Is it Safe to Travel to Egypt?
It is safe to travel to Egypt, but it's always a great idea to join a group tour.
Yes, Egypt is safe, but despite saying this again and again, I am still asked all the time, is it safe to travel to Egypt? Let's talk about safety in Egypt, and discuss topics like:
1. Is Egypt safe to visit?
2. Current travel advisories for Egypt from the United States State Department
3. Safety in specific areas, like the Sinai Peninsula and the Western Desert
4. Travel Egypt advice on safety
5. Frequently asked questions about safety in Egypt
Is Egypt Safe?
Yes, Egypt is safe. The overall answer to this question requires nuance and explanation, but after 12 years of living in Egypt off and on (my first time in Egypt was in August 2012, and I've been going back ever since), I can confidently say that Egypt is a safe international destination to visit. Countless travelers have gone to Egypt with my company over the past four years, and all of them have felt extremely safe. Plus, there are thousands of posts across different social media sites and blogs from other travelers who have been to Egypt, all having safe trips. Sure, if you don't use a professional company, or if you go with the wrong people, you might get scammed or conned (which is why I always recommend working with a reputable company or local Egypt guide), but in terms of safety, Egypt is safe to travel to, whether you are taking a Nile Cruise from Luxor to Aswan, seeing the Pyramids and the Sphinx, trying street food in downtown Cairo, or enjoying a holiday on the Red Sea.
This is not to say that bad things have never happened in Egypt; international travel always comes with some level of risk. Over the past 20 years, there have been several times where tourists were harmed or killed in Egypt during different incidents, however, these are rare occurrances, compared with the millions of tourists who visit Egypt, year after year, and have wonderful trips.
And since the current President El Sisi has been in power, Egyptian Police, military, and security forces have a very strong presence throughout the entire country; the past several years have been the safest on record for travel to Egypt, and the government and country's number one priority is the providing safe travel for tourists, so that more visitors will come to Egypt and stimulate one of the most important industries in their economy.
In addition to this, violent or even petty crime is rare in Egypt; I never worry about being pickpocketed, robbed, or harmed, even when going places by myself, or walking around large cities like Cairo, especially at night. This isn't true when I am traveling in destinations people say are "safe" like London or Paris, where I am often thinking about where my wallet and phone are to avoid pickpockets, and I exercise increased caution when going anywhere alone at night.
When people ask me if there is a safety risk to visit Egypt, I always ask them, "What makes you feel safe, or unsafe?". Especially for folks from the United States, where mass shootings have been happening dozens of times every single year, does this make an American feel unsafe to be in the USA? Oftentimes, when I reverse the question, and talk about how safety is a perception, people realize that the biggest fear they have about visiting Egypt is just that it is an unknown, unfamiliar place, and don't realize what the actual statistics are regarding the millions of tourists who visit Egypt every single year, versus the very small amount of unsafe occurrences that happen to tourists in Egypt.
Current Travel Advisories for Egypt
The United States State Department currently considers Egypt a "Level 3 - reconsider travel". This means that the US Government allows travel to Egypt, but wants tourists to be aware of the risks, and to think about whether or not they should or want to visit Egypt. The State Department says to avoid Egypt "due to terrorism", and also to avoid Egypt due to "the Embassy’s limited ability to assist dual national U.S. - Egyptian citizens who are arrested or detained" (so this doesn't apply to any people who are not dual U.S. Egyptian citizens). Interesting enough, they do not mention anything about the situation in Israel and Gaza, so in the eyes of the State Department, the escalation there has not changed the safety situation at all in Egypt. Ironically, Egypt has always been on a “Level 3” or higher since the very first time I came to Egypt 12 years ago—it has never been dropped down to a “Level 2” or “Level 1”. So travelers who are worried about coming to Egypt because the State Department has it at a “Level 3”, should realize that nothing has changed about Egypt’s status in the past 12 years (except for a couple specific instances like the Covid-19 pandemic) in terms of the State Department’s travel recommendations.
In order to have up to date information about safety in Egypt, you should follow your country’s embassy on social media, and check their website a minimum of three months before, one month before, one week before, and then every day leading up to your trip. For example, in addition to being able to provide consular services, the U.S. Embassy in Cairo posts relevant security alerts and updates as necessary. These are great ways to stay informed about the current safety situation in Egypt, and if there is a new travel advisory, be sure to review it before your trip. Be sure to sign up for any type of text-message alert system your country's embassy uses to keep citizens informed about any safety updates, like the U.S. State Department Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). This is also a great way to stay informed and to access consular services as needed.
Safety in Specific Areas in Egypt
There are certain areas of Egypt to avoid, like the northern part of the Sinai Peninsula, and the area of the Western Desert that borders Libya.
These two areas aren't of concern for any tourists, anyway, because:
-The more unstable areas of the Northern Sinai Peninsula have been off-limits to tourists for over a decade. For example, in 2017, I visited Taba in Egypt's northern Sinai by bus. Taba is a beautiful area, full of tourists, staying at 5-star resorts and enjoying time at the beach. When I wanted to return to Cairo via a direct bus route that went across the northern part of the Sinai Peninsula, I was not able to board the bus as a foreigner; Egyptian security told me that that part of the peninsula has been off-limits to travelers for years. So the entire area of the Northern Sinai Peninsula that tourists should avoid, is off-limits anyway, and has been for years, even before the recent escalation at the Gaza/Egypt border.
-The area of Egypt's Western Desert that is not safe for tourists to visit is the area within 50 kilometers of the border with Libya. However, the areas that tourists want to visit, like Siwa Oasis, the Black and White Desert, or El Kharga Oasis, are not within this area. The unsafe portion of the Western Desert has nothing of interest for tourists, aside from lots of desert sand.
Travel Egypt Advice: Safety
Consider an Egypt Group Tour
Egypt Adventures Travel hosts group tours every year, which are a great way for travelers to have a safe and comfortable experience in Egypt. Gus (that’s me!) is with on every group tour, and along with the local Egyptian partners, tour guides, and drivers, helps make sure everyone stays safe.
Traveling with a company like Egypt Adventures Travel is a great way to ensure a safe trip!
Consider working with an Egypt Guide or Company
If a group tour is not right for you, consider a private tour. Companies (like Egypt Adventures Travel) can connect you with vetted and trusted Egyptian guides and partners, who can handle all of the logistical details for your time in Egypt. Their main job is to make sure you are safe and taken care of while in Egypt, and they will always be keeping this in mind.
For example, tourism companies by law are required to file paperwork with Egypt’s Tourism Police (that’s right, Egypt has a police branch in each major city and governorate dedicated solely to keeping tourists safe) and also the Ministry of Tourism. This paperwork has all the identifying information of the individuals in the group, as well as all the tour guides and drivers the group will be working with, along with a basic itinerary for their time in Egypt. These paperwork documents are checked each morning upon pickup from the hotel, along the way each day at various sites, and upon returning to the hotel in the evening.
Sometimes, depending on the situation or the size of the group, additional security or a tourism police officer will join a group for a day, to keep an eye on everyone and make sure everyone is safe.
If there were to be some type of disaster, accident, civil unrest, etc., tourism companies have plans in place to help tourists find a safe place, and then consider next steps depending on the situation. Tour guides, drivers, and tour leaders are all prepared to spring to action if something happens during a tour. This allows you to simply enjoy your time, take in the sites, and not worry about safety or what to do in a crisis or emergency; your company and guide will have your back.
For Americans: Enroll in the STEP Program
The “Smart Traveler Enrollment Program” is sponsored by the U.S. State Department, and allows travelers to get real-time text message updates from the relevant embassy wherever they are traveling. When you sign up for an account with STEP, and put in your travel plans to come to Egypt, you will get notifications any time the U.S. Embassy has an announcement or security update.
Consider Egypt Travel Insurance
I am not an insurance agent or company! Before purchasing any travel insurance policy, make sure you speak to your insurance agent to get advice on what to do, and to know what your different policy options include!
Travel and Trip Insurance are a great way to keep yourself covered in case something does happen, and you need medical attention or to be evacuated. Or, in case Egypt becomes a place that is too dangerous for tourism (or you simply decide to cancel your trip for personal reasons), many insurance companies will offer a plan that has “cancel for any reason” coverage, which usually returns back 75% of the cost you paid on your trip.
Avoid Demonstrations in Egypt
Before you head out for the day, check the news to see if there are any potential demonstrations, and be especially cautious on Fridays after prayer time (early afternoon) when protests usually happen. If you notice a demonstration when out and about, try to avoid the area as much as possible. Certain areas, like Tahrir Square, may become epicenters for protests and demonstrations. If you do find yourself in a demonstration, try to keep a low profile, move with the crowd (avoiding stationary objects like walls, poles, etc.), and break away to a more quiet, safe area as soon as possible.
Avoid Talking Politics in Egypt
Egyptians have been talking a lot recently about the war in Israel and Gaza. As best you can, avoid these conversations entirely, or if engaged in one, try:
Saying you do not know a lot about politics
Pretending you do not understand
If you are American, saying that you do not agree with what the American Government is doing regarding the situation (this is often an easy answer to stop further conversation)
No matter what, avoid expressing support for Israel — in general, Egyptians are very supportive of Palestinians, and are lukewarm to hostile when it comes to Israel
Frequently Asked Questions About Safety in Egypt
Is is safe to travel to Egypt as a woman?
Yes, Egypt is totally safe for women to travel to, but I recommend women travel as part of a group, especailly with at least one male in the group, in order to reduce the chance of harassment, like staring or catcalling.
Is Egypt safe for solo female travelers?
This is a tough question. I have organized trips for solo female travelers in Egypt, and they have had great experiences, but I highly recommend solo female travelers find a vetted and trusted local Egypt guide to help with their trip. This will help reduce the chance of unwelcome male attention, and will make a trip to Egypt much more comfortable and easy. That being said, I have met many solo female travelers (Gisselle is one of them, and she has a great YouTube channel sharing her experiences), and despite the chance of sexual harassment, many solo female travelers have positive experiences in Egypt.
Do I need travel insurance to visit Egypt?
Travel insurance is not required in order to visit Egypt, however, I highly recommend purchasing it! Travel insurance could cover things like needing to cancel your trip, having a medical issue while traveling, facing a delay with a flight, and more. You can check out this blog post with more information about travel insurance and visiting Egypt.
Is Alexandria Egypt safe?
Yes, Alexandria is totally safe, despite being the second largest city in Egypt. I love Alexandria, and encourage anyone with a few extra days in their itinerary to pay Egypt's Mediterranean Jewel a visit.
Is Uber safe in Egypt?
Uber is far safer than taking a normal, "white" taxi, since you know who your driver will be, you have GPS tracking enabled, you have a record of your ride, and you have the Uber central office in Cairo to contact in case anything goes wrong. Uber also has in-app safeguards to report issues in real time. Of course, every once in a while, something unsafe may happen while taking Uber, but the chance of this while using Uber is much less than while taking a normal taxi, or using public transportation.
Is it safe to take public transit in Egypt?
Public transit like buses, the metro, and microbuses are not often taken by tourists, but all modes of public transit in Egypt are perfectly safe. I have never worried about pickpockets, being harmed, or any other issues while taking public transit. However, I would not recommend solo female travelers who are not familiar with Egypt to take public transit by themselves, and any female taking public transit in Egypt should dress conservatively, covering up everything from ankles to wrists (no need to cover hair).
Is child abduction and kidnapping an issue in Egypt?
There are very rare cases of kidnapping and abduction when traveling in Egypt. It does happen )only once in a blue moon), so it's not something that the average Egypt tourist visiting in order to see the Pyramids, do a Nile Cruise, and enjoy time on the Red Sea needs to worry about.
Is traveling to Egypt safe for gay and lesbian travelers?
This blog post has a lot of information about the topic to prepare for your Egypt visit, but overall, yes, Egypt is safe for LGBT travelers, as long as these travelers know what the Egyptian law says about homosexuality, avoid public displays of affection, and respect local customs.
Is Cairo Egypt safe?
Cairo, despite being one of the largest cities in the world, is very safe. I have been living in Cairo off and on for 12 years, and, ironically, feel safer in Cairo than any other major city in the world I've been to, including where I live in the USA. Things like getting robbed, pickpocketed, or jumped have never been a concern to me in Cairo, and all of the travelers I have helped visit Egypt have felt safe in the capital city.
Are there any Egypt travel restrictions?
Aside from barring tourists from visiting the northern Sinai Peninsula, and the area of the Western Desert within 50 kilometers of Libya, there are no Egypt travel restrictions for tourists.
Is it safe for American to travel to Egypt right now?
Americans are actually one of the most-loved nationalities of tourists in Egypt, because Egyptian people as a whole have a fascination with American music, TV shows, movies, culture, and politics. I have noticed a slight increase in Egyptians asking questions about the U.S. Government's support for Israel, which is a very unpopular topic amongst Egyptians, so I recommend steering clear from any conversations about politics with local Egyptians. Your tour guide is probably the safest person to ask any questions you may have about political issues.
Is it safe to visit the Pyramids?
The Giza Plateau is one of the safest parts of Cairo, with a heavy security presence monitoring the entirety of the Pyramids and Sphinx, all roadways leading to the area, and all entrances. The only thing you may need to worry about at the Giza Plateau is getting scammed (see my YouTube video for how to avoid this), but if you go with a reputable tour guide/company, you won't need to worry about this at all.
Is it safe to travel to Egypt with the war in Israel?
Yes, it is safe to travel to Egypt with the war in Israel - the U.S. State Department has not changed a single word, period, or capital letter in their travel to Egypt advisory since the conflict escalated, so if in the eyes of the U.S. State Department nothing has changed about the security situation in Egypt post-escalation in Gaza and Israel, tourists do not need to worry about the conflict impacting safety in Egypt. You can watch my YouTube video which goes over this in more detail here.
Is Hurghada Egypt safe?
Like all major tourists cities in Egypt, Hurghada has a heavy security presence that is focused on keeping toursits safe. There have been a few instances over the past 10 years where tourists in Hurghada have been harmed, but with the hundreds of thousands of tourists visiting Hurghada year after year, and the increased security presence after the election of President Sisi, you are probably more at risk of getting bitten by a shark than something dangerous happening in Hurghada.
Do you have any advice for Egypt travel aside from just safety recommendations?
Yes! Check out this blog post that has a ton of Egypt travel advice, and if you don't see something in the article you have a question about, ask! I love giving travel advice on Egypt.
So, overall, travel to Egypt is safe, as long as you know what to expect when travelling to Egypt, follow along with your country's embassy to have up-to-date information, and follow any guidelines and advice on travelling to Egypt. What questions do you have about safety in Egypt? Leave a comment and let me know!
