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How safe is Egypt compared to other tourist destinations
Compared to other popular tourist destinations globally Egypt is considered very safe for organised tourism, particularly on areas such as Cairo, Luxor and Aswan along with Red Sea resorts.
Much of the concern regarding the safety of traveling in Egypt is similar to many other popular travel destinations such as:
- Spain (pick pocketing in tourist areas)
- Italy (tourist scams surrounding the major tourist sites)
- Turkey (busy bazaar's and price gouging)
In most instances issues such as these in Egypt are largely non-violent and easily avoidable with careful observation and wise travel habits.
One major difference however that Egypt does have over other countries is that there is a significant presence of the 'tourist police' particularly within such places as the pyramids of Giza and Luxor, adding another layer of security to that of the tourist in this destination.
The Government measures to make travelers safe in Egypt
Egypt relies on tourism as it's main source of revenue and therefore takes great strides to make sure that tourists feel safe in all aspects of their trip. These have included:
- Tourist police units located at all of the major attractions
- Security check points on main routes that tourist's take
- monitored entry points into all archaeological sites
- Licenced tour guides and enforced laws regarding their service.
- Security at all the hotels and resorts.
You'll also find that all of the popular tourist destinations are watched closely by uniformed officials in charge of tourist's security and assisting them.
Major tourist destination cities' detailed safety breakdowns
Cairo safety overview
Cairo is a sprawling capital city with millions of people, and due to its size and sheer population density it can feel quite hectic but most tourist sites and surrounding areas are generally safe.
The most tourist friendly and safest parts of the city:
- Giza (where the Pyramids are)
- tourist areas of Downtown Cairo
- Zamalek district
- Hotels along the Nile Corniche.
Top tips for traveling in Cairo:
- Only use Uber or Careem over street taxis.
- Avoid traveling on foot in desolate areas late at night.
- Be aware of your belongings when traveling through busy markets.
- Be aware of illegal guides around popular attractions offering "deals".
Luxor & Aswan safety overview
Luxor and Aswan are amongst the safest destinations to visit and are comprised of such a large part of the cultural tourism that they do not see and tourist related crime issues that is prevalent in other parts of Egypt. These two destinations are:
- Small and calm
- dependent on the tourist trade
- very closely regulated by local authorities
The majority of visitors traveling to these cities will do so through a guided tour or on a Nile cruise and with such methods there is very little opportunity to run into any kind of danger.
Red Sea Resorts Safety (Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh)
The Red Sea resorts are generally accepted as the safest part of Egypt in which to be. This is because the region was designed for tourism, is not as heavily populated by locals and many resorts are enclosed, gated compounds providing adequate security. These are great for families and solo travelers to Egypt as the only people they'll really meet are other holiday makers.
Desert areas (The White Desert, Siwa, Sinai etc.)
Egypt is a great place to travel into the desert for a cultural excursion, but there are several precautions that need to be taken with a trip into the desert:
- Only ever travel on a booked tour with a licensed guide.
- Never attempt to drive through an isolated desert without local knowledge of the routes and a vehicle equipped for the journey.
- Ensure your tour guide is fully equipped with communication equipment
- be aware of the current weather conditions.
- always make sure to pack plenty of bottled water.
It is safe as long as you go about it in a sensible manner.
TypicalTourist Scams in Egypt (and how to avoid them)
Despite it being so safe there are the odd occasions when a tourist can get caught up in small, non-threatening tourist scams in very busy areas, so to make your experience of this less frustrating these are the most common and the best ways to avoid them.
1.Fake Guides at tourist sites
A lot of tourists have claimed to have been approached by people claiming to be official guides near tourist destinations and who will attempt to charge them for their service.
- Do not accept any help from unsolicited guides at the tourist destination, they are often unofficial and have not completed their training nor possess a licensed permit to guide.
- Stick to asking officials at official ticket offices or your hotel's front desk for advice regarding tour guides.
2. Inflated Prices in Markets
It's all about haggling at busy bazaars but some vendors try to completely overprice certain goods at certain times of day, particularly if there are a large group of tourists to exploit.
- Negotiate prices before you agree to purchase any item.
- compare the prices at different vendors before buying.
- be polite but firm in your negotiations.
3. Taxi Drivers Overcharging
If you do not get into a taxi and agree on the fare before you travel, some tourist taxi drivers might try and charge more at the end of the journey.
- use Uber or Careem where possible as it pre-calculates fares.
- Ask your hotel for an estimate of a fair price for the journey you wish to take before hailing a taxi.
Digital Safety Tips for Tourists
In today's modern world, safety online while traveling is just as important as safety in the real world, so follow these helpful tips to stay safe in Egypt.
- Only ever use secure Wi-Fi connection while you are in a secure, public place like a hotel.
- Don't do your banking online in public, use an internet connection at your hotel if you can and never use public Wi-Fi.
- Ensure you always keep your phone data or Wi-Fi enabled.
- Back up all of your important travel documents, passports and visas as they are essential should your valuables get stolen.
Safety when traveling at night in Egypt
The safety of nighttime travel can vary depending on where in Egypt you are.
- night travel in Red Sea resorts will be extremely safe, no incidents have been reported of anything happening that would be of concern to a tourist in this area, especially if staying in a resort.
- in Cairo while generally safe to travel at night, do be aware of your surroundings and the area you are in.
- In most small, rural towns, once dark there is really very little activity going on at all, so be careful when walking through the streets as they could be isolated.
Food Safety in Egypt (and what to look out for)
Egyptian food is often cited as one of the main draws of traveling to the country due to its varied cuisine, and thankfully it has a good food safety record, though there are some precautions to take.
Eat in busy, tourist's and local's frequented restaurants that have a good reputation.
If food is displayed in a restaurant at lunchtime and you choose to have it for dinner, do make sure it is reheated properly.
Be careful when eating from street vendors although in general food offered is safe to eat.
Only drink bottled or filtered water.
Recommended Safe Foods for tourists to eat:
Koshari
Grilled meats and fish
Falafel (Ta'ameya)
Freshly made bread and rice dishes.
Safety for families in Egypt
Egypt is a fantastic and safe country for family holidays, with lots to see and do. If you have children and parents alike traveling to Egypt you need to make sure you're visiting destinations and experiencing places that are suitable for the family.
- The best family-friendly locations in Egypt are those in and around Cairo, on Nile cruises, and at the resorts along the Red Sea such as Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh.
- The family-friendly activities within Cairo mainly involve the Pyramids, Cairo museum, and the Sphinx. The Cairo museum can keep both adults and children amused and informed for an entire afternoon.
- Red Sea resorts cater specifically to families, and as mentioned previously there is little to worry about during your stay, most resorts come with their own pools and beaches which kids and adults can spend many hours enjoying.
Emergency Preparedness Tips for Travelers
It’s wise to have emergency preparations in order before you set off and to carry these emergency contacts and numbers around with you.
- The Police emergency number in Egypt is 122.
- The Ambulance emergency number is 123.
- If you're a tourist in an area where you feel at risk the tourist police will always be available for you to speak with.
Final Extended Safety Advice For Travelers in Egypt
Egypt continues to remain as one of the worlds leading tourist destinations providing truly remarkable experiences of its wonders; its pyramids, tombs, ancient temples, Red Sea coastline and vast desert. Millons visit every year and return satisfied that the experience has been safe, fulfilling and fun.
However, the one main factor is travel intelligence. The best way to see Egypt is not to avoid traveling around the country, but to do so with caution and intelligence; ensure you always stick to areas and attractions aimed at tourists, only use officially licenced transport services, keep your belongings secure when within busy crowded environments, stick to what you know as well as embracing the new and unfamiliar and make sure you've planned your trips well in advance. Follow these simple precautions, and you'll have an exceptionally rewarding time in Egypt.
From the wonders of the pharaohs, to the calm serene nature of the Nile and the fun filled beaches along the Red Sea coast Egypt offers itself to be seen by thousands as one of the safest places on Earth in 2016, and continues to do so.
