      Have a nice trip!

  14. Hi Jeremy!
    Do you still keep in touch with Rami?
    I’m planning on going to Egypt this summer and I was looking for a tourist guide or someone to show me around?

  15. I just returned from a three week stay in Cairo, and I never felt unsafe at all. I am a 5’10”, redhead from New York, so I definitely stood out, but I found the Egyptians extremely kind, although I felt like ET with the way people stared at me!!! Women would hand me their babies and take pictures!! True, I was with my Egyptian male cousin, so I don’t know if my experience would have been different if I was not with a male companion. I saw very few tourists, and that is just so sad. Egypt is hurting from the lack of tourists, and I found them to be extremely hospitable to me.

  16. Thanks for the post Jeremy. My trip isn’t until November so I have some time to plan things out. Do you know if Rami host/assist women? Just want to be sure before I reach out to him. Thanks!

    1. He does! Feel free to send him an email. He’s a very nice guy, and his family is lovely.

  17. Also traveling to Cairo /Dahab in November with my husband, would be interested in his information also!!

  18. Traveling to Cairo /Dahab in November with my husband, would be interested in his information also!! This article still has me nervous, but excited!

  19. Brilliant to read your article. Thank you and thanks for providing Rami’s contact details. Do you pay him up front or as you go (depending on what and where you want him to take you to). Also would he meet at the airport etc?

    1. Hi Margo,

      I paid him daily at the end of every day, which meant he would actually pay for me up front. I don’t know if this is his standard practice, but it’s what he and I agreed on. He can definitely make arrangements for you at the airport—just send him an email and I’m sure he’ll take care of you.

  20. Hi Jeremy,

    Love all your comments and advice! Please would you give me an idea of how much you paid Rami at the end of each day. Thanks, Tammy

    1. To be honest, I can’t remember. It varied from day to day, because we were always doing different things. He paid for everything up front and I paid him back at the end of the day. The amount is obviously going to be very different depending on what you’re doing. I suggest emailing him for further information.

  21. Hi Jeremy,

    I went to Thomson Travel Agent today to buy a trip to Egypt, but was told that you can not visit the Pyramids at the moment. Is this true?

    Kind regards,
    Gladis

  22. Hi , my fiance is from Egypt but he dont want me to go there he say is not safe is 2016

    .its really that bad?? Or maybe excuses from him

    Can someone reply me back

  23. Hi so he say we can marry but we have to live somewhere else like spain other country because they kill americans
    I think they kill white people
    Well im native american so i don’t rhink im in the list
    What you think??

    1. I’m still alive, so they obviously don’t kill all Americans. I suggest reading the whole article, as I think the answers you’re looking for are written right there.

  24. I’m glad I found your site. We are planning a very short trip at the end of December. I’m hoping your friend Rami can assist.

  25. Directly as a result of reading this article about Rami, I booked a tour with him. I believe in having rounded accounts of experiences and it is for that reason I am writing this, so that people can make informed choices, this is not a personal attack on him. My opinion, from my experience, is that Rami is first and foremost a business man and as such profit is top of his list. This contradicts some parts of this article and what Rami himself told me. Of course, there is nothing wrong with wanting to make a profit, it’s just that Rami has spiel, like most sales people, to suggest otherwise.
    I absolutely loved my experience in Egypt and members of Rami’s family that I met were very kind and lovely. If you are thinking of visiting Egypt then I recommend you do.

    1. Thanks for commenting with your experience, Matt! I’m glad you had a great time visiting Rami 🙂

  26. Before I came to Egypt I found Rami on this Internet blog and decided to contact him. From our first communication it was clear that Rami was genuinely doing all he could to show people The beauty of Egypt from a local perspective and to give everyone who came to know him the best experience possible.
    I arrived in Cairo on the 13th of September and stayed for two weeks.
    During my entire stay Rami was constantly doing what he could to make sure I got to experience all that I wanted to see. His hospitality and generosity really made an impression on me, it was as if I was apart of his family. Aside from all the places i went in Giza, Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel etc,( I was drawn to the ancient culture and spiritual/metaphysical side of things which rami and I connected on very well) Rami is very knowledgable about the places I visited, but I also got to experience things like a local and I went to many family lunches and even a wedding haha! Rami is very organised and committed to giving his guests a good time and I can honestly say that I had an amazing time. The price of things is very reasonable much cheaper than a typical tour, it also has many other beneficial aspects that really allow you to see what Egyptian culture is really about. If your thinking of going to Egypt regardless of how long or short your stay I very much recommend you contact Rami he is a lovely person that will do all he can for you, he is someone I will remain friends with for life and I know I will go back to visit him more in the future.thank you so much Rami 🙂

    1. I’m so glad you went and saw Rami and had a similar experience to me. He’s such a lovely guy, and I stay in touch with him often 🙂

  27. My experience was different as I have family that lives in Egypt. My father in law is a native Egyptian and my Mother in law who now has dual citizenship. I had long blonde hair and was told don’t worry about the scarf you’ll look like a fake Egyptian and it’s generally laughed at, they know you’re a tourist and believe me they want and need tourism therr. As a tourist you don’t have to wear full hijab but I chose to be respectful and cover my legs and men cover there’s too. Noone wears shorts (men & women alike), you’ll stick out like a sore thumb male or female if you do. And we were there in a heat wave of 108 in August. Don’t book your trip due Ramadan everything stays closed for a long time. If you don’t have family you must go with a tour guide or group unless you speak Arabic you WILL be hassled and pay tourists prices. Be prepared to take pictures, they love to take pictures with Americans, never did I feel unsafe, but we did have my Father in law who is a prominent figure in Egypt, I am not sure that we would have had the same experience traveling there without his assistance. Have a local person is essential. Sinai is the contentious peninsula and noone travels there ( who knows anything about the current climate there meaning radicals etc.). We went in August 2015 and it was very hot, you can’t drink faucet water, everyone drinks bottled and you should do the same. The Mediterranean by Costa del Sol where we stayed for awhile was frought with mosquitoes, they fumigated nightly. Cairo is heavily populated and to me smelled alot like burning trash, the traffic is insane forget traffic laws etc. Therr will be donkeys andbtuk tuks alike on the roads, camels closer to the pyramids. There’s a lot of noise and honking, and the city comes alive at night ( maybe to avoid the heat).You see the cloud of smog when you leave the city, I felt better staying at the North Coast of Egypt just physically. It was an amazing trip, I ft a lot of love from the Egyptian people, no matter what I write it doesn’t compare to the actual experience, be prepared for people to take pictures of your kids and ask to take pictures with you, tourists are getting pretty rare, at one Church a child begged to have a picture in the middle of a tour and I obliged, sometimes it was exhausting as I just wanted to see the sights, but at the same time it wasn’t stares in a bad way I would hate to be a celebrity!!

    1. To Kristen,
      Your experience was extremely informative for me as I was fearing I would never be able to see the pyramids of Egypt. Obviously it helps to have a father in law from the country, but short of that, as I have no relatives in that part of the world, the way the country has been portrayed in the news makes many of us fearful of traveling there; hence the drop in tourism. Being a single woman I have never felt uncomfortable traveling anywhere by myself, but I can see it would be in my best interests to travel with a group to Egypt. Thank you again for sharing your experience.

      1. I stumbled upon this blog when doing a search of whether or not it is safe to travel to Egypt but for a very unusual reason. My 17 year old daughter is in mad, mad love with a 25 year old man living in Egypt. He’s actually from Yemen but works and lives in Cairo. They have declared their unwavering love and devotion to one another. We tried putting the ax to this by taking away any and all electronics. It was successful for a time but she found a way to keep reaching out to him. Finally I agreed to talk with the young man. He seems nice enough and genuinely cares about my daughter’s well being. They say they will wait for each other, her to graduate high school and then college. He had or has a dream to move to Canada but realistically I don’t see how that is ever going to happen. So my fear is that she will find a way to get to him eventually and so my search for just how safe can one be in Egypt. I’m still not convinced it would be a good idea for her.

  28. Thank you for this post and the plug to a great tour guide! I plan to contact him to set the ball rolling. I love traveling and have been fortunate that my kids have the same love. One of my college professors was from Egypt but I have lost contact with him. My 5 years old just informed me that she wants to see the pyramids and the Great Sphinx soooooo… I’m planning a trip. Thanks for the information and insight you have provided!

  29. Hi Jeremy! Thank you so much for your informative article! I’ve always dreamed of going to Egypt and I would love to go with a tour company this September. The problem is that I am a Latin American woman who looks extremely arabic, and my husband is a tall white American. We’ve had problems and harrasments in the US from Muslim men thinking that I’m a Muslim woman who betrayed her roots by going with a white man. I was wondering if you saw any Muslim woman with white men and how did people treat them? I know of a Latin woman who went with her white husband, and she had rocks thrown at her, insulted, and her hair was pulled. What do you think? Thanks!

  30. That was an awesome read.

    Thanks so much for sharing your experience.
    What I’m so sure about is that you’ve got the real authentic Egyptian experience by touring like a local.

    Regards,

  31. “Egypt is not the first place most people think of when they’re preparing for a holiday” – so funny and interesting to read an American view on it 🙂
    For Europeans, Egypt was the cheap and easy getaway since early 90s’. It still is. Chartered flights and last-minute packages to Sharm el Sheik and Hurghada made it one of the three most popular destinations for package vacation and cruises on the Nile (among Tunisia and Turkey) for Polish, Germans, and French. Like seriously in Poland almost everyone and their mother has been to Egypt, it was actually the first place for me to travel solo back in 2009 because it was an obvious choice 😀

    1. That’s SO funny. For Americans, going to Egypt is like a once in a lifetime thing! Plus most Americans are nervous to travel there. Maybe it’s geography, maybe it’s the media…who knows!?

        1. The Government Travel website has it classified as the same level as spain. Level 2 (which is down from a level 3 in previous years). This is the same classifications of many different European countries. If youre smart and come prepared, Cairo is incredibly safe.

      1. I think its all of the above but I am in a place where I will be doing everything I am able to do especially when it comes to traveling.

  32. What a great blog! This is such an amazing post. Thank you for sharing with us and glad to you for advice. I have visited with my family to spending our vacation with the help of Ask-Aladdin and we enjoyed our trip with safe. Egypt is the best ancient place for tourist and there are very things to learn also. This is mainly famous for Pyramids of Giza, the Nile and Cairo. Cairo is the capital of Egypt and such a wonderful place. Keep blogging like this.

  33. What a great blog! This is such an amazing post. Thank you for sharing with us and glad to you for advice. I have visited with my family and we enjoyed our trip safely. Egypt is the best ancient place for tourist and there are very things to learn also. This is mainly famous for Pyramids of Giza, the Nile, and Cairo. Cairo is the capital of Egypt and such a wonderful place. Keep blogging like this.

  34. Last month, I was down there in Egypt for 2 weeks. I have been discovered almost all the best places out there. Thanks to Travco Holidays for making my trip so wonderful and for the nice and friendly behavior towards me.

  35. I was just there in April. Was in Dahab and was diving for a week the blue hole twice and a lot more. We stayed at Daniela resort just north of Dahab. My family and myself just loved this place and the dive master and all of the people are so friendly. Then on to Cario for three days and the pyramids and museum tours we stayed at the Guardian House a bed & breakfast right across the street from the pyramids and the view is just wonderful our guide & Mohammed our driver were just awsume and the owners of Guardian House including little mama the spark plug are just so friendly and will go out of their way to help you and make sure you have a great experience. Would I return yes. I can’t say enough about how friendly the Egyptian people are ever where we went. Except the security people at the airport cause I had some batteries and this guy was upset and took them. But other then that it was an life time experience and we had a incredibly time.

      1. I had a tour booked for Egypt for February, 2019. Ended up having emergency surgery in January so I had to cancel my trip. Imagine my surprise to find out that my insurance I purchased through World Nomads (even though the company took my money) would not have covered me for anything the entire time I was in Egypt. They don’t make any traveler aware that even though you have an insurance plan, it’s zero coverage for Egypt. Please get the word out there so travellers are aware!

      2. Please don’t advertise for World Nomads. They take your money for an insurance plan but you don’t have any coverage for Egypt even though the plan you purchased from them says you are covered for Egypt. Zero coverage. I got that in writing from World Nomads after I had to cancel my Egypt trip!

    1. It is good to know of individuals traveling in 2019. We will be doing so, in October. From what I read, I will probably only spend a few nights in Cairo — as I like the rural areas much better. We will be with a private tour, but I think safety should be ok.

      As for dress, women need to wear long pants or skirts, and men, long pants. Do you see shorts at all in Hurgada, at the swimming pools, in Jordan?

      Thanks

  36. Lovely article. The thing is, we’re 2 teenagers travelling alone. Do you think it’s still safe to visit Egypt?

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